If you’ve committed a severe traffic violation in Florida, the state or your local court system may require you to file an FR-44 or SR-22 form to reinstate your license. Though not technically insurance policies, SR-22 and FR-44 certificates prove to the state that you’ve purchased the minimum required liability coverage.

Florida requires high-risk drivers to provide proof of insurance. This is your documentation showing your insurance company will pay for the other party’s medical expenses and vehicle damages if you cause an accident.

Cheapest companies for SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Florida

If you have major traffic violations and frequent accidents on your record, you might struggle to find affordable FR-44 or SR-22 insurance. But you can find a company with rates that work with your budget by shopping around and considering several insurers.

The following table shows average monthly quotes from some of the cheapest insurance companies in Florida for SR-22 coverage.

What is SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Florida, and when do you need it?

High-risk drivers may have to file either an SR-22 or FR-44. A person may need to file an SR-22 in response to several factors, while an FR-44 filing is always the result of a DUI conviction.

Below, you’ll learn more about these important, and sometimes necessary, filings.

When to file an SR-22

SR-22 insurance isn’t an insurance policy on its own. It’s a certificate that proves you’re carrying at least the mandatory minimum coverage required in Florida. You may also hear an SR-22 form referred to as a certificate of financial responsibility.

Your insurer will file your SR-22 form with the state once you’ve purchased at least 10/20/10 coverage. This means you must carry at least:

• $10,000 in bodily injury/death coverage for one person

• $20,000 in bodily injury/death coverage for two or more people

• $10,000 in property damage coverage per incident

An SR-22 filing can be a requirement as part of a court proceeding, and you may need an SR-22 filed on your behalf if you:

• Are in an accident while driving without insurance or you cause several accidents

• Have driven under the influence

• Fail to pay child support

• Record several repeat or serious driving offenses

• Are seeking to reinstate your license after suspension or revocation

When to file an FR-44

An FR-44 provides proof of coverage, similar to an SR-22, but an FR-44 is only filed if you’re convicted of a DUI. Only Florida and Virginia use FR-44 filings.

Like the SR-22, your insurer will file your FR-44 after you purchase coverage that meets the mandatory minimum requirements. But these minimum requirements are much higher for an FR-44, and you must carry:

• $100,000 in bodily injury/death coverage for one person

• $300,000 in bodily injury/death coverage for two or more people

• $50,000 in property damage coverage per incident

How to get SR-22 insurance in Florida

If you need to get SR-22 insurance due to a court mandate, it’s best to do so quickly before the deadline expires. To get your SR-22 filing completed, you must:

• Contact your insurer to begin the filing process. It’s important to note that not all insurers will file an SR-22 on your behalf, so if your insurer doesn’t handle filing an SR-22, you’ll need to find a new insurer.

• Pay the filing fee. Your insurer will charge you a fee to file your SR-22. This fee is usually $15–$50.

• Get your confirmation. After your insurance company has filed the form, you’ll need to wait for the department of motor vehicles to process the request. This generally takes about two weeks, though electronic filings can be faster.

How long are SR-22 and FR-44 insurance required in Florida?

FR-44 and SR-44 filing requirements vary by state, but drivers in Florida must typically carry FR-44 and SR-22 insurance consecutively for three years.

Your insurance company must inform Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles if you cancel your policy or if your coverage lapses before your filing requirement ends. You may then face re-suspension that requires another three years of filing.

How much is SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Florida?

If you have an SR-22 or FR-44 mandate in Florida, you can expect to spend $15–$50 to file your certificate. You may also have to pay up to $75 to reinstate your driver’s license, up to $225 to reinstate your vehicle registration, and other fees.

Drivers with an SR-22 or FR-44 requirement also tend to pay more for insurance than drivers with clean records. The cost of your high-risk insurance varies depending on the city you live in, insurance company, claim history, age, and other rating factors.

Cheapest insurance companies in Florida with SR-22 and FR-44 by city

If you have major traffic violations and frequent accidents on your record, you might struggle to find affordable FR-44 or SR-22 insurance. But you can find a company with rates that work with your budget by shopping around and considering several insurers.

The following table shows average monthly quotes for liability coverage with an SR-22 form in cities throughout Florida.

How SR-22 and FR-44 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Florida

Needing to file an FR-44 or SR-22 form can cause insurance companies to view you as a risky driver. Therefore, people with FR-44 or SR-22 requirements may pay significantly higher rates than drivers without. Some insurers may even refuse you coverage.

You can try to offset the effect of either form on your rates by taking the following actions: