FR44 Insurance When You Live in Florida AND Another State

Florida has millions of seasonal residents — snowbirds who spend winters in Florida and summers up north. If you’re a dual-state resident with a DUI requiring FR44, the compliance rules get complicated fast. Here’s how to manage FR44 when your life spans two states.

Which State Gets the FR44 Filing?

The state that issued your driver’s license determines where the FR44 (or SR22) must be filed. If you have a Florida driver’s license and a Florida DUI, FR44 is filed with Florida DHSMV — even if you spend summers in Michigan, New York, Ohio, or Ontario. Your seasonal state does not impose a separate filing requirement for a Florida DUI.

However, if you maintain vehicles registered in both states, the insurance requirements of BOTH states apply to the respective vehicles. Your Florida FR44 policy covers vehicles registered in Florida; your seasonal state’s insurance covers vehicles registered there.

Two-State Insurance Strategy

Scenario	FL Vehicle	Seasonal State Vehicle	Best Approach
FL license, FL DUI, car in FL	FR44 policy required	N/A (no seasonal vehicle)	Single FR44 policy
FL license, FL DUI, cars in both states	FR44 policy	Standard policy (seasonal state)	Two policies; disclose DUI to seasonal insurer
FL license, FL DUI, car only in seasonal state	Non-owner FR44	Standard policy (seasonal state)	Non-owner FR44 (FL) + standard (seasonal)
Seasonal state license, FL DUI	N/A (no FL license)	SR22 (seasonal state)	FL may still require FR44 if you get FL license

Garaging and Storage Coverage During Seasonal Moves

When your Florida-registered vehicle sits in storage for 4-6 months while you’re in your summer state, most FR44 carriers allow a “storage” or “suspension of liability” option that reduces coverage to comprehensive-only (theft, fire, vandalism) while maintaining the FR44 filing. This can save 30-50% on premiums during the storage period.

Key rules:

• Vehicle must be garaged: Not parked on the street or in an open lot
• No driving during storage: Zero miles. If you drive even once, coverage must be restored
• FR44 filing remains active: The filing stays in place — the 3-year clock continues running
• Notify carrier in advance: Storage coverage must be requested explicitly — it’s not automatic

Does the FR44 Clock Run While You’re Out of State?

Yes — as long as your FR44 policy is active. The Florida DHSMV does not care where you are physically located. As long as the carrier confirms the policy is in force each month through the FRVIS system, your 3-year clock continues running. Spending summers in another state (or even another country) does not pause the clock.

What If Your Seasonal State Finds Out About the Florida DUI?

Through the Driver License Compact, your seasonal state may discover the Florida DUI. If you hold a license in that state, they may impose their own penalties — typically an SR22 requirement. This creates a dual filing scenario: FR44 for Florida, SR22 for the seasonal state. Both must be maintained simultaneously.

Bottom Line

Dual-state residents with FR44 need one FR44 policy for their Florida license/vehicles and may need a separate standard policy (disclosing the DUI) for seasonal state vehicles. The FR44 clock runs continuously as long as the policy is active — regardless of where you are. Storage coverage during seasonal absences can save 30-50% on premiums while maintaining FR44 compliance.