FR-44 Insurance Explained: Costs, Rules, and Filing

An FR-44 is not insurance. It is a certificate your insurer files with the state of Florida or Virginia to prove you carry higher liability limits after a DUI or other serious alcohol-related offense [1][2]. The filing fee itself is typically $15 to $50, but the real cost is the rate tier a DUI puts you in. The average full-coverage premium jumps by about 74%, from roughly $150 per month to about $261 per month [3][4].

Say you just finished DUI court in Florida and the DMV tells you that you need an FR-44 before your license comes back. The questions pile up fast. What exactly is this form, how is it different from an SR-22, what coverage do you actually need, and how much will it cost? This guide answers each one, grounded in state statutes and .gov data rather than carrier marketing pages.

Here is what is covered below: what an FR-44 actually is, how it compares to an SR-22, the exact coverage limits Florida and Virginia require, what it really costs, how to file, what happens if your coverage lapses, and the non-owner option for drivers without a car. Use the form above to compare rates from top carriers in about 2 minutes. It is 100% free with no obligation.

What Is FR-44 Insurance?

An FR-44 is a certificate of financial responsibility. Your insurance company files it electronically with the Florida DHSMV or the Virginia DMV to confirm that your auto policy meets coverage limits that are significantly higher than the state's standard minimums [1][2]. The form itself is not a policy. It is proof that a qualifying policy exists.

Florida created the FR-44 requirement under Statute section 324.023, effective for DUI convictions after October 1, 2007 [1]. Virginia established its version under Code section 46.2-316(C), which requires liability limits "not less than double" the state's standard minimums for drivers convicted of DUI-related offenses [2].

Two things worth knowing up front. First, an FR-44 is not the same as an SR-22. An SR-22 only proves you meet the state's standard minimum coverage. An FR-44 proves you carry much higher limits. Second, your insurer handles the filing. You do not submit the form yourself. If your insurer later cancels or drops your policy, they are required to notify the state, and your license can be suspended until a new FR-44 is filed.

FR-44 vs. SR-22: What Is the Difference?

Both are certificates of financial responsibility, but they serve different purposes and require different coverage levels. Here is how they compare:

Feature	SR-22	FR-44
What it proves	You meet standard state minimums	You carry higher-than-minimum limits
States that use it	Most states (about 44)	Florida and Virginia only
Common triggers	Uninsured driving, license reinstatement, at-fault accident	DUI, DWI, or serious alcohol-related offense
Coverage level	State minimum liability	Significantly above state minimum
Typical duration	1 to 5 years (varies by state)	3 years
Filing fee	$15 to $50	$15 to $50

Last updated: April 2026 [1][2]

The key difference is coverage level. An SR-22 certifies that you have at least the minimum. An FR-44 certifies that you carry limits far beyond the minimum, which is why it costs more. For a full breakdown of SR-22 rules, filing timelines, and costs, see our SR-22 insurance guide.

FR-44 Requirements: Florida vs. Virginia

Florida and Virginia are the only two states that use the FR-44 form, and each sets its own coverage limits.

Florida requires dramatically higher liability coverage than its standard minimums. Under standard Florida law, drivers only need $10,000 in property damage liability and $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP), with no bodily injury liability required at all [5]. An FR-44 changes that completely.

Virginia recently raised its standard minimum limits in 2025, and the FR-44 doubles those new minimums under Code section 46.2-316(C) [2]:

Coverage Type	FL Standard	FL FR-44	VA Standard (2025)	VA FR-44
Bodily injury (per person)	Not required	$100,000	$50,000	$100,000
Bodily injury (per accident)	Not required	$300,000	$100,000	$200,000
Property damage	$10,000	$50,000	$25,000	$50,000
PIP	$10,000	$10,000	N/A	N/A

Last updated: April 2026 [1][2][5][6] | View state requirements

The jump is particularly steep for Florida drivers. Going from zero bodily injury requirement to $100,000/$300,000 means buying an entirely new layer of coverage that was not in the previous policy. Virginia drivers already carry bodily injury coverage, so the FR-44 doubles what they already have.

Both states require FR-44 coverage for a minimum of three years from the date the driver becomes eligible for license reinstatement [1][2]. If no additional DUI conviction occurs during that period, the requirement expires.

How Much Does FR-44 Insurance Cost?

The FR-44 certificate itself is cheap. The premium increase from the underlying DUI conviction is where the real expense shows up.

The filing fee: Most carriers charge $15 to $50 as a one-time fee to file the FR-44 with the state. Some include the filing fee in the first policy term at no extra charge.

The rate hike: A DUI conviction typically raises your rate tier for 3 to 5 years, regardless of the FR-44 filing. Based on rate data from state Departments of Insurance, a DUI raises the average full-coverage premium by about 74% [3][4]:

Scenario	Monthly	Annual
Clean record (national average)	$150	$1,803
After DUI (first offense)	~$261	~$3,132

Last updated: April 2026 [3][4] | View interactive table

On top of that baseline rate increase, Florida drivers face higher premiums because the FR-44 forces them to carry $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 in liability [1], far more than the state's standard minimum. The state average for full coverage in Florida is already $208 per month ($2,499 per year), well above the national average [3]. A DUI on top of that pushes costs even higher.

The vehicle you drive matters less than you might think. FR-44 coverage is liability insurance, meaning it pays for damage you cause to other people and their property. Whether you drive a new SUV or a 30-year-old sedan, the liability exposure is the same.

Rates vary significantly between carriers for the same FR-44 coverage. Comparing quotes from multiple providers is the single most effective way to reduce your cost. A Consumer Reports survey of 40,000+ drivers found a median savings of $461 per year for those who compared and switched [7].

How to File an FR-44

The process is straightforward:

Contact an insurer that offers FR-44 filing. Not every carrier writes high-risk policies. Request quotes from several providers to compare rates.
Purchase a policy that meets FR-44 limits. The policy must meet or exceed the liability minimums for your state (see the table above).
Confirm that your insurer files the FR-44 electronically. The certificate goes directly to the Florida DHSMV or Virginia DMV. Most filings process within 1 to 3 business days.
Apply for license reinstatement. Once the FR-44 is on file and you have met all other court requirements (DUI school, fines, and any suspension period), contact your state DMV to reinstate your license.

Keep proof of your FR-44 filing and your insurance policy together. You may need both during the reinstatement process.

The Lapse Rule: What Happens If FR-44 Coverage Drops

This is the rule that catches drivers off guard. If your FR-44 coverage lapses for any reason, even for a single day during a carrier switch, the consequences are immediate:

Your insurer notifies the state that coverage has been cancelled
Your license is suspended again
In most cases, the three-year clock restarts from zero [1][2]

That means a two-day gap while switching carriers can turn 12 months of remaining obligation into 36 months from scratch. To avoid this, always have a new FR-44 policy in place before cancelling the old one. Overlap the coverage dates by at least a few days.

If you are comparing rates to save money, make sure the new carrier files the FR-44 before the old policy cancels.

Non-Owner FR-44: What If You Do Not Own a Car?

You still need an FR-44 to get your license back, even if you no longer own a vehicle. A non-owner FR-44 policy provides the required liability coverage for when you drive a borrowed or rented car. It does not cover damage to the vehicle you are driving, only damage you cause to others.

Non-owner FR-44 policies are available from many of the same carriers that offer standard FR-44 coverage. They tend to cost less than owner policies since they exclude collision and physical damage coverage, but the liability premiums remain significant because the FR-44 limits are the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is FR-44 insurance a month?

The FR-44 filing fee is $15 to $50 as a one-time cost. The insurance premium, which is the real expense, depends on your DUI record, location, and carrier. A DUI raises the average full-coverage rate by about 74%, from $150 per month to roughly $261 per month [3][4]. Florida drivers often pay more because of the state's higher baseline rates and the jump from no bodily injury requirement to $100,000/$300,000 in coverage [1].

How long do you have to have FR-44 insurance?

Both Florida and Virginia require FR-44 coverage for a minimum of three years [1][2]. The clock typically starts when you become eligible for license reinstatement, not on the date of the offense. If your coverage lapses during the three-year period, the clock restarts from zero in most cases.

What is the difference between SR-22 and FR-44?

An SR-22 proves you carry at least your state's minimum liability coverage. An FR-44 proves you carry significantly higher limits. FR-44 is only used in Florida and Virginia, typically after a DUI conviction, while SR-22 is used in most other states for various violations. See our SR-22 guide for a full comparison.

How do I get rid of my FR-44 requirement?

After maintaining continuous FR-44 coverage for the full three-year period with no additional violations, the requirement expires. Your state DMV handles the removal. Contact the Florida DHSMV or Virginia DMV to confirm the filing period is complete and request removal. Your insurer does not remove it; the state does.

Can I switch FR-44 carriers to save money?

Yes, and you should compare rates regularly. Different carriers price high-risk policies very differently, so switching can save a meaningful amount. The critical rule: have the new FR-44 policy filed and confirmed before cancelling the old one. Any gap in coverage restarts the three-year clock.

What to Do Next

An FR-44 adds significant cost to your insurance, but the requirement does not mean you have to overpay. Carriers price DUI risk differently, and the gap between the most and least expensive FR-44 policy for the same coverage can be substantial.

Three steps to take this week:

Compare quotes from multiple carriers that offer FR-44 filing in your state
Verify your coverage meets FR-44 limits before your current policy renews
Set a calendar reminder for your three-year expiration date so you can contact the DMV promptly

You are already paying more because of the FR-44 requirement. Make sure you are not overpaying on top of it. Compare rates from top carriers now. Enter your zip code, answer a few questions, and find out in about 2 minutes whether you could be paying less. It is 100% free with no obligation.

Sources

[1] Florida Legislature, "Section 324.023, Financial Responsibility for Bodily Injury or Death," leg.state.fl.us

[2] Virginia Code, "Section 46.2-316, Requirement for Proof of Financial Responsibility," law.lis.virginia.gov

[3] NAIC, "2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report," content.naic.org; BLS, "CPI Motor Vehicle Insurance Series CUUR0000SETE," bls.gov

[4] Based on QuoteFii analysis of rate comparison data from state Departments of Insurance and industry rate studies (2026), quotefii.com

[5] Florida DHSMV, "Insurance Requirements," flhsmv.gov

[6] Virginia State Corporation Commission, "Virginia Auto Insurance Guide," scc.virginia.gov

[7] Consumer Reports, "Car Insurance Survey," consumerreports.org

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, financial, or legal advice. Information may contain errors or be outdated. Always verify details with a licensed insurance professional before making coverage decisions.