Moving to Florida? Start Here

If you recently moved to Watercrest from another state, your old policy may not meet Florida law. Florida requires every registered car to carry a Florida policy from a carrier licensed in the state. Here is what that means in practice.

Register your car and get a Florida policy

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says you must show proof of Florida PIP and PDL coverage before you can register a car. If you are a non-resident who takes a job here or enrolls children in a Florida public school, you must get a Florida registration and plate within 10 days. Ask your carrier whether it writes policies in Florida. If it does, it may be able to move your coverage over. If not, you will need a new carrier.

Get your Florida driver license

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says new residents must get a Florida driver license within 30 days of moving here. Your carrier will want your new license number once you have it. Keep your old license number handy too, since carriers use it to look up your driving history.

Do not cancel your old policy too soon

Keep your old coverage active until your new Florida policy starts. A gap of even a few days can cause problems. A lapse can also make your next policy cost more.

Expect different coverage names

Florida is a no-fault state for injuries, so your new policy will look a little different. The two required parts are Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL). Coverages you had back home, like bodily injury liability, may now be optional by law. They are still important.

Florida’s Minimum Coverage

Florida law requires $10,000 in PIP and $10,000 in PDL. PIP pays 80 percent of reasonable medical bills up to the limit no matter who caused the crash. It also pays part of lost wages and includes a $5,000 death benefit. To use PIP, you must get care within 14 days of the crash. If a provider decides you did not have an emergency medical condition, PIP medical benefits stop at $2,500.

PDL covers damage you cause to other people’s property. It does not cover injuries to others, and it does not fix your own car.

Most drivers are not required to carry bodily injury liability to register a car. That surprises a lot of people who move here. Without it, you could be personally on the hook if you injure someone. Our liability coverage page explains how to choose limits.

Life by the Lakes

Watercrest has a lot of water. The lakes are a big part of why people move here, and they are worth thinking about when you set up your car coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage that is not caused by a crash. That includes flood water, falling limbs, theft and broken glass. South Florida storms can bring heavy rain in a short time. If your car is hard to replace, comprehensive is worth keeping.

Where you park matters. A car kept in the garage is less exposed to storms and theft than one parked in the driveway. Tell your carrier where the car is usually kept.

Plan ahead for storm season. Some carriers pause new policies and coverage changes when a named storm threatens the area. If you plan to add a car or change coverage, do it early in the season, not when a storm is on the map.

For more on how comprehensive and collision work together, see our full coverage auto insurance page.

Getting Around From The Wedge

Watercrest residents have two main ways out. The main gate leads to Hillsboro Boulevard, which heads east toward University Drive. The north gate opens onto Loxahatchee Road, the line between Broward and Palm Beach counties. Heading south, Heron Bay and the Sawgrass Expressway are a short drive away.

Many new residents are still learning these roads. Busy turn lanes, school traffic near Hillsboro and fast traffic on the Sawgrass all call for care. Your liability limits should be high enough to protect you if a moment of confusion turns into a crash.

Coverage Worth Adding

Uninsured motorist coverage

Some drivers on Florida roads carry only the minimum or no insurance at all. Uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for your injuries if one of them hits you. Florida lets you reject it, but only in writing.

Rental reimbursement

New residents may not have a second car or a friend nearby to borrow from. Rental reimbursement helps pay for a car while yours is in the shop after a covered claim. If you rent cars when you travel, see our rental car insurance page too.

Roadside help

A flat tire on Loxahatchee Road at night is no fun. Roadside coverage is a small add-on that can cover towing, jump starts and lockouts.

Picking a Carrier When You Are New Here

The carrier you used up north may not be the best fit in Florida, or may not write policies here at all. Carriers price Florida very differently from one another, so shopping around is worth the time.

When you compare, look past the monthly price. Check the PIP deductible, since some Florida policies let you choose one. Look at whether bodily injury liability and uninsured motorist coverage are included or left off. Make sure each car has the same coverage you think it has. A cheap quote that drops coverage you used to have is not really cheaper.

Families, Teens and New Drivers

Watercrest has many families with young kids and teens. If you have a teen who just got a Florida learner’s license, ask your carrier when they need to be added. Rules vary by carrier.

Parents moving from another state should also know that each driver’s record follows them. A clean record helps. So does a good student discount where a carrier offers one. Read our teen driver auto insurance page for more tips. For a young adult getting their first policy, see first-time driver auto insurance.

How We Help New and Longtime Residents

We start with your current policy, even if it was written in another state. That gives us a baseline. Then we talk about how you drive now, which cars you own and who uses them.

Next, we gather quotes and put them in a simple table. Each row is a coverage. Each column is a carrier or a choice. You see the limit, the deductible and the price.

Finally, you choose. If you want to wait, compare on your own or ask more questions, that is fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

I just moved to Watercrest. How soon do I need a Florida policy?

If you take a job here or enroll a child in a Florida public school, Florida says you must register your car within 10 days, and that requires Florida insurance. Start the process as soon as you can.

Can I keep my old carrier?

If that carrier is licensed in Florida, you may be able to transfer. Ask them. If they do not write policies here, you will need to switch.

Why is my Florida quote different from what I paid before?

Each state has its own rules, coverage types and claim history. Florida’s no-fault system, local repair costs and weather all play a part. We will walk you through each line, so the price makes sense.

Do I need flood coverage for my car?

Flood damage to a car is usually covered under comprehensive, not a separate flood policy. If you drop comprehensive, you may lose that protection.

What if I move away from Florida later?

Do not cancel your Florida policy until you have registered the car in your new state or turned in your Florida plate. Canceling first can lead to a suspension.

Where can I find more answers?

Our auto insurance FAQ covers many general topics. You can also read about nearby MiraLago and Cascata.

Get Your Watercrest Quote

New to Parkland or not, we can help you set up coverage that fits Florida law and your household. Reach out any time.

Parkland Auto Insurance
7957 N University Dr #101, Parkland, FL 33067
Phone: 90-414-001-0005
Email: contact@parklandautoinsurance.com

Send us a quote request, and we will follow up with clear options.