FR44 Insurance After a Florida DUI: What You Actually Need to Do

You got a DUI in Florida. The court said you need FR44 insurance. You’ve never heard of FR44. Your insurance agent just told you they don’t offer it. Now what?

This is the guide you need — written by the FR44 specialists who process thousands of these filings every year. No fluff. Just the steps, the costs, and the traps to avoid.

Step 1: Understand What You’re Required to File

Florida requires FR44 for two specific situations:

• DUI conviction — any DUI, first offense or multiple
• Refusal to submit to a breath/blood/urine test — even without a conviction, refusal triggers the FR44 requirement administratively

The FR44 is NOT insurance. It’s a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company files with the Florida DHSMV. It proves you carry higher liability limits than the state minimum. You need an insurance policy that qualifies for FR44 filing — not all insurers will do it.

Step 2: Know Your FR44 Coverage Limits

Coverage Type	Standard Florida Minimum	FR44 Minimum
Bodily Injury (per person)	$10,000	$100,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)	$20,000	$300,000
Property Damage	$10,000	$50,000

These limits are non-negotiable. You cannot get an FR44 with lower limits. The state sets these at 100/300/50, and your filing won’t be accepted with anything less.

Step 3: Find an FR44-Capable Insurance Company

This is where most people hit a wall. Many major insurers — including Geico, Progressive Direct, and USAA — may not write FR44 policies in Florida, or may only do so through specific subsidiaries. The insurers that consistently file FR44 in Florida are:

• Progressive (through independent agents — not direct)
• State Farm
• Dairyland (specialized high-risk carrier)
• The General
• Bristol West (Farmers subsidiary for high-risk)
• Gainsco
• Assurance America

An independent agent who works with multiple of these carriers will get you the best rate. We work with all of the above at MyFloridaFR44.com — that’s literally all we do.

Step 4: The Timeline — What Happens When

1. Day of DUI: Your license may be confiscated. You receive a DUI citation (temporary permit, typically 10 days).
2. Within 10 days: You must request a DMV administrative hearing to challenge the suspension — or accept the suspension. This is SEPARATE from your criminal case.
3. After conviction or suspension: The DHSMV sends you a notice requiring FR44 filing. This is when you need to act.
4. Contact an FR44 agent: Bind a policy with qualifying limits and have the FR44 certificate filed electronically with the DHSMV.
5. License reinstatement: Pay the reinstatement fee ($150-$350 depending on offense), complete DUI school, and any court-ordered requirements. The FR44 must be ACTIVE before the DHSMV will reinstate.

Step 5: How Long You Need FR44

• First DUI: 3 years from conviction date or license reinstatement date (whichever is later)
• Second DUI within 5 years: 3 years — plus mandatory ignition interlock
• Third+ DUI: 3 years — plus 2 years ignition interlock, possible permanent revocation

If your FR44 coverage lapses during the required period, your insurer reports the cancellation to the DHSMV, and your license is immediately suspended again. No grace period. No warning. It just happens.

What FR44 Costs: Real Numbers

Expect to pay 2-4x what you were paying before the DUI. A driver paying $100/month for standard insurance will likely pay $250-$500/month for an FR44 policy. Variables that affect the rate:

• Your age and driving record beyond the DUI
• Your vehicle (year, make, model, value)
• Your ZIP code (Miami-Dade > Panhandle, typically)
• Whether you need non-owner FR44 (no car) vs owner’s policy
• How many carriers the agent can quote (more quotes = lower price)

The Most Common FR44 Mistakes

1. Letting coverage lapse: Your license gets suspended again, and you start the clock over. This is the #1 most expensive mistake.
2. Buying an SR22 instead of FR44: SR22 has lower limits (10/20/10). Florida DHSMV will reject it for a DUI. These are NOT interchangeable.
3. Moving out of state without resolving the FR44: Your Florida license remains suspended until the FR44 is satisfied. You cannot get a license in another state with an active Florida suspension for a DUI.
4. Paying reinstatement fee before FR44 is filed: The FR44 must be on file with DHSMV before you pay the reinstatement fee. Filing order matters.
5. Assuming your current insurer can handle it: Most cannot. Call them, but be prepared to switch.

Non-Owner FR44: When You Don’t Own a Car

If you don’t own a vehicle but still need a driver’s license (for work, car rentals, borrowing vehicles), a non-owner FR44 policy covers you. It provides liability coverage when you drive a vehicle you don’t own. Non-owner FR44 is typically 40-60% cheaper than an owner’s policy. You cannot get an owner’s FR44 without a registered vehicle — and you cannot get non-owner FR44 if you own a registered vehicle. The state cross-checks this.

Getting Your License Back: The Checklist

When you have all of these completed, contact your local DHSMV office:

• [ ] FR44 certificate filed and active (your insurer confirms this)
• [ ] DUI school completed (Level I for first offense, Level II for multiple)
• [ ] Reinstatement fee paid ($150 first offense, $250 second, $350 third+)
• [ ] Ignition interlock installed (if required — second+ offenses)
• [ ] Any probation/court-imposed requirements completed
• [ ] Valid insurance ID card in your possession

FAQ

How soon can I get FR44 insurance after a DUI?

Same day — if you call the right agent. FR44 policies can be bound and the certificate filed electronically with the Florida DHSMV within hours. The limiting factor is usually getting quotes from multiple carriers, which takes 15-30 minutes through an independent agent who knows the FR44 market.

Can I get FR44 insurance without a car?

Yes. A non-owner FR44 policy provides liability coverage when you drive vehicles you don’t own. It costs 40-60% less than an owner’s policy because there’s no vehicle to insure for collision/comprehensive.

What happens if my FR44 coverage lapses?

Your insurer notifies the DHSMV immediately. Your license is suspended again, and you must re-file an FR44 and re-pay the reinstatement fee. The FR44 clock may restart from the new filing date. This is the single most expensive mistake FR44 holders make.

Does FR44 cover damage to my own car?

No. FR44 only requires liability coverage — bodily injury and property damage to others. Collision and comprehensive coverage (damage to your vehicle) are optional additions and will increase your premium significantly.