The average cost of car insurance in Tampa is $249 per month, significantly higher than the national average of $144 and the state average of $182.

The high car insurance rates are partly due to Florida’s severe weather risk. More hurricanes hit Florida than any other state in the U.S., and insurers factor that risk into their pricing. Tampa also ranks as one of the most congested cities in America, which increases collision risk and puts more wear and tear on cars in this Southwest Florida hub.1

But it’s still possible to find affordable car insurance if you live in Tampa. Here’s how.

How much is car insurance in Tampa, FL?

Tampa car insurance costs much more than in Florida overall, and Tampa insurance costs are also much higher than the national average. In the table below, you can see how Tampa rates compare.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Tampa

No single company will be the cheapest for everyone. In the table below, you can see some of the cheapest car insurance companies for Tampa drivers.

Best car insurance companies in Tampa

The best car insurance companies in Tampa may differ for every driver. That’s because each insurer sets rates using a combination of factors, such as gender, marital status, ZIP code, driving record, and credit history. The importance of each factor can also differ from one insurer to the next.

To find the best insurance coverage for your needs, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Keep the companies below in mind as you begin your search.

Best insurer for affordability and reliability: State Farm

Best insurer for discounts: GEICO

Best insurer for pay-as-you-go insurance: Hugo

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Tampa

Here are some strategies you can use to get the cheapest car insurance and the right coverage in Tampa:

• Drive safely. Drivers who avoid at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and other serious driving violations tend to save money on their car insurance premiums. You may also qualify for a discount if you take a defensive driving course.

• Adjust your coverage. You can make a number of changes to your car insurance policy to lower your car insurance costs, such as increasing your deductible and canceling optional coverage. But consider carrying enough car insurance to help you pay for costs after an accident.

• Take advantage of discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts to customers who bundle multiple insurance policies, earn good grades, and maintain a clean driving record.

• Compare car insurance quotes. Compare rates from at least three car insurance companies before choosing a policy. Each insurer weighs factors differently, so you may find lower rates for the same coverage from different companies.

Car insurance requirements in Florida

In Florida, drivers must carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and another $10,000 for property damage liability. PIP pays for medical expenses after an accident, regardless of who’s at fault. The state doesn’t require drivers to carry bodily injury coverage.2

If you want more insurance protection in Florida, you may be able to purchase additional coverages, including:

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Incidents on your driving record can heavily affect your car insurance premium. Things like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) violations can drive up your costs because car insurers will consider you a riskier driver. Drivers with clean records, on the other hand, typically pay the lowest rates.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm

As a driver, speeding is dangerous because you have less time to react to hazards on the road and risk losing control of your vehicle. This elevated risk helps explain why insurers typically charge higher rates when a person has a speeding ticket on their driving record.

Tampa drivers with a speeding ticket pay a monthly average of $287 for liability insurance.

You can compare average quotes from different insurers below.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm

If you cause a car accident, insurance companies will likely view you as a higher risk than a person with a clean driving record. Your insurer may increase your premium depending on the severity and circumstances of the incident and your driving history. But some insurers offer accident forgiveness coverage, which keeps your rates steady after your first at-fault accident.

Finding affordable insurance after an at-fault accident isn’t impossible, but expect much higher prices. Liability rates after an accident in Tampa average $267 per month.

Here are average liability-only quotes from several insurers for drivers with an at-fault accident.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm

A driving under the influence, or DUI, violation is a serious traffic offense that comes with major penalties in Florida. A first DUI offense in Florida comes with a fine of up to $2,000, up to six months in jail, and the loss of your driver’s license for up to three years.3

These penalties increase for subsequent offenses. Furthermore, the state may require you to file an FR-44 insurance form after a DUI, which will increase your rates for three years or longer.4

Tampa drivers with a DUI on their record pay an average of $278 per month for liability insurance.

Compare average liability quotes from the following insurers that offer coverage to drivers with a DUI.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm

Age has a big effect on what you pay for car insurance. Generally, rates start high for teenagers, decrease for most drivers in their 30s, and decline steadily over the next four decades. Drivers then tend to pay more after age 70 because they experience aging-related risk factors that lead to more accidents.

But it’s still possible for Tampa’s senior residents to find affordable car insurance. Senior drivers in Tampa pay a monthly average of $190 for liability coverage.

Here’s how average quotes from several different insurers vary for senior drivers.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: State Farm

Car insurance rates are highest for teen drivers due to their limited driving experience and habit of taking risks on the road.5 These factors lead to a higher rate of fatal crashes in this age group.

Liability insurance for Tampa teen drivers costs $366 per month, on average.

Even though teenagers generally pay more for car insurance, many companies offer discounts to help young drivers save money. For example, teen drivers can get a price break if they earn good grades to qualify for discounts, join their parents’ existing policy, and drive a safe car.

Here are some of the cheapest average quotes offered to teen drivers in Tampa.

Tampa car insurance quotes by credit tier

Florida allows insurance companies to use drivers’ credit history as a factor in determining premiums. State law requires the Florida Department of Insurance to regulate how insurers use credit.

This law protects consumers in Florida with several important rules:

• Insurance companies in Florida can’t use credit as the only factor in setting insurance rates.

• Insurers can’t request a credit report or score based solely on details like race, religion, age, gender, income, or marital status.

• An insurer that makes an adverse decision based on the driver’s credit must supply the driver with an explanation and a copy of the credit report used.

• Insurance companies must tell consumers how to appeal credit-based decisions.

State law also provides rules for special circumstances, such as drivers who lack a credit history. 

Even with these protections, credit history can affect how much drivers in Tampa pay for auto insurance. Drivers with excellent or good credit scores generally pay lower rates than people with poor credit scores.

Here are the average monthly quotes for full-coverage auto insurance in Tampa by credit tier.

Cost of car insurance in other Florida cities

Insurify data shows drivers in Tampa pay the highest average rate than any other city in Florida. Even other large cities, such as Miami and Orlando, have lower average rates. Here’s a comparison of average car insurance quotes in other major cities throughout Florida compared to Tampa.