Florida is one of the top vacation destinations in the world. People from around the globe come to witness the grand nightlife, gorgeous waters, and diverse cultural creativity of the Sunshine State.
You get to escape the cold weather that dominates most of the country during the winter while getting out with various people worldwide.
However, the area presents some travel challenges for people who are far away and want to book a flight to the state. Are you going to rent a car once you get there? Do you need to know about driving without insurance in Florida, which can present financial problems for frugal spenders?
You could always take a chance and go without insurance. Driving without insurance in Florida does present some consequences, but not nearly as many as in other states in America. We’ll discuss some of those ramifications and alternative ideas for getting around the state.
Where does Florida rank for insured drivers?
Florida has the most uninsured drivers of any state in the country. Some studies suggest that around 27% percent of all drivers in the state are uninsured. This contrasts with states like Wyoming, Idaho, and Nebraska, where only 10% of residents are uninsured drivers.
This leads us to wonder why Florida has so many uninsured drivers. A starting point would be to look at the discipline for not having car insurance. Compared to other states, Florida slaps you on the wrist for driving without insurance in Florida.
The first offence is only a $150 fine, and the second offence is a measly $300. This differs from states like Washington, with penalties of up to $1,000. Why is there a difference in penalties for these states? Why should it be different from being uninsured in one state compared to another?
The lack of financial consequences for uninsured drivers in Florida has got to be the most vital reason. Folks compare how much it costs to take out insurance, and they then compare it to the price of the fines. They decide they are willing to risk being caught rather than burn a hole in their wallet by following the rules.
This still doesn’t give us a good picture of the difference between residents of the states who are uninsured and those who are travelling to Florida for a vacation parading along the sandy beaches and the bright nightlife. What would motivate a traveller to take out renters insurance on a temporary car in the state?
Having Fun Without Car Insurance in Florida
Just because you’re on vacation and driving a rental car doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider getting some form of car insurance. If you’re planning on being in town for several weeks, the risk of getting into an accident increases significantly more than throughout a three-day escapade.
Rental car insurance can be taken out through your ordinary personal policy back home on the car you own, and sometimes you can choose to add rental car insurance to your regular insurance.
Forgoing rental car insurance will push you into the same territory as a native Florida resident, a scenario that includes getting fined or ticketed. This means it is once again a personal risk that every person has to decide on.
Talk to your insurance agent and ask them whether they think a rental car driving without insurance in Florida is a good option for you, depending on the length of your vacation. Depending on your trip length, you may feel you can get away without protection, but you usually need something just in case.
Why does Florida have flexible auto insurance penalties?
There is no concrete reason why Florida has lower insurance penalties than other states. The number of drivers on the road will be higher than in most other places in the country because of all the tourists. You would think the risk of getting into an accident would be even higher than in other calm and uneventful lands.
The other side of the coin is that so many drivers are not permanent residents that many lawmakers might feel like taking out temporary insurance is a hassle for everyone involved.
If you have relatives in Florida, maybe they can add you to their insurance policy if you borrow their vehicle for a short period. This does present some challenges financially for the insurance companies, though.
Adding more people to an insurance policy costs the insurer more money for administrative fees and logistics. And if they will have to remove you from that same policy right after a vacation, they are more likely to suggest you take out renters or find alternative methods of travel.
The Verdict on Having Auto Insurance While in Florida
While it may seem like a hassle to have insurance while vacationing on the beach, especially if you aren’t going to be driving that much during the trip, the fallout of an accident goes so far beyond the dings in the paint of the flat tire endured for driving up on the curve.
Car accidents can be life-altering events that often require medical treatment. If you are afraid of the premiums you are paying for such short-lived insurance, make sure you do your homework and take out a renter’s policy that is both affordable and protective in case anything wrong happens.
Remember that your regular auto insurance should cover rental vehicles, but check your policy.
Going somewhere like Florida is one of the most exciting times, especially if you don’t have regular trips planned throughout the year. The last thing you want to think about is the drab insurance details, but the only thing worse would be paying for the medical bills uncovered after a tragic accident.
Being unfamiliar with an area also increases your risk of getting into an accident. Research the geography of the region you are visiting and take extra precautions before getting there.
If you view taking out driving without insurance in Florida for your trip the same way you would book your plane tickets and hotel, you will see it as part of your standard travel itinerary. Fun and safety fit together like a glove.
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the car insurance comparison site, CarInsuranceComparison.com. He enjoys helping families weigh the risks and rewards of auto insurance policies and identify the best rates depending on their financial situation.
