Your situation
Moving to Florida: car insurance for new residents
Once you become a Florida resident, you have 10 days to register your car here, and you need a Florida policy with $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage before you can. Your new Florida license is due within 30 days.
What to do, in order
- Get a Florida policy firstThe tax collector won’t register the car without proof of Florida PIP and property damage. Start the new policy for the day you register; cancel the old one after.
- Get the VIN verifiedCars coming from another state need a VIN verification, done at the tax collector’s office or by a law officer, dealer or notary using form HSMV 82042.
- Register at your county tax collectorBring the title (or lender info), proof of Florida insurance, the VIN verification and your ID. New-to-Florida registrations pay a one-time initial registration fee.
- Switch your license within 30 daysFlorida gives new residents 30 days to get a Florida driver license.
Quote for my situation
David sees the situation you came from, so you won’t have to explain it twice.
What changes the price
- Florida prices change a lot by ZIP; South Florida is usually higher than where you came from.
- Continuous coverage from your old state helps. Keep that policy until the Florida one starts.
What to have ready
- Your current declarations page
- Each driver’s name and date of birth
- The VIN of each car
- Your new Florida address
Questions
Can I keep my out-of-state policy?
Not once you are a resident. Florida requires a Florida policy to register the car.
What counts as becoming a resident?
Things like starting a job here, enrolling kids in school, or filing a homestead exemption.
Related coverage
Moving to Florida: how to switch your car insurance and register your car
Once you become a Florida resident (start a job, enroll a child in school, or move in), you have 10 days to register your car, and you need a Florida insurance policy before the tax collector will register it. Get the Florida policy first, register second, cancel the old policy last.
Florida lawWhat is the minimum car insurance in Florida in 2026?
Florida requires every registered car to carry $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 of Property Damage Liability (PDL). That's it: Florida does not require bodily injury liability to register a car, which is why so many drivers here carry only the minimum.
Your policy’s wording decides what’s covered. David can walk you through yours.