USAA Bump
 

Just moved to the villages and called USAA to switch our auto coverage from Virginia to Florida. We have 2 cars: a 2016 RAV4 and a 1995 Miata.

We discovered the same coverage went up 50%!

Are drivers that bad in Florida?

Anyone else have this happen?

We experienced an increase with the move to Florida.
It's all the lawsuits down here.............once you start watching TV down here, you will understand.

yep, drivers are reeeeeally bad down here.

Florida is a no fault state. Those that bother to get insurance are paying for every deadbeat out there.

One thing to consider is that Virginia requires you to have uninsured motorist coverage, but Florida does not. I don't buy the uninsured motorist coverage because I consider it to be mostly redundant with medical insurance. And, I don't want to be required to file a medical claim with my auto insurance company. I think that many people automatically buy the uninsured motorist coverage because they come from a state that requires it, and they don't even understand what it covers and what it doesn't cover. It provides no liability coverage.

On the other side of the coin, we moved from Palm Beach County to TV and our premiums dropped 30%. My best guess is that their are more attorneys in Florida than VA. In addition Florida does have required PIP laws which pay your own medical expenses, up to 10K regardless of fault, even if you have any other form of health insurance including Medicare.

No fault in Florida
 

Insurance rates are one of the main reasons people tend to be a little surprised at the cost of living expenses in FL. Having lived or worked in 49 of our states,
I’ve found Florida has the most erratic and unpredictable drivers in the country. It’s no wonder the rates are so high.

Yep, Florida drivers are that bad.

I have lived in various parts of Florida and the US. In the past I found FL rates were high (not as high as Michigan, tho!). Anyway - after moving back down here I was shocked — I have really low rates (same coverage). Maybe it is because I have never had any accidents after all these years - maybe it is because I really don’t drive much (low miles on car) .... I am still working - but from home. I am thankful.

had same problem. Had USAA for 30-40 years. Switched to Travelers which was more reasonable

Your Miata might qualify for Haggerty classic car insurance. It will cost a lot less. We have a 1996 and qualify,

Yes! Everything increased car, house and cart! 600.00 total checked around with different companies all increased! ������������

I had been a USAA member for over 50 years and left them about 2 years ago because almost everyone else is now less expensive (even after the annual rebate).

Most Florida drivers are not from Florida, especially in The Villages.

Yikes mine went down 50 %

If you haven't already done so, shop around other major insurance companies.

We found that our existing company wanted to charge us about 20% more when we moved to FL but a different national brand wanted charge us 40% less. We're happy paying less here than we were in MD for the same coverage.

Note: I've already accepted that we may have been greatly overpaying for insurance for many years back in MD.

Yes, we moved from NJ where auto insurance is outrageous. Between that and our homeowner's insurance bundled, FL insurance costs went up almost 50%.

Looks Like Florida legislator is making a move to end the “no fault” law. Per article in The Daily Sun a few days ago.

Auto Insurance Higher in TV
 

When we moved to TV from the Florida Panhandle a few years ago, our insurance premium with USAA jumped 20%.

We just moved from the Washington DC Metro area. I ended up getting insurance through AAA - a bundle that included Homeowners and car insurance for 3 vehicles and a new golfcart for less that I was paying in MD.

But I ensured the zip code was right. That made a TON of difference.

Virginia does not require uninsured motorist coverage. They require those who choose not to take it to affirmatively refuse it in writing. The coverage is subsidized by the people who decline to buy insurance and pay a "fine" instead. It is a small fee that buys coverage for the other guy.

Yor medical insurance does not cover lost wages, long term disability, and pain and suffering. It also doesn't cover property damage.

In todays world there are many illegal aliens driving without licenses or insurance. There were and still are many citizens and legal residents who are unlicensed and uninsured or insured for minimum amounts.

I practiced law in Virginia for many years. After representing clients who were seriously injured by uninsured motorists, I increased my liability coverage to 250,000/500,000/50,000 so i could purchase uninsured motorist coverage in the same amounts. The bulk of the cost of insurance is incurred for the first few dollars of coverage and the marginal cost of higher coverage is surprisingly inexpensive.

Virginia must really be for lovers.

Pun aside, no that’s not my experience (rates went down from IL). You should ask the agent/company to explain.

That brings up a good question. Since Florida is a no-fault state, how do people end up with these large insurance payouts? Is there a difference in coverage if there is injury or death involved? In a number of states, the driver must provide proof of insurance in order to renew their license plates/operator's license, but that apparently isn't the case in this state. It's no wonder there are so many hit and run crashes

Florida Insurance Rates
 

Have you ever heard of the Trial Lawyers Association! I think I just read that at least 25% of Florida drivers have no insurance. It is not a serious crime. So, when you pay your bill understand that the lack of punishment for failing to insure a car is insignificant compared to the premiums and the jails won’t hold them all. Now, who do you think the Trial Lawyers are suing? In many cases, it is most likely your own insurance company under the uninsured or underinsured coverage you maintain. Do you think they are getting settlements from people with no insurance? Really!!!!

Thank you for your realistic view regarding "Florida" drivers! In TV, most drivers are not from Florida, including all the family visitors and look sees who want to check it out.

We are not with USAA but are ex-New Yorkers. Our insurance in Florida dropped by like 50%. In any case you may want to get quotes from other companies.

As far as reducing your cost, you can choose a higher deductible so you are self insuring till your coverage kicks in.

People tend to think, I've been a loyal customer for xxxxxx years. Insurance is a math game. They will offer you an enticing rate to switch. If, an increase is say 5% if you start at a lower rate it is say 5% of 1,000 vs 5% of 1500. A loyal customer? The difference compounds.

It is a good idea to comparison shop. Just beware, companies are rated by fair, reasonable payouts. Cost can be cheap if they do not pay, fairly if there is a loss.
All the companies are great at cashing your check.

It is my understanding that you can opt out of any auto insurance in Virginia, but you must pay a $500 annual fee and then you have no coverage at all. But, if you have insurance, it must include uninsured motorist coverage.

My point about UM coverage is that, most people who have it, don't have enough coverage to pay for lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering. For example, if you only have $25,000 in UM coverage, it will barely cover a hospital bill, and who wants to sue their own insurance company for less than $25,000 in pain and suffering? Most people already have medical insurance, liability, and collision coverage to pay medical bills and to repair their car. So, the UM coverage is mostly redundant. Also, I think that many people don't realize that the UM coverage does not provide any liability coverage. I have a very large amount of liability coverage, but I don't see any reason to pay for the uninsured motorist insurance, especially if you are retired. My opinion.

#1uninsured state

I discovered the same increase in automobile insurance when I came to Florida. Drivers here are really bad and accidents are constant. Watch the news on Orlando TV to see how many daily accidents happen there which is typical around the state. And in addition to that, there is a $225.00 impact fee that must be paid for each vehicle. Welcome to Florida.

USAA had the highest rate every time I checked them for auto or home insurance. Too many veterans buy their pitch thinking they are the lowest because of military discount.

Bump in auto ins rates
 

[Yes, the same thing happened to us coming from Wisconsin.
I just read that over 25% of drivers in FL are uninsured. Go figure. Why doesn't the state figure our some way to prevent them from getting licenses?

We discovered the same coverage went up 50%!

Are drivers that bad in Florida?

Anyone else have this happen?[/QUOTE]

A bit off topic, but medial malpractice insurance goes up in certain counties within Florida.

Ours went down after moving from Pinellas county to Sumter almost 1/2.

I was told by my State Farm agent; two words - old age!!

I experienced somewhat of a bump from USAA when I moved from Ga back in 2013, although it wasn't nearly as bad as some of the others mentioned here. :But, after 57 years with them, I'm not about to switch based on price alone. They've provided truly excellent service for me on a variety of issues, and for me, loyalty goes both ways. I can offer one suggestion about FL insurance costs in general - don't live near the coast or below the 28th parallel.

I pay $42 a month to insure my 2017 Toyota Corolla with USAA. I did call them and ask them to help me find the lowest legal price, so I do have high deductibles. They will speak with you on the phone, if you call, to tell you ways to lower your cost, generally if you can decrease your coverage. (I know...I should probably think about paying a little more to get a little more coverage....)

You moved to a "No Fault" state. Insurance terminology. There is a bill in progress to make a change but it looks like it will be defeated. Welcome to Florida

Switch your Miata to antique car insurance like JC Taylor.

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