Car insurance rates have been on a steady incline in the U.S. for the past several years. In the past 12 months alone, they’ve risen another 7%, according to data from Carinsurance.com. Based on what state you live in, you may feel the pinch more than others.
In Florida, drivers pay an average of [average annual rate] per year per year for car insurance, making it one of the highest rates in the country. With an uptick in other expenses — such as groceries and rent — finding ways to cut costs is becoming a higher priority.
When considering how to save on car insurance, it may seem most cost-effective to drive without it. However, it’s important to weigh the risks and consequences first.
Is it illegal not to have car insurance in Florida?
Driving without car insurance in Florida is illegal. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), you must carry the state’s minimum liability insurance with the following minimum limits:
- $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL)
The minimum PIP covers 80% of related medical expenses in an accident, regardless of fault. The minimum PDL will cover property damage to the other driver in an accident. Florida is a no-fault state, which is why PIP is a necessary component of car insurance.
What happens if you drive without car insurance in Florida?
Since driving without car insurance in Florida is illegal, you’ll be fined if you are involved in an accident or pulled over without proof of insurance. Your driver’s license, registration and plates could be suspended for up to three years.
You could end up paying out of pocket for any expenses in an accident, including injuries, repairs, lost wages and legal fees. Additionally, your car insurance premiums will increase. Carriers will consider you a riskier driver due to your lapse in coverage and any associated penalties or accidents while driving without insurance. You also wil need an SR-22 or FR-44, which flags you as a high-risk driver.
How much do rates increase after driving without insurance in Florida?
If you drive without insurance in Florida, your premiums will likely increase, but the exact amount depends on your car insurance provider.
You could pay anywhere from 7% to 45% more for car insurance if you get a ticket for driving without insurance. Some insurers may increase premiums by as much as Mercury Insurance by 45% or $1,504 more per year on average, or as little as State Farm by 7% or $158 more annually.
See how much your insurance rates could increase if you drive without insurance in Florida in the table below.
| Company | Average rates | Rates after driving without insurance | $ increase | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $2,119 | $2,277 | $158 | 7% |
| Travelers | $2,356 | $3,064 | $708 | 30% |
| Progressive | $2,902 | $3,876 | $974 | 34% |
| Farmers | $3,261 | $4,046 | $785 | 24% |
| Mercury Insurance | $3,358 | $4,861 | $1,504 | 45% |
What happens if you get pulled over without insurance in Florida?
Being pulled over without proof of insurance is the quickest way to incur a fine from law enforcement. Once reported to the FLHSMV, you will have five days to provide proof of coverage before facing steeper consequences, such as license suspension.
Your car insurance premium may also increase if you drive without insurance in Florida. For example, State Farm provides the most affordable annual average rate in Florida at $2,119.
If you were to be pulled over and fined for driving without insurance, you’d be looking at a new premium of $2,277 — a $158 annual increase. This would be even higher if you were involved in an accident without insurance.
See how other Florida insurers compare in the table below..
| Company | Average rates | Rates after driving without insurance |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $2,119 | $2,277 |
| Travelers | $2,356 | $3,064 |
| Progressive | $2,902 | $3,876 |
| Farmers | $3,261 | $4,046 |
| Mercury Insurance | $3,358 | $4,861 |
What are the risks of driving without car insurance in Florida?
Driving without car insurance in Florida comes with significant risks. These may have some long-term impact on your finances, driving record and future insurance premiums. You could also face license and registration suspension for up to three years.
Florida has specific penalties for driving without insurance, including how long you’ve been driving without coverage, if you were involved in an accident and if you’ve had any prior offenses. Drivers without insurance also face the possibility of paying out of pocket for accident costs, lawsuits and loss of state minimum injury and property coverages.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Florida
Penalties for the first offense in Florida
Cost savings for skipping your monthly payment may seem like a good way to tighten your budget, but you may end up paying much more and for far longer if you get pulled over without car insurance in Florida.
First-time offenders will have their license and registration suspended for up to three years, pending proof of insurance. A $150 reinstatement fee must also be paid and some drivers may receive a fine up to $500 based on their driving offense.
You can also expect an increase in your car insurance rates by at least 45%, if not more, according to CarInsurance.com data.
Penalties for the second offense in Florida
You must maintain continuous car insurance coverage after your first offense of driving without insurance in Florida. However, if you receive a second offense, especially within the first three years of your first one, your penalties will be more significant.
Penalties for a second offense in Florida include immediate suspension of your license, registration and plates for up to three years, a $250 reinstatement fee and fines up to $1,000. You’ll likely have to file an SR-22 as a risky driver, which will continue to drive up your car insurance premium.
What happens if you drive without insurance and get into an accident in Florida?
Florida is a no-fault state for accidents, meaning if you’re involved, both drivers’ insurance companies are responsible for their own expenses. Suppose you’re driving without insurance in Florida. In that case, you can expect to pay out of pocket for your own damages and injuries and the penalties and suspensions you’ll incur for not having coverage.
Penalties for driving without insurance in an accident in Florida
Driving without insurance in Florida and getting into an accident could lead to serious consequences, including lasting impacts to your finances and driving record.
- Fines and penalty assessment fees: Florida charges reinstatement fees and civil fines for drivers without insurance who are involved in an accident. These range from $150 to $500, with civil penalties up to $1,000.
- License and registration suspension: FLHSMV can suspend your license and registration for up to three years based on the accident you’ve been involved in. If this is your first offense, you’ll be fined a reinstatement fee of $15. If it’s your second, it’s $250 and subsequent offenses, especially within the first three years, are $500.
- SR-22 required: After an accident without insurance in Florida, you will be considered a high-risk driver. You will be required to file an SR-22/FR-44, which may result in higher insurance premiums and potentially limited driving capabilities.
- Out-of-pocket costs: Florida drivers are responsible for covering their own accident costs as a no-fault accident state. PIP and PDL provide up to $10,000 in coverage, and all other expenses must be out of pocket for the driver. If you’re an uninsured driver in an accident, you not only owe all medical and damage costs, but you may also owe for the driver’s out-of-pocket expenses.
How age and gender affect penalties and insurance rates for driving without insurance in Florida
The drivers paying the most for car insurance in Florida are those 18 to 25 years old. Teen and young drivers are generally considered to be at a higher risk for claims. Young drivers lack experience behind the wheel and are involved in a disproportionate number of accidents.
Eighteen-year-old male drivers can expect to pay an average annual rate of $8,257. Young female drivers pay slightly less – $7,241 per year. In Florida, car insurance companies can consider gender a rating factor when determining your premium and the chart shows that it makes a difference for those aged 18 and 25.
See more rates in the table below.
| Age | Male driver with bad credit | Female driver with bad credit |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | $8,257 | $7,241 |
| 25 | $4,116 | $3,985 |
| 40 | $3,455 | $3,464 |
| 65 | $3,453 | $3,370 |
How do you get cheap car insurance when you are uninsured in Florida?
One of the best ways to ensure you stay insured in Florida is to find an affordable insurance option that fits your budget. Finding cheap car insurance when you’re uninsured in Florida requires a few strategies.
State Farm is one of Florida’s cheapest insurance providers, with an average annual rate of $2,277. Price shopping other car insurance companies could also help you find cheaper options. It’s advisable to ask about the discount programs insurers offer, which can help you potentially save hundreds of dollars off your monthly bill.
| State | Florida |
| Cheapest Company | State Farm |
| Annual rates | $2,277 |
| Six-months rates | $1,139 |
| Monthly rates | $190 |
Florida car insurance laws — know before you drive
Florida drivers must carry both PIP and PDL insurance coverage at limits of $10,000 each. As a no-fault state, drivers’ car insurance companies are responsible for covering medical and damage expenses incurred during an accident up to the limits. After that, drivers pay out of pocket for remaining costs.
On average, Florida drivers pay approximately [average annual rate] per year for car insurance. Drivers without insurance in the state pay up to 25% more on average and fees if they’re pulled over. They could also face potential suspension of their license and registration for up to three years. Subsequent offenses often carry more severe consequences for an extended period.
If you’re not insured but are driving a vehicle with coverage, ensure you’re permitted to drive the car by the policyholder. Most insurers extend coverage to all drivers of a vehicle — including permitted borrowers — and many will also cover household members. However, the policyholder must understand their policy before they drive their vehicle to ensure they are covered in the event of an accident.
Frequently ask questions
Can someone drive an insured car if they’re uninsured in Florida?
Drivers with permitted use can drive an insured vehicle in Florida if they’re not insured. Permissive use is when a driver without insurance borrows a car to drive with the driver’s permission. Some insurers’ liability insurance policies cover drivers who borrow a vehicle with permission, but there can be some limitations based on the insurance company. Otherwise, uninsured people cannot legally operate a car in Florida.
Can my license be suspended for driving without car insurance in Florida?
Yes, you can have your license suspended for driving a car without insurance in Florida. The FLHSMV will receive a notice from your last insurance company 10 days after your insurance lapses or isn’t renewed. If the FLHSMV doesn’t have a current record of insurance on file, you will receive a notification to provide proof and a reinstatement fee of $150. If you fail to comply, your license, registration and plates could be suspended for up to three years.
How long can you drive without insurance after buying a car in Florida?
You can’t drive a vehicle in Florida without insurance, even if it is newly purchased. The state requires PIP and PDL coverage for all drivers to operate a car. The FLHSMV provides a 30-day grace period to finalize your registration for your new car, allowing you to drive with the temporary paper plate supplied by the car dealership.
Can you go to jail for not having car insurance in Florida?
It’s not a criminal offense to drive without car insurance in Florida. While you likely won’t go to jail for not carrying insurance, you will face significant penalties and consequences, such as driver’s license and registration suspension, fines and fees.
However, if you were to drive on a suspended license, repeatedly not carry car insurance and be involved in moving violations and accidents, or forge insurance documents, you could face jail time.
Is driving without insurance a moving violation in Florida?
Under Florida law, a moving violation is considered an act that violates traffic law, such as speeding, running a stop sign or light or making an illegal turn, so driving without insurance in Florida is not considered a moving violation. However, should you be speeding while driving without insurance in Florida, you will receive a moving violation ticket and a fine for not having proof of insurance.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. “Florida insurance requirements.” Accessed July 2025.
- McKinney Keenan P.A. “Is it illegal to drive without car insurance in Florida?” Accessed July 2025.
- The Florida Senate. “2018 Florida statutes.” Accessed July 2025.
- USALaw. “What happens if you get into a car accident without insurance in Florida and are not at fault?” Accessed July 2025.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to report average auto insurance rates for a Honda Accord LX for every state. We calculated rates using data for up to six large carriers (Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm).
Averages are based on insurance for a married 40-year-old who commutes 12 miles to work each day, with policy limits of 100/300/100 ($100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $100,000 for property damage in an accident) and $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage. The rate includes uninsured motorist coverage. Your rate depends on personal factors and your vehicle.
Read the detailed methodology for more information.
Still have a question? Ask our experts
Get advice from an experienced insurance professional. Our experts will help you navigate your insurance questions with clarity and confidence.
Browse all FAQs