You may need to file an SR-22 or FR-44 with the state if you are found guilty of certain driving infractions in Florida. Your auto insurer files these forms on your behalf with the DMV to prove you have at least the required amount of liability car insurance.
Auto insurers consider SR-22 and FR-44 carriers to be high-risk drivers and often charge them higher rates as a result. For example, a driver with an FR-44 in Florida could pay an average of 41% more for car insurance than a driver with a clean record.
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How much does an SR-22 cost in Florida?
The cost to file an SR-22 in Florida can be as low as $15, but this isn't the main financial strain of an SR-22. The real cost of an SR-22 comes in the form of higher car insurance rates. Your rates can be even higher if you have to file an FR-44, a form that's often required if you have a DUI conviction.
The table below shows how much your car insurance rates might increase after a driving-related violation that requires you to file an SR-22 or FR-44 in Florida. For comparison, the average rate for full-coverage car insurance in Florida is $304 a month.
| Violation | Average monthly rate | Dollar difference from clean record |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding | $363 | $59 |
| At-fault accident | $462 | $158 |
| DUI | $430 | $126 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | ||
To further add to the financial burden, a DUI usually stays on your insurance record for three to five years in Florida, but can stay on for 10 years. This can result in thousands of dollars more for car insurance.
In other words, if you're convicted of a DUI in Florida and you need to file an FR-44 with the state, you might pay 41% more for auto insurance for the next few years.
Who has the cheapest SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Florida?
For drivers in Florida looking for SR-22 or FR-44 auto insurance, State Farm has the cheapest car insurance rates. State Farm's average rate for a full-coverage SR-22 policy after an at-fault accident is $212 a month. GEICO comes in second, with a monthly average of $232.
| Company | Monthly average rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $212 |
| GEICO | $232 |
| Travelers | $315 |
| UAIC | $425 |
| Progressive | $503 |
| Allstate | $1,084 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
State Farm's cheapest average rate for FR-44 car insurance is $197 a month. GEICO is the next-cheapest option at $292.
| Company | Monthly average rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $197 |
| GEICO | $292 |
| Travelers | $361 |
| Progressive | $392 |
| UAIC | $561 |
| Allstate | $775 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
There are many other factors besides a traffic infraction that can affect your car insurance rates. Different car insurance companies weigh these risk factors differently. This is why it's important to compare quotes from multiple car insurance providers.
What is the difference between SR-22 and FR-44 in Florida?
The difference between an SR-22 and an FR-44 in Florida is that an FR-44 is required after a DUI, while an SR-22 is tied to other driving offenses, like a speeding ticket or at-fault accident.
Also, you need to carry higher car insurance coverage limits for an FR-44 than you would for an SR-22. Florida drivers required to file an SR-22 must have at least the state-minimum amount of auto insurance coverage. That means $10,000 of personal injury protection and $10,000 of personal property damage. If you're required to file an FR-44 in Florida, you need a lot more than that — 100/300/50 coverage limits at least.
Florida's SR-22 car insurance requirements
The state of Florida may require you to file an SR-22 form for certain driving violations, including:
- Reckless driving
- Serious or repeat traffic offenses
- Causing an accident with no insurance
States like Florida require drivers to file SR-22 forms to show they have at least the minimum amount of car insurance.
Only after you purchase a policy that meets the state's minimum auto insurance requirements will an insurer file an SR-22, also known as a certificate of financial responsibility. They file your form with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Florida's minimum car insurance requirements are:
- $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP)
- $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL)
You will need to have an SR-22 on file with the state for three years after your first conviction. That is how long most states require high-risk drivers to file SR-22s, though some require it for longer.
To find out exactly how long you need to file an SR-22, contact the FLHSMV.
If your car insurance lapses, expires or is canceled during this period, your insurer will notify the state and you will have to restart the SR-22 filing process from the beginning.
Florida's FR-44 car insurance requirements
You need to file an FR-44 form with the state DMV if you are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in Florida.
Some states require drivers with DUIs to buy more than the minimum amount of car insurance before an FR-44 can be filed. That's the case in Florida, where you need a policy with 100/300/50 coverage limits to meet your FR-44 requirement. This means:
- $100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $300,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $50,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident
As with Florida's SR-22 requirement, if you cancel your auto insurance coverage during this period, or if it lapses or expires, your insurance provider will notify the state. Florida usually requires drivers to have FR-44 insurance for three years following a DUI conviction.
Can I get SR-22 insurance in Florida without a car?
If you need to file an SR-22 but don't own a car, you can purchase a non-owner car insurance policy. Non-owner policies usually cost less than standard car insurance, but they also offer less coverage. Talk to your insurance agent to make sure you understand what an SR-22 does and does not cover.
Methodology
We compared rates from top auto insurance companies in Florida for this article. These rates are based on the profile of a 35-year-old male who drives a 2012 Honda Accord. Full-coverage policies include $500 deductibles for both comprehensive and collision coverages. Your rates may vary based on your personal factors.
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