FR44 vs SR22: Which One Costs More and Why

If you’re facing either an FR44 or SR22 insurance requirement in Florida, you want to know: which is worse? The answer is clear — FR44 is significantly worse for your wallet. Here’s the complete breakdown of why, with real numbers.

The Cost Difference: Real Numbers

Cost Factor	FR44	SR22	FR44 Premium
Monthly premium (typical)	$150-$350	$80-$200	60-140% higher
Liability limits required	100/300/50	10/20/10 (FL minimum)	3-10x higher minimum
Filing fee (one-time)	$15-$25	$15-$25	Same
3-year total cost (low end)	$5,400	$2,880	+$2,520 more
3-year total cost (high end)	$12,600	$7,200	+$5,400 more

5 Reasons FR44 Costs More Than SR22

1. Higher Liability Limits (100/300/50 vs 10/20/10)

Florida’s minimum auto liability is 10/20/10 — one of the lowest in the country. FR44 requires 100/300/50 — 10x the bodily injury coverage. Higher limits = higher premiums. This alone accounts for roughly half the cost difference.

2. DUI Surcharge

FR44 is triggered exclusively by DUI/DWI convictions. An SR22 can be triggered by accidents, too many points, or driving without insurance — violations that carry smaller insurance surcharges than a DUI. The DUI surcharge alone adds 50-150% to your base premium.

3. Fewer Carriers = Less Competition

Many major insurers (USAA, State Farm, Allstate, Geico in some cases) do not write FR44 policies. The smaller pool of carriers means less competition and higher rates. More carriers write SR22 policies — including most major insurers.

4. Longer Underwriting Scrutiny

FR44 applications receive more intensive underwriting review because of the DUI. Carriers may request additional documentation, impose waiting periods, or decline coverage altogether. SR22 underwriting is typically faster and more routine.

5. Lapse Penalties Are Worse

A lapse in FR44 resets the 3-year clock — doubling your total cost if it happens halfway through. An SR22 lapse extends your requirement but doesn’t necessarily reset a 3-year clock depending on the state and violation type.

When SR22 IS Required in Florida

Florida uses FR44 for DUIs, but SR22 can still be required in certain situations:

• Out-of-state SR22: You moved from a state that required SR22 and still have an active requirement there
• Non-DUI violations: Serious accidents, too many points, driving without insurance (administrative SR22)
• Court-ordered SR22: Some Florida courts order SR22 as a condition of probation
• Dual requirement: You have both FR44 (FL DUI) AND SR22 (out-of-state or court-ordered)

Can You Have Both FR44 and SR22?

Yes — and when you do, the FR44 limits (100/300/50) satisfy both requirements since they exceed SR22 minimums. You’ll pay the FR44 premium (higher) plus a small additional filing fee for the SR22. You don’t need two separate policies.

Which Is Worse for Your Driving Record?

Both FR44 and SR22 filings appear on your driving record, but insurance carriers view them differently:

• FR44 = DUI: Every carrier knows FR44 means DUI. No ambiguity.
• SR22 = various violations: An SR22 could mean a DUI, or it could mean an accident without insurance — carriers investigate further.

After the filing period ends, both are removed from your MVR. But the underlying conviction — DUI in FR44’s case — remains permanently in Florida (75 years).

Bottom Line

FR44 is definitively worse than SR22 for your wallet: 60-140% higher premiums, 3-10x higher liability requirements, fewer carrier options, and harsher lapse penalties. Over 3 years, an FR44 requirement costs $2,500-$5,400 more than an equivalent SR22. The only silver lining: both are temporary. Survive the 3 years without a lapse, and your rates will begin their recovery.