Car insurance in Tampa, FL: Cheapest insurance and average rates

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Car insurance in Tampa costs $3,131 per year for full coverage – $261 per month. State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance policies at an average of $229 per month.

Tampa is home to around 398,000 people. When you factor in the greater area, which includes St, Petersburg and Clearwater, around 3.2 million people live there. 

Learn about the cheapest car insurance companies in Tampa, how much car insurance you need in Tampa and how its insurance rates compare to other large U.S. cities.

How to find the best car insurance in Tampa

Shopping around can help you find the best car insurance in Tampa. Take the time to compare at least three quotes to help you find the most affordable option for your unique situation. Always ask if you qualify for any discounts before finalizing your policy. 

Cheapest car insurance company in Tampa

State Farm offers the cheapest insurance coverage in Tampa, Florida, with an annual average rate of $2,745 for full coverage. The next cheapest company is Nationwide at $2,841 per year. 

See other cheap car insurance rates in Tampa in the table below.

Average annual rates from insurers in Tampa

How much is car insurance in Tampa per month?

Car insurance in Tampa costs $99 per month for a state minimum policy and $261 per month for a full coverage car insurance policy, on average, according to 2024 data. See monthly rates from Florida insurers in the table below.

Monthly rates for car insurance in Tampa, Florida

How do rates in Tampa compare to other large cities in the U.S.?

Car insurance is cheaper in Tampa than in larger cities in the state. Compare Tampa’s monthly average rate of $261 to $279 in Miami. But when compared to large cities across the country, Tampa drivers pay more. 

James Brau, professor of finance at Brigham Young University, says that the more risk the insurance company must bear, the higher the premium they must charge to stay in business and make a profit. 

“Large cities tend to present more risk to the insurance companies than rural areas. Large cities have more people, more cars and higher chances of getting in wrecks or having other damage done to vehicles,” Brau says. “As such, insurance firms must charge higher premiums in cities. Cities that are relatively more dangerous, in turn, must charge higher premiums than cities that are not as risky. Insurance companies study damage losses per metropolitan area and assign premiums depending on the number of wrecks in an area.”

See how much you can expect to pay for car insurance in several major U.S. cities in the table below.

Monthly full-coverage car insurance costs in major U.S. metropolitan areas

Here’s what you need to know when driving in Tampa

Tampa drivers spend an average of 24 minutes commuting to work each way. 

Here are a few tips for drivers in Tampa:

• Use a maps app to get directions even if you know where you’re going because the map can help you avoid traffic.
• Rush hour runs from 7:30-9:30 a.m. and 3:30-7:30 p.m. If possible, avoid the roads during these times. 
• Be aware of the major bridges used to get around the area. Try to avoid these bridges during peak traffic hours. 

And there are a few city restrictions in Tampa. Miscellaneous driving restrictions in the city of Tampa, Florida:

• Parking is tight downtown. Be prepared to pay to park in a garage. 
• It’s illegal to park in a grass strip. 

How much car insurance do I need in Tampa?

In Tampa, the car insurance requirements follow the state of Florida’s guidelines. Here is a look at the required minimum coverage amounts:

• $10,00 in personal injury protection (PIP)
• $10,000 in property damage coverage per accident

Remember, state minimums are merely that – the minimum insurance you must buy, according to state law. Most drivers need significantly higher coverage limits.

Average cost of car insurance in Tampa

The average annual cost of full coverage car insurance in Tampa is $3,131 –  $437 a year higher than the Florida statewide average of $2,694. That’s quite a bit higher than the nationwide average of $1,895.

Annual average rates in Tampa for state minimum coverage and full coverage

How much does car insurance in Tampa cost with violations?

A history of moving violations can push your car insurance costs higher. That’s especially true if you commit a serious violation, like a DUI. But accidents and speeding tickets also push your costs higher. 

For example, Tampa drivers see their rates increase by an average of 47% after an at-fault accident. If you are caught speeding, that ticket could push your car insurance rates up by an average of 31%. DUIs also lead to higher costs, with an average rate increase of 35%, and bad credit can increase your rates 61%.

See rate increases in Tampa in the table below, by violation.

Cheapest car insurance in Tampa by age

Car insurance for young drivers in Tampa can get expensive – the annual rate for an 18-year-old is $8,717 per year for a full coverage policy. Plan for rates to start to head down at age 25 and back up in your late 60s. See more rates by age in the table below.

Annual rates for state minimum and full coverage car insurance in Tampa, by age

Compare auto insurance rates in Tampa by ZIP code 

Where you live also plays a role in car insurance costs. In Tampa, the cheapest ZIP codes for car insurance are 33647, 33609 and 33617. The most expensive are 33603, 33605, and 33610. 

See the tables below for the cheapest and most expensive ZIP codes for car insurance in Tampa. 

Cheapest annual car insurance rates in Tampa, by ZIP code 

Most expensive annual car insurance rates in Tampa, by ZIP code 

Our recommendations: Car insurance for drivers in Tampa

Tampa drivers tend to find the cheapest car insurance with State Farm. But shopping around can help you lock in the most affordable rates for your unique situation. 

As you explore your options, don’t forget to look at the policy details to confirm you get the coverage you need. While price is an important factor, it shouldn’t be the only factor you consider. 

Many drivers get the most value out of a full coverage insurance policy with liability limits of 100/300/100. But as you accumulate wealth, consider choosing higher liability limits. Robust coverage can give you the peace of mind you need as you navigate Tampa roads. 

Resources & Methodology

Methodology

In 2024, Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to pull rates for a 40-year-old who has a 12-mile commute and drives a 2023 Honda Accord LX 10k miles annually. The hypothetical driver has full coverage, carrying policy limits of 100/300/100 with $500 deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverages. We analyzed 51,088,003 insurance quotes from 167 companies across 34,588 ZIP codes in every state and Washington, D.C.

Sarah Sharkey

Contributing Researcher

 

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Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer with a master’s degree in management from the Hough School of Business at the University of Florida. She enjoys helping readers find money solutions that work. She has written for numerous personal-finance publications including Money Under 30 and The College Investor.