How to get insurance with an FR-44

What is an FR-44?

An FR-44 is a form that proves you are carrying the proper car insurance after you have been convicted of a serious violation. Florida and Virginia are the only two states that use an FR-44. If you need an FR-44, you will have higher liability coverage requirements than with an SR-22.

How does the FR-44 filing process work?

If you are required to submit an FR-44 form, you will need to contact your car insurer, as it will submit the form to the state after you purchase the required amount of car insurance.

Contact your insurer and confirm it files FR-44 forms
Purchase the required liability coverage for your state: $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury and $50,000 (100/300/50) property damage in Florida, and $60,000/$120,000 bodily injury and $40,000 property damage (60/120/40) in Virginia
Confirm that your insurer has filed the FR-44 form with the court or the DMV

When shopping for insurance with an FR-44 requirement, notify insurers upfront that you require an FR-44. Most major insurance companies will issue an FR-44 policy, but expect your premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. to at least double. If major carriers decline or quote too high, consider insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers, such as Dairyland, The General and Safe Auto.

How long will I need an FR-44?

In Florida and Virginia, the FR-44 requirement is typically three years, but may range from one to four years, depending on the violation and whether it is a second offense. The exact duration is set by the state and the court. Canceling or letting your insurance lapseWhen your auto insurance coverage ends because you missed a payment or did not renew it on time. A lapse in auto insurance coverage may result in paying higher premiums for a new policy. at any time during the requirement restarts the suspension and may extend the requirement.

FR-44 duration in Florida and Virginia
State	Reason for FR-44	Minimum duration
Florida	DUI conviction License revocation	Three years
Virginia	License revocation or suspension	Three years after the revocation or suspension period ends

Any additional violations during the FR-44 period will typically extend the requirement. Contact the DMV for the new timeline.

Once you have fulfilled the necessary requirements to get your full license reinstated you can usually drop your FR-44, but it's best to check with your DMV before shopping for new insurance to make sure you are in the clear.

What violations require an FR-44 form?

An FR-44 form is required after a serious violation such as a DUI or reckless driving or for driving without insurance or with a suspended license.

Common reasons for needing an FR-44:

DUI or DWI conviction
Driving without insurance
Causing an accident without car insurance
Driving with a suspended license
Reckless driving

Your local DMV or court will notify you of the requirements to get your licensed reinstated after a conviction. This should include information in regard to an FR-44 requirement and how long that requirement will last.

What is the average cost of FR-44 insurance?

Filing an FR-44 costs an average of $25, but the larger cost is the insurance rate increase for the violation resulting in the FR-44 requirement. A high-risk driver in Florida pays an average of $4,437 a year for car insurance, while a high-risk driver in Virginia pays an average of $2,388 a year.

An FR-44 requirement classifies you as a high-risk driver. Insurers charge risky drivers more because they file more claims. Florida FR-44 holders must carry at least 100/300/50 in liability insuranceLiability insurance covers sums that an insured becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injuries or property damage, or financial losses caused to other people., compared to the standard $10,000 property damage-only minimum. Virginia drivers must carry 60/120/40 liability limits compared to the state minimum of 50/100/25. Both the high-risk driver categorization and the increased liability requirements will cause premiums to rise.

NOTE: Your insurer may require you to pay the full term premium upfront if you require an FR-44.

State	Standard minimum liability	FR-44 requirement
Florida	$10,000 property damage	$100,000 per person, $300,00 per incident property damage $50,000 property damage
Virginia	$50,000 per person, $100,000 per incident bodily injury $25,000 property damage	$60,000 per person, $120,000 per incident bodily injury $40,000 property damage

FR-44 insurance in Florida

In Florida, an FR-44 form requires that you carry $100,000/$300,000 worth of bodily injury liability and $50,000 of property damage liability insurance. The state minimum requires only $10,000 in property damage liability. As a no-fault state, Florida also requires personal injury protectionPersonal injury protection (PIP) pays for your medical, hospital and funeral expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who's at fault. insurance that is separate from liability requirements. Florida uses the FR-44 only for serious violations, including DUI and convictions resulting in license revocation.

FR-44 insurance: Virginia

Virginia, the other state that uses a FR-44, requires $60,000/$120,000 worth of bodily injury liability and $40,000 of property damage liability insurance. The standard state minimums are $50,000/$100,000 in bodily injury and only $25,000 in property damage. Virginia uses the FR-44 for serious violations resulting in license suspension or revocation.

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

SR-22 and FR-44 filings differ in two ways: the states that use each form and the required amount of liability insurance. Only Florida and Virginia use the FR-44 in addition to the SR-22, and which is required depends on the offense; most other states require the SR-22, and some states require neither. In Florida, an FR-44 raises the minimum required liability to 100/300/50 from 0/0/10, and in Virginia, it raises the required liability to 60/120/40 from 50/100/25.

The FR-44 is required for serious violations, such as a DUI, driving on a suspended license, and reckless driving. An SR-22 is usually issued for less serious violations, such as excessive traffic tickets.

How to find affordable FR-44 insurance

FR-44 insurance premiums at least double after a serious violation, but shopping with multiple carriers and raising your deductible are the two most effective ways to lower your rates.

The following tips can help FR-44 drivers in Florida and Virginia find lower rates.

Shop around: Insurers rate risk differently, which can result in significant premium differences, so compare quotes from at least three to five carriers before buying a policy.

Always be upfront when shopping for insurance and let the agent know you will need an FR-44. Get quotes from at least five different insurance companies before making a decision.

Consider insurers who cater to high-risk drivers: In many states, the large insurance companies have subsidiary companies that provide insurance after a DUI and coverage to motorists with poor driving records. In addition to getting quotes from the major carriers, you should also consider smaller car insurance companies that specialize in high-risk, or "non-standard," coverage. Here is a list of some well-known ones to consider:

These companies specialize in assisting high-risk drivers with insurance in Florida and Virginia:

Dairyland
Safe Auto
Infinity
Direct
Progressive
GEICO
The General
Allstate
State Farm
Nationwide

Raise your deductible: A higher deductible will lower your insurance rates, putting less financial risk on the insurance company. Choose the highest deductible you can afford to pay if you file a claim.

What is non-owner FR-44 insurance?

Non-owner FR-44 insurance is a liability-only policy for drivers in Florida and Virginia who do not own a vehicle but need insurance to file an FR-44 with the DMV to reinstate their license. A non-owner car insurance policy provides the required insurance without tying the coverage to a specific vehicle.

Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage up to the policy limits but doesn't offer coverages such as collision or comprehensive coverage because there is not a vehicle attached to the policy. Your insurer will file an FR-44 with the non-owners policy which should let you get your license reinstated. As mentioned before, if you fail to make a payment, cancel the policy or let it lapse for any reason the FR-44 will be revoked and your license will end up suspended again.