Car insurance rates across southwest Florida are at an all time high. Just since last year, rates have gone up an average of seven percent for Sarasota and Manatee county residents. A number of factors are playing into the increase. One is the number of distracted drivers across the Suncoast. Another is the simple matter than the more congested an area gets, the higher the rates go. And even though data from the FHP shows a drop in fatal crashes, the number of totaled vehicles are increasing. Experts suggest simply shopping around every few months to a year to see if you can lower your premiums.
