Best Car Insurance For College Students In Florida For 2024

GEICO is my choice for the best car insurance company for college students in Florida.

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Updated: 18 March 2024
Written by
Doug Schaffer
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Our team of auto insurance experts spent close to 40 hours reviewing and comparing 63 quotes from 22 different brands to determine the best car insurance company for college students in Florida. After careful analysis, GEICO had the most affordable coverage overall and the best full coverage policies.

State Farm also performed very well for Florida college students looking for a minimum coverage policy or a company with excellent customer service. Progressive was the best option for drivers with accidents and violations on their driving records.

The following guide will explore all three companies and how different criteria like location and age can impact insurance rates for college students in Florida.

Best Car Insurance For College Students In Florida, 2024

Best Car Insurance For College Students, 2024

Compare The Best Car Insurance For College Students In Florida

Overall Rating Best For JD Power Rating Average Annual Cost AM Best Rating Get A Quote
GEICO
4.7

Affordable Coverage

824

$3,602

A++

Instant Quote
State Farm
4.9

Minimum Coverage

842

$1,521

A++

Instant Quote
GEICO
4.7

Full Coverage

824

$3,602

A++

Instant Quote
Auto-Owners
4.6

Customer Service

837

$4,329

A++

Instant Quote
State Farm
4.9

Low-Mileage Drivers

842

$1,521

A++

Instant Quote
Progressive
4.6

Driving Violations

853

$4,697

A+

Instant Quote
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Our Methodology

To find the cheapest car insurance rates for college students in Florida, we analyzed findings from numerous car insurance review sites, some of which analyzed rates from public filings obtained by Quadrant Information Services. We also utilize the combined twenty-five years of experience from our team of insurance experts to evaluate each carrier.

It’s important to note that even though the rates listed in this guide are accurate, premiums shift daily and can fluctuate based on each driver.

63

Quotes Analyzed

25

Years Of Industry Experience

22

Brands Reviewed

38+

Research Hours

Best Car Insurance Companies For College Students In Florida


Best Affordable Coverage

Overall Rating
4.7

Key Statistics

10/10 Affordability
9/10 Customer Reviews
9/10 Payouts
9/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

For college students looking to purchase their first auto insurance company, affordability is likely one of the most important factors. With GEICO, not only do young drivers receive affordable coverage of about $3,602 annually, but they also get a reputable company.

GEICO has been one of the top auto insurance providers for several decades and continues to deliver industry-leading rates and customer service. The insurance carrier has also invested heavily in its digital presence, creating an interactive mobile app and website that makes managing or updating account information easy.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Industry-leading rates for college students
  • Offers several student-related discounts
  • Customer-focused mobile app and website makes it easy to manage policy
  • Above-average customer satisfaction scores
Drawbacks
  • Lack of gap and rideshare insurance options
  • Doesn’t have a large local agent presence

Cheapest Overall Rates In Florida

Company Average Rate Per Year
GEICO $3,602
State Farm $4,118
Travelers $4,506
Progressive $4,697
Farmers $4,724

Best Minimum Coverage

Overall Rating
4.9

Key Statistics

10/10 Affordability
10/10 Customer Reviews
9/10 Payouts
9/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

College students who opt for a minimum coverage policy should consider purchasing with a company with a reputation for supporting policyholders. State Farm thrives in creating a personalized experience and has some of the most affordable rates available for young drivers.

State Farm makes it a point to address issues quickly with its quick-claims process and delivers 1:1 customer service. Florida college students can expect to pay around $1,521 for a minimum coverage policy through State Farm.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Industry-leading customer service team
  • Affordable rates for most college student categories
  • High policy renewal rates
  • Personalized approach to policy management with large local insurance presence
Drawbacks
  • Policies are less customizable compared to other large providers
  • Lacks gap insurance coverage

Info on the category and how it impacts drivers

Minimum coverage policies are often an effective way to decrease overall costs but can leave you vulnerable in an accident. These low-cost plans will only cover the state minimum insurance needed to operate a vehicle, which means paying expenses out-of-pocket.

Minimum coverage policies are great options for college students as they provide the insurance needed to drive legally while keeping costs low.

Cheapest Rates For Minimum Coverage In Florida

Company Average Rate Per Year
State Farm $1,521
GEICO $1,580
American Family $1,744
Allstate $1,819
Nationwide $1,833

Best Full Coverage

Overall Rating
4.7

Key Statistics

10/10 Affordability
9/10 Customer Reviews
9/10 Payouts
9/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

Since full coverage car insurance is more costly than a minimum coverage policy, selecting a company like GEICO with a reputation for affordable rates is important. On average, Florida college students pay about $3,602 annually for full coverage through the company.

Affordable coverage isn’t the only benefit of working with GEICO, as the organization is also a leader in innovation. Policyholders have access to a customer-focused website that makes it easy to change account information within seconds.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Offers accident forgiveness for policyholders
  • Provides discount opportunities with a usage-based program
  • Affordable rates for college students looking for full coverage
  • Above-average customer satisfaction scores
Drawbacks
  • Doesn’t offer add-ons for new car replacement or rideshare insurance
  • Bundle discount rates are lower than other competitors
  • Limited number of local agents available

Info on the category and how it impacts drivers

College students that commute to campus or routinely drive for work should consider a full coverage policy over minimum coverage. These plans offer additional protection, often including liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage.

While the full coverage policies offer more protection, they come at a higher cost. It’s essential to weigh the benefits of the additional insurance against the extra monthly cost.

Cheapest Full Coverage Rates In Florida

Company Average Rate Per Year
GEICO $3,602
State Farm $4,118
Travelers $4,506
Progressive $4,697
Farmers $4,724

Best Customer Service

Overall Rating
4.6

Key Statistics

9/10 Affordability
8/10 Customer Reviews
8/10 Payouts
8/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

As a college student, having questions about your auto insurance policy is normal. While many companies offer interactive apps and websites to answer questions, Auto-Owners Insurance takes it further by connecting you with a live person. The additional support you receive from a local agent is worth the slightly higher insurance premium.

Along with excellent customer service, the company offers several discount options to further lower costs. A college student can expect to pay around $4,329 per year for coverage.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Values personal relationships through live, local agents
  • Offers accident forgiveness and diminishing deductible
  • One of the best customer service experiences
  • Flexible coverage options and access to various discounts
Drawbacks
  • Limited to 26 states
  • Quotes must be requested through agents
  • Doesn’t have access to policy management online

Info on the category and how it impacts drivers

Most people assume that excellent customer service comes at a price. However, that isn’t always the case, especially with car insurance companies in Florida. Both Auto-Owners Insurance and State Farm score exceptionally well for customer satisfaction, and both have affordable options for college students in the area.

Top Customer Service Scores For Florida Auto Insurance Companies

Company Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Rating
Auto-Owners Insurance 890
State Farm 881
Allstate 876
Nationwide 876
Farmers 872

Best For Low-Mileage Drivers

Overall Rating
4.9

Key Statistics

10/10 Affordability
10/10 Customer Reviews
9/10 Payouts
9/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

Low-mileage policies and discounts can help significantly reduce the price of car insurance for college students. While several organizations offer these discounts, State Farm had the most affordable options, with policies typically costing around $2,658 annually.

State Farm also scored well for customer service experience and overall financial stability, making it a reliable option for college students to consider when looking for their first auto insurance policy.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Offers a generous usage-based discount program for low-mileage drivers
  • Excellent customer service experience
  • High policyholder renewal and retention rates
  • Strong financial ratings from independent agencies like AM Best
Drawbacks
  • Lacks additional coverage for rideshare and gap insurance
  • Can be more costly for drivers with poor credit

Info on the category and how it impacts drivers

If you’re a college student who doesn’t plan on driving much throughout the school year, there’s no reason to pay for insurance you don’t need. While you’ll still need to maintain the state minimum auto insurance, several discounts, and affordable policies will align with your low-mileage lifestyle.

Most low-mileage policies offer discounted rates if you stay below a certain number of miles yearly. The limit will vary between insurance companies but is usually around 7,500 to 10,000 miles annually.

Cheapest Rates For Low-Mileage Drivers In Florida

Company Average Rate Per Year
State Farm $2,658
GEICO $2,682
Travelers $2,801
American Family $2,852
Nationwide $2,958

Best For Motorists With Driving Violations

Overall Rating
4.6

Key Statistics

7/10 Affordability
9/10 Customer Reviews
9/10 Payouts
10/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

Even though Progressive Insurance didn’t have the most affordable rates for standard coverage, they were the best option for Florida college students with driving violations. Whether it was a speeding ticket or an accident, Progressive still provided cost-effective coverage for drivers.

Most college students with driving violations pay around $4,697 annually for auto insurance coverage.

Progressive also has additional coverage options like rideshare coverage, which benefits college students who work part-time for DoorDash or Lyft.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Affordable rates for motorists with driving violations
  • Offers rideshare coverage add-ons
  • Covers vet expenses if your pet is injured in an accident and you have collision insurance
Drawbacks
  • Average customer service experience
  • Below-average customer loyalty ratings

Info on the category and how it impacts drivers

Driving violations can significantly increase the amount a driver pays for monthly coverage regardless of age. College students will likely experience an even more significant rate increase after an accident or ticket due to their already high-risk rating.

One way to mitigate the damage of a driving violation is to work with a company like Progressive that specializes in insuring motorists with a history of tickets or accidents.

Cheapest Rates For Drivers With Violations In Florida

Company Average Rate Per Year
Progressive $4,697
State Farm $4,821
GEICO $5,188
Allstate $5,491
Farmers $6,144

Average Cost Of Car Insurance In Florida

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For College Students In Florida – By City

City Average Monthly Cost
Orlando $339
St. Petersburg $350
Fort Lauderdale $366
Tampa $373
Miami $390

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 18 Year Old College Students In Florida

Car Insurance Provider Average Monthly Cost
GEICO $391
State Farm $418
Travelers $520
UAIC $661
Progressive $722

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 19 Year Old College Students In Florida

Car Insurance Provider Average Monthly Cost
GEICO $379
State Farm $382
Travelers $427
AIG $461
United Auto $511

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 20 Year Old College Students In Florida

Car Insurance Provider Average Monthly Cost
State Farm $337
GEICO $349
Travelers $368
AIG $422
United Auto $474

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 21 Year Old College Students In Florida

Car Insurance Provider Average Monthly Cost
GEICO $239
State Farm $278
Travelers $301
Farmers $382
Progressive $410

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 22 Year Old College Students In Florida

Car Insurance Provider Average Monthly Cost
GEICO $235
State Farm $266
Progressive $369
Farmers $374
Allstate $612

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 23 Year Old College Students In Florida

Car Insurance Provider Average Monthly Cost
GEICO $234
State Farm $253
Progressive $352
Farmers $356
Allstate $562

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 24 Year Old College Students In Florida

Car Insurance Provider Average Monthly Cost
State Farm $211
Travelers $216
GEICO $220
Progressive $331
Allstate $392

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 25 Year Old College Students In Florida

Car Insurance Provider Average Monthly Cost
State Farm $170
Travelers $188
GEICO $210
Progressive $286
Allstate $319

Average Cost Of Car Insurance On Family Policy vs. Individual Policy

Insurance Company Family Policy Individual Student Policy
State Farm $434 $379
GEICO $546 $479
Progressive $551 $685
American Family $368 $398
Nationwide $364 $617

How Can College Students Save Money On Car Insurance In Florida

Unfortunately, for most college students, average car insurance rates are significantly more expensive than for drivers in their mid to late 20s. So, if you don’t have the option of staying on a parent or guardian’s car insurance policy, you’ll need to find ways to lower the monthly premium payment.

The following strategies will provide you with some tips and strategies you can use to make car insurance more affordable.

Affiliation Discounts

For many students, clubs, and organizations are a great way to get involved in campus life. These groups can also provide additional benefits outside the university, like unlocking access to certain discounts. Depending on your insurance carrier, belonging to a sorority, fraternity, honor society, or alumni group could help lower your monthly premium.

Student Discounts

Most people are familiar with student discounts that involve achieving good grades. However, there are several other discounts that college students can qualify for, including:

  • Distant college student discount
  • Safe driver discount
  • Driver’s education discount

Security And Safety Improvements

While some of the other strategies on the list are specific to college students, this tip can apply to any driver, regardless of age. Many insurance companies will reward you with a lower premium rate if you install devices or improve your vehicle, enhancing its overall security and safety.

For example, installing anti-theft mechanisms like a car alarm can help decrease your car insurance policy by as much as 5%.

Used vs. New

Many parents purchase a new vehicle for their kids as a graduation present. Even though it can provide better gas savings, owning a newer car can be more costly to insure. Since new vehicles cost more to repair or replace, insurance companies will increase rates to reflect the added risk.

Common Auto Insurance Claims In Florida

Generally, there are four common types of auto insurance claims in Florida, which include:

  • Collision Claims (5.8 claims per 100 years of a vehicle’s life)
  • Property Damage Claims (3.36 claims per 100 years of a vehicle’s life)
  • Comprehensive Claims (2.81 claims per 100 years of a vehicle’s life)
  • Bodily Injury Claims (0.95 claims per 100 years of a vehicle’s life)

Do College Students Need Their Own Insurance, or Can They Stay On A Parent’s?

Even though insurance is usually definitive with its answers, whether or not you’ll need your own insurance as a college student will depend on various factors. Let’s look at different scenarios where you could potentially stay on your family plan and where you would need to look for coverage on your own.

Keeping Students On A Family Car Insurance Policy

Unlike health insurance, where there is an age limit to how long a child can stay on their parent’s health insurance policy, there isn’t a limit for car insurance. Any children who live at home with their parents or use their parents’ permanent address while at college can still maintain coverage on their auto insurance policy.

Purchasing Coverage As A College Student

The main reason a college student would need to purchase their own coverage would be due to changing their address. Once a person, including college students, has a new permanent address different from their parents, they must buy a new car insurance policy.

Temporary Car Insurance

While not every car insurance provider will offer temporary coverage, it can be a fantastic option for college students who won’t be driving frequently.

Temporary auto insurance policies typically provide six-month coverage and allow customers to cancel once the period ends. This policy enables college students to avoid paying for additional months of coverage they won’t need while at school; It can also be a great option for students who plan to study abroad for a semester.

Try Usage-Based Car Insurance

Usage-based car insurance is similar to telematics in that it also tracks a driver’s behaviors behind the wheel. However, it also has another component that is especially appealing to college students.

With usage-based car insurance, you can receive discounts and lower premiums by driving less yearly. These “Pay-Per-Mile” plans are an effective way to find affordable coverage if you keep your vehicle in the dorm lot or at home for most of the school year.

Telematics Car Insurance For College Students

As a college student finding creative ways to save on car insurance is important. One of the most effective ways to lower your monthly premium is through telematics.

Telematics are devices insurance companies use to track and analyze how you drive. The safer you drive, the better your rates will be, and the more likely you will receive discounts for being a safe driver.

How To Get Discounts

Car insurance can be costly for college students, especially if any tickets or accidents are on your driving record. One way to help minimize the cost of coverage is through carrier-provided discounts.

While every car insurance company will have its own list of discounts available for policyholders, the following are a few you’ll want to look into before purchasing a plan:

  • Paid in full
  • Multi-vehicle
  • Multi-policy
  • Military
  • Student away
  • Good student
  • Safe driver
  • Defensive driving
  • Low mileage
  • Accident-free

How To Buy Car Insurance As A College Student In Florida

As a college student, purchasing your first auto insurance policy can be stressful. Luckily, platforms like Insuranceopedia make the car insurance shopping experience easy and enjoyable.

While these websites allow you to quickly compare rates from multiple providers, you’ll still need some information handy to navigate the process. Below is an overview of the steps you’ll want to take to purchase your next auto insurance policy:

  • Step 1: Gather all important information ahead of time (EX: vehicle information, driver’s license numbers, policy member personal information, and driving history)
  • Step 2: Identify the amount of coverage you’ll need to comply with Illinois law
  • Step 3: Decide whether to purchase your policy online or through a local agent
  • Step 4: Compare at least three auto insurance quotes from different carriers
  • Step 5: Purchase your policy and update your previous car insurance company about the transition

Florida Car Insurance Laws To Know

Florida is one of the many states requiring motorists to carry auto insurance if they plan on operating a vehicle. While most of the required coverages are similar to other places in the United States, Florida drivers must also obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP.)

The minimum required coverage includes $10,000 in PIP and PDL (Personal Damage Liability.) While carrying $10,000 in coverage seems like a lot, you may need more if you get into a serious accident and total your vehicle. Many insurance professionals recommend purchasing additional coverage above the state minimum.

In The News

FAQs

Who has the best car insurance for college students in Florida?

Overall, GEICO has the most affordable coverage for college students. However, depending on your driving record and the coverage you’re looking for Progressive and State Farm should also be considered when shopping for car insurance in Florida.

Do college students need car insurance in Florida?

Everyone in Florida is required to have car insurance if they plan on driving a vehicle. College students can either stay on their parent’s policy while living at home or purchase auto coverage when moving out.

Is car insurance more expensive for college students in Florida?

Car insurance is typically more expensive for younger drivers in Florida. While college students will usually have better rates than a 16-year-old driver, their rates are normally substantially higher than a 25-year-old driver.

How can you add a college student to a family policy?

If you are looking at adding a college student to your family plan, you’ll need to speak with your insurance provider before they start college. Most carriers will need your student’s new zip code and to confirm that their primary address is still the family home. For out-of-state students there could be additional requirements.

Can you stay on your parents’ car insurance if you move out?

As a college student, one of the perks of keeping your primary residence with your parents is that you can stay on their car insurance. However, you can no longer stay on their auto policy when you officially move out of the house and have a new permanent address.

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