Florida FR-44 Insurance FAQs

An FR-44 is a certificate of financial responsibility required by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). It proves you carry auto insurance with liability limits of 100/300/50 — significantly higher than standard state minimums.

The FR-44 is required after a DUI conviction under Florida Statute 627.7275. It is not a separate insurance policy; it is an electronic endorsement filed by your insurance carrier to confirm your active policy meets the mandated limits. Once filed, the DHSMV updates your driving record to reflect compliance.

Under Florida law, FR-44 requires the following liability coverages:

• $100,000 bodily injury per person (10x standard)
• $300,000 bodily injury per accident (15x standard)
• $50,000 property damage liability (5x standard)

These limits (abbreviated as 100/300/50) compare to Florida's standard minimums of 10/20/10. The dramatic increase reflects the state's effort to ensure DUI offenders carry adequate coverage. You must maintain these limits continuously for the entire 3-year filing period.

Both are financial responsibility certificates filed with the state, but they differ significantly:

• FR-44: Required after a DUI/DWI conviction. Demands 100/300/50 liability limits. Used in Florida. Virginia phased out FR-44 in 2020.
• SR-22: Required for non-alcohol-related suspensions (reckless driving, driving without insurance, point accumulation). Only requires standard 10/20/10 minimum limits.

Because FR-44 requires 10x higher liability limits, it costs significantly more. See our full FR-44 vs SR-22 comparison →

Florida requires you to maintain FR-44 coverage continuously for 3 years (36 consecutive months). This period typically begins on the date your driving privileges are reinstated — not the date of your DUI conviction.

The 3-year clock is strict. If your policy lapses even for one day, the counter resets to zero. You will need to purchase a new FR-44 policy and start the entire 3-year period over again. This is why maintaining continuous coverage is critical.

Learn about the DUI license reinstatement process →

FR-44 insurance costs depend on your policy type and driving record:

• Non-owner FR-44: $49 to $75 per month (cheapest option)
• Owner FR-44 (standard): $150 to $250 per month
• Owner FR-44 (full coverage): $250 to $400+ per month
• FR-44 filing fee: $15 to $25 (one-time, charged by the carrier)

Your exact rate depends on your county, age, driving history, vehicle type, and the insurance carrier. Shopping multiple carriers is the single best way to lower your cost. See our cheapest FR-44 rates guide →

A policy lapse is a serious issue. If your FR-44 policy is cancelled or lapses:

• Your insurance company files an FR-46 notice with the DHSMV
• Your license, plates, and registration are suspended immediately
• The 3-year clock resets to zero
• You must pay reinstatement fees ($150 to $500 depending on offense number)
• You must purchase a new FR-44 policy and refile

To avoid a lapse, consider monthly payment plans and set up automatic payments. Even one missed payment can trigger this cascade.

Yes — and it's highly recommended if you don't own a vehicle. A Non-Owner FR-44 policy provides the mandatory 100/300/50 liability coverage when you drive borrowed, rented, or non-owned vehicles.

Because there is no specific vehicle to insure, non-owner policies are 40-60% cheaper than owner policies. This is the most cost-effective way to satisfy your legal obligation and reinstate your Florida license.

Learn more about non-owner FR-44 insurance →

Several carriers write FR-44 policies in Florida:

• Progressive — Competitive rates, monthly payments available
• Dairyland — Specializes in high-risk, non-owner FR-44
• Bristol West — Flexible payment plans
• Gainsco — Budget-friendly non-owner options
• The General — Accepts drivers with prior lapses
• Mercury — Moderate rates for owner policies
• Foremost — Specialty high-risk carrier

Major carriers like State Farm and Allstate generally do not write FR-44 policies. An independent broker can quote all available carriers at once. See our full carrier comparison →

Yes. Monthly payment plans are available from most FR-44 carriers. Typically, you pay a down payment equal to one month's premium, then monthly installments for the remainder of the policy term.

Important: Missing a payment can trigger a policy lapse, which resets your 3-year requirement. Set up automatic payments or payment reminders. Some agents require 6 months upfront — but monthly payment options exist if you know which carriers to ask.

Filing is fully electronic. Once your policy is purchased, your insurance carrier transmits the FR-44 certificate data directly to the Florida DHSMV system. The DHSMV cross-references your Driver's License Number and updates your driving status in real time.

Standard processing is immediate or takes a few hours. You do not need to bring paper forms to a physical DMV office in most cases. Once the filing appears in the DHSMV system, you can proceed with license reinstatement.