Opinion
By Ethan Phillips
10/26/25
Florida Among the Worst 10 U.S. States for Vehicle Owners
A new study highlighted that Florida is the eighth-most challenging state for vehicle ownership nationwide.
The research by the Las Vegas-based personal injury law firm Shook & Stone analyzed vehicle ownership costs and safety risks across U.S. states. It measured three primary metrics: Auto Insurance Expenditures as Percentage of Median Income (scored out of 30 points), Fatal Crash Scores (scored out of 40 points), and Auto Repair Rates as Percent of Monthly Per Capita Income (scored out of 30 points). These metrics were totaled to rank the states based on the highest to lowest stress score on a 100-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater vehicle ownership challenges.
Florida ranks eighth with a vehicle ownership stress score of 73.9/100. The Sunshine State has auto insurance expenditures representing 2.49% of median income (scoring 28.0/30 for insurance burden). The state documented 14 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents (scoring 24.9/40 for crash risk) and auto repair rates representing 4.17% of monthly per capita income (scoring 21.0/30 for repair burden).
Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Shook & Stone commented:
“The research reveals that Florida presents the eighth-most significant financial and safety challenges for vehicle owners, with residents facing high insurance costs relative to income, elevated accident rates, and substantial repair expenses.
“The data further suggests that states with lower median incomes and higher accident rates tend to create more stressful vehicle ownership experiences than those with better economic stability and safer driving conditions.
“To improve vehicle ownership affordability and safety, these states should prioritize infrastructure improvements, promote defensive driving education programs, and work with insurance providers to develop more affordable coverage options. Addressing systemic economic issues through comprehensive transportation and safety initiatives could also significantly improve residents’ vehicle ownership experience.”
Table of Extended Results:
The study was conducted by Shook & Stone, a law firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured and disabled individuals, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve while providing compassionate, personalized legal representation.
ENDS
P.S. If using this story, please credit and link to www.shookandstone.com/
Methodology
The study analyzed vehicle ownership costs and safety risks across U.S. states. It measured three primary metrics: Auto Insurance Expenses as a Percentage of Median Income (scored out of 30 points), Fatal Crash Scores based on crashes per 100,000 residents (scored out of 40 points), and Auto Repair Rates as a Percentage of Monthly Per Capita Income (scored out of 30 points). These metrics were totaled to rank the states based on the highest to lowest stress score on a 100-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater vehicle ownership challenges.
Data Sources
- Insurance Research Council Auto Affordability Brief: https://insurance-research.org/sites/default/files/news_releases/IRC%20Auto%20Affordability%20Brief.pdf ;
- NHTSA Database: https://cdan.dot.gov/query ;
- World Population Review Auto Repair Rates: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/auto-repair-rates-by-state ;
- Per capita income (Annual), converted to monthly for the dataset: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/per-capita-income-by-state ;
Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16eAOAO20KJaAkXZFRDVwHC5RiHSTBApNSQtyxfj2yJ4/edit?gid=0#gid=0 ;
Study by: https://www.shookandstone.com/ ;
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal Florida
