FR44 Insurance Requirements in Florida — Complete 2026 Guide
FR44 Insurance Requirements in Florida — Complete 2026 Guide
Florida FR44 insurance requires liability coverage of $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident / $50,000 property damage — 10× the state minimum. You must maintain this coverage continuously for 3 years and your insurer must file an FR44 certificate electronically with the Florida DHSMV. Any lapse in coverage triggers immediate license and registration suspension.
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Who Needs FR44 Insurance in Florida?
Florida law requires FR44 filing after:
- DUI conviction (first or subsequent) — Florida Statute § 324.023
- DUI with property damage or injury — enhanced penalties under § 316.193
- Refusal to submit to breath/blood/urine test — administrative suspension triggers FR44
- DUI manslaughter — 5-year FR44 requirement, higher financial responsibility
- Reinstatement after DUI-related revocation — any license reinstatement after a DUI suspension requires FR44 proof
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) sends written notice of the FR44 requirement. You cannot obtain or reinstate a driver’s license until an active FR44 is on file.
FR44 vs SR22 in Florida: What’s the Difference?
Florida is one of only two states (with Virginia) that use FR44 instead of SR22 for DUI-related insurance filings. Here’s what sets FR44 apart:
| Requirement | FR44 (DUI-Related) | SR22 (Non-DUI) |
|---|---|---|
| Used in | Florida & Virginia only | Most other states |
| Liability minimum | $100,000 / $300,000 / $50,000 | $10,000 / $20,000 / $10,000 |
| Filing duration | 3 years (first DUI) | 3 years (typical) |
| Trigger | DUI conviction only | Various violations (no insurance, too many points, etc.) |
| Non-owner available? | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic filing | Required (no paper) | Electronic or paper |
FR44 Insurance Coverage Requirements
Minimum Liability Limits
| Coverage Type | FR44 Minimum | Standard FL Minimum | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $100,000 | $10,000 | 10× |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $300,000 | $20,000 | 15× |
| Property Damage | $50,000 | $10,000 | 5× |
These limits are non-negotiable under Florida law. Any policy with lower limits does not satisfy FR44 requirements, and the DHSMV will reject the filing.
Combined Single Limit (CSL) Option
Some carriers offer a Combined Single Limit of $350,000 that satisfies FR44 requirements. This provides flexibility in how coverage is applied. Verify with your agent whether CSL is available and cheaper than split-limit coverage.
How FR44 Filing Works — Step by Step
- Purchase qualifying insurance: Buy a policy with 100/300/50 liability from an FR44-authorized carrier. Not all insurers file FR44 — confirm before purchasing.
- Insurer files FR44: Your insurance company submits Form FR44 electronically to the Florida DHSMV. This is an electronic-only process — there is no paper FR44 form in Florida.
- DHSMV processes filing: The DHSMV Bureau of Motorist Compliance verifies the filing. Processing typically takes 24–48 hours. Same-day filings are possible with carriers that use DHSMV’s direct e-filing portal.
- License reinstatement: Once the FR44 is accepted, you can pay reinstatement fees and obtain/reinstate your license at any DHSMV office or online at MyDMVPortal.flhsmv.gov.
- Maintain for 3 years: You must carry continuous FR44 coverage for 3 full years. Any lapse — even one day — triggers immediate suspension and resets the clock.
FR44 Insurance Duration: The 3-Year Rule
Florida requires FR44 coverage for 3 consecutive years from the date of conviction (not the date of arrest or license suspension). Key points:
- The 3-year clock starts on the conviction date, not when you buy insurance or reinstate your license.
- Moving out of Florida does not end the FR44 requirement. You must maintain FR44 until the 3-year period expires, regardless of where you live.
- A lapse in coverage triggers immediate suspension and the 3-year requirement resets when you reinstate.
- After 3 years, your insurer can file an FR44 cancellation with DHSMV and you return to standard insurance.
Non-Owner FR44 Requirements
If you don’t own a vehicle, Florida offers non-owner FR44 policies that satisfy the DHSMV requirement. These policies:
- Provide liability coverage when driving borrowed or rented vehicles
- Meet the 100/300/50 FR44 minimums
- Cost $14–$60/month — significantly less than owner FR44
- Do NOT cover vehicles owned by you or household members
- Do NOT provide comprehensive or collision coverage
FR44 Insurance Cost by Florida County
FR44 rates vary significantly by county due to local claim frequency. Here’s what to expect for a first DUI, male age 35, standard sedan:
| Florida County | Monthly FR44 Premium | Annual Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | $130 – $180 | $1,560 – $2,160 |
| Broward | $120 – $165 | $1,440 – $1,980 |
| Palm Beach | $115 – $160 | $1,380 – $1,920 |
| Orange (Orlando) | $100 – $140 | $1,200 – $1,680 |
| Hillsborough (Tampa) | $95 – $140 | $1,140 – $1,680 |
| Duval (Jacksonville) | $90 – $130 | $1,080 – $1,560 |
| Pinellas | $90 – $130 | $1,080 – $1,560 |
| Leon (Tallahassee) | $75 – $110 | $900 – $1,320 |
| Volusia | $80 – $115 | $960 – $1,380 |
| Rural counties | $60 – $100 | $720 – $1,200 |
For a complete breakdown including scenario-based pricing, see our FR44 Insurance Cost Guide.
What Happens If You Let FR44 Coverage Lapse?
A lapse in FR44 coverage triggers an automatic, immediate chain of events:
- Your insurer notifies DHSMV that the FR44 policy has been cancelled.
- DHSMV suspends your driver’s license — effective immediately upon notification.
- Your vehicle registration is revoked.
- You must purchase a new FR44 policy and pay reinstatement fees ($150 for license + additional registration fees).
- The 3-year FR44 requirement resets from the new reinstatement date.
Pro tip: Set up automatic payments. A missed payment that leads to cancellation is the most common cause of FR44 lapses. It takes one missed payment to reset 2 years of compliance.
FR44 Insurance Requirements FAQ
Can I switch FR44 insurance companies?
Yes. You can switch FR44 carriers at any time. The new insurer files a new FR44 with DHSMV, and the old one files a cancellation. There must be no gap between the two policies — coordinate the effective dates carefully.
Do I need FR44 if I move to another state?
Yes. If you were convicted in Florida and move to another state, you must maintain Florida FR44 coverage until the 3-year requirement expires. Some states may also require SR22 — you’d need both filings simultaneously. Check with your agent.
Is FR44 insurance tax deductible?
Not directly. Personal auto insurance premiums are not tax-deductible. If you use your vehicle for business (rideshare, delivery), you may deduct a portion of your premiums as a business expense — consult a tax professional.
Does FR44 cover rental cars?
Yes, FR44 liability coverage typically extends to rental cars. However, FR44 does not cover damage to the rental vehicle itself (collision/comprehensive). You’ll need to purchase the rental company’s CDW or use a credit card that provides rental car coverage.
How much are FR44 reinstatement fees?
Florida DHSMV reinstatement fees range from $150 to $500+ depending on the violation. DUI reinstatement is typically $150 for the license plus any applicable administrative fees. Additional fees apply for multiple suspensions.
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