Best cheap car insurance in West Palm Beach for 2024

The best car insurance companies in West Palm Beach

When looking for the best car insurance companies in West Palm Beach, cost is likely to be one factor that matters to you. You may have other priorities, as well, such as superior customer service, a broad range of discounts and endorsement opportunities or financial stability. Bankrate's team took all those elements and more into account when looking at the insurance companies in West Palm Beach that are writing the most policies.

The cheapest car insurance companies in West Palm Beach

To find cheap car insurance companies in West Palm Beach, we looked at average rate data for companies who write the majority of policies in Florida. The Sunshine State has a reputation for high average rates compared to other states, but we were able to find a few companies offering affordable coverage for Florida drivers.

How much is car insurance in West Palm Beach, FL?

We discovered that drivers in West Palm Beach pay an average rate of $4,544 for full coverage, which includes optional collision and comprehensive insurance, while state-mandated minimum coverage is available for an average cost of $1,399. That’s 26 percent more than the Florida state average and 90 percent more than the national average. Why is it so pricey? There could be several reasons, including the fact that the city's urban area often features heavy traffic — leading to an increased number of accidents and subsequent claims.

West Palm Beach rates for teens

The average cost of full coverage car insurance for a 16-year-old on their parents’ insurance in West Palm Beach is $9,160 per year; the average cost for an 18-year-old driver on a standalone policy is $11,264 per year.

Teen drivers are statistically more likely to engage in risky driving practices, such as texting while driving, and have less experience behind the wheel. Because of this, insurers generally charge a higher rate for their coverage. Some insurers, however, offer teen-focused discounts which can mitigate the high rates somewhat. Keeping a teen on the parents’ policy can also reduce costs. On average, a full coverage insurance policy in West Palm Beach with an 18-year-old and two married parents costs 8,156, which is 28 percent less than a standalone policy for the same 18-year-old. The following companies offer the most affordable coverage for teen drivers in West Palm Beach.

West Palm Beach rates for young drivers

As young drivers transition from their teens into their 20s, they should start seeing their rates start to decline, as long as they have maintained a clean driving record and all other factors remain equal. Young drivers moving out of their teens may see an increase, however, if they switch from their parents' policy to a policy of their own. On average, a 20-year-old driver on a standalone full coverage policy pays $8,722 per year in West Palm Beach, while a 25-year-old driver pays an average of $5,455 per year for the same coverage.

Most insurers offer discounts designed for young drivers, and these can help keep high rates in check. The rates below are for young drivers on their own policy, not their parents'.

West Palm Beach rates for adults

On average, a 30-year-old driver in Tampa pays $4,694 per year for full coverage auto insurance, while a 50-year-old driver pays $1,493 per year, on average. Average rates for adults continue to drop as they enter their middle years, as the tables below show, although earning marks on their license may result in higher rates. Keep in mind that your own premium is unlikely to match the averages, since it is based on multiple factors that are unique to you and your situation.

West Palm Beach rates for senior drivers

Accident rates begin to rise again for drivers in their 70s and beyond, so there may be a slight uptick in premium rates for older drivers. On average, we found that Tampa drivers pay around $1,277 per year for full coverage at age 60 and $1,406 per year at age 70. Rate increases can often be kept to a minimum, however, by maintaining a clean driving record and driving cars that are cheaper to insure rather than luxury or sports vehicles. Other factors may also play a role in your rate, which may make it a good idea to compare rates from several insurers to see if you can find more affordable coverage.

The cheapest car insurance in West Palm Beach by driving record

As we've noted above, one of the most significant factors in determining your premium rate is your driving history. If you have earned speeding tickets, been involved in an accident or been convicted of a DUI, it's likely that your rates will be higher than a comparable driver with a clean record. Insurers are likely to see you as a higher risk to insure, so they compensate by increasing the premium.

Car insurance with a speeding ticket in West Palm Beach

Typically, speeding ticket conviction in West Palm Beach will increase your auto insurance when it renews. On average, West Palm Beach drivers with a single speeding ticket pay $5,274 per year for full coverage insurance, compared to $4,544 prior to their conviction. This means that drivers with a single speeding ticket conviction typically pay 16 percent more for full coverage.

Car insurance after an accident in West Palm Beach

On average, West Palm Beach drivers with a single at-fault accident on their driving record pay 34 percent more for full coverage than drivers with clean records. A driver who’s found at fault for an accident represents a greater risk to insurance companies, which charge an average of $7,112 per year for West Palm Beach drivers with a single at-fault conviction. You may be able to avoid an increase, however, if you have an accident forgiveness endorsement on your policy, which waives the rate surcharge after a single accident.

Car insurance after a DUI in West Palm Beach

Florida law takes DUIs seriously, and you are likely to face stiff fines or other penalties if you are convicted of one. Tampa drivers pay average annual rates of $6,826 for full coverage and $2,332 for state minimum coverage after a single DUI conviction. Drivers with a single DUI pay 50 percent more for full coverage and 49 percent less for minimum coverage, on average, than drivers with clean records. There are, however, ways to keep increases to a minimum. Consider taking a defensive driving course, for example, which may earn you a discount while at the same time helping you to improve your skills behind the wheel.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 20-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.

Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 18-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents' policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.

Bankrate Score

Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.