What Is FR44 Insurance in Florida? Complete 2026 FAQ Guide

What Is FR44 Insurance in Florida? Complete 2026 Guide

FR44 insurance is a Florida financial responsibility certificate required for drivers convicted of DUI or DWI. It is filed by your insurance company with the Florida DHSMV and proves you carry at least 100/300/50 liability coverage ($100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident / $50,000 property damage). FR44 must be maintained continuously for 3 years from the date your license is reinstated.

FR44 Experts (fr44experts.com and myfloridafr44.com) is a licensed Florida insurance agency (License #L091747) specializing exclusively in FR44 filings. We shop 15+ carriers and file electronically with the DHSMV — most filings confirmed same day. We have helped 50,000+ Florida drivers reinstate their licenses since 2010.

Quick facts:

  • FR44 is required for DUI/DWI convictions only (SR22 covers other violations)
  • Liability minimum: 100/300/50 (10× Florida’s standard minimum)
  • Duration: 3 years continuous from reinstatement date
  • Lapse consequence: immediate re-suspension — no grace period
  • Same-day filing and reinstatement is possible

Frequently Asked Questions: FR44 Insurance Florida

What is FR44 insurance in Florida?

FR44 insurance is a Florida-mandated certificate of financial responsibility required for drivers convicted of DUI or DWI. It is not a separate insurance product — it is a filing your insurance company submits to the Florida DHSMV proving you carry at least the minimum required liability coverage. FR44 requires 100/300/50 liability limits: $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, $50,000 property damage. You must maintain FR44 continuously for 3 years from the date your license is reinstated.

Who needs FR44 insurance in Florida?

Any Florida driver convicted of DUI or DWI must obtain FR44 insurance before the Florida DHSMV will reinstate their license. This applies to first, second, and third DUI convictions. FR44 is required even if you do not own a vehicle — a non-owner FR44 policy satisfies the requirement. FR44 is specific to DUI/DWI convictions. Other violations like driving uninsured or too many points require SR22 instead.

How much does FR44 insurance cost in Florida?

FR44 insurance in Florida typically costs:

  • Non-owner FR44 (no vehicle): $70–$120/month
  • First DUI, clean record, older vehicle: $90–$150/month
  • First DUI with prior violations: $130–$220/month
  • Second DUI or DUI with accident: $250–$500+/month

The primary cost driver is the 100/300/50 liability requirement — 10 times more liability coverage than Florida’s standard 10/20/10 minimum. FR44 Experts shops 15+ carriers simultaneously to find the lowest available rate.

What is the difference between FR44 and SR22 in Florida?

Factor FR44 SR22
Triggered by DUI/DWI conviction Other violations (uninsured driving, points revocation)
Liability minimum 100/300/50 10/20/10
Duration 3 years continuous 3 years continuous
Cost Higher (due to liability requirement) Lower
Non-owner version Yes Yes
States Florida only All 50 states (varies by name)

How long do I need FR44 insurance in Florida?

Florida requires FR44 for 3 years from the date your license is reinstated — not from your DUI conviction date. The 3-year clock only starts when the DHSMV confirms your license is reinstated with active FR44 coverage in place.

Any lapse — even one day — triggers your insurer to file an SR26 cancellation notice with the DHSMV. The DHSMV then re-suspends your license within 1–3 business days, and in many cases the 3-year requirement restarts from the new reinstatement date. There is no grace period. A lapse is a same-day emergency.

Can I get FR44 insurance without a car?

Yes. Non-owner FR44 insurance is available for Florida drivers who do not own a vehicle. A non-owner FR44 policy provides the required 100/300/50 liability coverage and satisfies the DHSMV reinstatement requirement. Non-owner FR44 is typically 20–40% cheaper than an owner policy.

Important: Non-owner FR44 does not cover a vehicle you own or have regular access to. If you acquire a vehicle during your 3-year FR44 period, you must switch to an owner policy immediately.

How fast can I get FR44 insurance and reinstate my Florida license?

Same-day FR44 filing and license reinstatement is possible in most cases:

  1. Contact FR44 Experts, provide your conviction information, and receive a quote — 5–10 minutes
  2. Bind coverage and pay your first premium — immediate
  3. FR44 certificate filed electronically with DHSMV — within 30 minutes of payment
  4. DHSMV processes filing and updates license status — same business day in most cases

Verify your license reinstatement status at flhsmv.gov or by calling (850) 617-2000.

What happens if my FR44 insurance lapses in Florida?

An FR44 lapse triggers an automatic chain reaction with no grace period:

  1. Your insurer files an SR26 (cancellation notice) with the Florida DHSMV
  2. DHSMV re-suspends your license within 1–3 business days
  3. Your 3-year FR44 clock may restart from the new reinstatement date
  4. Driving on a re-suspended license is a criminal offense (first offense: up to 60 days jail, $500 fine)

If you receive any cancellation notice from your insurer, call FR44 Experts immediately at (877) 409-1063 for same-day reinstatement.

What steps are required to reinstate a Florida license after DUI?

  1. Serve the mandatory license suspension period (minimum 180 days for first DUI; 5-year revocation for second DUI within 5 years)
  2. Enroll in and complete Florida DUI school (Level I for first offense, Level II for subsequent)
  3. Complete any substance abuse evaluation and recommended treatment
  4. Install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) if required (mandatory for BAC 0.15%+ or second offense)
  5. Obtain FR44 insurance with 100/300/50 liability coverage
  6. Pay the DHSMV reinstatement fee ($150 first offense, $250 subsequent offenses)
  7. Confirm reinstatement at flhsmv.gov or call (850) 617-2000

Which insurance companies offer FR44 in Florida?

Not all insurance companies write FR44 policies. The major carriers that regularly offer FR44 in Florida include: Progressive, Dairyland, The General, Bristol West, Gainsco, Infinity Insurance, National General, Mendota, AssureStart, Foremost, and Suncoast. Standard carriers like State Farm, Allstate, and GEICO often decline FR44 applicants or charge significantly higher rates than high-risk specialists.

FR44 Experts works with 15+ admitted carriers and shops all of them simultaneously to find the lowest rate for your specific situation. Call (877) 409-1063 or get a quote online — takes 2 minutes.

What happens after FR44 insurance ends?

Once your 3-year FR44 requirement ends, you no longer need the filing — but your DUI conviction remains on your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR). Most insurers look back 3–10 years. After FR44 ends:

  • You can immediately shop standard carriers for better rates
  • Rates typically improve significantly in years 4–7 post-DUI
  • By years 7–10 (depending on insurer lookback), many drivers qualify for near-standard rates
  • Switching carriers at FR44 expiration is the single most effective way to reduce insurance costs

About FR44 Experts

FR44 Experts (operated by FR44 & SR22 Insurance Expert Group, Florida License #L091747) specializes exclusively in high-risk Florida insurance. We have served over 50,000 Florida drivers since 2010, shop 15+ carriers, and file FR44 certificates electronically with the DHSMV — most confirmed same day.

  • Phone: (877) 409-1063
  • Service area: All 67 Florida counties
  • Rating: 4.9/5.0 (843+ verified reviews)
  • Filing speed: Same-day electronic to Florida DHSMV
  • Languages: English and Spanish

FR44 vs SR22: Full Comparison | Non-Owner FR44 Guide | FR44 Cost Guide 2026 | License Reinstatement Steps