Best car insurance in Gainesville, FL (2024)

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Nicole WakelinAutomotive journalistNicole Wakelin is an automotive journalist who has covered the industry for over a decade. She’s always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand her the keys to shiny new automobiles so she can write about them is a constant source of amazement. She covers breaking news, writes reviews, and attends auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications both online and in print. These include U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and Autobytel. In addition, she speaks to all things automotive at conferences, on the radio, and on podcasts, including co-hosting the weekly Wheel Bearings Podcast. Nicole is a current member and former Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. She is also a juror for both the Women’s World Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year.&Andrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
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Reviewed by

Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Certified Financial PlannerIan Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

Updated|3 min read

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The average cost of a full coverage car insurance policy in Gainesville is $2,198 per year. That’s $631 less than the state average of $2,794. Car insurance rates in Gainesville are lower than the state average, likely because Gainesville is more rural than many other cities in Florida.

Ready to shop car insurance?

The best way to get the lowest possible rate on car insurance is to shop around and get quotes from multiple companies. Policygenius can help you figure out which companies have the cheapest rates so you can compare coverage and find the right policy for you.

Key Takeaways

  • State Farm has the lowest average for full coverage car insurance in Gainesville at $1,268 per year.

  • GEICO was the next least expensive, with an average rate of ​​$1,349 per year.

  • Florida minimum liability requirements are $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability.

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: 50/100

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Gainesville, FL

Insurance costs vary based on where you live, your age, your driving history, and the kind of car you drive. Every insurance company has its own formula for setting rates, so you can get very different rates from two companies for the same coverage. 

The table below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Gainesville and their J.D. Power score.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

State Farm

$1,268

882

GEICO

$1,349

874

Travelers

$1,766

854

Nationwide

$1,874

868

Farmers

$2,086

882

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Gainesville, FL

Exactly where you live in a city can have a big impact on your car insurance rates. Insurance companies look at your ZIP code to assess a wide range of factors including the availability of secure parking, reports of thefts and vandalism, and even the number of accidents and traffic tickets issued in the area.

Below are the average car insurance rates by ZIP code in Gainesville.

ZIP code

Average cost

32612

$2,144

32605

$2,147

32608

$2,158

32607

$2,160

32606

$2,165

32653

$2,166

32603

$2,180

32601

$2,181

32611

$2,191

32641

$2,210

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Gainesville, FL

Choosing the right car insurance company may seem difficult, but it’s easier than you think. Consider the following factors:

  • Cost: Avoid paying too much by comparing quotes from multiple companies.

  • Coverage: Choose a policy with enough coverage to protect you, but don’t purchase more coverage than you want or need.

  • Customer service: The service you get when buying your policy is the service you’ll get when filing a claim. If buying the policy wasn’t easy, then filing a claim won’t be any better.

Policygenius can help you see how much you’ll pay for various levels of coverage so you can make an informed decision about which coverage to choose.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Gainesville, FL

Your driving history can have a big impact on how much you pay for car insurance. Speeding tickets will increase your rates, and a DUI or an at-fault accident will increase them even more. The more violations you have on your driving record, the more you’ll pay for coverage.

Do your best to keep a clean driving record and you’ll save yourself in fines and insurance costs. The table below shows the average annual car insurance rates in Gainesville for drivers with a variety of violations for GEICO, State Farm, Travelers, Nationwide, and MetLife.

Violation

State Farm

GEICO

Travelers

Nationwide

Farmers

At-fault accident

$1,472

$1,789

$2,414

$2,630

$2,914

DUI

$1,375

$2,251

$2,701

$3,936

$2,229

Suspended license

$1,375

$1,353

$2,701

$3,936

$2,695

Open container

$1,375

$1,353

$2,281

$3,936

$2,229

Expired registration

$1,375

$1,353

$2,281

$2,187

$2,695

Driving without lights

$1,375

$1,353

$2,281

$1,886

$2,695

Running a red light

$1,375

$1,353

$2,281

$2,187

$2,604

Following too closely

$1,375

$1,353

$2,281

$2,187

$2,695

Hit and run

$1,375

$2,251

$2,701

$3,936

$2,711

Not-at-fault accident

$1,286

$1,353

$1,841

$1,886

$2,067

Passing a school bus

$1,375

$1,353

$1,856

$2,187

$2,695

Reckless driving

$1,375

$2,150

$2,701

$3,936

$2,711

Speeding

$1,375

$2,150

$2,701

$2,462

$2,505

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Gainesville, FL

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

State Farm

$1,375

Farmers

$2,229

GEICO

$2,251

Travelers

$2,701

Nationwide

$3,936

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Gainesville, FL

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

State Farm

$1,375

GEICO

$2,150

Nationwide

$2,462

Farmers

$2,505

Travelers

$2,701

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Gainesville, FL

Most insurance companies consider your credit score when determining your car insurance rate. The following table shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Gainesville for drivers with bad credit.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

UAIC

$2,349

GEICO

$2,436

Direct Auto

$2,600

State Farm

$2,600

Farmers

$2,753

Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in Gainesville, FL

The state of Florida requires car insurance to register a vehicle, but it has very low minimums. Every registered vehicle must have:

  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) $10,000 per accident

  • Property Damage Liability (PDL) $10,000 per accident

Proof of insurance must be provided at the time of registration and coverage must be maintained even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. Additionally, the policy must be from a carrier licensed in Florida. If you move to Florida from another state, speak with your agent about having that policy transferred.

Driving without the required insurance can result in a suspension of your driving privileges and your license plate for up to three years. It may be reinstated, but it will require the payment of a $500 fee.

Florida is a “no-fault” state. This means that no one driver is named as being at-fault for an accident. It also means that you cannot expect their insurance to pay your injury claim. Any claim for injuries after a car accident needs to be filed with your own carrier, who will pay you for the claim.

This makes it especially important to have enough coverage in the event of an accident. Make sure you’re comfortable with any deductibles you choose and that the full amount of the coverage you select will cover any necessary repairs or medical bills.

How to get cheap car insurance in Gainesville, FL

There are several ways to save money on car insurance in Gainesville, including:

  • Driving record: Avoid accidents and moving violations including speeding tickets to keep your rates low.

  • Watch your credit score: Good credit will help you get a good car insurance rate while poor credit can raise your rates.

  • Shop around: Compare rates from multiple companies to see which offers the best rates

  • Choose coverage carefully: Look at the coverage, including available deductibles, and choose the best coverage for your needs.

  • Look for discounts: Car insurance companies offer a wide range of discounts including military, low mileage, safe driver, good student, and even professional discounts for groups including firefighters and teachers. 

  • Bundle your insurance: Consider getting policies for rental or homeowners insurance through the same carrier as your car insurance. This may get you a reduced rate on both policies and save you money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has the cheapest car insurance rates in Gainesville?

According to our data, the cheapest car insurance companies in Gainesville are GEICO and State Farm, but the cheapest on average isn’t always the cheapest for every driver, so you should still shop around and compare quotes.

How can I save on my car insurance in Gainesville?

Avoid accidents and moving violations, keep a good credit score, and get quotes from multiple companies to get the best rates. You should also reshop your policy once a year to make sure you’re still getting the best price.

Is car insurance required in Gainesville?

Yes, you must have car insurance in Gainesville. Florida does require car insurance, but in very low amounts. You must have $10,000 each of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL).

Is Florida a no-fault state?

Yes, Florida is a no-fault state. This means that no one driver is determined to be at-fault for an accident and that each needs to file claims with their own insurance company.

Authors

Nicole Wakelin is an automotive journalist who has covered the industry for over a decade. She’s always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand her the keys to shiny new automobiles so she can write about them is a constant source of amazement. She covers breaking news, writes reviews, and attends auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country.

Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications both online and in print. These include U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and Autobytel. In addition, she speaks to all things automotive at conferences, on the radio, and on podcasts, including co-hosting the weekly Wheel Bearings Podcast.

Nicole is a current member and former Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. She is also a juror for both the Women’s World Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year.

Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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