Washington County

Washington County Driving Statistics and Analysis

Approximately 21,902 personal and commercial automobiles consider the roads of Washington County their home. All of the vehicles in Washington County account for 0.12% of all the registered cars in the entire state of Florida.

In Washington County, nearly 88% of adult drivers travel to and from work alone, and more than half (52%) of those commutes take more than half an hour to complete.

About 1 in 5 drivers in Florida are uninsured, which means over 4,000 vehicles in Washington County alone could be uninsured or underinsured.

Statistically, about every seventh crash in Washington County is a hit and run.

Motor Vehicle Crashes in Washington County

Washington County’s motor vehicle fatalities statistically occur at a rate of 21.93 per 100,000 automobiles on the road: nearly five fatal crashes yearly.

In 2021, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported 388 crashes in Washington County: 7 fatal crashes, resulting in 7 deaths (including one motorcyclist). Alcohol is determined as the main factor for fatal crashes in Washington County in an estimated 15% of all driving fatalities.

Auto Insurance Analysis

1. Almost 22 thousand registered vehicles in Washington County require some type of insurance coverage. Basic Liability and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage are state-mandated coverage to protect others from damages caused in a vehicular accident. Depending on the vehicle type and usage, the additional required insurance may be: Farm or Commercial Auto, Comprehensive Coverage, Farm or Commercial Transportation, Inland Marine, Private Auto, Ride-sharing Coverage, Short-term Car Insurance, etc.
2. The roads of Washington County are mostly rural. Although vehicles that use rural roads have a lesser chance of getting into a vehicular collision, 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 a 50% increase in the black bear population in the western panhandle region of Florida 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.
3. With 14% of crashes reported as hit-and-run and with 20% of drivers uninsured, Uninsured Driver Coverage is becoming crucially important for Washington County residents.

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

Washington County Housing Statistics and Analysis

Washington County’s 11,155 housing unit market mainly consists of homes inhabited by the owners (at nearly 78%) against renters (22%). This owner-occupied percentage is the highest among its nearby counties, with Holmes County coming in second, with 76% for homeowners against 24% for renters. On the other hand, the highest rate for renters among Washington County’s neighbors is seen in Bay County, with 35% of its homes listed for rent.
Almost 12% of housing units in Washington County encounter various housing problems like plumbing issues, overcrowding, or kitchen problems. In 25% of homes, residents allocate more than half of their salary to housing alone.

Housing Insurance Analysis

1. Over 11 thousand housing units in Washington County require some type of insurance coverage. All the owners of these properties should have at least Homeowners, Condo Insurance, and/or Business Property Insurance (for apartment complexes), to safeguard the underlying financial investment from possible damage or total loss.
2. Washington County has over 2 thousand housing units listed for rent. With this, landlords procure Landlord Insurance, which can cover the property and protect the landlord from possible liability claims that can come from the tenants and their guests.
3. Renters Insurance Renters Insurance is obtained by tenants to protect their valuables from possible damage or total loss. The standard renter’s insurance is cost-effective and usually covers the tenant’s property from loss and damages caused by fire, smoke, water, and vandalism. The landlords in Washington County sometimes require renters insurance before you sign the lease agreement.
   For inquiries and other information about Homeowners, Renters, Condo, Flood, and different types of insurance in Washington 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)

Washington County Health Statistics and Analysis

Nearly 19% of adult residents in Washington County do not have proper health insurance coverage. Compared to its neighbors, Holmes County has the highest uninsured adult rate, at almost 21%, while Jackson County reports the lowest, at just over 17%. In the entire state of Florida, Hendry County has the highest uninsured adult rate, with 35%, while the lowest rate is reported in St. Johns County at a litter under 13%.
Almost 27% of adults (or over 7,000 residents) in Washington County report health problems.
Approximately 35% of residents in Washington County fail to engage in any physical exercise activities, which contributes to why nearly 38% of its residents are considered obese (with a BMI of 30 or more). Compared to its neighbors, Washington County has the highest obesity rate, with Jackson County coming in second at just over 37%, while Bay County reports the lowest obesity rate, at 30%. In the entire state of Florida, the average obesity rate is over 27%.
In 2022, Washington County has 14 health insurers that offer inexpensive and frequently subsidized ACA health insurance on the Florida health marketplace.

Health Insurance Analysis

1. One of the most important insurance coverage is Health Insurance, and over 4,000 residents of Washington County do not have this necessity.
2. Florida State is allowed to sell various types of health insurance and supplemental products, which means it is easier for residents of Florida to purchase the coverage that fits their specific needs (both medically and financially). Some of the available options are 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: Low-income consumers are generally advised to apply for government-funded subsidies if they are unable to acquire health insurance due to unaffordability. This can substantially lower the price of insurance.
4. Short-term Insurance offers an alternative saving path if you do not have pre-existing conditions. (* Some Florida multi-year short-term health insurance plans may cover certain pre-existing conditions after a year or more of coverage).
   Discuss your health insurance needs with a knowledgeable state-licensed Florida health insurance professional with access to a variety of health insurance plans available to Washington County residents. 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.

Washington County End of Life Statistics and Analysis

Washington County residents have an average life span of 72.5 years, which is significantly shorter than the statewide average of 80 years, and the lowest among its nearby counties. The longest average life expectancy within Washington County’s immediate area is observed in Walton County, with 78.8 years, followed by Bay County, with 76.4 years.
In the entire state of Florida, Collier County reports the longest life span, at 86 years, while Union County has the shortest, at under 69 years.
In 2022 there were approximately 4,500 seniors (65 and older) resided in Washington County.

Life Insurance Facts

1. Roughly 47% of Americans did not have an active life insurance policy of any type in 2022.
2. Age is the basis of life insurance when the policy begins, among other factors, which means the earlier you avail of life insurance, the more money you will save in premiums over the course of the policy.
3. Around 29% of adults in Washington County smoke, and this type of fixation will surely increase the life insurance premiums of more than 6 thousand adults who may have to pay by up to 4 times compared to residents who do not smoke. A smoker’s life tends to be shorter, making them more of a risk than non-smokers.
4. Permanent Life Insurance also has a cash value component, which can be used while the insured is still alive: to borrow against, for emergency expenses, or as a tax-free retirement income.

Washington County Funeral Expenses Statistics and Analysis

The average funeral cost in Washington is around $5,300, which is more cost-effective than the Florida average of $5,900. Compared to Washington County’s neighbors, Walton County is similar to Washington County’s average, while Holmes County and Jackson County both have an average funeral price of $5,200.
Across Florida, DeSoto County and Putnam County have the least expensive funeral costs averaging at $4,600. While Collier County has the most expensive figure at $9,600.

Life Insurance Analysis

1. Approximately 46% of Americans die with a savings of no more than $10,000, which means senior residents in Washington County could be placing an unneeded financial burden on their families and loved ones. Family members will have no time to griever their loss as they will need to settle the unpaid funeral costs.
   (Note: If using senior life insurance as payment for the funeral services, most funeral homes require the policy to be “assignable”)
2. The departed usually leaves unpaid taxes and other debts, which the family needs to take care of, besides the burial costs. Discuss your senior life insurance options with licensed Florida professionals.
3. Term Life Insurance and Final Expense Insurance are the most utilized life insurance policies that cover “final expenses” for up to $50,000.
4. The most normally used life insurance policies to leave money to the family are the variations of: Term Life Insurance and Cash Value Insurance, Whole Life Insurance, Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Insurance, and Final Expense (FE).
5. The most commonly used life insurance policies to leave money to the family are the variations of: Term Life Insurance and Cash Value insurance, such as Whole Life insurance, Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance, and Final Expense.
   To find out more about life insurance options and to get life insurance quotes in Washington County, speak with a knowledgeable state-licensed and experienced life insurance professional who has access to multiple insurers and plan types for comparison.

Washington County - Business

Commercial insurance differs between each of the nearly 500 thousand business establishments in Washington County. The three largest job-creating sectors, accounting for over 63.9% of all employment in the county in 2020 were:

• Government (30.5%)
• Trade, Transportation and Utilities (17.8%)
• Education & Health Services (15.6%)

Commercial Insurance Analysis

1. Health providers usually get medical malpractice coverage according to the amount of damage their work can cause to the patients.
2. 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.
   Evaluate your business insurance needs and get a commercial insurance quote in Washington County by speaking with a knowledgeable commercial insurance agent licensed in Florida who has access to multiple insurers and premium finance options. Always try to compare at least 2 or 3 options before deciding on the coverage.