FR-44 insurance in Florida
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An FR-44 form is required documentation available in Florida that proves a driver’s financial reasonability. While the form itself is not a car insurance policy, an FR-44 certificate verifies to the state that you meet the necessary car insurance requirements needed to drive legally. Typically, drivers need an FR-44 to regain their driving privileges after a license suspension or if they were convicted of a serious traffic violation like a DUI.
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
An FR-44 is only available in Florida and Virginia, however, other states use SR-22 and SR-50 forms for a similar purpose.
What is “FR-44 insurance?”
Simply put, an FR-44 is proof of insurance. A judge may order you to have an FR-44, or you may receive a letter in the mail, indicating that you are required to have the form (and corresponding level of insurance) before your license can be reinstated. In either case, this may be because you were recently convicted of a DUI, committed another serious traffic violation or caught driving without car insurance.
To satisfy an FR-44 requirement, you must have your insurance company send proof of coverage to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). There may be a fee involved, but other than that, getting an FR-44 is considered a straightforward process.
Drivers who do not own a car and are not listed on an active insurance policy may need to find a Florida car insurance company that can file an FR-44 for a non-owner policy. A non-owner policy provides liability coverage that follows the driver, not the vehicle. Depending on the provider and the severity of your conviction, you may be unable to qualify for insurance from a traditional or local provider and may need to seek out a company that specializes in insuring high-risk drivers.
FR-44 vs. SR-22
FR-44s and SR-22s are very similar. Both require drivers to submit verification to the FLHSMV that they are carrying the mandated amount of minimum car insurance. Both are implemented after a serious traffic violation, such as a DUI, but there are a couple of key differences between the two forms.
FR-44s are only used in Virginia and Florida. However, if you’re from another state, you may still need an FR-44 if a Virginia or Florida judge orders you to have one. If you don’t comply, you could lose your license and registration. Since Florida typically uses the form FR-44 for severe infractions, SR-22 is still available for minor violations. The biggest difference between the two forms is that FR-44s require you to purchase coverage limits much higher than the minimum liability limit in the state. Florida drivers who must satisfy the insurance requirements of an FR-44 for infractions dated after October 1, 2007, must carry the following liability coverage limits:
- $100,000 per person for bodily injury liability
- $300,000 per accident for bodily injury liability
- $50,000 per accident for property damage liability
- Or $350,000 combined single limit (CSL) liability
Florida requirements for an SR-22 are for a 10/20/10 policy, so the FR-44 dramatically increases the amount of insurance you need.
FR-44 Florida insurance costs
The cost to file an FR-44 varies between insurance companies. You will see this fee assessed on your insurance policy when obtaining the FR-44 and again at every renewal during the filing period. Compared to the cost of upgrading an existing policy or obtaining one for the first time as a high-risk driver, the FR-44 cost itself is nominal.
The secondary cost of an FR-44 is in the required amount of insurance you will need to have. The cost for minimum coverage insurance is generally much lower than the required limits of 100/300/50. Exactly how much you’ll pay will depend on a variety of factors. Another factor is how much you will pay in fees to have a suspended license reinstated. Fees that you may have to pay can include, but not be limited to, the following:
| Fee type | Fee amount |
|---|---|
| Administrative fee for alcohol and drug related expenses | $130 |
| Suspensions | $45 |
| Reinstatement fees | $150 – $500 for subsequent violations |
| DUI program fee | $15 |
The true costs associated with an FR-44 revolve around the reason it was implemented in the first place. If you were convicted of a DUI, it would be your DUI conviction on your record that effectively increases the average cost of your auto insurance premium the most through policy surcharges and not the FR-44 itself.
DUI convictions can be an indication to insurance companies of repeated or other forms of high-risk driving behavior. Drinking and driving is still a significant contributing cause of death on America’s roadways, which also correlates to a high volume of insurance claims each year. Because of this, drivers with a DUI conviction who need an FR-44 may find higher insurance premiums unavoidable.
Frequently asked questions
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The general amount of time most drivers are required to have an FR-44 is three years. However, you may be required to have it for a longer period of time if you commit another offense, or if it’s not your first DUI. Once the filing period is up, let your insurance agent know. They will file an SR-26 with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to cancel the FR-44.
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You will need to contact your insurance provider and tell them you need an FR-44 form sent to the FLHSMV to verify your insurance satisfies the requirements laid out in the FR-44 form. If you don’t have a provider, you will need to find one that is willing to insure you and will issue FR-44 forms (not all providers do). Many national providers may ask if you need this form when you are applying for a quote.
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While the term SR-22 insurance is common vernacular, both SR-22 and FR-44 forms are considered proof of insurance and are not car insurance policies. Also, the state does not charge for SR-22 or FR-44 filings with the FLHSMV, but insurance companies do. The filing fee costs vary between insurance companies, so it’s best to check with them on the pricing. Forms must be submitted to the FKHSMV at every renewal during the filing period.
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Virginia is the only other state that issues FR-44s. Most states use SR-22s instead without requiring drivers to purchase more protection than standard state minimum liability limits. Keep in mind that even if you move to another state, the requirements set forth by the Florida FR-44 will likely remain for the duration of the judge- or state-ordered FR-44 mandate.
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The driving activity behind requiring an FR-44 usually involves high-risk driving behavior and surcharge points added to any insurance policy you might acquire. While cheap car insurance may not be an option, there are always ways to find a cheaper policy. Shop early and get quotes from several different insurance companies that offer FR-44 forms. If the premiums with standard insurers seem unaffordable, look into coverage with non-standard carriers specializing in high-risk drivers, such as The General, National General, or Bristol West, to name a few. By taking advantage of available car insurance discounts and avoiding tickets and accidents going forward, you may be able to offset higher insurance premiums.
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