Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Tampa

Car insurance is mandatory in the state of Florida, and with Tampa’s notoriously rainy weather, a little extra peace of mind is always appreciated before traveling on slippery roads. After all, the Tampa area sees 51 inches of rain each year, significantly more than the national average of 38 inches.

Area car insurance rates are higher here as well. In Tampa, minimum-coverage car insurance costs an average of $421, which is almost $100 more per month than the Florida state average of $323. But there are ways for Tampa residents, like you, to lower your insurance spending. This article will show you how.

How much does car insurance cost in Tampa?

The cost of auto insurance can vary significantly in Tampa, Florida. Depending on the type of coverage you need and the insurer you choose, average rates can range from $161 to $833 per month. Because car insurance rates can vary greatly, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from a handful of different insurance providers to find the best solution for you.

The cost of insurance can be affected by your:

• Age

• Location

• Driving history

• Credit score

To identify the best quotes in your area, Insurify data scientists analyzed the latest insurance rates in Tampa. The following car insurance providers stand out for offering the most affordable rates in a handful of different coverage categories.

• Cheapest liability-only insurance: Pronto ($161 per month)

• Cheapest full-coverage insurance: Hugo ($224 per month)

• Cheapest insurance for new/young drivers: Travelers ($324 per month)

Cheapest car insurance in Tampa: Travelers

Travelers offers the cheapest average car insurance rates when you account for both liability-only and full-coverage policies, with an average monthly rate of $288 for Tampa drivers.

The rate you can expect to pay for car insurance from Travelers or another insurer can be affected by:^[1]

• Where you live: Auto insurance companies take ZIP codes into account when determining insurance rates, as statistically, certain ZIP codes have higher rates of accidents, theft, and vandalism. If the area you live in is more prone to drivers filing claims, this can lead to a higher auto insurance rate.

• How clean your driving record is: If you have a sparkling-clean driving record with no accidents or tickets, you’ll typically receive a much more favorable car insurance rate.

• How old you are: Because younger drivers are also newer drivers, they can experience more accidents and earn more tickets. As such, car insurance rates tend to drop as drivers get older.

• The value of your vehicle: How much it costs to insure your car can be affected by how much it would cost to replace it if it were destroyed in an accident or lost to theft. The newer and more expensive the vehicle is, the higher your car insurance rates will likely be.

• Your average mileage: How many miles you drive can affect how much you pay. The more someone is on the road, the more likely they are to need to file a claim. Someone with a long daily commute is likely to pay more for their auto insurance than someone who works from home.

The following table outlines the cheapest car insurance rates in Tampa.

How much car insurance do you need in Tampa?

If you want to drive in Tampa, or in the greater state of Florida, you must have car insurance. Specifically, as a Florida driver, you’re required to carry:^[2]

• $10,000 per accident for personal injury protection (PIP) coverage

• $10,000 per accident for property damage liability

Because Florida is a no-fault state, insurance providers for both parties involved in a claim are required to pay for their own policyholders’ medical expenses. It doesn’t matter which driver caused the accident. If you do end up involved in an accident or traffic stop, law enforcement can require you to provide proof of insurance. That’s why it’s advisable to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.

Florida DMV information

The DMV in Florida is called the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), and it provides online and in-person services related to applying for a driver’s license, renewing a driver’s license, paying for tickets, and registering a car. The FLHSMV is very accessible in Florida, as there’s a location in every one of Florida’s 67 counties.^[3]

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Tampa

Ready to lower your car insurance rates in Tampa? Keep these helpful tips in mind.

• Buy pay-per-mile car insurance. If you don’t drive very often, you can look for a pay-per-mile policy that bases your rate on how many miles you tend to drive. The fewer miles you drive, the less you’ll pay.

• Ask for discounts. Before signing up for a car insurance policy, ask if you qualify for any discounts like those offered for getting good grades, taking a defensive driving course, or insuring more than one car.

• Bundle your policies. If your car insurance provider also offers other insurance policies like homeowners or renters insurance, you can typically bundle your policies together under one provider to earn a discount.

• Comparison shop. Don’t sign up for the first policy you’re offered. Instead, do some research and shop around for different car insurance companies. Remember, your goal isn’t to find the cheapest possible coverage; it’s to find the most affordable amount of coverage that suits your needs. You can also use a comparison-shopping tool to review quotes from several providers all in one place.

Learn More: Compare Home and Auto Insurance Bundles

How age affects car insurance rates in Tampa

As you saw earlier, young drivers (below the age of 25) are generally hit with higher insurance costs, as their lack of driving experience makes them more likely to file claims.

Let’s take a look at the following table to understand how age typically affects car insurance rates in Tampa.

Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Tampa

The cheapest car insurer in Tampa for teen drivers is Travelers, with an average monthly rate of $324 for a full-coverage policy. Young drivers can also usually help lower their insurance costs by getting good grades and qualifying for a good student discount.

Cheapest car insurance for middle-aged drivers in Tampa

Once again, Travelers offers the best rates in Tampa, with an average monthly rate of $281 for middle-aged drivers on full-coverage policies. Because middle-aged drivers likely also need other forms of insurance, like homeowners, they can often benefit from bundling multiple insurance policies under one provider to get more discounts.

Cheapest car insurance rates for senior drivers in Tampa

Senior drivers in Tampa can find the best car insurance rates with Progressive, which offers an average monthly rate of $212 for full-coverage policies. Seniors who no longer commute for work may want to look into a per-mile policy that charges more favorable rates for not driving that often.

How your credit score affects your car insurance in Tampa

Your credit information can play a role in your car insurance rate. This is because certain credit behaviors have been shown to help predict how likely someone is to file a claim.

Although credit score rankings can vary depending on which credit scoring model is being used, they generally are grouped as follows:^[4]

• Very poor: 300–499

• Poor: 500–600

• Fair: 601–660

• Good: 661–780

• Excellent: 781–850

It’s also worth noting that in certain states — such as Florida — it’s illegal to use someone’s lack of credit scores to help determine their insurance premiums.^[5] In some other states, it’s illegal to use a credit score to determine rates in any way.

This table outlines the averages for full-coverage policies in Tampa based on different credit scores.

Read More: Car Insurance Rates by Credit Tier

The effect of driving habits on car insurance in Tampa

Your driving habits and driving record significantly affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. The tables below outline how different driving infractions could increase your insurance rates.

It’s important to note that when you see a negative difference in a table, it doesn’t mean that particular insurance company lowers rates for drivers with that infraction on their records. Rather, it may mean that our sample size was small — insurers may choose to not offer policies to drivers with that infraction. Your actual rate can vary, based on a number of factors other than driving record.

Cheapest car insurance with an accident in Tampa: Travelers

Below you can see how your involvement in a single car accident can affect your insurance premiums.

Cheapest car insurance with a DUI in Tampa: Mercury

A DUI can greatly increase the cost you’ll pay for car insurance. The table below shows you what you can expect to pay from several Tampa insurers.

Cheapest car insurance with a speeding ticket in Tampa: National General

This chart shows you how a speeding ticket can affect your car insurance rates in Tampa.

Car insurance in other Florida cities

Looking for affordable car insurance rates in other Florida locations? These articles can help. 

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Lake Worth Beach, FL

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Delray Beach, FL

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Pensacola, FL

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Venice, FL

Find local Tampa agents

Tampa car insurance rates FAQs

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in Tampa.