Car Insurance in Miami

With its beautiful beaches, vibrant cultural scene, and thriving nightlife, it’s no wonder so many people are in love with Miami. But the city is also famous for its constant traffic problem. Highways are almost always congested, and even driving down the street to the supermarket can take twice as long as you expect. With so many drivers on the road, car accidents are a common sight in Miami, which is why drivers in Miami should make sure to maintain adequate car insurance coverage.

Quick Facts

Young male drivers in Florida pay much more for car insurance than female drivers the same age. On the other hand, older female drivers in Florida pay slightly more for car insurance than male drivers the same age.

How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in Miami?

In 2018, there were 64,627 reported car crashes in Miami-Dade County. Of these, 293 resulted in fatalities.

The most common causes of car accidents in Miami include speeding, sudden lane changes, drunk driving, and distracted driving (texting, checking social media, etc.).

How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Miami?

There are over 5,500 miles of roads in Miami and its surrounding area. And between the well-developed canal system and dozens of islands, it’s no surprise the Miami area contains over 200 bridges, including eight drawbridges. These public roads and bridges are maintained by the Miami-Dade County Department of Public Works and Waste Management.

In addition, the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority is responsible for maintaining five major expressways in the area: the Airport Expressway, Dolphin Expressway, Don Shula Expressway, Snapper Creek Expressway, and Gratigny Parkway.

Finally, the Florida Department of Transportation maintains major state roads such as US-1, State Road 441, and the Florida Turnpike.

In 2021, the American Society of Civil Engineers rated the overall infrastructure in Florida as C-. According to the report card, driving on roads in need of repair costs each Florida driver $425 per year, and 2.9% of bridges were rated structurally deficient.

In Miami, drivers must have at least $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage. PDL insurance covers damage to other people’s property when you’re at fault for an accident.

One unusual thing about car insurance requirements in Miami is that drivers are not required to carry bodily injury liability coverage. Instead, drivers must carry adequate personal injury protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10,000. PIP insurance in Florida covers 80% of your own medical bills if you are involved in a car accident, regardless of who’s at fault. This is why Florida is known as a “no-fault state” for liability insurance.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Miami:

In Miami, the following factors can affect your car insurance rate:

Although Miami drivers pay some of the highest average car insurance premiums in the U.S., many are able to reduce their annual premiums through discounts provided by their car insurance company.

How Miami drivers can reduce their car insurance premiums:

It is illegal to drive in Miami without adequate insurance coverage. If you are caught driving without insurance in Miami, your license and car registration will be suspended for up to three years. To reinstate your license and car registration, you will need to provide proof of adequate insurance coverage and pay a reinstatement fee of at least $150. If you have been caught without insurance before, the reinstatement fee may be as high as $500.

If you are involved in a car accident in Miami and do not have adequate car insurance coverage, then the other involved parties can also sue you for damages. If you are found liable, then you will need to pay these damages out of pocket.