Switch car insurance from Washington to Florida

Keep Washington registration-supported coverage active while the vehicle is still recorded there.

FLHSMV says to get insurance from a Florida insurance agent licensed to sell insurance in Florida in order to title and register, so have Florida coverage in place before the vehicle visit.

Title and register through a county tax collector or motor vehicle service center within 10 days of establishing Florida residency, with Florida insurance in place first; the driver license is due within 30 days. Do not wait for the license to start the vehicle transaction. FLHSMV says you may be considered a resident when you start employment in Florida, enroll your children in Florida public schools, register to vote, file for a homestead exemption, or live in Florida for more than six consecutive months.

After the destination registration is active, remove or invalidate the Washington month and year tabs and bend regular plates so they cannot be mistaken for valid plates. Recycle them where accepted or mail or take them to a vehicle licensing office. Washington requires listed personalized, disabled, collector, and other special plates to be returned rather than recycled.

Confirm effective dates with both insurers after the old registration is safely closed.