• 22
  • November
    2011

One in four Florida drivers is uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council, giving Florida the dubious distinction of ranking among the top five states for uninsured drivers. While the state government pegs the uninsured driving rate much lower at three or four percent, one thing is certain: Uninsured drivers are driving up the rates for everyone else.

Florida drivers pay an average of $1,476 per year for automobile insurance, but that amount would be lower if all drivers in the state were properly insured. This is because, when some drivers are uninsured, other drivers must bear the cost by purchasing additional coverage known as "uninsured motorist coverage," which covers the policyholder's own injuries in the event of a Tampa car accident with an uninsured driver. Such coverage would be unnecessary if all drivers carried insurance.

Unfortunately, however, the fact remains that far too many drivers are uninsured in Florida. And while it may seem unfair, this makes it all the more necessary to purchase insurance coverage to protect yourself and your family in the event of an accident. Not only will bodily injury and uninsured motorist coverage protect you and your loved ones should they become injured, but liability coverage will protect your financial future should you be involved in an accident that injures someone else.

Even though Florida's car insurance rates may be higher than they should be, Florida drivers can at least be thankful not to be buying insurance in areas such as Michigan, Montana or Washington, D.C., where average premiums can be upwards of $2,500 per year.

Source: Sun Sentinel, "Uninsured drivers are driving up your rates," Julie Patel, 10/14/11