Best Car Insurance in Jacksonville, Florida [The Complete Guide]

You work a full-time job — you might even have a carload of kids to worry about plus a husband or wife to go with it. Maybe you’re single and you spend all of your free time in the gym or you travel for work.

You might be drowning in debt while trying to pay off student loans, house payments, or credit card bills and you just can’t find the time to do anything, let alone sit down with a phone and a computer for hours just to search for a dead-end car insurance policy that you can’t afford anyway.

You might just be struggling to find a cost-effective insurance policy that meets your needs and your budget.

If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place.

Finding the right car insurance policy doesn’t have to take hours, and it doesn’t have to mean calling hundreds of different companies to compare different rates. In fact, finding car insurance in Jacksonville, Florida, has never been easier or faster.

But how?

In our handy guide, we’ve collected reliable data, trusted research, and everything in between to help you get the best car insurance policy in Jacksonville, Florida.

From minimum liability car insurance requirements to factors that can affect your yearly premium, we have it all here. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Do you want to start comparing car insurance rates right now? Use our free tool by entering your zip code in this box above to get started. Drivers can save up to $859 per year by comparing car insurance.

Without further ado, let’s dive right into car insurance in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Cost of Car Insurance in Jacksonville

The most important thing to a person when considering a purchase is usually the cost. But how much does car insurance in Jacksonville, Florida, actually cost?

We can’t quite tackle that question with just one simple answer because a car insurance rate is tailor-made for the person buying the policy. In this first section, we’ll talk about what kinds of factors can affect your car insurance rate, as well as how to save money on your policy.

Keep reading for a breakdown of car insurance rates in Jacksonville, Florida, based on key components like age and gender, zip code, record, and more.

Male vs. Female vs. Age

Gender and age are two factors a car insurance company might consider first when putting a car insurance quote together. It seems kind of ridiculous, as these are two things that are out of anyone’s control.

But what does the data show for the state of Florida?

According to Data USA, the median age in the city of Jacksonville, Florida, is 35.8. After a driver turns 25, they are considered a safe driver and their rates will decrease significantly if a clean record is kept.

Usually, inexperienced teenage drivers will pay the most for car insurance. This is because car insurance companies know an inexperienced driver is the most vulnerable type of driver and is statistically more likely to cause an accident.

Let’s look below for a quick snapshot of how age and gender can affect your rate in Jacksonville.

The table above indicates the average annual rates car insurance providers charge insureds in Jacksonville, Florida, based on age. As you might have noticed, teenage drivers pay the most money for their car insurance premium.

Sixty-year old drivers have the cheapest insurance rate at $2,679.40 per year in Jacksonville.

But how does gender affect your rate?

Most people think women pay more for car insurance than men do, but according to our data, on average, men pay about $240 more per year than women. In Jacksonville, Florida, men pay an average of $4,476.34 for a car insurance premium, and women pay $4,235.01 per year for the same policy.

The table below puts all three of these stats together: age, gender, and marital status.

According to this data above from Quadrant, a married, 60-year-old female will usually have the cheapest car insurance rate. Insurers believe that females are more responsible drivers than males, and being married generally means you are a safer driver.

While these factors play a decent role in determining your car insurance rate, they aren’t the only factors that decide what the final number is.

Cheapest Zip Codes in Jacksonville

Did you know that your place residence can affect your car insurance rate? The cost of car insurance coverage in Jacksonville, Florida, could vary based on components like crime or natural disasters in your area.

Find your zip code in the table below.

As you can see, there’s almost a $300 difference from the cheapest to the most expensive rate.

What’s the Best Car Insurance Company in Jacksonville?

It’s important to note that not all car insurance companies use the same formula to determine a car insurance rate in Jacksonville, Florida.

While some factors like age, gender, and marital status can affect your rate in a large way with one car insurance company, another car insurance company might consider your driving record, credit history, and coverage level when piecing a car insurance premium together.

As we progress through this guide, you’ll see all the different factors that can affect your rate and how they do so.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates by Company

Here is a table showing the cheapest car insurance companies in Jacksonville, Florida.

Generally, USAA and State Farm have the cheapest rates in Jacksonville.

Best Car Insurance for Commute Rates

According to the Federal Highway Administration’s 2014 Licensed Drivers by State report, Floridians drove an average of 14,465 miles in the state that year. The table indicates the average annual premiums Jacksonville, Florida, insurers charge based on consumers’ commute rates.

While some companies will charge you hundreds of dollars more per year if you drive more miles, other companies will leave your rate alone even if you drive more than the average commuter.

If you drive frequently for work or school, check out rates with Nationwide or Progressive.

Best Car Insurance for Coverage Level Rates

Your coverage level could also affect your car insurance rate. See the table below.

Sometimes car insurance companies will cut you some slack on your rate if you carry more coverage than required. For instance, a higher coverage level policy might only cost you a few hundred dollars more per year.

Though you might spend more money up front for this type of insurance policy, it could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. After all, having more coverage always means better coverage.

Best Car Insurance for Credit History Rates

Did you know that your credit history can affect a lot more than just an interest rate?

That’s right. Your credit history can help determine your car insurance premium. See the table below.

As you can see, most car insurance carriers in Jacksonville, Florida, charge insurers with poor credit significantly higher annual rates than consumers with good credit. With some carriers, the rate difference is thousands of dollars.

Just remember: if you keep a clean credit history and have a good credit score, you’ll generally save thousands of dollars per year on your premium.

Best Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates

The most significant factor to affect your car insurance rate is your driving record. It makes sense, doesn’t it? The table below reveals exactly how much your rates could change based on your driving record alone.

If you are convicted of just one DUI, your premium could be increased by thousands of dollars more per year. In fact, most of these companies charge a person who has a DUI on their record more than $2,000 per year for a car insurance policy.

Don’t break the law — don’t’ drink and drive. If you do, you might end up paying more than just a couple of bucks for your car insurance premium.

Car Insurance Factors in Jacksonville

We’ve already discussed important factors that can affect your car insurance rate in Jacksonville, Florida, but don’t draw any conclusions just yet. Before you switch providers, let’s take a look at a few more factors that go into deciding your rate.

Metro Report – Growth & Prosperity

Let’s take a look at the growth and prosperity rate in Jacksonville in the Brookings Metro Report.

Prosperity:

• Productivity: + 0.4 percent (70th of 100)
• Standard of Living: + 1.5 percent (51st of 100)
• Average Annual Wage: + 0.9 percent (57th of 100)

Growth:

• Jobs: + 3.1 percent (eighth of 100)
• Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP): + 3.5 percent (18th of 100)
• Jobs at Young Firms: + 2.8 percent (60th of 100)

From 2016-2017, Jacksonville saw growth in both areas of prosperity.

Median Household Income

Have you ever wondered how much of your yearly earnings are eaten up by car insurance costs?

According to Data USA, households in Jacksonville have a median annual income of $51,497, which is less than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $51,298 in 2016, which represents a 0.388 percent annual growth.

The average cost of car insurance in Jacksonville, Florida, is $3,449.95. This means Jacksonville residents spend an average of about 6.7 percent of their total income on car insurance alone.

To find out much of your yearly income is spent on your car insurance policy, use our calculator tool below.

CalculatorPro

Homeownership in Jacksonville

Did you know that owning a home can help you save money on your car insurance policy? Insurers believe that people who own a home are more likely to pay their bills and are less risky to insure as a client.

But how many Jacksonville drivers own a home, and what is the average property value of a home in Jacksonville?

Other notable institutions in Duval County within driving distance of Jacksonville include:

• Tulsa Welding School
• Virginia College

Courses include a wide range of subjects, offering students a plethora of concentrations, degree programs, and program durations to pick from.

Wage by Race & Ethnicity in Common Jobs

Data USA notes that in 2017, the highest paid race/ethnicity of Florida workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.19 times more than Alaska Native workers, who made the second-highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

To take things a step further, the table below indicates wages for common jobs based on race and ethnicity in Jacksonville, Florida, along with the percentage of those workers’ incomes going to auto insurance premiums.

It’s crazy to see such a large gap in wage rates because of ethnicity and race. If you have a lower-paying job, you could pay up to 20 percent or more for your car insurance policy.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

While the gender pay gap is a widely discussed topic, the numbers don’t lie. In 2017, full-time male employees in Florida made 1.33 times more than female employees.

In 2017, the average male salary was $60,114 while the average female salary was $45,343.

That’s more than a $14,000 wage gap between genders. Even if male and female employees hold the exact same job title, the statistics reveal that male workers will still bring home a higher personal income.

The average annual cost of car insurance in Jacksonville, Florida, is $3449.95. 

This means that while women are paying out approximately 7.6 percent of their annual income to cover the cost of car insurance premiums, men are paying out just over 5.7 percent of their total yearly earnings for coverage.

Poverty by Age & Gender

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family’s total income is less than the family’s threshold, that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

According to a study done by Data USA, 16.4 percent of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Jacksonville, Florida, (139,000 out of 847,000 people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4 percent.

The largest demographic living in poverty are females aged 25-34, followed by females aged 35-44 and then females aged 18-24.

Poverty by Race & Ethnicity

Data USA’s statistics also reveal just how poverty rates affect residents in Jacksonville, Florida, based on race and ethnicity.

Approximately 67,385 individuals in the black ethnic group are categorized as living below the poverty line, with 58,775 white people meeting poverty standards.

About 14,087 Hispanics make up the smallest proportion of individuals residing below the poverty line in Jacksonville, Florida.

Employment by Occupations

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Jacksonville grew at a rate of 3.02 percent, from 415,000 employees to 427,000 employees.

The most common positions by the number of residents in Jacksonville, Florida, are as follows:

• Office & Administrative Support Occupations: 66,926 people
• Sales & Related Occupations: 46,967 people
• Management Occupations: 43,277 people

Compared to other places, Jacksonville has an unusually high number of residents working as Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1.23 times higher than expected), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (1.19 times), and Material Moving Occupations (1.15 times).

Driving in Jacksonville

What’s it like to drive in Jacksonville, Florida? Whether you’re just driving to work on your daily commute or you’re taking a road trip across the state, traffic can sometimes be unavoidable.

From major Florida highways to secret shortcuts and everything in between, we will show you how to conqueror some of Jacksonville’s trickiest roads. Keep scrolling for your complete guide to the best driving routes in Jacksonville, Florida.

Roads in Jacksonville

Driving in any city can be exhausting and time-consuming. In this next section, we want to keep you updated on road conditions, traffic conditions, accidents, road risk, and more.

Let’s get started.

Major Highways

The state of Florida has 12 active routes running through the state, comprising a total of 1,497.58 miles of roadway. These active interstates include:

• 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

As you can see, Interstates 95 and 295 run through the city of Jacksonville. I-95 is the main highway that starts in northern Maine and runs all the way down through Miami, Florida.

Florida’s Turnpike is one of the primary toll roads running through the state. It goes through Hollywood and is under the jurisdiction of Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise. The Florida Turnpike extends 483 miles in total.

Florida’s toll pass, aptly named the SunPass, is an electronic transponder which drivers can affix to their windshield to pass through the E-Pass, SunPass, and O-Pass toll lanes.

Toll charges are subtracted from the motorist’s prepaid account. Motorists may use their SunPass in North Carolina and Georgia, as well. The SunPass can also be used to pay for parking at the following airports:

• Palm Beach International
• Fort Lauderdale International
• Orlando International
• Tampa International

You can choose between the SunPass Portable and SunPass Mini when purchasing your toll pass. The Portable pass adheres to your windshield via suction cups, but you can easily move it from one car to another as needed.

Drivers must register their SunPass Portable or SunPass Mini with a starting balance of at least $10. To register, you can:

• Activate your transponder online
• Purchase your pass online
• Call 1-888-TOLL-FLA (1-888-865-5352)

Visit Florida’s SunPass page for more information.

Popular Road Trips/Sites

With beautiful beaches, Walt Disney World, snorkeling, boating, and sightseeing, it’s no wonder the state of Florida is a popular vacation destination—especially during the cold winter months.

Whether you’re from out of state or you’re just looking to do something fun for the weekend, Jacksonville, Florida, is a great place to explore. Take a look at some of these top attractions in Jacksonville brought to you by Trip Advisor.

1. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: Go see some wild and unique animals as you take a quiet stroll through the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. If you’re there around the holidays, you might be able to catch a special event like the Jacksonville Zoo spectacular.
2. The Florida Theatre: See a concert, a play, or enjoy dinner and a show at the Florida Theatre. This theatre is known for its acoustics, comfortable seats, and its wide variety of entertainment.
3. The Jacksonville Riverwalk: The Riverwalk, bordering the St. Johns River, is a one-and-a-quarter-mile boardwalk filled with all kinds of arts, joggers, and tourists watching the boats as well as the Downtown skyline reflected in the water. It is a very joyful place to visit.
4. Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena: Experience a Monster Truck Jam, a hockey game, or an arena football game at this indoor venue.
5. Intuition Ale Works: Try a selection of beers at this rooftop bar. Intuition Ale Works is a great place to go to grab a bite to eat before or after a ballgame at Jacksonville Arena.

If none of these things suit your needs, check out Atlantic Beach just east of the city of Jacksonville. Visit a crab and seafood restaurant or take a quick 90-minute drive to Walt Disney World. If you head even further south, you’ll run into Hollywood, Florida, which is a great town for beaching, vacationing, and snorkeling.

Road Conditions

Check out these Jacksonville road conditions listed in the table below.

For information and live updates regarding road conditions in Jacksonville, Florida, please visit the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Does your city use speeding or red-light cameras?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), red-light cameras automatically photograph vehicles that go through red lights. The cameras are connected to the traffic signal and to sensors that monitor traffic flow just before the crosswalk or stop line.

The system continuously monitors the traffic signal, and the camera captures any vehicle that doesn’t stop during the red phase.

Although Florida state law permits the use of red-light cameras, speeding cameras are not permitted in Florida at this time.

As of January 1, 2018, there are no more red-light cameras in Jacksonville intersections.

Vehicles in Jacksonville

Did you know that the type of vehicle you drive could affect your car insurance rate?

In this next section, we’d like to cover vehicle theft statistics, the most common types of vehicles owned, and the vehicle ownership rate in Jacksonville, Florida.

Most Popular Vehicles Owned

According to an article by Your Mechanic, the most popular vehicle owned in Jacksonville is a Chevy Impala.

With its standard engine, the 2019 Impala gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The 2020 Impala received a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

How many cars per household?

Have you ever wondered how many cars the average family owns in your city?

According to a recent study by Data USA, in 2017, most Jacksonville, Florida, households owned two cars. While the largest share of households in Jacksonville own two cars, some households own one car.

On average, households in Jacksonville own more cars than the average U.S. household.

Households Without a Car

Though most households own one or two cars, there are still many households in Jacksonville that do not own a vehicle at all. The data below from 2015 and 2016 illustrates the percentage of households relying on methods of transportation other than a car.

As you can see, car ownership in Jacksonville decreased from 2015 to 2016.

Are you looking to start comparing car insurance rates in Jacksonville, Florida, right now? Use our free tool by entering your zip code in the box below.

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Speed Traps in Jacksonville

Have you ever been ambushed by a law enforcement officer you didn’t see hiding in the trees or under an overpass? All of a sudden you hear the siren and see the blue and red lights in your rearview mirror. Next thing you know, you’re handed a speeding ticket.

You were just pulled over as a result of a speed trap. Regardless of what you think of them, you should always follow the speed limit and respect the law.

The good news is that Jacksonville isn’t on the 10 Worst Florida Speed Trap Cities list.

Vehicle Theft in Jacksonville

Have you ever wondered how safe your vehicle is from theft in Jacksonville, Florida? Well, the FBI’s 2017 Crime in the U.S. Report listed 2,925 motor vehicle thefts in Jacksonville in that year alone.

The safest neighborhoods in Jacksonville, Florida, per Neighborhood Scout, are as follows:

1. Scott Mill Rd / Mandarin Rd
2. Gately Rd / Broken Bow Dr E
3. Mandarin
4. Bayard
5. Greenland Rd / Tierra Verde Ln
6. Fort George Island / Dames Point
7. Hodges Blvd / Atlantic Blvd
8. Hood Rd / Hornets Nest Rd
9. Greenfield
10. Beach Blvd / Hodges Blvd

Check out this map of Jacksonville, Florida below. The safest neighborhoods are illustrated in light purple while the most dangerous neighborhoods are shown in dark purple.

Neighborhood Scout also revealed that your chances of becoming a victim of violent crime are approximately 6.4 per 1,000 residents. This is higher than the statewide figure, which puts residents at a 4.08 per 1,000 chance of being a victim of violent crime.

Jacksonville is only safer than 8 percent of cities across the country. The city ranks number eight in Neighborhood Scout’s crime index, with 100 being the absolute safest.

The table below illustrates the incidents of violent crime in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2017.

There were 109 murders in Jacksonville in 2017.

Below are Jacksonville’s annual number of crimes for the year 2017.

If you’re moving to Jacksonville, it might be best to spend some time searching for a safer neighborhood considering the higher crime rate.

Traffic

Even if you live in a smaller city, you can always be a victim of a traffic jam. As Jacksonville is one of the bigger cities in the state of Florida, we want to help you figure out how to navigate traffic in an around the city.

Traffic Congestion in Jacksonville

According to INRIX, Jacksonville is the 39th-most traffic-congested city in the U.S.

As a driver in Jacksonville, you might spend up to $840 more per year and spend up to an hour just trying to get out of the city because of traffic congestion.

Transportation

If you’re moving to Jacksonville, it’s also important to consider how long a driver might sit in traffic on their daily commute.

According to Data USA, using averages, employees in Jacksonville have a shorter commute time (24 minutes) than the normal U.S. worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.46 percent of the workforce in Jacksonville have “super commutes” in excess of 90 minutes.

But what types of transportation do Jacksonville commuters utilize the most?

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Jacksonville was to drive alone (79.8 percent), followed by those who carpooled (9.59 percent) and those who worked from home (4.54 percent).

Busiest Highways

According to an article in The Florida Times-Union, the latest FDOT traffic counts from 2009 have about 114,000 cars on I-10, just west of I-95, on an average day. The traffic counts for I-95 at the intersection only have 60,000 cars using it per day. But the number of cars just north of the intersection is 148,000 and about 172,000 cars go over the Fuller Warren Bridge south of the intersection each day.

FDOT defines heavy traffic congestion as follows:

• Urban Areas — Traffic is bumper to bumper or moving at a stop and go pace
• Rural Areas — It is difficult to change lanes due to the congestion

There’s no question about it: Interstate 95 and Interstate 10 are the busiest highways in Jacksonville, Florida.

How safe are Jacksonville’s streets and roads?

Since we’ve already discussed Jacksonville’s crime rates and vehicle theft statistics, we’d want to dive right into Jacksonville crash report statistics. How safe are the roads? What causes a fatal accident? How can these accidents be avoided?

Next, let’s take a look at alcohol-impaired fatal crash rates in every county Jacksonville reaches.

According to this data, Duval County had the most traffic fatalities resulting from alcohol-impaired driving.

Here are the total single-vehicle fatality crashes in the five counties that make up the city of Jacksonville.

In 2018, Duval County had 78 fatal crashes resulting from single-vehicle accidents.

Speeding is another major culprit of fatal car accidents. Check out the stats for fatal crashes caused by speeding below.

Duval County takes the lead again with the most fatal crashes caused by speeding in Jacksonville.

Let’s take a closer look at fatal crashes involving a roadway departure.

The data shows that the number of fatal crashes caused by roadway departures has increased, decreased, and increased again over the years. Duval County has the highest number of fatal crashes overall.

These crash rates below highlight how many fatalities happened at an intersection.

There aren’t many fatal crashes in Jacksonville’s four other counties — Duval County had five times more crashes than Clay County and St. Johns County.

The following table shows the number of passenger car fatalities in Jacksonville’s five counties.

Duval County had 52 fatal passenger car crashes in 2018.

Up next we have statistics for pedestrian fatalities in Jacksonville, Florida, counties.

From 2014-2018, there were 186 fatal crashes involving a pedestrian in Duval County.

Before we talk about the most fatal highway in Jacksonville, let’s wrap up these crash fatality statistics with this last section on pedalcyclist fatalities.

Surprisingly, pedalcyclist fatal crashes are rare in the city of Jacksonville. There were only 12 in the city of Jacksonville in the of 2018.

Here’s some data from FARS Encyclopedia about the most fatal roads in Florida.

This data above shows there were more fatal crashes in urban areas than there were in rural areas.

Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report

Have you ever wondered if your city has good drivers? In the Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report, we can see how Jacksonville drivers compare to other drivers nationwide. According to data collected from this report, Jacksonville is the 69th-safest city to drive in the country as of 2019.

In Jacksonville, Florida, the likelihood of a claim being made as compared to the national average is 7.6 percent. Residents of Hollywood typically have 9.3 average years between claims.

But how often do Jacksonville drivers brake hard? Whether drivers are hard-braking because they are not paying attention to the traffic in front of them or they are braking for an accident, there are 18.8 hard-braking events per 1,000 miles.

Although this number isn’t terribly high, it’s important to stay alert while on the road.

Ridesharing

According to RideGuru, these are the ridesharing services available in Jacksonville:

• Carmel: When you order a Carmel car you have the choice of riding in a Sedan, Minivan, Stretch Limousine, SUV, and SUV super-stretch limo.
• Jayride: Jayide specializes in airport transfers, meaning you can only use Jayride when scheduling a ride to and from an airport. When you book through Jayride, a vehicle seating one to 20 people will pick you up.
• SuperShuttle: When you order a SuperShuttle, a shuttle or black car (depending on which service you order) will pick you up. SuperShuttle has reservation options for one to 10 passengers.
• Talixo: When you book a Talixo car, you will have the option of choosing an economy, business, or luxury class vehicle for a variety of price points. Talixo’s cars come in various sizes, with their largest size accommodating up to seven passengers.
• Uber Black, SUV, X, XL

E-star Repair Shops

After a car accident, you face a tough question: how do you find the right repair shop when there are so many out there? Esurance created the E-star network to help drivers find reputable, cutting-edge repair shops in their neck of the woods.

Check out this list below for the top 10 repair shops in Jacksonville, Florida.

Weather

What are the average temperatures in Jacksonville, Florida?

Please note that U.S. Climate Data did not give an average precipitation number in their report.

Duval County has experienced 21 total natural disasters, which is significantly higher than the nationwide average of 13. A total of 14 natural disasters in Duval County were declared by the president as major disasters, while five were declared to be emergencies.

According to City-Data, the causes of these natural disasters were as follows:

• Hurricanes: 10
• Fires: 4
• Tropical Storms: 4
• Floods: 3
• Tornadoes: 3
• Storms: 2
• Freeze: 1
• Wind: 1

Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category.

Now that you know Jacksonville has natural disasters happen more frequently than the rest of the country, it’s time to think about getting an insurance plan that will cover you if your vehicle gets damaged in the event of a natural disaster.

A comprehensive car insurance plan will cover you if your vehicle is damaged because of a natural disaster or by an “act of God.” This type of car insurance coverage might be a little expensive at first; however, it could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Public Transit

Not everyone has access to a car all the time — that’s where the public transit systems step in to help.

According to JTAfla.com, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, an independent state agency serving Duval County, has multi-modal responsibilities. JTA designs and constructs bridges and highways and provides varied mass transit services.

These include express and regular bus service, a downtown Skyway monorail, the St. Johns River Ferry, the Gameday Xpress for various sporting events at TIAA Bank Field, Paratransit for the disabled and elderly, and Ride Request on-demand services.

JTA helps make you free to go wherever you want—whether you need bus service, a ride to work or just want to make a trip to the library. JTA’s buses, Skyway, and Paratransit Services can get you there.

STAR Cards allow you to load cash value or passes on the convenience of a card. Use the cash value toward your single-ride bus fare, or more frequent riders can save with single- and multi-day passes.

You can purchase your STAR Card online or from Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) at locations throughout Jacksonville. TVMs accept $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills. There is a change limit of $10 and change is provided in Susan B. Anthony $1 coins. Customers may also use their debit or credit card for purchases.

Single- and multi-day passes start the first time they are used and run for consecutive days for the length of time purchased (i.e. a 7-Day Pass runs for seven days starting on the date it is first used). Rides are unlimited for the designated time period purchased.

• 31-Day Pass – $65
• 31-Day Pass, Youth or Reduced Fare – $32
• 7-Day Pass – $20
• 3-Day Pass – $12
• 1-Day Pass – $4.50
• 1-Day Pass (Reduced Fare) – $1.75

For more information on Jacksonville’s public transit system or to purchase a bus pass, simply go to JTA’s online store.

Alternate Transportation

If you like to ride electric scooters in major cities across the U.S., all you have to do is jump on one and it will take you to your destination for just 15 cents per minute.

Currently, Jacksonville has not implemented an electric scooter service like Lime or Bird, but you can find a Lime scooter in any of the following Florida cities:

• Ft. Lauderdale
• Key Biscayne
• Miami
• Miami Lakes
• Miami Shores
• Miami Springs
• North Bay Village
• North Miami
• Orlando
• South Miami
• Tampa
• Unincorporated Miami Dade

Parking in Metro Areas

There are many parking lots in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Two-hour parking is available on the street, and you can pay by the hour to park in a parking garage in the city. Downtown Jacksonville has more than 44,000 public parking spaces in garages and lots and at meters.

Meters cost 25 cents for 30 minutes. Parking fees are enforced weekdays from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Parking is free on weekends and after 6 p.m. Most meters take credit cards and quarters; however, some are still quarter-only. Check out the FAQs page for more metered parking information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• For general parking information inquiries, call (904) 630-1399 or email [email protected]
• For special event parking Downtown, call (904) 630-4964
• For stadium or arena parking, contact SMG at (904) 630-3900

Garage and parking lot information is updated biannually. For changes or corrections, email [email protected].

According to ChargeHub, the city of Jacksonville, Florida, has 98 public charging station ports (Level 2 and Level 3) within 15km. Eighty-four percent are level 2 charging ports and 49 percent offer free charges for your electric car.

The two main charging networks in operation are ChargePoint and EVgo. You can find out more about the charging networks (policies, pricing and registration information) by visiting our networks section.

Air Quality in Jacksonville

Back when cars were first invented, they often gave off extremely harmful fumes. Today, we don’t have that problem as much, and the air quality in Jacksonville, Florida, is significantly better than it was 50 years ago.

The following table indicates the air quality in Jacksonville based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s reports from 2017, 2018, and 2019.

As you can see from the data above, the days with a good air quality index substantially outweighed moderate days or unhealthy days for sensitive groups in the period between 2017 and today.

Military/Veterans

Some car insurance companies in Jacksonville, Florida, will give you a discount if you currently serve or have served in the U.S. military. Before we get into military car insurance discounts, let’s find out what war most Jacksonville veterans served in.

According to Data USA, Jacksonville, Florida, has a large population of military personnel who served in the Second Gulf War.

The Vietnam War was the second-most common service period, with 20,288 residents having served in the conflict. Military personnel who served in the first Gulf War were the third-most common service period, with 13,997 residents having served in that conflict.

The veteran populace in Jacksonville, Florida, who served in the second Gulf War is 1.3 times greater than the number of residents who served in any other conflict.

The city is home to multiple military facilities, and with Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay nearby, Jacksonville the third-largest military presence in the country.

See the bases listed below:

• Naval Air Station Jacksonville
• Naval Station Mayport
• Patrick AFB

The following car insurance companies offer discounts to military veterans and current military members:

• Allstate
• Esurance
• Farmers
• Geico
• Liberty Mutual
• Metlife
• Safe Auto
• Safeco
• State Farm
• The General
• USAA

According to our data, USAA is generally the cheapest insurance provider for military members in the U.S. See the table below.

In addition, USAA also offers discounts for military garages to hold vehicles on base.

Unique City Laws

In this last section, we’ll go over unique laws that are specific to the city of Jacksonville.

Hands-Free Driving Law

On July 1, 2019, texting while driving became a primary offense in Florida. That means troopers can stop drivers for texting and driving. Unless it’s a dangerous driving situation, the Florida Highway Patrol said, through the end of this year, it is issuing warnings to drivers texting behind the wheel to educate them about the law.

Food Trucks Laws

As of January 2019, Jacksonville food truck companies face more city regulations than ever before.

To be approved by the city as a food truck driver, Jacksonville now requires food trucks to have restroom contracts and permits. For more information on how to get your food truck permit, please visit coj.net/food-trucks.

Tiny Home Laws

Tiny homes can sometimes be as small as 150 square feet. They have a working bathroom, a kitchen, and at least one bedroom.

If you would like more information about permits for tiny homes in Jacksonville, please visit the City of Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Car Insurance FAQs

Before we let you go, keep scrolling for a quick car insurance question and answer breakdown that every driver in Jacksonville, Florida, needs to know before driving.

What type of car insurance is required in Jacksonville, Florida?

Florida has laws regarding car insurance coverage and policy amounts that you must be carried to drive a vehicle registered there.

According to Nolo, to register and drive a four-wheeled vehicle in Florida, vehicle owners must carry:

• $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) benefits
• $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) benefits (which kick in if you damage someone else’s vehicle or other property in an accident)

Unlike almost every other state, Florida does not require drivers to carry liability coverage for bodily injury suffered by other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists in an accident caused by the policyholder.

Bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage is readily available for any driver who wants to add it to their policy. Keep in mind that, if you are found responsible for causing a car accident that allows an injured person to step outside of no-fault and sue you, without BIL coverage, you’ll find yourself personally responsible for that person’s losses.

What do I do if I get into a car accident in Jacksonville?

Nolo also says that if you’re a driver involved in a car accident in Florida, and the crash resulted in injury or death and/or vehicle damage or damage to any other property in an apparent amount of at least $500, you must report the accident to the local police department if the accident occurred within a municipality.

If the accident did not occur within a municipality, you must report the accident to the office of the county sheriff or to the nearest office or station of the Florida Highway Patrol. These rules can be found at Florida Statutes section 316.065.

If the other driver was entirely at fault for your car accident, the result is usually predictable: the other driver (through their insurance carrier) will pay to compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses you suffered.

Florida is one of a dozen or so states that follow a no-fault car insurance scheme. That means injured drivers and passengers must typically turn first to their own personal-injury-protection car insurance coverage to get compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other out-of-pocket losses after a crash, regardless of who might have been at fault.

A claim against the at-fault driver is only possible in certain scenarios.

Can I get insurance if I’ve been refused coverage for being a high-risk driver?

The Florida Automobile Joint Underwriting Association is available to licensed drivers and vehicle owners who have been unable to purchase insurance from other companies. For more information about high-risk insurance, please visit the FAJUA website here.

Is it expensive to live in Jacksonville?

According to a study by Sperling’s Best Places, the cost of living in Jacksonville is above the nationwide average. Sperling rated the cost of living at 99.5.

Sperling’s cost of living index is based on a U.S. average of 100. An amount below 100 means Jacksonville is cheaper than the U.S. average while a cost of living index above 100 means it is more expensive.

The median home price in Jacksonville is $180,300.

Is it safe to live in Jacksonville?

According to a study done by Neighborhood Crime, Jacksonville is 8 percent safer than cities in the U.S. The crime rate is 6.4 crimes per 1,000 residents.

Now that we’ve given you all the valuable information you need about car insurance in Jacksonville, Florida, it’s time to start comparing rates. To begin, just use our free tool by entering your zip code in the box below.

Good luck and happy shopping.