Choosing the best car insurance in Lakeland, Florida, depends on your coverage needs, preferences and driver details. GEICO has the lowest rates for minimum coverage, while State Farm offers the most affordable full coverage. Nationwide charges competitive rates to families with teens. State Farm provides the best overall value, balancing cost and service. Mercury excels in customer service.
Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Lakeland, FL (2024)
Updated: December 19, 2024
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Key Takeaways
In Lakeland, Florida, GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance at $608 annually, while Farmers provides the most expensive option at $1,509, suggesting significant potential savings of $901 by comparing providers.
In Lakeland, Florida, car insurance premiums for full coverage range significantly, with State Farm offering the lowest at $1,320 annually, while Farmers charges the highest at $3,005, illustrating a potential savings of $1,685 by comparing insurance rates.
In Lakeland, Florida, State Farm offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance for military drivers at $1,320 per year, providing a cost-effective balance of price and quality service compared to Travelers, the next most affordable provider, at $1,447 annually.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We analyzed 127,836 quotes from nine companies in Florida. We also used six sources and original research to rate Lakeland's cheapest companies and develop a scoring system based on ZIP codes in the city only. Our scores are based on affordability, customer satisfaction, claims experience, coverages offered, and financial stability.
These rates reflect the cheapest car insurance quotes in Lakeland, FL, as of July 2024
127,836Quotes Analyzed
9Companies Compared
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Lakeland
GEICO provides the cheapest car insurance in Lakeland.
- GEICO: $608 per year
- State Farm: $642 per year
Farmers offers the most expensive minimum coverage at $1,509 per year, $901 more than GEICO. This highlights the importance of comparing rates to find the best deal and save on car insurance.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Minimum Coverage
| GEICO | $608 | $51 |
| State Farm | $642 | $54 |
| Travelers | $687 | $57 |
| Mercury | $812 | $68 |
| Nationwide | $929 | $77 |
| Allstate | $972 | $81 |
| Progressive | $1,049 | $87 |
| Direct General Insurance | $1,472 | $123 |
| Farmers | $1,509 | $126 |
Florida's Minimum Liability Requirements
State law requires these car insurance coverage minimums in Lakeland:
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
- $10,000 personal injury protection per person
If you're at fault in an accident causing injury to someone, the minimum coverage won't apply since Florida law doesn't require bodily injury liability. If costs exceed your policy's property damage limit, you must pay the difference out of pocket. These are just the minimums – it's wise to consider additional coverage for better protection.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Lakeland
State Farm offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Lakeland, followed by Travelers:
- State Farm: $1,320 per year
- Travelers: $1,447 per year
Farmers offers the most expensive full coverage policy at $3,005 annually, $1,685 more than State Farm. This hefty difference highlights the importance of shopping around for the best rates. Full coverage policies cost more because they provide greater financial protection through comprehensive and collision insurance.
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Full Coverage
| State Farm | $1,320 | $110 |
| Travelers | $1,447 | $121 |
| GEICO | $1,540 | $128 |
| Progressive | $1,775 | $148 |
| Nationwide | $1,819 | $152 |
| Allstate | $2,053 | $171 |
| Mercury | $2,131 | $178 |
| Direct General Insurance | $3,002 | $250 |
| Farmers | $3,005 | $250 |
Why Full Coverage Is Important in Florida
When upgrading to full coverage, the liability limits are raised to $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident, commonly referred to as a 100/300/100 policy.
Full coverage policies include:
- Collision insurance: Covers damage to your car caused by an impact with another vehicle or object, such as a light pole or tree, rollover accidents or pothole damage.
- Comprehensive insurance: Covers vehicle loss due to theft or damage from natural disasters, vandalism, fires and hitting animals like deer.
Full coverage is typically required if you lease or have a car loan. If you have a new car, full coverage protects your investment. However, the added cost may not be justified for older vehicles with lower value. Choosing the right amount of car insurance means balancing paying higher premiums for more coverage and the risk of being underinsured.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Lakeland After a Driving Offense
State Farm offers the cheapest insurance for drivers with poor records in Lakeland. Here are the lowest rates per offense:
- Speeding ticket: $1,486 per year
- At-fault accident: $1,612 per year
- DUI: $1,486 per year
Farmers has the highest annual premiums for at-fault accidents at $4,592 and speeding tickets at $3,798. The $794 difference highlights how the severity of the offense affects costs.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Full Coverage
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Incident:Speeding
| State Farm | $1,486 | $124 |
| Travelers | $2,019 | $168 |
| Allstate | $2,132 | $178 |
| Nationwide | $2,151 | $179 |
| Progressive | $2,431 | $203 |
| Direct General Insurance | $3,002 | $250 |
| GEICO | $3,046 | $254 |
| Mercury | $3,158 | $263 |
| Farmers | $3,798 | $317 |
In Lakeland, insurance rates increase with the seriousness of driver violations due to their higher risk. For example, drivers with a DUI pay an average of $3,717 annually, while those with a speeding ticket pay about $3,283. This difference highlights the need for drivers with offenses to compare rates meticulously to save money.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Lakeland for Teens and Their Families
Nationwide offers the cheapest car insurance for teens in Lakeland. Here are the two most affordable options for a policy covering two parents and a teenager:
- Nationwide: $3,219 per year for female teens and $3,625 per year for male teens
- State Farm: $3,553 per year for female teens and $4,308 per year for male teens
Farmers charges the highest rates for family policies, at $6,184 annually for female teens and $6,270 for male teens. This highlights the importance of comparing rates, especially when adding a higher-risk teen driver can lead to higher premiums.
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Age:16
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Gender:Female
| Nationwide | $3,219 | $5,585 |
| State Farm | $3,553 | $3,448 |
| GEICO | $4,333 | $4,642 |
| Allstate | $4,460 | $16,165 |
| Travelers | $4,726 | $8,034 |
| Progressive | $5,891 | $8,050 |
| Farmers | $6,184 | $13,841 |
Teenage drivers across the U.S. face much higher car insurance costs. Individual policies cost $9,377 annually, while adding teen drivers to a family policy averages $4,996. This $4,000+ difference is because insurers see teen drivers as higher risk, making it challenging for them to get individual policies without an adult's driving history. Opting for a family insurance plan saves money and raises their likelihood of approval.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Lakeland for Military Drivers
State Farm offers Lakeland's cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds. For the best rates, consider these providers:
- State Farm: $1,320 per year
- Travelers: $1,447 per year
Although USAA isn't among the cheapest, it's widely known nationwide for providing tailored service at the most affordable rates for active-duty military personnel.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Full Coverage
| State Farm | $1,320 | $110 |
| Travelers | $1,447 | $121 |
| GEICO | $1,540 | $128 |
| Progressive | $1,775 | $148 |
| Nationwide | $1,819 | $152 |
| Allstate | $2,053 | $171 |
| Mercury | $2,131 | $178 |
| Direct General Insurance | $3,002 | $250 |
| Farmers | $3,005 | $250 |
How to Compare Cheap Lakeland Car Insurance Quotes Online
Comparing rates is crucial to saving on car insurance in Lakeland, but it can be time-consuming. Spending 15 minutes per insurer adds up quickly, often taking over an hour for just a few quotes. MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator simplifies this process. Enter your age, driving history, credit score and coverage preferences to get a personalized estimate instantly.
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Rates updated:
Dec 21, 2024
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Best Car Insurance in Lakeland: Summary
Choosing the right auto insurance involves considering priorities like service, cost and coverage. MoneyGeek's scoring system evaluates these factors to identify the top providers in Lakeland:
- Best overall: State Farm (MoneyGeek score 85 out of 100)
- Best for service: Mercury (MoneyGeek score 83 out of 100)
- Best cheap: State Farm (MoneyGeek score 86 out of 100)
State Farm excels in service quality and affordability, making it the top choice for budget-conscious drivers. Mercury is the highest-rated insurer for exceptional service and offers a top-tier customer experience.
Best Overall Car Insurance in Lakeland
State Farm offers the best car insurance in Lakeland.
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100 ($1,320 per year)
- Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($2,131 per year)
State Farm stands out in Lakeland for its exceptional client satisfaction and affordability, leading to its top MoneyGeek score. This makes it a preferred choice for comprehensive protection at a reasonable cost.
Best OverallState Farm
MoneyGeek Score:
85/ of 100
Overview
State Farm excels in affordability and claims handling, which contribute much to its strong MoneyGeek score. Despite its low coverage score, State Farm ensures comprehensive protection with common coverages like rental car and/or travel reimbursement and roadside assistance.
Best Car Insurance in Lakeland for Customer Service
Mercury provides the best customer service for car insurance in Lakeland.
- Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($2,131 per year)
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 75 out of 100 ($1,320 per year)
Mercury earns impressive satisfaction and claims processing ratings, highlighting its exceptional service.
Best for Customer ServiceMercury
MoneyGeek Score:
83/ of 100
Overview
Mercury Insurance earns perfect scores in satisfaction (45/45) and claims (30/30), reflecting its exceptional customer service. Despite scoring low in coverage, the company offers roadside assistance and rental car and/or travel reimbursement, ensuring convenience for policyholders. Mercury also provides mechanical breakdown insurance, which covers vehicle repairs beyond standard warranties and protects against unexpected costs.
Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies in Lakeland
State Farm offers Lakeland's most affordable and reliable car insurance, balancing cost and quality service.
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($642 per year)
- Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($812 per year)
State Farm's high MoneyGeek score reflects its ability to provide value and efficiently handle claims, making it an excellent choice for minimum and full coverage policies.
Best Cheap CompanyState Farm
MoneyGeek Score:
86/ of 100
Overview
State Farm offers cost-effective and reliable insurance options, excelling with high scores in affordability (39/40), claims handling (19/20) and satisfaction (19/25). With an annual premium of just $642 for minimum coverage, policyholders benefit from discounts on bundling policies, safe driving, daytime running lights and defensive driving courses. State Farm also provides good student and distant student discounts for teen drivers.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Lakeland
In Lakeland, the average cost of car insurance is $2,015, less than the state average of $2,392. Florida's average exceeds the national average of $1,781 by $611.
Various factors, primarily location, affect premiums. Insurers consider how often policyholders make claims in an area, which is linked to traffic and theft or damage risk. For example, in Florida, Hialeah has the highest premiums at $3,233, while Gainesville has the lowest at $1,699. This $1,534 difference shows how much location impacts insurance rates, with lower-density areas often having cheaper premiums.
| Brandon | $2,650 |
| Cape Coral | $1,868 |
| Clearwater | $2,273 |
| Coral Springs | $2,635 |
| Davie | $2,567 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $2,605 |
| Gainesville | $1,699 |
| Hialeah | $3,233 |
| Hollywood | $2,724 |
| Jacksonville | $2,113 |
| Lakeland | $2,015 |
| Lehigh Acres | $1,980 |
| Miami | $3,041 |
| Miami Gardens | $2,961 |
| Miramar | $2,556 |
| Orlando | $2,146 |
| Palm Bay | $1,899 |
| Pembroke Pines | $2,508 |
| Pompano Beach | $2,696 |
| Port St. Lucie | $2,009 |
| Spring Hill | $2,152 |
| St. Petersburg | $2,382 |
| Tallahassee | $1,782 |
| Tampa | $2,855 |
| West Palm Beach | $2,826 |
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.