Perched on Florida’s Gulf Coast and across the bay from Tampa, Clearwater’s average car insurance premiums are much more expensive than the national average of $144 per month. Clearwater’s overall average cost of $179 per month is also slightly higher than the state average of $182 per month.
Similar to neighboring cities Tampa and St. Petersburg, Clearwater is at risk of tropical storms and hurricanes and attracts millions of tourists every year, contributing to higher car insurance rates.
Here’s how you can shop for quotes and find affordable car insurance in Clearwater.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Clearwater
Finding the best car insurance company in Clearwater requires careful consideration of your individual needs and circumstances. The most affordable car insurance for you varies based on factors like your driving record, vehicle type, and coverage options.2
Explore some of the cheapest car insurance companies in Clearwater and discover what sets them apart from the competition.
Best insurer for full coverage: State Farm
Best insurer for digital experience: GEICO
Best insurer for safe drivers: Allstate
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Clearwater
Getting the lowest possible rate for your situation requires some effort on your part. These tips can help you find the best deal for the best coverage for you:
Bundle your policies. Consider combining your car insurance with other policies, such as home insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance, to potentially qualify for multi-policy discounts.
Seek out discounts. Ask about other available discounts, such as those for good driving, vehicle safety features, paying in full, or setting up automatic payments. The more discounts you can get, the lower your car insurance premium.
Drive responsibly. Prioritize safe driving practices to maintain a clean record. Follow traffic laws, avoid accidents, and steer clear of violations to keep your premiums low.
Compare and save. Take the time to research different insurance companies and compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers in Clearwater. This is a great way to find the best rates for your driving profile. The goal here is to find the right coverage for the best value, not the cheapest policy.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Clearwater: State Farm
Liability coverage in Clearwater meets Florida car insurance requirements and is often the cheapest auto insurance policy you can buy. But liability coverage in Florida won’t cover damages to your vehicle after an at-fault accident, and minimum policy limits are extremely low compared to other state requirements.
Liability-only policies in Clearwater cost $162 per month, on average. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Clearwater for this policy type.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Clearwater: State Farm
Full-coverage car insurance is usually more expensive than liability insurance, but it provides more protection against vehicle damages. It typically includes comprehensive and collision coverages, which pay for car repairs for at-fault accidents with other vehicles or stationary objects, regardless of fault.
Full-coverage insurance is a good idea for drivers with expensive or new vehicles or who live in accident- or theft-prone areas. This coverage costs an average of $197 per month in Clearwater.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Clearwater for full-coverage policies:
Car insurance requirements in Florida
Drivers in Florida must meet the state-minimum car insurance requirements, which include personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability insurance. PIP insurance covers 80% of medical expenses for covered injuries, up to $10,000, regardless of fault. On the other hand, property damage liability insurance takes care of the costs of property damage you cause in an accident. Remember, it’s crucial to maintain continuous coverage to comply with the law.
Here are the minimum car insurance requirements in Florida:1
Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements may not be enough insurance for some drivers. While liability insurance may get you the lowest possible rate, a higher level of coverage may better protect you in various situations. Here are some additional coverages you can add to your auto insurance policy in Clearwater:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Drivers in Clearwater who have a history of incidents — such as speeding tickets, driving under the influence (DUI), at-fault accidents, or other moving violations — often pay higher insurance premiums for several years.3 These incidents signal a higher likelihood of future claims, and insurance companies raise rates to offset the higher risk. It’s still possible to find affordable car insurance, even with higher premiums due to a spotty driving record.
Here are Clearwater’s cheapest insurance companies based on driving record.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
Getting a speeding ticket can cause your car insurance rates to increase via a multi-year premium surcharge, even if you didn’t cause an accident. Insurance companies perceive speeding tickets as a sign of risky driving behavior, which raises the chances of future accidents and claims.
As such, drivers pay an average of $217 per month for liability insurance with a ticket on their record in Clearwater.
If you’re on the hunt for the most affordable car insurance companies in Clearwater for drivers with a speeding ticket on their records, refer to the table below.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm
Pinellas County, which includes St. Petersburg and Clearwater, reported more than 16,000 car crashes in 2021, a 15% increase from 2020.4 Causing an accident often results in higher rates, as it indicates a higher risk of future claims to insurance companies. The average monthly rate for Clearwater drivers with an accident on their record is $202 for liability coverage.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Clearwater for drivers with an at-fault accident.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm
Driving under the influence is a serious conviction and can increase your car insurance rates substantially. For example, Clearwater drivers with a DUI on their record pay an average monthly premium of $211 for a minimum-coverage policy. This is because insurance companies consider DUIs to be a major risk factor, signaling a higher probability of accidents and claims.
In Florida, a DUI conviction stays on your motor vehicle record and criminal record permanently. You are also required to file FR-44 insurance and maintain this type of coverage for three years. FR-44 insurance comes with higher minimum liability requirements and includes bodily injury liability coverage.
The table below shows the cheapest auto insurers in Clearwater for drivers with a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm
Age plays a significant role in determining your car insurance premiums. As drivers gain years of experience and reach their mid-20s, rates typically decrease. But around the age of 70, premiums may increase slightly due to factors such as potential health issues and higher accident risks.5
In Clearwater, senior drivers pay an average of $143 per month for liability car insurance.
But senior drivers in Clearwater still pay lower average premiums than other age groups. Here are the cheapest auto insurance companies for seniors in Clearwater.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: State Farm
Teenagers and young adults often encounter substantially higher car insurance rates than older, more experienced drivers due to their limited driving history and higher risk profiles. For example, in Clearwater teens pay an average of $250 per month for liability coverage.
In 2021, drivers ages 15 to 19 accounted for more than 1,600 crashes in Pinellas County.4 But if teens stay on their parents’ insurance policies and look for student-centric discounts, they may be able to find affordable car insurance.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies in Clearwater for teens and young drivers.
Clearwater car insurance quotes by credit tier
While Florida insurance companies may consider credit histories when determining car insurance rates, they can’t be the sole factor for setting premiums.6 Insurance companies view drivers with good and excellent credit-based insurance scores as having a lower risk of filing a claim, while drivers with poor credit scores have a higher claims risk.
Here are the average monthly quotes for Clearwater drivers, based on credit tier.
Is car insurance more expensive in Clearwater?
Car insurance in Clearwater is more expensive than the national average but only slightly cheaper than the state average. The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $104 per month for liability-only insurance and $184 per month for full coverage.
But residents of Clearwater face steeper average monthly premiums of $162 for liability coverage and $197 for full coverage. Keep in mind that car insurance rates can vary widely due to factors like weather conditions, crime rates, and traffic volume within a city and its ZIP codes.2
The Tampa Bay area has an 11% chance of tropical cyclone impacts every year, according to AccuWeather.7 Plus, Clearwater attracts millions of tourists annually, contributing to more traffic and higher rates of accidents.
More cities in Florida
Here’s how average car insurance quotes compare in other Florida cities compare to Clearwater.