Nestled between Orlando and Tampa on I-4, Lakeland is home to a vibrant downtown area and plenty of mom-and-pop shops. The average cost of car insurance in Lakeland is $150 per month for liability-only coverage and $202 per month for full coverage.
These rates are much higher than the national averages of $104 for liability coverage and $184 for full coverage. But Lakeland drivers still spend less on average than drivers in other Florida cities, including Tampa and Orlando. This is partially due to its lower population, fewer tourist attractions, and inland location that shields it from the worst of tropical storms.
Here’s what you should know about comparing quotes and finding affordable coverage in Lakeland.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Lakeland
When on the hunt for the right car insurance company in Lakeland, it’s essential to factor in your unique needs and situation. The cheapest option may vary based on your driving history, vehicle type, coverage choices, and policy limits.3
Here are the best car insurance companies in Lakeland that Insurify identified to help you start your search for auto coverage.
Best insurer for full coverage: State Farm
Best insurer for digital policy management: GEICO
Best insurer for usage-based insurance: Allstate
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Lakeland
If you’re looking for the lowest rates for your driving record and personal situation, the following tips can help you in your search:
Bundle policies. Many insurance companies offer multi-policy discounts when you purchase car insurance with other policies, such as business insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, or homeowners insurance.
Look for discounts. Ask any insurance agents you’re working with about available discounts to get the best rate possible. Insurers may offer discounts for good driving, vehicle safety features, completing a defensive driving course, or being affiliated with certain organizations.
Drive safely. Focus on safe driving practices to maintain a clean record. Adhere to traffic laws, avoid accidents, and stay clear of violations to keep your premiums low.
Shop free quotes. Gather quotes from multiple companies to compare prices and find the insurer that offers you the lowest rate. Doing this when your policy renews can also help you find cheap insurance.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Lakeland: State Farm
Liability-only insurance in Lakeland, Florida, includes property damage liability and personal injury protection. These coverages pay for damages you cause to others’ property and your own medical expenses, respectively. Notably, Florida liability insurance excludes bodily injury liability, which most other states require. But liability-only car insurance is generally the cheapest type of auto insurance policy you can purchase.
Liability insurance in Lakeland costs an average of $150 per month.
Here are the cheapest car insurers in Lakeland for liability-only insurance.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Lakeland: State Farm
If you think Florida’s liability insurance requirements aren’t enough to protect you on the road, consider a full-coverage policy, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance. As such, full-coverage policies are more expensive, costing an average of $202 per month in Lakeland.
This policy type is a good idea for drivers with valuable vehicles, people living in accident-prone or high-theft areas, or anyone who wants extensive coverage for personal and third-party damages.
Here are the cheapest full-coverage car insurance companies in Lakeland, Florida, based on Insurify data.
Car insurance requirements in Florida
To drive legally in Florida, you must have at least personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability insurance. PIP insurance provides coverage for 80% of medical expenses for covered injuries, up to $10,000, regardless of fault. Meanwhile, property damage liability insurance handles the costs of property damage you cause in an accident.
Remember, you have to maintain continuous coverage, even during periods when your vehicle isn’t in use, to comply with Florida’s legal requirements.
Here are the minimum car insurance requirements in the state:1
While you must have the above minimum coverages, you can add the following to enhance your auto insurance policy:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
For Lakeland drivers with past incidents — like speeding tickets, driving under the influence, at-fault accidents, or other moving violations — finding affordable car insurance can be difficult. These types of incidents on your record signal to insurance companies that you’re prone to risky driving behaviors and have a higher likelihood of filing a claim. To offset this higher risk, insurers raise rates.4
Here are the cheapest auto insurers by driving record in Lakeland, Florida.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
A single speeding ticket can influence your car insurance rates significantly. Insurers interpret speeding tickets as an indicator of risky driving habits, leading to a higher probability of future accidents and claims. As a result, your insurance premiums may rise.4
The average rate for liability coverage with a speeding ticket is $201 in Lakeland.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance for Lakeland drivers with a speeding ticket on their driving records.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm
An at-fault accident can cause a substantial increase in your car insurance rates because insurance companies perceive it as a sign of higher risk for future claims.4 In Lakeland, this translates to an average rate of $187 per month if you have an at-fault accident on your record.
Avoiding accidents is essential for safety and plays a key role in maintaining lower insurance premiums. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs, which will prevent rates from increasing after your first at-fault accident in a given period, usually three to five years.
If you have an at-fault accident on your record, check out the table below for the cheapest auto insurers in Lakeland.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm
A DUI conviction can lead to a significant surge in your car insurance rates. The average rate for liability coverage in Lakeland is $195 per month. Insurers view DUIs as a substantial risk factor, indicating a higher likelihood of accidents and claims. As a result, your insurance premiums may skyrocket after a DUI, especially if Florida requires you to purchase FR-44 insurance.
The following table includes the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with a DUI conviction in Lakeland.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm
People 65 years and older make up more than 21% of Lakeland’s population.5 Insurance companies consider a driver’s age when calculating premiums; as you gain driving experience and reach your mid-30s, car insurance rates often decrease. But around age 70, premiums increase slightly due to factors like potential health issues and higher accident fatality rates.6
Seniors in Lakeland pay an average of $133 per month for liability car insurance. Despite this slight uptick, seniors still tend to pay lower rates than other age groups.
Here are the insurance companies with the cheapest auto policies for senior drivers in Lakeland.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: State Farm
Teenagers and young adults pay higher rates than older drivers due to their limited experience and higher-risk profiles. In Lakeland this translates to an average monthly rate of $256 for liability coverage.
As a teenager, one effective method to achieve cost-effective coverage is to stay on a parent’s insurance policy, which typically results in lower rates.
Teens and young drivers can still find affordable car insurance, despite typically paying higher rates. Here are the cheapest auto insurers for teenagers and young adults in Lakeland.
Lakeland car insurance quotes by credit tier
Florida insurance companies can use credit histories as one of the factors when calculating insurance rates, but they can’t solely rely on them for setting premiums.7 Lakeland drivers with excellent or good credit scores pay lower average rates, and drivers with poor credit scores may face higher premiums.
For average monthly quotes in Lakeland based on credit tier, check out the chart below.
Is car insurance more expensive in Lakeland?
In the United States, the average cost of full-coverage car insurance is $184 per month. Meanwhile, Lakeland residents face a substantially higher average monthly premium of $202 for this coverage. Car insurance rates can vary based on factors like weather conditions, crime rates, ZIP code, and traffic volume in a city.3
More cities in Florida
Compared to drivers in other Florida cities, Lakeland drivers typically pay lower monthly car insurance premiums. This could be attributed to Lakeland’s fewer residents and lower rates of accidents compared to neighboring cities, like Orlando and Tampa.
Here are average car insurance quotes in other Florida cities compared to Lakeland’s.