FR44 Insurance vs Regular Insurance Florida 2026 — Complete Comparison
FR44 vs Regular Car Insurance in Florida: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve been convicted of a DUI in Florida, you can’t just buy regular car insurance and call it done. The state requires FR44 insurance — a specific certificate proving you carry higher liability limits than standard Florida drivers. Here’s exactly how FR44 differs from regular insurance, what it costs, and why the distinction matters for getting your license back.
Quick Comparison: FR44 vs Regular Florida Insurance
| Feature | Regular Florida Insurance | FR44 Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | All Florida drivers | Drivers with DUI/DWI convictions only |
| Bodily injury (per person) | $10,000 minimum | $100,000 |
| Bodily injury (per accident) | $20,000 minimum | $300,000 |
| Property damage | $10,000 minimum | $50,000 |
| Certificate filed with state | No | Yes — FR44 filed with DHSMV |
| Affects license status | No | Yes — required for reinstatement |
| Duration | Ongoing | 3 years continuous |
| Lapse penalty | Fine for driving uninsured | License re-suspension + clock resets |
| Monthly cost | $50–$150 (varies by driver) | $14–$200+ (non-owner vs owner) |
| Where to buy | Any insurance company | FR44-approved carriers only |
Why FR44 Requires 10x the Bodily Injury Coverage
Florida’s standard auto insurance minimums — $10,000/$20,000/$10,000 — are among the lowest in the country. The state considers DUI drivers high-risk and imposes a much higher coverage requirement to protect other drivers on the road:
- Bodily injury: 10x higher per person ($100K vs $10K), 15x higher per accident ($300K vs $20K)
- Property damage: 5x higher ($50K vs $10K)
These higher limits are non-negotiable. Every FR44 policy must include exactly these amounts. There is no “budget FR44” with lower limits — and an agent who claims otherwise is either confused or dishonest.
Can You Keep Your Regular Insurance and Just Add FR44?
No. FR44 is not an add-on. You need a separate FR44 policy or a policy that specifically includes the FR44 filing with the required higher limits. If you already had insurance before your DUI:
- Your existing carrier may refuse to file FR44 (many standard carriers won’t touch DUI drivers)
- Even if they will, your rate will increase dramatically to cover the higher liability limits
- You may be better off switching to an FR44-specialist carrier that offers competitive rates
Our recommendation: Don’t assume your current carrier offers the best FR44 rate. Compare 15+ FR44 carriers. You can always return to your previous carrier after the 3-year requirement ends.
Cost Comparison: FR44 vs Regular Insurance by Driver Profile
| Driver Profile | Regular Insurance (est.) | FR44 Insurance (est.) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-year-old, clean record, Tampa | $80–$120/mo | $65–$100/mo (owner) | Similar or slightly higher |
| 35-year-old, first DUI, Tampa | N/A (suspended) | $65–$120/mo (owner) | — |
| 25-year-old, first DUI, Miami | N/A (suspended) | $100–$180/mo (owner) | — |
| No car, first DUI, any FL city | $0 (no car to insure) | $14–$30/mo (non-owner) | $14–$30/mo new cost |
| 45-year-old, second DUI, Jacksonville | N/A (suspended) | $120–$200/mo (owner) | — |
Estimates based on real Florida FR44 quotes. Actual rates vary by county, vehicle, credit, and specific carrier.
What Happens When the 3-Year FR44 Requirement Ends?
After 3 continuous years of FR44 coverage, the DHSMV no longer requires the certificate. At that point:
- Your carrier stops filing FR44 with the state
- You can reduce your coverage to standard Florida minimums (or keep higher limits)
- You can switch to any insurance company — not just FR44-approved carriers
- Your rate should drop significantly as the DUI ages off your record
Important: The DUI conviction stays on your driving record for 75 years in Florida. It doesn’t disappear after the FR44 requirement ends. But the FR44 certificate itself — the expensive, high-limit filing — is only required for 3 years.
Can You Switch From FR44 Back to Regular Insurance Early?
No. You must maintain FR44 for the full 3 years — not a day less. Canceling your FR44 policy and switching to regular insurance before the 3 years are up triggers an immediate DHSMV notification, license suspension, and clock reset. The only way to end the FR44 requirement early is if your DUI conviction is overturned on appeal and the DHSMV formally rescinds the requirement.
FAQs — FR44 vs Regular Insurance
Does FR44 replace my regular car insurance?
Yes. Your FR44 policy is your car insurance policy. It includes all the coverage of standard auto insurance — liability, comprehensive, collision (if you choose it) — plus the higher liability limits and the FR44 certificate filed with the Florida DHSMV. You do not need a separate regular policy on top of FR44.
Can I keep my current insurance company when I need FR44?
Maybe. Many standard carriers (State Farm, GEICO, Allstate) either refuse to file FR44 or charge extremely high rates. It’s almost always cheaper to switch to an FR44-specialist carrier like Dairyland, The General, or Mendota for the 3-year requirement. You can return to your preferred carrier after the requirement ends.
Will my regular insurance rates go back to normal after FR44?
They will drop significantly — but not to pre-DUI levels immediately. The DUI stays on your record for 75 years in Florida. Insurance companies see it when you apply. Rates improve year by year as the DUI ages, especially after years 3, 5, and 7. Shopping multiple carriers at each renewal is the best strategy.
Is FR44 the same as high-risk insurance?
FR44 is a type of high-risk insurance, but not all high-risk insurance is FR44. FR44 specifically means the Florida DHSMV-mandated certificate for DUI drivers with the $100K/$300K/$50K coverage requirement. Other types of high-risk insurance include SR-22 (lower limits, multiple states) and non-standard auto insurance (for drivers with accidents, tickets, or credit issues).
Get Your FR44 Comparison — 15+ Carriers
Call 1-800-229-7131 or submit the form above. Florida license #L091747. 50,000+ Florida drivers served. Same-day DHSMV electronic filing. We’ll show you exactly how FR44 compares to what you were paying before — and find the lowest rate from any state-approved carrier. Se habla español.