3 years of content writing
Bylines with leading financial publications
Alani is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance. She aims to make complex topics more approachable through fun, digestible content.
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15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated November 20, 2024
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If you’ve committed a severe traffic violation in Florida, the state or your local court system may require you to file an FR-44 or SR-22 form to reinstate your license. Though not technically insurance policies, SR-22 and FR-44 certificates prove to the state that you’ve purchased the minimum required liability coverage.
Florida requires high-risk drivers to provide proof of insurance. This is your documentation showing your insurance company will pay for the other party’s medical expenses and vehicle damages if you cause an accident.
Florida and Virginia are the only states that require FR-44 insurance.
Used for more serious traffic violations like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, FR-44s require more insurance than the Florida state minimum liability coverage.
If required to have one, you must file an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate with the state for three consecutive years in Florida.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Florida
If you have major traffic violations and frequent accidents on your record, you might struggle to find affordable FR-44 or SR-22 insurance. But you can find a company with rates that work with your budget by shopping around and considering several insurers.
The following table shows average monthly quotes from some of the cheapest insurance companies in Florida for SR-22 coverage.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $92 | $75 |
GEICO | $95 | $76 |
Allstate | $160 | $129 |
Mile Auto | $163 | $126 |
Travelers | $191 | $155 |
Safeco | $206 | $197 |
Mercury | $211 | $170 |
Progressive | $295 | $201 |
Infinity | $301 | $214 |
National General | $321 | $307 |
GAINSCO | $344 | $248 |
Direct Auto | $345 | $178 |
Foremost | $348 | $230 |
Bristol West | $390 | $273 |
Dairyland | $434 | $250 |
AssuranceAmerica | $467 | $280 |
The General | $481 | $338 |
What is SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Florida, and when do you need it?
High-risk drivers may have to file either an SR-22 or FR-44. A person may need to file an SR-22 in response to several factors, while an FR-44 filing is always the result of a DUI conviction.
Below, you’ll learn more about these important, and sometimes necessary, filings.
When to file an SR-22
SR-22 insurance isn’t an insurance policy on its own. It’s a certificate that proves you’re carrying at least the mandatory minimum coverage required in Florida. You may also hear an SR-22 form referred to as a certificate of financial responsibility.
Your insurer will file your SR-22 form with the state once you’ve purchased at least 10/20/10 coverage. This means you must carry at least:
$10,000 in bodily injury/death coverage for one person
$20,000 in bodily injury/death coverage for two or more people
$10,000 in property damage coverage per incident
An SR-22 filing can be a requirement as part of a court proceeding, and you may need an SR-22 filed on your behalf if you:
Are in an accident while driving without insurance or you cause several accidents
Have driven under the influence
Fail to pay child support
Record several repeat or serious driving offenses
Are seeking to reinstate your license after suspension or revocation
When to file an FR-44
An FR-44 provides proof of coverage, similar to an SR-22, but an FR-44 is only filed if you’re convicted of a DUI. Only Florida and Virginia use FR-44 filings.
Like the SR-22, your insurer will file your FR-44 after you purchase coverage that meets the mandatory minimum requirements. But these minimum requirements are much higher for an FR-44, and you must carry:
$100,000 in bodily injury/death coverage for one person
$300,000 in bodily injury/death coverage for two or more people
$50,000 in property damage coverage per incident
How to get SR-22 insurance in Florida
If you need to get SR-22 insurance due to a court mandate, it’s best to do so quickly before the deadline expires. To get your SR-22 filing completed, you must:
Contact your insurer to begin the filing process. It’s important to note that not all insurers will file an SR-22 on your behalf, so if your insurer doesn’t handle filing an SR-22, you’ll need to find a new insurer.
Pay the filing fee. Your insurer will charge you a fee to file your SR-22. This fee is usually $15–$50.
Get your confirmation. After your insurance company has filed the form, you’ll need to wait for the department of motor vehicles to process the request. This generally takes about two weeks, though electronic filings can be faster.
How long are SR-22 and FR-44 insurance required in Florida?
FR-44 and SR-44 filing requirements vary by state, but drivers in Florida must typically carry FR-44 and SR-22 insurance consecutively for three years.
Your insurance company must inform Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles if you cancel your policy or if your coverage lapses before your filing requirement ends. You may then face re-suspension that requires another three years of filing.
How much is SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Florida?
If you have an SR-22 or FR-44 mandate in Florida, you can expect to spend $15–$50 to file your certificate. You may also have to pay up to $75 to reinstate your driver’s license, up to $225 to reinstate your vehicle registration, and other fees.
Drivers with an SR-22 or FR-44 requirement also tend to pay more for insurance than drivers with clean records. The cost of your high-risk insurance varies depending on the city you live in, insurance company, claim history, age, and other rating factors.
Cheapest insurance companies in Florida with SR-22 and FR-44 by city
If you have major traffic violations and frequent accidents on your record, you might struggle to find affordable FR-44 or SR-22 insurance. But you can find a company with rates that work with your budget by shopping around and considering several insurers.
The following table shows average monthly quotes for liability coverage with an SR-22 form in cities throughout Florida.
City Name ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|
Panama City | $124 |
Gainesville | $132 |
Melbourne | $137 |
Cape Coral | $142 |
Sarasota | $144 |
Pensacola | $145 |
Ocala | $146 |
Fort Myers | $150 |
Palm Bay | $150 |
Tallahassee | $150 |
Naples | $153 |
Daytona Beach | $160 |
Jacksonville | $164 |
Lakeland | $165 |
Davenport | $171 |
Winter Haven | $172 |
Jupiter | $174 |
Spring Hill | $177 |
Clearwater | $181 |
Orlando | $185 |
Apopka | $186 |
Saint Petersburg | $199 |
Riverview | $214 |
Fort Lauderdale | $223 |
Pompano Beach | $232 |
West Palm Beach | $239 |
Miami | $240 |
Tampa | $256 |
Cheapest recent rates in Florida for drivers with an SR-22
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $75/mo for liability only and $92/mo for full coverage in Florida.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
How SR-22 and FR-44 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Florida
Needing to file an FR-44 or SR-22 form can cause insurance companies to view you as a risky driver. Therefore, people with FR-44 or SR-22 requirements may pay significantly higher rates than drivers without. Some insurers may even refuse you coverage.
You can try to offset the effect of either form on your rates by taking the following actions:
Compare insurance rates
Some insurance companies have less stringent underwriting standards for high-risk drivers. Shop around annually to find the best car insurance rates with a company that will insure SR-22 or FR-44 drivers.
Maintain a clean driving record
Frequent instances of reckless driving cause your premiums to increase and may even result in an insurer terminating your coverage. You can counteract high marks on your driving record by practicing safe driving.
Improve your credit
Insurance companies use your credit history to determine your likelihood of filing a claim. Keeping your credit record strong indicates financial responsibility.
Seek discounts
You may qualify for discounts unrelated to your driving record, including loyalty, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, membership, safety feature, and pay-in-full discounts.
Florida SR-22 and FR-44 insurance FAQs
Depending on your recent driving history, you may need to file an SR-22 or FR-44 form with the state to prove you have the minimum required insurance. Here’s some additional information about both insurance forms.
How do you know if you need SR-22 or FR-44?
A court mandate will require you to file an SR-22 or FR-44. If you face such an order, it’s important to make your filing quickly to meet the required deadline listed in the mandate.
Are there any fees with SR-22 or FR-44 insurance?
Yes. You can expect to spend $15–$50 to file your SR-22 or FR-44. You may also have to pay up to $75 to reinstate your driver’s license and up to $225 to reinstate your vehicle registration.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
Car insurance rates can increase dramatically after an SR-22 or FR-44 filing. But the cause of these elevated rates is the action that led to the SR-22 or FR-44 filing in the first place, not the filing itself. For example, the average rate for liability car insurance in Florida is $157 per month. And if you have a DUI on your record, which can result in an SR-22 or FR-44 filing, you could pay around $238 per month for liability coverage.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Florida?
You have to maintain SR-22 or FR-44 insurance in Florida for three years. A DUI will remain on your motor vehicle record for 75 years, which can affect the cost of your car insurance and the availability of companies willing to insure you.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Florida?
You must wait three years before removing an SR-22 or FR-44 from your record. You can prevent needing to file either form for longer by avoiding another traffic violation or a lapse in your coverage.
What happens to your SR-22 in Florida if you move?
You must submit an FR-44 or SR-22 form in your new state. Remember, if you discontinue your coverage with an SR-22 filed, your insurance company must report the cancellation to your state. Because your driver's license is at risk of further suspension, you may have to restart the process when you decide to reinstate your license.
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Alani Asis is a personal finance freelance writer with nearly three years of experience in content creation. She has landed bylines with leading publications and brands like Insider, Fortune, LendingTree, and more. Alani aims to make personal finance approachable through fun, relatable, and digestible content.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.