Car Insurance in Gainesville, Florida [The Complete Guide]

When it comes to shopping for car insurance, it’s easy to put the search for the right provider to cover all the drivers in your household at the bottom of your to-do list.

And we get it.

Hunting for the cheapest rates and best providers can be really time-consuming.

You know what?

It doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re not totally satisfied with your current car insurance company in Gainesville, Florida, your policy renewal is coming up, or you’ve just moved to the area and want to see what your options are — we’ve got you covered.

Our team understands how complicated the search for finding car insurance in Gainsville, Florida can be. To simplify matters and make sure you can find all the information you need in one place, we put together this comprehensive guide to auto insurance in Gainesville, Florida,

From the best providers to the cheapest rates to important traffic safety statistics and more — it’s all here.

Start saving time and money by getting rates for multiple Gainesville, Florida in just seconds with our FREE online rate tool. Ready to get started? Just enter your zip code in the box above! 

Without further ado, let’s jump right into car insurance in Gainesville, Florida.

The Cost of Car Insurance in Gainesville

It’s only natural that cost is one of the most significant factors you will consider when hunting for car insurance in Gainesville, Florida. Before you make your final choice, it’s vital to know what rates to expect from top insurers in the area, the factors that affect those rates, and ways to save on your yearly premiums.

Keep scrolling for an in-depth look and comparison analysis of Gainesville, Florida auto insurance rates by factors such as driving record, zip code, and more.

Male vs. Female vs. Age

It’s probably no surprise that factors like your age and gender can and do affect the rates you can anticipate paying for car insurance in Gainesville, Florida. But, what does the data really show?

A recent study by Data USA found that the average resident age in Gainesville, Florida is 26 years old. What this means, is that a considerable number of motorists in the city could be subject to higher car insurance rates.

To delve into this a bit deeper, check out the table below to see for yourself precisely how your age could either raise or lower your rates for car insurance coverage in Gainesville, Florida.

As you can see from the table above, teen drivers are charged much higher rates than the rest of the driving population and 60-year old motorists pay the cheapest premiums of all. There’s roughly a $4,500 difference in rates between those two driver age demographics!

The younger the motorist is, the higher their rates often are. Remember, the median resident age in Gainesville, Florida is 26.

If you glance at the table above again, you’ll see that 25-year old drivers are charged the second highest rates across all age demographics, although not anywhere near as steep as the premiums teen drivers have to contend with.

Besides the age of the driver, gender is another critical element Gainesville, Florida auto insurance companies will take into account when assessing insureds’ rates.

In Gainesville, Florida male drivers are charged, on average, $3,494.00 in annual rates, while female drivers pay approximately $180 less with annual premiums of $3,310.53. 

The table below illustrates how both age and gender combined can alter your annual auto insurance premiums in Gainesville, Florida.

Besides factors such as your gender and age, your marital status also typically affects the premiums Gainesville, Florida car insurance carriers will charge residents.

Why is this?

Well, insurance companies often view marriage as a hallmark of stability and responsibility. Therefore, they conclude that married drivers are more likely to adhere to safe and cognizant driving when behind the wheel, which makes this demographic a far lesser risk to insure.

Next, we’re going to take a deeper look into the other primary components insurance companies factor into the picture when assessing consumer rates in Gainesville, Florida.

Trust us, you won’t want to miss this.

Cheapest Zip Codes in Gainesville

The table below reveals the cheapest zip codes for auto insurance rates in Gainesville Florida. Your zip code can either lower or elevate your rates based on things like the rate of crime where you live or the occurrence of any natural disasters. Do you see your zip code on this list?

These rates are definitely in line with the overarching city-wide average of $2,706.40, which is good news for residents across Gainesville. 

What’s the Best Car Insurance Company in Gainsville?

If these age and gender statistics have got you down — the story isn’t over yet. While your age and gender will affect your rates, there are many other key elements that factor into the puzzle.

Components such as how long your daily commute is and the coverage levels you select will also have a noticeable impact on your annual auto insurance premiums in Gainesville, Florida.

Sounds like something you need to know, right? We did the legwork and broke down all the data, categorizing rates in your city by these other major factors that could raise or drop your premiums.

Let’s get into it.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates by Company

The table we have here reveals the cheapest auto insurance rates in Gainesville, Florida broken down by the insurer. Do you see your current carrier on the list of companies below?

As you may have gathered by now, the car insurance company you select in Gainesville, Florida can have a drastic effect on the rates you will ultimately pay.

Let’s look at a few examples.

Allstate charges the highest rates across the board of the carriers listed and USAA the cheapest. For instance, Allstate charges single, 17-year old male drivers roughly $9,200 more in yearly premiums than they do single, 25-year old male motorists.

If you glance further down the table at a different carrier such as Progressive, you’ll see that this carrier has an approximate $4,900 gap in rates between these two driver demographics. While that figure is still significant, it’s nothing close to the rate gap that a company like Allstate shows.

In the case of USAA, the carrier that offers the cheapest rates of all the providers, this insurer only charges teen drivers about $3,200 more in yearly premiums than they do 25-year-old male motorists.

What’s the point? When you’re searching for auto insurance in Gainesville, Florida it’s essential to select your carrier on the basis of the rates they charge to your specific driver demographic, rather than just the average rate they assess for consumers across the board.

Best Car Insurance for Commute Rates

A study conducted in 2016 by the Federal Highway Administration revealed that Florida residents drove an average of 14,465 miles in that year alone. The table below illustrates the average annual rates car insurance carriers in Gainesville, Florida charge residents based solely on the length of their commute.

As you can see, while some carriers in Gainesville, Florida will charge you higher rates if you have a longer commute, other auto insurance companies assess the exact same rates to consumers regardless of how long their commute is.

Case in point, insurers such as Progressive and Nationwide charge drivers the same rates for both 10 and 25-mile commutes.

On the other hand, companies like Liberty Mutual charge approximately $240 more in annual rates to drivers with 25-mile commutes than they do to motorists who only drive 10 miles to work each day.

Best Car Insurance for Coverage Level Rates

In addition to factors like the car insurance company and the length of your commute, your chosen policy coverage levels will also be a notable determinant of your yearly rates.

Check out the table here to see just how much your premiums could change by the Gainesville, Florida car insurance carrier based on whether you select high, medium, or low levels of coverage.

If you quickly glance at the table above, you’ll see that some carriers have a much more noticeable gap in rates for high vs. low levels of coverage than others.

For example, a carrier like Allstate charges insureds who select high coverage levels around $2,000 more than consumers who opt for low levels of coverage. On the other end of the spectrum is USAA, who charges drivers with high coverage just $460 more in annual premiums than motorists who pick low coverage levels.

Let’s see how what these numbers would actually look like on your monthly car insurance bill.

If you go with a carrier like USAA, you’ll be paying around $167 extra per month for high coverage levels. Whereas with an insurer like USAA, you’d only notice roughly $38 tacked onto your bill each month.

While you might pay more in the short term for higher coverage levels, you could save yourself considerable time, stress, and expense in the event of an accident down the line. Plus, as the data here shows, it’s completely possible to retain your peace of mind and pick higher coverage levels without stretching your bank account beyond reason.

Best Car Insurance for Credit History Rates

Did you know that your credit history could affect your car insurance premiums in Gainesville, Florida?

Believe it or not, your credit history can and usually does affect the rates you will end up paying for auto insurance. A few states ban insurers from using credit scores as a factor when assessing consumer rates, but Florida is currently not one of them.

Take a look at the table below to see just how your credit score could lower or skyrocket your average annual car insurance rates in Gainesville, Florida.

Most carriers show a noticeable gap in rates for consumers who have good credit vs. insureds who have a poor credit history.

For instance, Allstate charges drivers with poor credit almost $4,000 more in annual rates than motorists with good credit. That’s not exactly small change!

Even USAA, who has the cheapest average annual rates across all auto insurance carriers in Gainesville, Florida shows an approximate $2,300 difference in rates for insureds with poor vs. good credit.

By paying your monthly credit card bill on time and not spending more than you can pay off in any given month, you won’t just have an easier time renting an apartment or securing a mortgage loan. You could literally save thousands of dollars a year on auto insurance in Gainesville, Florida.

Best Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates

You probably already know that your driving record will impact the premiums you have to pay for car insurance. The question is, by how much?

Check out the table below to find out how your rates could change based just on your driving history.

Depending on the insurer, just one accident or DUI could elevate your rates significantly. For example, Progressive charges insureds with a single accident on their record about $1,400 more in annual rates than consumers with a clean driving history.

If you look at the rates a carrier like Liberty Mutual charges, you’ll see that they assess approximately $2,300 higher premiums for insureds with one DUI on their record vs. a clean record.

Allstate charges the highest rates of all to individuals who have a single accident on their record of all the carriers listed, and USAA comes in with the cheapest premiums for drivers who have been in one accident.

Car Insurance Factors in Gainesville

There are a wide variety of factors that ultimately affect the premiums you will pay for car insurance in Gainesville, Florida. From your household income to your education to your occupation, all of these factors and more can and do impact your coverage rates.

Keep reading to discover the data our team of researchers collected to help you pinpoint exactly how much you should be paying out for car insurance premiums in the city of Gainesville, Florida.

Median Household Income

Remember, the average cost of auto insurance in Gainesville is $2,706.40, This means that the typical Gainesville, Florida resident is paying out six percent of their annual income just to cover car insurance premiums. 

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Homeownership in Gainesville

While the two might seem completely unrelated, owning a home in Gainesville, Florida could affect the car insurance rates you ultimately pay.

Why would being a homeowner lower your premiums?

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Car insurance companies view homeownership as a sign of balance and responsibility. To an insurer, this greatly increases the likelihood that the individual will be more cognizant and safe when they hit rubber to the road.

Plus. since homeowners are responsible for monthly house payments, car insurance carriers naturally assume they will likely pay their monthly car insurance bill too.

Check out the graph above, illustrating the data for homeownership in Gainesville, Florida as opposed to neighboring areas and the countrywide average.

In 2017, 38.8 percent of homes in the city were owner-occupied, which represented a modest increase from the previous year’s owner-occupation rate of 38.5 percent.

It is interesting to note, that the percentage of homes occupied by their owner in Gainesville, Florida is substantially lower than the nationwide average of 63.9 percent.

As the graph above shows, Gainesville is on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of the percentages of owner-occupation in nearby regions. For example, in 2017, 67.3 percent of homes in Alachua, Florida were owner-occupied.

Take a close look at the chart below, revealing the median property value for homes in Gainesville, Florida and its neighboring and parent areas.

According to Data USA, as of their most recent 2017 study, the median property value from homes in Gainesville, Florida was $147,500, which represented a slight increase from 2016’s median property value of $143,900.

In 2017, the lion’s share of homes in Gainesville, Florida had a property value resting in the $150,000 to $175,000 range.

Education in Gainesville

Gainesville, Florida and the nearby areas are home to a number of prestigious four-year and two-year educational institutions. In 2016 alone, Gainesville universities conferred 15,073 degrees upon students.

The student populace of the city is largely comprised of women, with 30,233 female students to 24,942 male students. The largest institutions in Gainesville, Florida in terms of the degrees awarded are as follows:

• University of Florida — 14,667 degrees conferred
• University of Florida-Online — 241 degrees conferred
• City College-Gainesville — 130 degrees conferred

The most popular majors in 2016 were:

• General Business Administration and Management — 1,036 degrees awarded
• General Psychology — 534 degrees awarded
• General Biological Science — 449 degrees awarded

The infographic below reveals top concentrations the graduates in Gainesville, Florida chose as of 2017.

There are a number of other universities, community colleges, and other institutions in Gainesville and the surrounding regions, including:

• University of Florida
• Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine
• Santa Fe College
• City College-Gainesville
• Florida School of Massage

Next, we’re going to take a thorough look at how factors like race and ethnicity affect wages, and thus the amount that consumers are obligated to pay out for car insurance rates.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The graph above reveals information from Data USA’s most recent study indicating wages for common jobs based on race and ethnicity.

As of 2017, the highest paid ethnic group in Gainesville, Florida was Asian, with Alaska native workers making up the second highest paid group of the ethnicities studied.

The table below offers an example of the average wages for one of the most common jobs listed, miscellaneous managers, as compared to the percentage of their incomes going to car insurance premiums.

It is interesting to note the variance in wages for individuals performing the exact same job role based on just race and ethnicity. Bear in mind, the table above is only one example in the pay gap between ethnic groups and the catapult effect it can have on how much workers’ salaries go to pay for auto insurance.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

While some may deny the existence of the gender wage gap, the graph above illustrating the findings of Data USA’s most recent study would beg to differ.

As of 2017, full-time male workers in Gainesville, Florida brought home 1.34 times more annually than their female counterparts did.

That year the average male workers’ salary was $58,931, while the average full-time female worker brought home $44,078. That’s an over $14,000 difference in wages between these gender groups.

Now, consider the fact that the average cost of auto insurance in Gainesville, Florida is $2,706.40. This means that while men pay out just 5 percent of their income to cover car insurance premiums, women are losing 6.1 percent of their annual earnings to auto coverage costs.

Poverty by Age and Gender

Age and gender demographics also have distinct trends with regards to poverty rates.

At the time of Data USA’s most recent study, 33.6 percent of the Gainesville, Florida population whom poverty status was assessed for were living below the poverty line. This means that 38.7k out of 115k individuals in the city live below the poverty line. 

The percentage of residents in Gainesville, Florida who live below the poverty line is also greater than the countrywide average of 13.4 percent.

As you can see from the table above, the largest age and gender demographics of residents living below the poverty line are females between 18 and 24 years of age, followed by males between the ages of 18 and 24 and males between 25 and 34.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Check out this infographic, breaking down poverty rates in Gainesville, Florida solely by race and ethnicity.

As of Data USA’s most up-to-date study, the most common racial group residing in Gainesville, Florida below the poverty line were White individuals, with Black and Hispanic ethnic groups comprising the second and third largest groups in poverty.

Approximately 23,056 White residents have been estimated to live below the poverty line, with 10,281 Black individuals residing in poverty.

At the time of Data USA’s study, 5,080 Hispanic individuals in Gainesville, Florida were estimated to be living below the poverty line.

Employment by Occupations

In the period between 2016 and 2017, employment rates in the city of Gainesville, Florida experienced a healthy growth rate of 3.94 percent, jumping from 57.7k workers to 60,000 workers.

The most common job roles based on the number of individuals residing in Gainesville, Florida are as follows:

• Office and Administrative Support Occupations — 8,346 individuals
• Education, Training, and Library Occupations — 7,042 individuals
• Sales and Related Occupations — 6,235 individuals

The infographic below illustrates the most common jobs roles held by Gainesville, Florida residents.

The following graphic reveals the most specialized occupations in Gainesville, Florida. For instance, Data USA revealed that there are 4.11 times more than the expected number of residents employed in Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations.

This final infographic indicates the highest paid jobs in Gainesville, Florida that residents hold, based on their median salaries.

Driving in Gainesville

No matter whether you live in a booming metropolis or a smaller city, dealing with other drivers and staying safe whenever you hit rubber to the road isn’t always easy. Even in a more medium-sized city such as Gainesville, Florida, everything from detours to traffic jams can still cause headaches for motorists.

Let’s take a look at the best driving routes and road conditions in Gainesville, Florida.

Roads in Gainesville

Don’t let driving in Gainesville stress you out. Here’s what you need to know about navigating the open road in Gainesville, Florida, from the best road trips in the area to traffic camera monitoring and beyond.

Major Highways

Florida sports 12 active interstate routes, with 1,497.58 miles of roadway total. These active interstates are:

• I-4
• I-10
• I-75
• I-95
• I-110
• I-175
• I-275
• I-375
• I-195
• I-295
• I-395
• I-595
• I-795

Interstate 75 is one of the major interstates that winds through the city of Gainesville, Florida. Florida’s roadways are also served by State Routes 20, 24, and 26. Check out the video below for a first-hand look at I-75 highway en route from Gainesville, Florida to Tampa!

Popular Road Trips/Sites

Whether you’re itching for a weekend adventure away, would like to plan a family getaway, or play tourist in your own city, there are plenty of fun and cool things to do both in and around Gainesville, Florida.

You won’t want to miss these popular sites and road trips the next time you feel the urge to hit the open road and enjoy an adventure!

• Take the Scenic Route — If scenic road trips are your jam, you’ll definitely want to check out these North Central Florida road trips and scenic drives that’ll have you pulling out your camera to catch some incredible outdoor snaps.
• The Foodie Tour — Don’t feel like going far from home? Just hop in the car and drive to one of these nine best restaurants in Gainesville to get your foodie fix.
• A Day Trip Extravaganza — The perfect compromise between a vacation and stay-cation! From horseback riding on Amelia Island to exploring Blue Springs State Park, these day trips from Gainesville, Florida are a must.
• Tour Your Own City — Speaking of stay-cations, this list of the top 20 things to do in Gainesville, Florida could have you discovering your own city like never before!
• A Quick Beach Getaway — Check out these six quick road trips from Gainesville, Florida. From Daytona Beach to Orlando, make a day trip of it or enjoy a whole weekend away!

Road Conditions

As of February 2019, the City of Gainesville commenced a new roadway project in Southwest Gainesville to help regulate traffic flow on I-75. The project costs are estimated at $3.4 million with funding provided by both the Florida Department of Transportation and The City of Gainesville.

When completed, the rod will connect SW 47th Avenue, Archer Road, and transition to 40th Boulevard. The City of Gainesville also has plans in the works to start construction on another road by 222 to lengthen 62nd Boulevard from Oaks Mall to the point of Clark Butler Boulevard.

Does Your City Use Speeding or Red Light Cameras?

Florida currently allows cities to use red light cameras across the state, but there are not currently any state laws regarding speeding cameras. Violation of red light regulations can result in $158 in fines but no driving points on the motorist’s record.

Vehicles in Gainesville

Each city has its own unique vehicle trends for the most popular cars owned and car ownership. Keep on reading for these trends and more, including a look at the incidence of vehicle theft and speed traps in Gainesville, Florida.

How Many Cars Per Household?

The infographic below from Data USA reveals the car ownership statistics for residents in Gainesville, Florida as juxtaposed against the national average for each bucket. The average household in the city has two cars each, with the second largest share of households having just one vehicle apiece.

Households Without a Car

Even though the vast majority of households in Gainesville, Florida have one to two vehicles each, some households don’t have a vehicle at all. The table below indicates stats from 2015 to 2016 revealing the households that utilize methods of transportation other than cars.

You’ll notice that the percentage of households in Gainesville, Florida without vehicles actually increased from 2015 to 2016.

Speed Traps in Your City

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKkld6YlW4Q

You know that terrible feeling when you’ve been driving along, lost in your own thoughts, sped by a cove or cluster of trees without thinking, and suddenly hear sirens blaring from behind you? A police car seemingly appears out of nowhere and is in hot pursuit, leaving you to wonder what just happened and how you could have avoided it.

If you’ve ever encountered this scenario or a similar one, you have been the victim of a speed trap. Speed traps are when law enforcement conceal their vehicles and park them in a hidden area where they can track drivers’ speeds with radar guns.

In theory, speed traps are supposed to discourage drivers from irresponsible driving habits and make the roadways safer in general. However, speed traps can also bring in considerable revenue for a city.

The fantastic news for residents of Gainesville, Florida is that the city didn’t rank among the top 10 wost Florida speed trap cities.

With that said, it’s always best to stick to the speed limit and drive defensively — not only to ensure you won’t get caught off guard by a speed trap but to stay safe and secure on the roadways.

Vehicle Theft in Gainesville

In 2016, The FBI’s Crime in the United States Study reported 367 motor vehicle thefts that year alone.

The following year in 2017, Neighborhood Scout conducted a study revealing the safest neighborhoods in Gainesville, Florida, which are as follows:

• Los Trancos Woods/Pine Hill Estates
• SW 122nd St/SW 31st Ave
• Chantilly Acres
• SW 8th Ave/SW 122nd St
• Buckingham West/Shannon Wood
• Millhopper Rd/NW 67th St
• Northwood/Wimberly Estates
• Fairbanks/Monteocha
• Shadow Lawn Estates
• Rutledge/Santa Fe College

The map above reveals some of the most dangerous areas with the greatest incidents of violent crime in Gainesville, Florida.

Neighborhood Scout rated residents’ chances of becoming a victim of violent crime as 7.36 per 1,000 residents. Gainesville ranks number seven on the crime index, with 100 being the safest, The city is safer than only seven percent of U.S. cities.

The table below shows the violent crimes in Gainesville, Florida in 2017.

The table we have here indicates Gainesville’s annual number of crimes, also for 2017.

Due to the relatively high crime rate in certain areas of Gainesville, you may wish to look at some of the safer neighborhoods in the city as mentioned prior. Move ahead with caution if you rent or buy in areas of the city such as the ones circled above.

Traffic

Being stuck in traffic is fun — said no one ever.

Here’s the lowdown on transportation statistics and road safety data in Gainesville, Florida.

Transportation

The average worker in Gainesville, Florida actually has a shorter commute time than the average U.S. worker of just 17 minutes. The nationwide median commute time is 25.1 minutes.

In addition, a minute 0.99 percent of workers in the city have super commutes exceeding 90 minutes in length.

The chart below indicates the commute time stats for Gainesville, Florida workers as compared to the countrywide averages.

As of Data USA’s 2017 study, they revealed that 68 percent of workers in the city Drove Alone, while just 7.39 percent used public transit and 6.97 percent carpooled to get to work.

The infographic below shows the method of travel to work for residents in Gainesville, Florida.

How Safe Are Gainesville Streets and Roads?

The following table indicates the crash fatalities throughout Alachua County in 2017, from the total fatal crashes to single-vehicle crashes to crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver, and beyond.

This data gleaned from the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) is not meant to fill you with fear or make you uneasy about getting behind the wheel.

Instead, let this data better inform your driving habits and help you maintain increased alertness whenever you hit rubber to the road.

The following table shows the most up-to-date statistics from the NHTSA indicating Florida with the incidents of the most fatal crashes.

Arterial roads are high-capacity urban roads. Based on the way traffic flows through the region, an arterial road could be classified as a minor arterial road or as a highway.

The highest number of fatal crashes in Florida take place on raods classified as “Unknown” or “Other”.

Use extra caution when driving off the highway or on back roads. While it may appear that heightened road danger would exist on busy highways, these less trafficked areas can sometimes present the most hazards to drivers.

The next table contains data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation, revealing the injuries and fatalities in Gainesville, Florida due to highway and railroad crashes.

Ridesharing

If you frequently use ridesharing services in Gainesville, Florida, you’ll want to check out options for providers in the city to make sure you can get from Point A to Point B without any fuss or trouble.

The following rideshare companies serve residents of Gainesville, Florida and are listed below from the least expensive to the most expensive:

• Lyft
• Uber X
• Taxi

EStar Repair Shops

If you have been involved in an auto accident in Gainesville, Florida recently and need vehicle repairs done, EStar repair shops could save you loads of time and trouble.

Sponsored by insurance company Esurance, the Estar program is a quick and easy method to find the best car repair shops near to where you live.

Here are the top EStar repair shops in Gainesville, Florida.

Weather

According to U.S. Climate Data, the average temperatures Gainesville, Florida residents enjoy include throughout the year include:

• Annual high temperature — 79.9 F
• Annual low temperature — 57.5 F
• Average temperature — 68.7 F
• Average annual precipitation — 47.37 inches

Another key component you’ll want to factor into the picture when deciding what coverages you want to include on your car insurance policy in Gainesville, Florida is the incidence of natural disasters where you live.

On the whole, Alachua County has experiened a total of 14 natural dsasters, which is just above the nationwide average of 13. Of these natural disasters eight were presidentally declared mjaor disasters and three were declared to be emergencies.

With the potential of natural disasters posing a threat to your property, one of the best ways to protect your vehicle if one strikes is to include comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy.

Comprehensive coverage exists to help pay for damage to your vehicle caused by something other than an accident or rollover. For instance, if hail or fire damages your car, comprehensive coverage could be there to save the day.

Check out the video above for a quick and helpful explanation of what comprehensive car insurance is and what it could do for you!

Public Transit

The Gainesville Regional Transit System, known as Gainsville RTS, is a city bus route that serves the metro area. The transit network also serves Santa Fe College and the University of Florida.

Residents can pay for one-way cash fares and a variety of passes, ranging from student passes to all-day passes to monthly passes. Click here for more information on fare and pass options.

Alternate Transportation

If you’re a fan of scooter rental providers like Lime and Bird, these providers, unfortunately, aren’t available to residents of Gainesville, Florida. Check out their list of cities served to stay updated as they add locations to their network.

Parking in Metro Areas

Residents have plenty of options for parking in Gainesville, Florida, and pick from a range of options including metered, time-limited, street parking, garage parking, and more. The SW Garage in downtown Gainesville is within walking distance of many of the key sites and buildings.

Residents can pay for access to the garage in several different ways:

• Daily Rates — 6am-6pm: $1/hr ($6 max). 6pm-6am: $5/night
• Monthly Rate: — $25 per month plus tax with unlimited access
• Discounted Quarterly Rate: $20 per month plus tax with unlimited access (must purchase in advance)

Also, Gainesville, Florida has 56 different Level 2 and 3 station charging ports for drivers with electric vehicles to use.

Air Quality in Gainesville

One of the multiple factors that contribute to air quality is the emissions produced by your vehicle daily. Modern vehicles are restricted by much more in-depth regulations than early vehicles were, but air pollution is still a viable issue,

The table below indicates the air quality for Alachua County based on reports released by The Environmental Protection Agency in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

The EPA’s report revealed that the days with good air quality made up the lion’s share of days with air quality index, which means that residents of Gainesville, Florida have very minimal air pollution to contend with.

During the years between 2016 and 2018, there was only a single day considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, while zero unhealthy or very unhealthy days were reported.

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Military/Veterans

If you are currently serving or previously served in the military, you could be eligible for discounts for car insurance in Gainesville, Florida.

Here’s what you need to know about military discounts that could help you to save big on auto coverage.

Veterans by Service Period

The larges population of veterans by the most common service period in Gainesville, Florida are personnel who served in the Vietnam War. The second and third most common periods are veterans who served in the second and first Gulf Wars, respectively.

At 6,195 former military personnel, the number of veterans residing in Gainesville who served in the Vietnam War is 1.78 times great than residents from any other service period.

Military Bases Within an Hour

Gainesville does not have any military bases within its immediate vicinity.

Jacksonville is between just over an hour’s to two hour’s drive away, housing the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport Installation, and the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

Military Discounts by Provider

The following table indicates the top auto insurance providers who provide discounts to former and current military personnel. USAA also offers military garaging discounts.

Bear in mind, not all carriers will specify precisely how much consumers can save with the military discounts they offer. This is why some of the insurers listed don’t have values available, but they do still offer discounts so be sure to inquire with your agent to see if you could be eligible.

USAA Available in Florida

USAA auto insurance is reserved exclusively for members of the U.S. military and their families. This table shows the rates that USAA offers insureds as compared to the competition.

As a point of reference, the average cost of auto insurance in the state of Florida is $4,680.46.

It’s pretty clear that USAA offers noticeably lower rates than its competitors and charges premiums that are approximately 64.2 percent less than the state average.

Unique Gainesville Laws

Don’t grab your car keys and hit the road before you check out these crucial laws governing motorists in the city of Gainesville, Florida and throughout the state.

Hands-Free Driving Law

As of July 1, 2019, the new Florida Hands-Free Driving Law went into effect. Formerly categorized as a secondary offense, this law makes distracted driving a primary offense punishable by a $30 fine for first-time offenders. Second-time offenders would be subject to a $60 fine.

Neither of these fines includes additional expenses such as court costs.

Food Trucks

Food trucks qualify as Mobile Food Dispensing Units or MFDVs in the state of Florida, which means that food truck owners must obtain a license from the state Division of Hotels and Restaurants to establish their venture. Visit the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Application center here for additional information.

On the local level, if you wish to start a food truck in Gainsville, Florida, you will also have to comply with county and city regulations. To find out more information about the permits and registrations required, visit the Code of Ordinances of Gainesville, Florida and contact the city with any additional questions.

Tiny Homes

Residents of Gainesville, Florida have identified tiny homes as a potential solution for affordable housing for lower-income residents. Tiny houses are permitted in Alachua County, with the term “cottage neighborhoods” being used to describe neighborhoods if accessory dwelling units.

Tiny houses are subject to fairly stringent regulations both in the city of Gainesville and the county. Visit the Alachua County Growth Management website and Building Permit page of Alachua County for further information.

Parking Laws

Gainesville has a number of restricted parking zones, offering neighborhood permits in certain areas. The city also sponsors the Controlled Parking Program to fight excessive commuter parking.

The City of Gainesville, Florida’s Code of Ordinances Chapter 26 details the local laws for traffic and motor vehicles. According to these ordinances, examples of areas where motorists are forbidden to park include:

• On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street
• On a sidewalk, bike path, or bike lane
• Within an intersection
• On a crosswalk
• Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the division of road operations of the department of transportation indicates a different length by signs or markings
• Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic
• Upon any bridge or other elevated structure, upon a highway within a highway tunnel;
• On any railroad tracks;
• At any place where official signs or yellow curb markings prohibit stopping, standing or parking
• Alongside or adjacent to any curb painted yellow
• On a public right-of-way or private lawn without the permission of the owner
• Within the area between the street curb and sidewalk or designated sidewalk area

Visit Chapter 26 of the Gainesville Code of Ordinances to learn more.

Gainesville Car Insurance FAQs

Before we let you go, keep scrolling for our rapid-fire Q&A to answer your top questions about and related to auto insurance in Gainesville, Florida.

Here we go!

Are there any languages I should know?

Data USA released a study showing that the Gainesville population is predominantly comprised of U.S. citizens, and reported no data for any other languages spoken other than English.

How much is the cost of living like in Gainesville?

Sperling’s Best Places regularly releases data regarding the cost of living in cities nationwide based on a numerical system. Cities below 100 on the index are less expensive than the national median, while cities with ratings exceeding 100 are more expensive. Sperlings reported that the cost of living in Gainesville, Florida is 95.6, with a median home price of $185,200.

What are the auto insurance requirements in Florida?

All Florida motorists must carry and maintain, at minimum, $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and $10,000 property damage liability coverage.

What happens if I get into a car crash in Florida?

Florida is one of the very few no-fault states in the nation. If you get into a crash, this means that you are required to file a claim with your own insurer for PIP benefits to cover your losses. PIP is your primary coverage, regardless of whether you caused the collision or not. Injured parties are only permitted to pursue a case against the other motorist if they meet specific injury thresholds.

If I’m a high-risk driver and can’t get coverage, what are my options?

If you find yourself unable to secure coverage through the voluntary market due to a driving history of accidents or violations, the Florida Automobile Joint Underwriting Association plan could the solution.

If accepted into the high-risk pool, you will be assigned an insurer rather than being able to choose your own. Your rates could also be higher. However, the plan will provide you coverage to fulfill the legal requirements, enabling you to work on your driving record so you can hopefully obtain cheaper coverage down the line.

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