Gilchrist County

Gilchrist County Driving Statistics and Analysis

An estimated 15,899 personal and commercial automobiles consider the roads of Gilchrist County their home. All the vehicles in this county constitute around 0.09% of all the registered vehicles in Florida.

Nearly 74% of adult drivers in Gilchrist County travel to and from work alone, and just over 50% of those commutes take more than half an hour to complete.

It is estimated that 20% of Florida drivers are uninsured, which could mean around 3,200 vehicles may be uninsured or underinsured in Gilchrist County.

Nearly 1 in 6 crashes in Gilchrist County are reported as a hit-and-run.

Motor Vehicle Crashes in Gilchrist County

Automobile fatalities in Gilchrist County statistically occur at a rate of 28.47 per 100,000 vehicles on the road: nearly 5 fatal crashes per year.

In 2021, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported 207 crashes in Gilchrist County: 3 fatal crashes, resulting in 3 deaths. Alcohol is determined as the main factor for the fatal crashes in Gilchrist County in an estimated 47% of all driving fatalities.

Auto Insurance Analysis

1. Almost 16 thousand vehicles registered in Gilchrist County need some type of insurance coverage. It all depends on the type of vehicle and usage. Some of the available options for auto insurance are Farm or Commercial Transportation, Farm or Commercial Auto, Comprehensive Coverage, Inland Marine, Gap Coverage, etc. On the other hand, basic Liability and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) are required by Florida law for all vehicles on the road. Getting caught driving without one will warrant a fine. Repeat offenders may have their vehicles impounded and/or their driver’s licenses revoked.
2. Over 8 thousand drivers commuting daily is one of the reasons why auto premium costs in Gilchrist County tend to be higher, compared with less densely populated counties. Everyone driving a separate vehicle means that there are more vehicles on the road, which increases the likelihood of a collision. Risk goes up, so do the premium prices.
3. The majority of roads in Gilchrist County are rural. Although vehicles that utilize rural roads are less susceptible to vehicular collisions, wildlife-vehicle collisions are more likely to happen — this is especially true for Florida with its diverse ecosystem, where animals (such as deer, black bears, alligators, and various birds) frequently cross the road. According to a study reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), there has been an increase in the black bear population in the Big Bend region from 2002 to 2015, making rural road crossings more likely. Although Personal Injury Protection coverage can cover your medical expenses and loss of income, having Comprehensive auto insurance will help with the cost of repairing the car after hitting an animal.
4. With 20% of both uninsured drivers and crashes reported as a hit-and-run, Uninsured Driver Coverage is becoming increasingly important for Gilchrist County residents.

To learn more about your auto insurance and to find affordable car insurance in Gilchrist County, contact a Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance agent licensed in the state of Florida.

Gilchrist County Housing Statistics and Analysis

Approximately 7,896 housing units in Gilchrist County are made up mainly of homeowner-occupied properties, at a rate of 83% versus 17% for Renters. Among the nearby counties of Gilchrist County, the highest owner-occupied rate is in Lafayette County, at 84%. In comparison, Alachua County has the lowest owner-occupied rate of 55%, which means every other residence is a rental. The average owner-inhabited rate in the state of Florida is 65%.
Nearly 12% of housing units in Gilchrist County encounter housing problems like overcrowding, plumbing problems, or kitchen issues. An estimated 25% of homes where residents allocate more than half of their salary to housing alone.

Housing Insurance Analysis

1. Gilchrist County has nearly 8 thousand housing units that need insurance coverage. All owners of these properties should have at least Homeowners, Condo Insurance, and/or Business Property Insurance (for apartment complexes). This insurance coverage can safeguard the underlying financial investment from the possibility of damages or even loss.
2. Landlords purchase Landlord Insurance to cover the property from possible liability claims that can arise from the tenants and their guests.
3. Tenants are generally advised to purchase Renters Insurance coverage to protect their property from possible damage or loss. The average cost of renters insurance is affordable and usually covers the tent’s property from theft and damages caused by smoke, fire, water, and/or vandalism. Renters Insurance may also be one of the conditions included in the lease to some landlords in Gilchrist County.
   For inquiries and other information about Homeowners, Renters, Condo, Flood, and different types of insurance in Gilchrist County, contact a Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance agent licensed in the state of Florida.
   A Florida P&C insurance agent:

• Examines your needs and limitations
• Examines your current policy to ensure that the coverages reflect the housing market's current requirements and help update if needed
• Reviews the local plans that meet your requirements and is generally able to discover a better offer than a customer might get on their own
• Checks for available savings and bundling discount
• Lays out available options of coverage
• Describes the effect of the different options once the insurance policy becomes active
• Helps you with the process of application
• Does not influence your cost of insurance (Agent’s service is usually paid by the insurer)

Gilchrist County Health Statistics and Analysis

Roughly 19% of Gilchrist County residents (under 65 years old) do not have proper health insurance coverage, and the same can be said for the statewide average in Florida. Looking at the counties in its region, Lafayette County has the highest adult uninsured rate with 23%, while Alachua County has the lowest with at 13%. The highest uninsured adult rate in the entire state of Florida is in Hendry County, with 35%, while the lowest rate is reported in St. Johns County, at under 13%. In 2021, the average adult uninsured rate in Florida was around 19.2%.
Nearly 24% in Gilchrist County experience problems with their health. Additionally, 35% of its residents do not participate in any physical exercise activities, which may contribute to why almost 38% of the Gilchrist County population are considered obese (with a BMI of 30 or more). Among its peer counties, the highest obesity rate is located in Suwannee County, with roughly 39%, while the lowest obesity rate is observed in Alachua County, with 27%
In 2022, there were 14 health insurers in Gilchrist County offering affordable and frequently subsidized ACA health insurance on the Florida health marketplace.

Health Insurance Analysis

1. Even though health insurance is the most important insurance coverage, more than 3 thousand residents of Gilchrist County do not have this necessity.
2. Florida is among the states that allow the sale of multiple types of health insurance and supplemental products. This makes it easier for Gilchrist County residents to obtain coverage that fits their specific needs (both medically and financially): Marketplace ACA health insurance, various types of Short Term insurance (up to 3 years in coverage), Hospital Indemnity, Accident & Health, etc.
3. Low-income health insurance: If low-income consumers are unable to purchase health insurance due to unaffordability, they are advised to apply for government subsidies to lower its costs.
4. Short-term Insurance may provide another way to save money if you do not have a pre-existing condition. (*Some Florida multi-year short-term health insurance plans may cover certain pre-existing conditions after a year or more of coverage)
   Explore your insurance needs with a knowledgeable state-licensed Florida health insurance professional with access to various health insurance plans available in Gilchrist County. Offerings of health insurance coverage and its pricing may differ between zip codes.
   A Florida health insurance agent: analyzes your needs and restrictions, researches the locally available plans that fit your needs, provides you with the available options of coverage, and explains how the differences between the options affect you once you start using each insurance product. The agent assists you with the application process and at any time you need to make a change to the policy or shop for replacement coverage.

Gilchrist County End of Life Statistics and Analysis

The average lifespan for residents in Gilchrist County is 76.9 years, which is shorter than the Florida average of 80 years. Comparing to Gilchrist County’s neighbors, Alachua County has the longest life expectancy at 79.1 years, while Columbia County, Levy County, and Dixie County are tied at just over 75 years. In the entire state of Florida, Collier County has the longest expected life span, at 86 years, while the lowest life span in Florida is seen in Union County, at under 69 years old.
Almost 4,000 seniors (65 and older) lived in Gilchrist County in 2022.

Life Insurance Facts:

1. In 2022, 47% of Americans did not have an active life insurance policy of any type.
2. Life insurance premiums are based on the insured's age when the policy begins, among other factors. You can save more money in the long run if you get a life insurance policy at a younger age.
3. Approximately 26% of the adults in Gilchrist County are smokers. This habit will likely affect the life insurance costs of these adults who may have to pay by up to 4 times compared to non-smokers. A smoker’s life expectancy is deemed shorter, making them more of a risk than people who do not smoke.
4. Aside from the death benefit, Cash Value life insurance can be used for Living Benefits by the insured while they are still alive, to borrow against it, or used as a source of tax-free retirement income.

Gilchrist County - Funeral Expenses Statistics and Analysis

The average funeral expense in Gilchrist County is reported at around $6,000, which is the highest average cost within its region. Compared to Gilchrist Count’s neighbors, Levy County’s $5,900 average funeral price closely follows as second, while Suwannee County has the most cost-effective funerals at $5,000. The average funeral cost in the entire state of Florida is around $5,900.
Statewide, Collier County tends to have the most expensive funerals at about $9,600, while Putnam County and DeSoto County have the lowest, both closer to $4,600.

Life Insurance Analysis

1. An average of 46% of Americans pass away with no more than $10,000 in savings, which means that seniors (65 and older) could be placing an additional financial burden of funeral costs on their families. They may have no time to mourn their loss as they need to settle the funeral cost first.
   (Note: If using life insurance as payment for the funeral services, most funeral homes require the policy to be “assignable.”)
2. Family members may also need to settle the unpaid taxes and other debts of the deceased aside from the burial cost. Discuss your senior life insurance options with licensed Florida professionals.
3. Term Life Insurance and Final Expense (FE) Insurance are the most used life insurance policies that can cover “final expenses” for up to $50,000.
4. The most commonly used life insurance policies to help the deceased family financially are Term Life Insurance and variations of Permanent (Cash Value) Life Insurance: Whole, Indexed Universal Life, and others.
   To find out more about life insurance options and to get life insurance quotes in Gilchrist County, speak with a knowledgeable state-licensed and experienced life insurance professional who has access to multiple insurers and plan types for comparison.

Gilchrist County - Business

Commercial insurance needs vary between each of the nearly 400 business establishments in Gilchrist County. The three largest job-creating sectors, accounting for over 52% of all employment in the county in 2020, were:

• Government (29.2%)
• Natural Resource & Mining (11.9%)
• Trade, Transportation and Utilities (10.6%)

Commercial Insurance Analysis

Retail businesses typically insure all business-owned or leased property and the employees. Besides that, every customer-facing operation typically requires liability insurance, in case the visitor gets hurt on the premises or by using the product. If the business stores and transports goods, it needs inventory insurance is inland marine coverage.
To assess your business insurance needs and to get a commercial insurance quote in Gilchrist County, speak with a knowledgeable Florida-licensed commercial insurance agent with access to multiple insurers and premium finance options. Always try to compare at least 2 or 3 options before deciding on the coverage.