Florida hit-and-run citations carry 6 points and trigger automatic preferred-carrier declinations at most major insurers. Here's what that means for your premium and which carriers will still quote you.
What a Hit and Run Citation Does to Your Florida Insurance Rate Immediately
A hit-and-run citation in Florida adds 6 points to your driving record and moves you out of preferred-tier pricing at most major carriers within one renewal cycle. The points themselves trigger a surcharge of 30-50% at most insurers, but the tier reclassification adds another 40-80% on top of that base increase. A driver paying $140/month in preferred tier can expect a post-citation premium of $280-$350/month once both adjustments apply.
The tier change happens because hit-and-run violations signal fraud risk to underwriting algorithms, not just careless driving. Carriers treat leaving the scene as a separate underwriting concern from the underlying accident, which is why the rate impact exceeds what you'd see from a standard at-fault accident with the same point value.
Florida requires 6 points to stay on your record for 3 years from the conviction date. The insurance surcharge typically lasts 3-5 years depending on the carrier's lookback period. GEICO and Progressive use 3-year lookbacks for most violations; State Farm and Allstate extend to 5 years for hit-and-run specifically.
Which Florida Carriers Will Still Insure You After a Hit and Run
Preferred carriers like State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive decline new business applications from drivers with hit-and-run convictions on record and non-renew existing policyholders at the next renewal cycle in most cases. Allstate and Travelers sometimes retain existing customers but move them to standard-tier products with restricted coverage options.
Standard-tier carriers that actively write policies for Florida drivers with hit-and-run citations include Bristol West, National General, and Dairyland. These carriers price 15-25% higher than preferred-tier baseline rates for clean-record drivers but 30-40% lower than what a preferred carrier charges after applying hit-and-run surcharges and tier penalties.
Non-standard carriers like Acceptance Insurance, Direct Auto, and Ocean Harbor specialize in high-point and post-violation risks. Monthly premiums at non-standard carriers typically range $220-$320/month for minimum liability coverage in Florida, compared to $140-$180/month for clean-record drivers at preferred carriers. You'll pay more than baseline, but less than trying to stay with a preferred carrier that has reclassified your risk profile.
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How Florida's 12-Point Suspension Threshold Affects Hit and Run Drivers
Florida suspends your driver's license when you accumulate 12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 18 months, or 24 points within 36 months. A single hit-and-run citation adds 6 points, putting you halfway to the 12-month threshold. A second moving violation of any kind within that 12-month window triggers suspension unless the second violation carries 5 points or fewer.
The most common second violations that push hit-and-run drivers over the threshold are speeding 15+ mph over the limit (4 points), running a red light (4 points), or reckless driving (4 points). Any combination totaling 6 or more points within 12 months of the hit-and-run conviction triggers the suspension.
Florida does not offer restricted licenses for point-based suspensions. You lose full driving privileges until you complete the suspension period, pay a $60 reinstatement fee, and provide proof of insurance. Your carrier will see the suspension on your record at the next renewal check, which triggers an additional surcharge of 20-35% on top of the hit-and-run penalty already in place.
When Points Drop Off Your Florida Record and When Your Rate Recovers
Florida removes hit-and-run points 3 years from the conviction date, not the citation date. If you were cited in March 2024 but convicted in June 2024, the points drop off in June 2027. Carriers do not automatically adjust your rate when points expire — you must request a re-rate at renewal or shop for new quotes to capture the improvement.
The conviction itself stays on your Florida driving record for 7-10 years depending on disposition. Carriers see the conviction history even after points expire, which is why post-violation surcharges extend beyond the 3-year point window. Most carriers reduce surcharges incrementally: full penalty for years 1-3, partial penalty for years 4-5, and clean-record pricing after 5-7 years depending on whether other violations appear in the lookback period.
Completing a Florida Basic Driver Improvement course removes up to 18% of accumulated points once every 12 months, but only if you complete the course before the points post to your record. If the hit-and-run conviction has already posted, the course does not remove those 6 points retroactively. The course is most useful if you pick up a second violation and want to prevent suspension by dropping your total below 12 points.
What Happens to Your Rate If You Had an Insurance Lapse After the Hit and Run
Florida requires continuous liability coverage after any conviction. A lapse of more than 30 days following a hit-and-run citation triggers an FR-44 filing requirement, which costs $15-$25 at most insurers and requires you to carry double Florida's minimum liability limits for 3 years. FR-44 carriers in Florida include Progressive, National General, and Acceptance Insurance.
The lapse itself adds another 25-40% surcharge on top of the hit-and-run penalty. A driver who lapsed for 60 days after a hit-and-run conviction can expect premiums of $320-$400/month at non-standard carriers, compared to $280-$350/month for a hit-and-run driver who maintained continuous coverage.
Florida does not offer hardship or restricted licenses to drivers serving lapse-related suspensions. You lose full driving privileges until you reinstate with proof of FR-44 filing, pay a $150 suspension reinstatement fee plus the $60 standard reinstatement fee, and maintain the FR-44 for the full 3-year period. Missing a single premium payment during the FR-44 period resets the clock.
How to Shop for Coverage After a Florida Hit and Run Citation
Request quotes from at least three standard-tier carriers and two non-standard carriers. Preferred carriers will decline or quote rates 60-100% above your pre-citation premium, making them uncompetitive for most drivers. Standard-tier carriers like Bristol West and National General typically deliver the lowest rates for drivers with single violations in the 6-point range.
Provide your exact conviction date and point total when requesting quotes. Carriers pull your MVR during underwriting, and discrepancies between your application and your actual record trigger automatic declinations or policy cancellations after issuance. If you completed a driver improvement course, provide the certificate even if points have not yet been removed — some carriers apply a small discount for voluntary course completion.
Avoid binding coverage based on estimated quotes. Estimated quotes do not reflect underwriting adjustments for hit-and-run convictions, and final premiums after MVR review often run 20-30% higher than the estimate. Request firm quotes with MVR review completed before you cancel existing coverage.
