Drivers in all US states are required by law to suspend information and provide assistance after a car accident. Florida is no exception, but the number of hit and rank rushes in the state has increased by 40% over the past decade. Since it can be difficult to file a claim after a hit and run, the insurance editorial team explains what happens to insurance costs following a hit and run in Sunshine State.
Florida hits and runs
Florida law strictly defines what constitutes a state’s hit and run. If you are in an accident that causes injury, death or property damage, you could be charged with hit and run under Florida law.
- You will leave the accident site before exchanging information with other drivers including your name, address and vehicle registration number.
- We cannot provide reasonable assistance, such as calling 911, providing transportation to hospitals, or providing transportation to injured people.
Despite strict laws and sudden penalties, hit and run remains a serious issue in Florida. According to FLHSMV, Florida had a hit and rank rush of 97,905 people in 2024, resulting in 20,449 injuries and 246 deaths.
I will execute the law in Florida
Florida law imposes strict penalties on drivers who are violated by laws struggling in accidents, including property damage, injuries or death. The severity of the penalty and the nature of the accusation will depend on the outcome of the accident.
- Property damage only: Second misdemeanor claim with a maximum of 60 days of prison and $500 fine
- injury: Second or third felony charges of up to five years in prison and fined $5,000
- Fatal: First-degree felony charges in prison for four to 30 years and fines of $10,000
If you leave the scene of an accident that involves either injury or death, your Florida driver’s license will be revoked for a minimum of three years. A charge of death in Florida is subject to the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act (section 316.027 of Florida Act) to sentence a minimum of four years in prison in a four-year prison for a hit-and-run accident that includes the death of a person.
How does hit and run affect Florida car insurance?
If convicted of a hit-and-run crime in Florida, we expect a significant increase in Florida car insurance fees. While it is difficult to find accurate data on increases related to hit and run convictions, let’s use the average increase following a disability accident as a starting point.
According to a Bankrate investigation, Florida drivers with one damage accident on their record will pay an average of $5,425 per year on all coverage insurance as of June 2025, and $1,564 per state minimum.
But hit and run is more than a disability accident. That includes criminal charges ranging from a second misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. For this type of conviction, you may be seeing an increase in premiums in the range of 45-65%. This is the average increase associated with DUI, another travel violation that could be charged as a misdemeanor or felony in Florida.
The only way to accurately determine how hit and run affects premiums is to compare estimates from multiple companies. If you’re looking for cheap car insurance after hit and run, working with an insurance agent can help you understand your situation and the options available.
What to do after a hit and run in Florida?
If you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident in Florida, try to stay calm and take the next move.
- Move the vehicle to a safe location: If your vehicle is still possible to drive, move it out of the traffic flow, stay as close as possible to the accident scene.
- Make sure everyone is fine: Check all passengers in the car. If anyone is obviously injured or suspected, seek medical assistance or arrange for transportation to a healthcare provider.
- Call the police: Police reports are recommended to call police immediately and wait on the scene until they arrive, as they provide backup to insurance hit and run claims that they need to file. Be sure to avoid any changes at the scene and be prepared to issue a statement about the accident.
- Document the scene: Take notes on what you remember about the accident, such as time, date, location, weather conditions, and more. Write down anything you remember about other drivers and vehicles. Include the direction they were traveling when they left the scene, as well as the maker, color, or body style of their car.
- Check the evidence: A collision could leave evidence that law enforcement could be led by a disabled driver. Look for broken glass or vehicle components on the ground, or for paint remaining on the vehicle. Please don’t touch anything. Instead, point it out to the police when they arrive.
- Take a photo: Photographic evidence will help your insurance company handle your claim more accurately and help law enforcement investigations.
- Talk to an eyewitness: If anyone observes a crash, they ask for observation and request follow-up contact information.
- Please contact your insurance company: If applicable, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and begin a claim.
Your coverage choice will determine what type of claim you can file with the insurance company after a hit and run accident. Be prepared to work with your insurance company to confirm the payments you need.
FAQ
Methodology
Using Quadrant Information Services, Bankrate analyzes June 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states, with Washington DC rates being weighted based on population density for each geographical region. The cited fees are based on 40-year-old male and female drivers with clean driving records, good credits and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 per person physical injury liability
- $300,000 for each accident
- Liability for property damages of $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured driver physical injury for $100,000 per person
- Uninsured driver’s physical injury for $300,000 per accident
- $500 collision deduction possible
- Comprehensive $500 deduction
To determine the minimum coverage limit, bank rates used minimum coverage to meet the requirements of each state. Our base profile driver owns a 2023 Toyota Camry, commutes five days a week and drives 12,000 miles a year. Bundles and paperless billing discounts apply.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparison purposes only. Your quote is different.
If specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:
