Car Insurance in Lakeland
Located between Tampa and Orlando, the Lakeland area is a big contributor to Florida’s citrus industry. This city of 112,136 residents got its name from the plethora of lakes that dot the area. There are at least 38 primary lakes in this Polk County city, as well as several other small bodies of water, many that are left over phosphate mining pits that have filled with water.
If you are driving in Lakeland, you’ll want to make sure that you have affordable car insurance.
Quick Facts
- The average cost of car insurance in Lakeland is $2,199 per year.
- Lakeland is one of the most affordable cities in Florida for car insurance.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Lakeland?
In Lakeland, car insurance premiums are pretty high compared to the national average. Drivers in Lakeland pay an average of $2,199 per year for car insurance, which is about 42 percent more than the national average of $1,548. However, Lakeland car insurance premiums are 5 percent less than the state average of $2,309. In fact, Lakeland has one of the cheapest average car insurance costs of most Florida cities.
| City | Average Car Insurance Cost |
|---|---|
| Tampa | $3,063 |
| Miami | $3,267 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $2,695 |
| Orlando | $2,429 |
Lakeland Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code
Lakeland is made up of 13 different zip codes, and the cost you’ll pay for car insurance can differ depending on which zip code you live in. For example, zip codes with a history of accidents or auto thefts will have higher insurance rates.
The average annual rates for car insurance in the different Lakeland zip codes are:
| Zip Code | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| 33810 | $2,915 |
| 33801 | $2,938 |
| 33803 | $2,918 |
| 33809 | $2,899 |
| 33813 | $2,928 |
| 33811 | $2,929 |
| 33805 | $2,910 |
| 33815 | $2,928 |
Lakeland Car Insurance Rates by Age
Your age heavily impacts the price you’re charged for car insurance premiums in Lakeland because of the risk factors in different age brackets. Lakeland drivers in their 50s will pay the lowest rates of about $2,009 per year. Meanwhile, teenagers who are often higher-risk drivers will pay almost three times as much for car insurance as drivers in their 20s.
| Age | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Teenagers | $6,249 |
| 20s | $2,810 |
| 30s | $2,190 |
| 40s | $2,146 |
| 50s | $2,009 |
| 60s | $2,054 |
| 70s | $2,511 |
Driving Conditions in Lakeland
How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in Lakeland?
In 2019, 23 people were killed in 21 fatal accidents in Lakeland, Florida, according to the City-Data.com website. Six of those fatal accidents involved drivers who were under the influence of alcohol. The intersection of U.S. 98 and Griffin Road in Lakeland is one of the most dangerous roads in Polk County.
How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Lakeland?
Motorists in Florida spend an extra $425 per year in costs due to driving on state roads in need of repair, according to the 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure put out by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The ASCE estimates that 13 percent of the state’s roads are in poor condition, and almost 3 percent of Florida’s 12,518 bridges were found to be structurally deficient.
In 2020, the City of Lakeland budgeted over $52 million in expenditures for its transportation services program, which is responsible for maintaining all streets, sidewalks, drainage facilities, and alleys in the city.
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Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Lakeland
When it comes to car insurance, Florida has the least minimum requirements of any state in the country. Florida is a no-fault state, which means each driver is responsible for covering their own injuries in an accident. As a no-fault state, there is a limited ability for you to be sued due to an accident you caused so, you aren’t required to carry bodily injury liability coverage on your car insurance policy in Lakeland. Instead, drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
All drivers in Lakeland are required to have the following minimum insurance coverage:
- $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP)
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
You won’t be able to register your car in Lakeland if you can’t show proof that you have this coverage.
Factors Allowed in Lakeland Car Insurance Rates
Many factors go into how much you pay for car insurance in Lakeland. Those factors could include things you can’t control, like your gender and age and things, you can control, such as your credit score and your driving record.
In Lakeland, car insurance companies can look at these factors when determining your premiums:
- Age
- Gender
- Marital status
- Credit score
- Driving record
Discounts for Car Insurance in Lakeland
Car insurance premiums in Florida are among the highest in the country. To ensure that you get the cheapest car insurance rates available, you should look into different discounts offered by your insurance carrier to help bring the cost of your premiums down. For example, a Good Driver Discount rewards drivers with lower premiums if they haven’t had any moving violations or accidents within the last three years.
Other discounts that could be available to Lakeland residents include:
Vehicle Safety Discount – You could be eligible for a discount if your car has certain vehicle safety equipment such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, and anti-theft devices.
Bundling Discount – Many insurance companies offer discounts when you purchase multiple policies with them, such as your car and homeowners’ insurance.
Good Student Discounts – These discounts are given to young drivers who maintain a “B” average or higher in school
Defensive Driver Discount – Drivers may qualify for a discount on their car insurance if they complete a defensive driving course.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Lakeland?
Suppose you get pulled over by law enforcement without having the required minimum car insurance coverage in Lakeland. In that case, you could face the suspension of your driver’s license and vehicle registration for up to three years. Reinstating your driver’s license can cost up to $500.
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department encourage drivers who plan to cancel their insurance to first turn in their license plates to avoid possible suspension and reinstatement fees.
Get a Quote for Car Insurance in Lakeland Today!
Don’t get caught driving without the required car insurance coverage. Freedom Insurance can help find you the cheapest car insurance in Lakeland, Florida.
Get started with a quote online, visit us at a Lakeland office near you, or call us at (800) 777-5620 for a quote.