Orlando Harmon
If you've been convicted of a DUI or other serious driving violation in Florida, you may be required to obtain an FR44 certificate to reinstate your license. An FR44 form is a document of financial responsibility, proving that you've purchased car insurance. It is used only in Florida and Virginia and is generally required for people with severe driving offenses. The FR44 form has stricter insurance requirements than the more common SR22 form, and it is used for more severe driving offenses, resulting in higher liability coverage requirements.
The cost of filing an FR44 form varies between insurance companies, but it is typically between $15 and $25. However, your car insurance costs will also increase due to the higher liability coverage requirements and insurers considering you a riskier driver.
Several insurance companies in Florida offer FR44 insurance, including:
- Mercury Insurance Company
- Infinity Insurance Company
- Foremost Insurance Group Company
- Progressive Insurance Company
- National General Insurance Company
- United Auto Insurance Company
- DairyLand
- Allstate
- GEICO
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Companies offering FR44 insurance in Florida | Mercury Insurance Company, Infinity Insurance Company, Foremost Insurance Group Company, Progressive Insurance Company, National General Insurance Company, United Auto Insurance Company, Travelers Insurance Company, DairyLand, Allstate, GEICO |
| Minimum liability 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 |
| Average cost of FR44 insurance in Florida | $1,309 a year, or $109 a month |
| Filing fee | $15 to $50 |
| Reinstatement fee | $150 to $500 |
| Other fees | Interlock ignition device fee |
What You'll Learn
FR44 vs SR22 insurance
SR22 and FR44 are both certificates of financial responsibility, not types of insurance policies. They verify that the policyholder meets the state-mandated insurance requirements. SR22 insurance is available in all states, whereas FR44 insurance is used exclusively in Florida and Virginia.
SR22 insurance is a certificate of financial responsibility that is attached to an auto policy. Your insurance company will notify your state's DMV that you are insured. The SR22 certificate is available for drivers who have lost their driving privileges due to various reasons, including driving under the influence, failure to produce insurance coverage, driving without a license, and excessive speeding tickets.
FR44 insurance is required for reinstating a driver's license following a DUI or DWI conviction. Your auto insurance company files this certificate with your state's DMV on your behalf. In Florida, if you are convicted of DUI or driving under the influence of drugs or other intoxicants, you must maintain FR44 insurance for three years before your license can be reinstated.
The main difference between SR22 and FR44 insurance is the level of coverage and the types of violations they cover. FR44 insurance is generally required for more serious violations, such as DUI and DWI offenses, and has higher liability coverage requirements than SR22. FR44 insurance premiums are typically double the cost of SR22 insurance.
In terms of minimum liability coverage, SR22 insurance typically requires coverage of 10/20/10 or 25/50/20, depending on the state. On the other hand, FR44 insurance has higher minimum liability coverage requirements, such as 100/300/50 in Florida and 50/100/40 in Virginia.
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FR44 insurance costs
The cost of FR44 insurance in Florida is influenced by various factors, including the driver's age, gender, location, driving record, and the company they choose to insure with. Here is an in-depth look at the costs associated with FR44 insurance:
The FR44 Form Cost
The FR44 form itself typically costs between $15 and $25 to file, which is a relatively small expense compared to the overall cost of FR44 insurance.
Increased Insurance Premiums
The most significant cost associated with FR44 insurance is the increase in insurance premiums. After a DUI or other serious violation, insurance companies consider drivers to be high-risk and charge higher rates. The increase in premiums can be several hundred dollars more per year compared to standard insurance policies. For example, the average cost of minimum coverage FR44 insurance in Florida is $318 per month, according to ValuePenguin.
Higher Liability Coverage Limits
FR44 insurance in Florida requires drivers to have higher liability coverage limits than the state's minimum requirements. The minimum coverage limits for FR44 insurance in Florida are typically $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $50,000 per accident for property damage liability. These higher coverage limits can significantly increase the cost of insurance.
Upfront Payment Requirements
When obtaining FR44 insurance in Florida, drivers may be required to pay for at least six months of coverage upfront. This can be a substantial expense, especially when combined with the higher insurance premiums.
Insurance Reinstatement Fee
In addition to the above costs, drivers with a DUI conviction in Florida must also pay an insurance reinstatement fee, which can range from $150 to $500. This fee is separate from the insurance premiums and the FR44 form cost.
Shopping for FR44 Insurance in Florida
To find the most affordable FR44 insurance in Florida, it is essential to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. Some companies may offer more competitive rates for drivers with a DUI or other serious violations. It is also worth exploring specialist insurance companies that cater to high-risk drivers. Additionally, taking advantage of available discounts, such as those for paying the annual bill in full or signing up for automatic payments, can help reduce the overall cost of FR44 insurance.
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How to get an FR44
An FR44 is a document that proves you have the proper car insurance coverage. It is not an insurance policy but a form that is required after a major violation to prove that you have car insurance that meets the requirements. An FR44 is required when you have been convicted of a serious traffic violation or been caught driving without car insurance.
To get an FR44, you will need to contact your car insurer as they will submit the form to the state after you purchase the required amount of car insurance. Your insurer will submit the form to your local DMV, which will then reinstate your driver's license. The fee to file an FR44 is typically between $15 and $25, although some sources state it can be up to $50.
If you do not own a vehicle, you will need to purchase a non-owner car insurance policy. This provides liability coverage up to the policy limits but doesn't offer coverages such as collision or comprehensive coverage. Your insurer will file an FR44 with the non-owners policy, which should allow you to get your license reinstated.
It is important to note that if you fail to pay for your coverage or let the policy lapse for any reason, your insurer will revoke the FR44 and inform the DMV, which will then suspend your license again.
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How long you need an FR44 for
An FR44 is typically required for three years, starting from the date when your driver's license is reinstated following a suspension. This duration can vary based on the reason for your FR44 requirement and the number of convictions you have. If you have multiple convictions, you may have an extended requirement of up to four years. Offenses beyond the fourth could result in even longer requirements.
It's important to maintain continuous coverage with no lapses during the entire period. A lapse in coverage could lead to further legal or licensing issues, and your license will likely be suspended again. If your policy lapses, you may have three additional years added to your requirement.
When your FR44 requirement ends, you can shop around for new insurance quotes. If you've remained violation-free, you'll likely be able to find much lower rates.
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FR44 insurance without a vehicle
If you don't own a car in Florida but need an FR44 insurance filing, you can obtain a non-owner FR44 insurance policy. This type of insurance is designed for people who don't own a car, don't have a car titled in their name, and don't have a car available for regular use, but still need an FR44 filing to keep their license or lift a suspension. Non-owner FR44 insurance is typically less expensive than traditional auto policies because they offer less coverage.
A non-owner insurance policy may go by different names depending on the location and carrier, such as a broad form non-owner policy, a non-owner insurance policy, or a named non-owner policy. In Florida, you may be required to have non-owner FR44 insurance if you've received a DUI and don't own a vehicle. This ensures that you have coverage in case you injure someone or cause property damage while driving a non-owned vehicle.
When you want to reinstate your license after a DUI conviction and don't own a vehicle, you'll need a Florida non-owner FR44 certificate. To continue driving during a DUI license suspension, non-owner FR44 insurance must be maintained without any lapse. The FR44 form is attached to a non-owner insurance policy and filed with the state DMV by an insurance provider. The minimum liability requirements for Florida non-owner FR44 policies are $100,000 bodily injury coverage per person, $300,000 bodily injury coverage per accident, and $50,000 property damage coverage.
Florida non-owner FR44 policies have a six-month term that must be paid in full. You'll typically need to have an FR44 for at least three years in Florida before you can get a standard car insurance policy. During this period, if your policy lapses or is canceled, your license will likely be suspended again, and you'll have to pay a fee to have it reinstated.
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Frequently asked questions
FR44 insurance is a form that your auto insurer files with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to prove you have the required amount of liability coverage after a serious conviction.
Drivers in Florida who have been convicted of a DUI or other serious driving violations may need FR44 insurance.
The cost of FR44 insurance varies depending on the insurance company and the driver's history. On average, it costs $1,309 per year or $109 per month for a policy with minimum coverage.
You will need to contact your insurance agent to have them send an FR44 form to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. If you don't have insurance, you will need to obtain a policy to fulfil your FR44 requirement.
In some cases, drivers in Florida may be required to file an SR-22 form instead of an FR44. This is typically for less severe violations, such as having too many points on their license or getting into an accident while uninsured.
