* Tax Collector

 

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To register a vehicle in Florida, proof of Florida insurance coverage must be provided in the form of a Florida automobile insurance identification card, insurance policy, binder or affidavit. Chapter 324, Florida Statutes, provides that the coverage must be by an insurance company authorized to do business in Florida. Chapter 627,F.S., provides that the policy must be delivered or issued for delivery in Florida.

Q: Do insurance companies authorized or licensed to do business in this state have to be Florida based?

A: No, insurance companies do not have to be domiciled in this state. However, if the company is domiciled outside of Florida, it must have an authorized agent or broker in this state, issue a Florida policy endorsed by the Florida agent or broker, and make the required insurance filing to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Q: Do Florida residents who temporarily reside in another state or a foreign country have to maintain the required insurance coverage if the vehicle in question is registered in the state?

A:

a) Yes, for vehicles that are maintained outside of Florida but within the United States
*NOTE: See Exemption for Military Members Who are Stationed Outside Of Florida. (below)

b) No, for vehicles which are maintained outside of the United States. An insurance company in the United States will not write coverage for a vehicle in a foreign country. Therefore, the tag agent will accept an affidavit that the vehicle is in a foreign country and when it returns to the United States appropriate coverage will be obtained.

Q: Insurance companies outside of Florida write their insurance policies to show "Florida Policy" or "Meets Florida Requirements." Is this acceptable proof of insurance?

A: Yes, if the following is adhered to ---

Have an authorized Florida agent or broker in this state issue a Florida policy or Florida Insurance Identification Card, and make the required insurance filing to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
(the above information represents excerpts from DMV Flash, dtd 5-11-94, and DMV Flash, dtd 10-7-94).
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The DHSMV is authorized to exempt members of the United States military from the requirement to provide proof of motor vehicle insurance for the purpose of Florida motor vehicle registration when the following circumstances exist:
  1. The vehicle owner or registrant is a legal resident of Florida and subject to Florida registration.
  2. The vehicle owner or registrant is a member of the United States Military and stationed outside the state of Florida due to military orders.
    If the vehicle is registered solely in the name of the spouse of the military member the vehicle must be located in the state or country where the military member is assigned.
  3. The vehicle will be garaged or operated outside the State of Florida.
To obtain the exemption from providing proof of Florida insurance, the military member must submit the following information to the tag office.
  1. An out of state address for the Florida Vehicle Registration Certificate.
  2. Proof of active military status by submitting either one of the following:
    a. Copy of Military Orders, or
    b. An affidavit from the military member's commanding officer which confirms the military orders and the date of assignment.
  3. If the vehicle is registered in the name of the military member we will need an affidavit stating the motor vehicle will not be operated in the State of Florida. However, if the vehicle is registered solely in the name of the spouse of the military member we will need an affidavit stating the motor vehicle will not be operated in the State of Florida and is located in their state of residence.

Florida Insurance Affidavit Form

Please make a copy of this form for your records. This information will be needed every year to renew your Florida license plate.