8+ years writing about insurance, taxes, and personal finance
Certified public accountant
Janet applies her experience in personal finance, taxes, and accounting to make complex financial topics accessible. Her byline has appeared on numerous web media.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
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Situated on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Sarasota has a high risk of storm damage to vehicles and homes. Still, Sarasotans pay about 19% less on average for car insurance than the rest of the state. The city’s relatively low accident rate may contribute to that difference.
Sarasota drivers likely don’t have difficulty finding low car insurance rates, and State Farm, GEICO, and Allstate offer some of the lowest average premiums for full coverage — lower than the citywide average of $414 per month.
Quick Facts
The average car insurance rate in Florida is $451 per month, while Sarasota’s monthly average is just $348.
The average monthly premium for a full-coverage policy in Sarasota ranges from $99 to $466 per month, depending on the insurance company.
Florida allows car insurance companies to consider your credit history when determining rates.[1]
Best car insurance companies in Sarasota
The right car insurance company for you depends on various factors, including the type of car you drive, your driving record, and your age.[2] Before committing to any company, it’s important to compare rates from multiple insurers to find the right fit for your needs.
To help get you started, here’s a list of some of the cheapest car insurance companies in Sarasota.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$59/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$66/mo
State Farm is one of the top companies for auto insurance in Sarasota, offering competitive rates and comprehensive coverage.
Pros
Competitive pricing, with many discounts available
Personalized service from a network of local agents
Cons
Can’t buy a policy online
Generally poor ratings from many trusted review sites
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$61/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$68/mo
Boasting some of the lowest auto premiums in the city, GEICO is best for drivers looking for coverage and affordability.
Pros
Can purchase a policy online
Highly rated mobile app
Cons
Gap insurance not available
Limited number of agents available in Sarasota
Good communication
John - February 4, 2023
Verified
They offer the best rate.
Shannon - February 1, 2023
Verified
Any time I called them, they were on top of it and gave me an answer right away.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.2
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
833
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$102/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$115/mo
Allstate car insurance is excellent for drivers who want coverage options tailored to their unique needs, including accident forgiveness.
Pros
Offers specialized coverage options
Various available discounts
Cons
Rates may increase significantly if you have a speeding ticket, accident, or DUI
Lower-than-average insurance shopping satisfaction rating from J.D. Power[3]
Good company, but costs more for premiums
Patricia - February 1, 2023
Verified
My rate for auto insurance jumped approximately $100 after six months and I was unable to get a satisfactory explanation.
Burl - January 30, 2023
Verified
They’ve given good service, but there were times when things could have been handled a bit more professionally.
Liability-only car insurance only covers damages and injuries you cause in a car accident — it doesn’t cover any damage to your vehicle. This makes it more affordable than full-coverage auto insurance, but you’ll have to pay to repair or replace your car out of pocket after an accident.
Here’s a list of some of the lowest liability-only rates available in Sarasota.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Sarasota
Full-coverage car insurance covers legal liability and any damage to your vehicle in an accident or other event. This type of coverage is typically more expensive than liability-only plans, which only cover expenses when you injure another person or damage their property.
People who drive newer, more expensive vehicles or are financing their vehicle purchases would benefit from full-coverage car insurance.
Here’s a list of the lowest full-coverage auto insurance rates in Sarasota.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Car insurance requirements in Florida
Florida is a no-fault car insurance state, meaning you must carry minimum personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability coverage to pay for your medical expenses and other accident-related damages, regardless of who causes an accident. Here are the minimum coverage limits that Florida requires for drivers.[4]
Personal injury protection
$10,000
Property damage liability
$10,000
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Incidents such as at-fault accidents, driving under the influence (DUI), speeding tickets, and other traffic violations can significantly increase car insurance rates. When you have one or more incidents on your driving record, insurance companies view you as higher risk and charge more for auto coverage.[2]
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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket
Speeding tickets can be costly in more ways than one. Not only do you have to pay the ticket, but your car insurance rates will likely increase, too. If you’ve received a speeding ticket and are looking for the cheapest car insurance in Sarasota, below is a table of some of the lowest premiums available.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident
Like a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident can increase your auto rate. The amount it increases depends on the severity of the accident and your insurance company.[5] The table below shows the cheapest car insurance quotes in Sarasota for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI
Driving under the influence of alcohol can have serious consequences, including hefty fines and increased car insurance rates.[5] Here’s a table showing some of the lowest car insurance premiums available for Sarasota drivers with a DUI.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors
Car insurance companies may charge seniors more for insurance due to several factors. On average, older drivers tend to be more risky than younger drivers due to their slower reaction times, decreased flexibility and vision, and a higher risk of medical emergencies.[6]
To help you get the best deal, the below table illustrates the lowest car insurance rates available to senior drivers in Sarasota.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for teens
Insurance companies often consider teen drivers as high risk because they’re less-experienced drivers. As a result, they usually have to pay higher premiums for coverage.[2]
Below is a table showing the cheapest car insurance quotes for teens in Sarasota, so they (and their parents) can save money on their policies without sacrificing quality.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Sarasota
Finding affordable car insurance can be a challenge, but you can use these strategies to lower your rates:
Increase your deductible. Increasing your deductible is a straightforward way to reduce your premiums. When you increase your deductible, you shift more of the liability when filing a claim onto yourself. Just make sure you can afford the out-of-pocket costs if you ever file a claim.
Take advantage of discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts on insurance policies for safe driving, good grades, and completing defensive driver courses. Be sure to ask about any discounts you qualify for when shopping for car insurance.
Bundle policies. Bundling auto and home policies with the same insurer often results in discounted rates. Many insurers also offer bundling discounts for auto and renters insurance.
Drive your current car for as long as possible. Driving an older vehicle can often result in lower car insurance premiums since new vehicles cost more to repair or replace if damaged or stolen.
Compare rates. Shopping around and comparing rates from the best companies is one of the easiest ways to save money on car insurance.
Florida allows car insurance companies to use your credit score when determining your premiums.[1]
Insurance companies view drivers with poor credit as riskier and more likely to file claims than those with good or excellent credit. This means drivers with poor credit scores usually pay higher premiums for car insurance than people with better scores.
The following table shows the average monthly quotes for each credit tier.
Rates by Credit Tier
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Is car insurance more expensive in Sarasota?
Car insurance is more expensive in Sarasota than the national average due to various factors, including:
A high number of uninsured drivers: Florida has a high rate of uninsured motorists, which can drive up the cost of coverage for everyone else.
Severe weather: Florida may be the Sunshine State, but it experiences a lot of severe weather events, including hurricanes, thunderstorms, and lightning.[7] These weather events can damage vehicles, driving up the number of claims and causing insurance companies to charge more in the state.
Influx of yearly tourists: Florida experienced its highest estimate of tourists in a single quarter at the beginning of 2023.[8] This influx of drivers unfamiliar with Florida roads may contribute to more claims and higher insurance costs.
However, car insurance rates vary significantly by ZIP code within Florida, depending on several factors such as population density and the average cost of car repairs in the area.[2] For example, cities with higher populations and more tourists tend to have higher rates due to the increased risk of accidents and claims.
Despite these factors, Sarasota is an affordable city for car insurance compared to cities like Riverview and Spring Hill. The average monthly premium for a full-coverage policy in Sarasota is $414, while it’s $551 in Spring Hill and $623 in Riverview.
More cities in Florida
To see how car insurance rates differ among some of the most popular cities in Florida, consider the table below, which shows the average monthly premium for full-coverage policies in Florida cities. Look at this data to see how Sarasota’s rates stack up against other major cities in the state.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Sarasota car insurance FAQs
Check out the average cost of car insurance in Florida while you compare quotes in Sarasota to help find the best car insurance prices in your area. Below are the answers to common questions about car insurance in Sarasota to help you find the right coverage.
How much is car insurance in Sarasota?
Car insurance in Sarasota costs an average of $414 a month for full coverage and $274 a month for liability only.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Sarasota?
The cheapest car insurance companies in Sarasota include Allstate, GEICO, Hugo, and State Farm. While these insurers have average rates less than the city average, the best way to find the cheapest car insurance is by comparing quotes from multiple companies to find the coverage that meets your specific needs at a price that fits your budget.
What are the best car insurance companies in Sarasota?
Some of the best car insurance companies in Sarasota include GEICO and Allstate. Not only do these companies have higher-than-average J.D. Power satisfaction ratings in Florida, but they also have lower-than-average rates and high IQ Scores.[9]
What factors affect the cost of car insurance in Sarasota?
Your credit history, age, vehicle, and gender are personal factors that affect the cost of car insurance. Local factors like accident and theft rates, the cost of car repairs, and the cost of medical care can also affect car insurance rates.[2]
How much car insurance do you need in Florida?
Florida requires $10,000 for property damage liability and $10,000 for personal injury protection.[4]
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation. She's passionate about making complicated financial topics accessible to readers. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and son and their rescue dog, Dexter. Visit her website at www.jberryjohnson.com.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
State Farm
GEICO
Allstate
