Find Car Insurance in Lakeland, FL
What You Should Know About Car Insurance in Lakeland, FL
True to its name, Lakeland has 38 named lakes, from 2,272-acre Lake Parker down to 2.5-acre Lake Blanton, with many smaller, unnamed bodies of water sprinkled throughout town. The descendants of a pair of swans donated to Lakeland by Queen Elizabeth in the 1950s can be seen gracefully floating through the city’s waters, earning it the nickname “Swan City.”
Over 70 parks and recreational areas offer a wide range of activities, including pickleball, biking, canoeing, and skateparks, spanning endless miles. The municipality protects over 1,600 structures in its seven historic districts, containing over 7% of the city’s property parcels.
The Lakeland economy supports over 50,000 jobs — an astounding number for a city with a population of less than 125,000 — in industries such as retail, healthcare, social assistance, accommodation, food, finance, and insurance. It is located about 45 minutes east of Tampa and an hour southwest of Orlando. But do not make either of those trips until you have the coverage you need to protect you and your vehicle if you get into an accident. Expert agents are waiting to help you find the best auto insurance at the best price in Florida.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Lakeland, Florida?
Car insurance in Florida is significantly more expensive than in other parts of the country. An average full coverage policy in the state costs $3,183 annually, and minimum liability runs about $1,128.
The national averages for those same policies are approximately $2,014 and $622. These rates are general numbers and will change based on your location, vehicle, and personal details. Your agent will discuss with you how to get the most affordable rates available for your specific scenario.
What Does It Mean If Florida Is a No-Fault State?
Florida is a no-fault state, which means if you get into a crash that results in injuries, the drivers and passengers of both vehicles must pursue their medical expenses through their own policies. For damages to the cars, the party responsible for the accident would have to pay through their provider. This is different than an at-fault state, where the driver who causes the incident would be liable for both property damage and injuries. But even though Florida is a no-fault state, a victim may pursue the other party’s insurance if there are very serious injuries.
Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Lakeland
Although rates in Florida are considerably higher than average for the U.S., you can find rates that are more affordable in the state. The table below shows how policies can vary widely based on which city you live in:
| City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | $212 | $74 |
| Auburndale | $214 | $73 |
| Davenport | $220 | $77 |
| Plant City | $253 | $84 |
| Tampa | $288 | $99 |
How Bundling Your Car and Homeowners Insurance Can Save You Money in Lakeland
Everyone appreciates a good deal, and you could get a significant one if you bundle your home and auto insurance, which just means getting both of those policies through the same company. People like to bundle because it saves them the hassle of dealing with more than one insurer when they sign up for their policy and when they have to pay their bills. But in addition to the convenience, you could save 5% to 25% on both your home and car insurance when you bundle.
One of the great benefits of bundling is that, although obtaining the best price reduction requires extensive research, you do not have to do it yourself because your agent handles all the work for you. They will pursue the best offers available for your car and homeowners insurance, which includes comparing pricing from various providers and identifying those that offer the best bundling discounts. Your agent will deliver a package of policies with just the coverage you need at affordable prices.
What Types of Car Insurance Discounts Are Available in Lakeland?
Bundling is just a start. There are many other ways to lower your insurance premiums. These price reductions vary based on the insurer you choose, but you can ask your agent about these and other discounts that may reduce your rate further:
- Paperless billing discount
- Auto-pay discount
- Safety feature discount
- Paid-in-full discount
- Military discount
Notable Car Insurance Laws in Lakeland
As in the rest of the U.S., individual municipalities in Florida do not typically have their own insurance laws. Rather, they rely on state statutes that govern auto and other types of coverage. Some of these regulations are mentioned below.
What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Lakeland?
Each state has different coverage requirements that drivers must meet. Florida is pretty lenient and allows its residents to operate a vehicle if they obtain at least the following:
- $10,000 in personal injury protection covering 80% of all necessary and reasonable medical expenses due to an accident
- $10,000 in property damage liability
Obtaining these levels of coverage might satisfy state law, but you should consider getting a higher limit. If you cause an accident, the damages could be well above $10,000, and if you only have the minimum, you would have to pay for the remainder with your own funds.
What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Lakeland?
Penalties for lack of coverage also vary by state. In Florida, if your policy lapses, you may be subject to the suspension of your:
- License
- Registration
- Plates
Upon contacting your insurer to reinstate your policy, you will also have to pay $500 as a reinstatement fee.
Do Lakeland-Specific Laws Play a Role in Determining Your Insurance Premiums?
Insurers gather lots of data to help them figure out how much to charge you for your policy. Some states prohibit insurers from using certain factors that may not seem driving-related, but Florida allows most factors to be used, including:
- Age
- Gender
- Credit score
- Marital status
- The cost of your vehicle
Insurance That Helps You Prepare for the Future
You may think of insurance as another expense you have to add to the mix. But in reality, it can help you prepare for your future goals. Drivers who do not have coverage — aside from doing something illegal — have no idea how much money to put aside for an accident they cause. A small fender-bender might cost less than $1,000, but crashing a high-end vehicle could easily run over $50,000. However, if you have a good policy in place, you can save for your future and rest assured that your insurer will cover the damages if you cause an accident.
At InsureOne, our expert agents help you find the best auto insurance with customizable options that best meet your needs so you can start planning your future.
Typical Driving Conditions in Lakeland
Lakeland has experienced lots of growth, including a 24.2% population increase by the 2010 Census and 15.6% by 2020. Without a comprehensive transit system, the traffic is getting increasingly worse in parts of town. Commuters take the I-4 west to Tampa and northwest directly to Orlando, and travel time increases significantly during rush hour. The higher-than-average amount of rain and heat in the city may affect drivers’ visibility and ability to focus on the road.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Lakeland Per Year?
One of the reasons why rates vary by city is due to accident rates. The state’s traffic safety dashboard shows the following number of crashes for Lakeland and municipalities in its proximity for 2024:
| City | Total Crashes |
|---|---|
| Lakeland | 4,931 |
| Auburndale | 614 |
| Davenport | 640 |
| Plant City | 1,752 |
| Tampa | 20,490 |
How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Are in Lakeland?
The Insurance Information Institute tracked uninsured motorists by state for several years. In 2022, the latest year of their report, 15.9% of Florida’s drivers did not have any policy at all. You may want to consider adding uninsured motorist coverage to your plan so that if one of these drivers crashes into you, your own policy will cover your damages.
Get Covered by the Best Car Insurance in Lakeland, Florida, Today
There is a lot of natural beauty in Lakeland and a surprising number of jobs available locally and within an hour’s drive. Make sure your vehicle is covered with the best policy available, and then head out to relax at one of the many lakes in town.
Enjoy a concierge experience from one of our expert agents at InsureOne. We provide top-tier service as we customize your policy to match your needs at the most affordable prices available. Get in touch with us by stopping by one of our physical locations, calling us at (800) 836-2240, or visiting our website.