Avoid the 5 insurance mistakes families make when moving to Florida.
A simple local guide to car registration, home insurance, and getting settled.
The 5 Mistakes
- Waiting until your license or registration appointment to think about insurance
- Florida requires basic coverages like PIP and Property Damage, but minimums don’t always reflect what a family has to protect.
- Did you know you can choose a future effective date?
You can set everything up ahead of time so you’re ready when you visit the driver license office. - Receive temporary auto ID cards quickly and electronically — ready to show at the Pasco County Tax Collector.
- Assuming out-of-state coverage transfers cleanly
- Florida requires Florida vehicle insurance once you’ve been here a certain amount of time.
- Coverage from another state may not line up with Florida requirements or how claims work with other Florida drivers.
- Did your benefits change when you moved? Florida has several state-specific coverages and deductibles worth reviewing, such as Uninsured Motorists and Glass coverage.
- Insuring the new home like the old one
- Florida homes face unique risks, including hurricanes and sudden ground collapse.
- Having a strategy for when (and when not) to file claims can help protect long-term insurability.
- Optional endorsements can help cover losses like cyber or identity-related issues.
- Buying a house without updating life insurance
- The coverage amount often needs to change with a new mortgage.
- The payoff period may have been extended.
- Income and benefits often change with a move.
- Leaving old 401(k)s behind after a job change
- “Orphaned” retirement accounts may face higher fees and fewer investment choices.
- No one may be actively advising or monitoring those accounts toward your retirement goals.
- New workplace benefits often have a waiting period before you can participate.
Most families moving to Wesley Chapel, Florida encounter at least one of these.
A local agent and advisor can help guide the process.