Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Florida in 2025

State law in Florida mandates that all motor vehicle owners with at least four wheels maintain Personal Injury Protection and Property Damage Liability insurance before registering or operating vehicles on public roadways. Florida's mandatory insurance framework, established under Section 320.02 of the Florida Statutes and Chapter 324 of the Florida Statutes, creates enforceable financial responsibility standards that apply to vehicle registration, renewal transactions, and continuous operation throughout each registration period. Compliance with these insurance provisions represents a foundational requirement for lawful vehicle ownership and operation in Florida.

Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage

Florida's mandatory insurance framework prohibits any person from registering or operating a motor vehicle on public roadways without establishing financial responsibility through approved insurance coverage. Before registering a vehicle with at least four wheels in Florida, vehicle owners must show proof of Personal Injury Protection and Property Damage Liability automobile insurance.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles administers the state's mandatory insurance program through driver license offices and motor vehicle service centers located throughout Florida's 67 counties. This department implements electronic insurance verification protocols to confirm coverage during registration transactions and conducts ongoing monitoring to identify coverage lapses after registration completion.

Vehicle owners must maintain uninterrupted insurance coverage throughout the entire registration period. Any vehicle with a current Florida registration must have continuous coverage even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. Allowing coverage to lapse constitutes a violation of Florida law and may result in registration suspension, driving privilege suspension, monetary penalties, and additional requirements. Failure to maintain required insurance coverage in Florida may result in the suspension of driving privileges and vehicle registration and a requirement to pay a reinstatement fee of up to $500.

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 617-2000
Official Website: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements

Florida establishes specific minimum insurance coverage amounts that all policies must meet or exceed for vehicles with at least four wheels. All vehicles registered in Florida are required to have minimum Personal Injury Protection and Property Damage Liability insurance coverage.

Personal Injury Protection coverage covers 80 percent of all necessary and reasonable medical expenses up to $10,000 resulting from a covered injury, no matter who caused the crash. Property Damage Liability coverage pays for damage to another person's property caused by the policyholder or someone else driving the insured vehicle.

Vehicles registered as taxis must carry higher coverage amounts. Taxis must carry bodily injury liability coverage of $ 125,000 per person, $250,000 per occurrence and $50,000 for Property Damage Liability coverage, or $300,000 combined single limits.

Proof of PIP and PDL coverage must be issued by an insurance company licensed in Florida to sell policies or by qualifying for a self-insurance certificate issued by FLHSMV. The policy must be purchased from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in Florida. Vehicle owners may purchase coverage amounts exceeding statutory minimums for enhanced financial protection.

Florida Department of Financial Services
200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (877) 693-5236
Official Website: Florida Department of Financial Services

Proof of Insurance Documents

Florida law requires every motor vehicle operator subject to mandatory insurance provisions to carry evidence of insurance within the vehicle during operation. Insurers shall furnish uniform proof-of-purchase cards in a paper or electronic format in a form prescribed by the department. The state accepts multiple formats of insurance documentation:

• Florida Automobile Insurance Identification Card: Standard card issued by the insurance carrier in the prescribed form containing Florida company code, policy number, vehicle identification number, type of coverage, effective date, and named insured information
• Electronic Format: Digital proof of insurance displayed on a smartphone, tablet, or electronic picture of the insurance card issued by a Florida agent or Florida insurance company showing the same information as indicated on a paper insurance card
• Florida Insurance Policy: Insurance policy issued by a Florida agent or broker on behalf of a carrier licensed in Florida whose company is authorized to do business in Florida
• Insurance Policy Binder: Temporary insurance document good for no more than 60 days from the date of issuance, which must include the full name of the insurance company
• Florida Insurance Affidavit: Sworn statement on Form HSMV 83330 containing the name of the insurance company, policy number, and vehicle identification number
• Certificate of Self-Insurance: Certificate issued by Department Self-Insurance Staff for individuals or entities that qualify as self-insurers

The electronic format must provide the same information as indicated on a paper insurance card, including Florida Automobile Insurance Identification Code, name of insurance company, policy number, effective date, type of coverage, named insured, and vehicle information. The card or insurance policy, insurance policy binder, or certificate of insurance or a photocopy of any of these may constitute sufficient proof of purchase.

Law enforcement officers and registration issuing officials may request proof of insurance during traffic stops, accident investigations, or registration transactions.

Exceptions to Insurance Requirements

Florida law provides specific statutory exemptions from mandatory insurance requirements for certain vehicle categories under Florida Statutes:

• Vehicles with fewer than four wheels: Self-propelled vehicles with less than four wheels, including motorcycles
• Trailers: All types of trailers not required to maintain separate insurance
• Mobile homes: Mobile homes exempt from standard vehicle insurance requirements
• Government-owned vehicles: Vehicles owned and operated by governmental entities
• Self-insured entities: Individuals or entities holding valid self-insurance certificates issued by FLHSMV
• Military personnel stationed out-of-state: Florida resident active duty United States Armed Forces members stationed outside Florida who maintain their vehicles at their duty station and have insurance from another state
• Vehicles not operated on Florida roads: Motor vehicles not operated on the roads of Florida during the registration period
• Commercial motor vehicles under federal regulation: Certain commercial vehicles subject to federal motor carrier safety regulations
• Rental vehicles under specific conditions: Rental company vehicles under certain lease agreements meeting statutory requirements
• Autonomous vehicles with enhanced coverage: Autonomous vehicles maintaining required enhanced liability coverage amounts

Active duty United States Armed Forces members who are Florida residents stationed outside Florida may be exempt from Florida insurance requirements if they provide documentation of duty orders, maintain an out-of-state address, submit an affidavit stating the vehicle is maintained at the duty station, and provide proof of insurance from another state.

These exemptions apply only under the specific circumstances described in Florida statutes. Vehicles qualifying for exemptions may still require registration with appropriate designation indicating exempt status.

Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles verifies insurance coverage as a mandatory element of all vehicle registration transactions for vehicles with at least four wheels. Proof of insurance showing that personal injury protection benefits and property damage liability coverage have been purchased must be provided by the applicant at the time of application for registration. The issuing agent shall refuse to issue registration if such proof of purchase is not provided.

• Registration applicants must provide Florida insurance policy information during all registration transactions. When an application is made for registration, the issuing agent verifies insurance coverage before processing the application. Insurance purchased for the vehicle must be bound on the same day as the issuance of the registration.
• New residents relocating to Florida must obtain Florida-issued insurance coverage before registering vehicles in the state. If individuals are new to Florida, they may ask their agent to transfer their current insurance to a Florida policy. The policy must be purchased from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in Florida. Insurance from other states is not accepted to title and register vehicles in Florida except for specific exemptions.
• Registration renewals require active insurance coverage verified through the Department's electronic verification system. Owners must provide valid Delaware liability insurance information when insurance is not found on the insurance database for the vehicle. Customers who have vehicles up for renewal are notified via the renewal notice to provide insurance information when insurance is not found on the insurance database. Vehicles with lapsed or unverifiable insurance coverage cannot complete renewal transactions until valid coverage is established and confirmed.