FR-44 insurance in Florida is a certificate your insurance company files with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) after a DUI conviction. It proves you carry bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per crash, plus $50,000 in property damage liability. You must keep this FR-44 filing for three years from the date your driving privilege is reinstated. Until it is on file, Florida will not give you your license back.
This guide covers the full picture in plain terms. You will learn who needs an FR-44, what the coverage rules are, what it costs, and how long it lasts. You will also see what happens if your policy lapses and how to lower your premium.
What Is FR-44 Insurance in Florida?
An FR-44 is not a separate insurance policy. It is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, and the “FR” stands for financial responsibility. Your insurer attaches it to your auto policy and files it electronically with FLHSMV. The form tells the state you carry the higher liability limits the law demands after a DUI.
The rule comes from Section 324.023, Florida Statutes. It applies to DUI convictions after October 1, 2007. Before that change, Florida accepted an SR-22 for DUI cases. Today, only Florida and Virginia use the FR-44 form.
The filing also works as an alarm. If your policy is canceled or lapses, your insurer must tell FLHSMV. The state can then suspend your license again.
Who Needs an FR-44 in Florida?
You need an FR-44 if you were found guilty of DUI under Section 316.193, Florida Statutes. This applies even if you pleaded no contest or the judge withheld adjudication. Common cases include:
- A first, second or third DUI conviction in Florida
- A DUI involving property damage or injury
- DUI manslaughter or other alcohol related driving convictions
- Drivers who want a hardship license or full license after a DUI revocation
- Drivers who do not own a car but still need to reinstate (they buy a non-owner FR-44 policy)
A DUI arrest alone does not trigger the FR-44. The requirement starts with a conviction. A charge reduced to reckless driving is not a DUI conviction under Section 316.193, so it does not usually require an FR-44. Always check the letter FLHSMV sends you, since it lists your exact reinstatement terms.
Florida FR-44 Insurance Requirements
Florida FR-44 requirements are often written as 100/300/50. That shorthand means $100,000 for bodily injury to one person, $300,000 for bodily injury to two or more people, and $50,000 for property damage in one crash. These limits are many times higher than what most Florida drivers must carry.
| Coverage | With an FR-44 | Standard Florida minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability, per person | $100,000 | Not required for most drivers |
| Bodily injury liability, per crash | $300,000 | Not required for most drivers |
| Property damage liability | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Optional | Optional |
FLHSMV also accepts combined single limits of $350,000 in place of split limits. A certificate of deposit of at least $350,000 is another legal option, though few drivers choose it.
Policy Rules That Come With an FR-44
Florida law adds a few rules to FR-44 policies under Section 627.7275, Florida Statutes:
- The policy must be written for at least six months.
- Your insurer must notify FLHSMV that the policy is in full force.
- You cannot lower your bodily injury, property damage or PIP limits during the policy period.
- Most insurers ask for the full six month premium up front instead of monthly payments.
PIP is still required in Florida. Lawmakers have filed bills to replace it with bodily injury coverage, but as of October 2026 PIP remains the law. An FR-44 policy must include it.
FR-44 vs SR-22 in Florida
Many drivers search for SR-22 insurance after a DUI. In Florida, a DUI conviction calls for an FR-44 instead. Both forms prove financial responsibility, but the FR-44 demands far higher limits.
| Feature | FR-44 | SR-22 |
|---|---|---|
| Main trigger in Florida | DUI conviction | Driving without insurance, too many points, habitual traffic offender, uninsured crash with injuries |
| Bodily injury liability | $100,000 / $300,000 | $10,000 / $20,000 |
| Property damage liability | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| Usual length | 3 years from reinstatement | 3 years |
| States that use it | Florida and Virginia | Most states |
| Typical cost impact | Higher, due to limits and DUI risk rating | Lower |
If you held an SR-22 before your DUI, the FR-44 replaces it. Your insurer files the FR-44 in its place, and the higher limits then apply.
How Much Does FR-44 Insurance Cost in Florida?
FR-44 drivers in Florida pay about $2,431 a year on average for full coverage, based on MoneyGeek rate data. The lowest average among the carriers it studied was about $1,775 a year. The filing itself is cheap, usually $15 to $25. The real cost is the premium increase, which often runs 50 to 200 percent above your rate before the DUI.
| Cost item | Typical amount | Who you pay |
|---|---|---|
| FR-44 filing fee | $15 to $25 | Your insurer |
| Annual premium, full coverage | About $1,775 to $2,431 on average, and higher for many drivers | Your insurer |
| DUI reinstatement fee | $150 to $500, based on prior violations | FLHSMV |
| DUI school (Level I or Level II) | Set by the state fee schedule | Your Florida DUI program |
| License and exam fees | Standard state fees | FLHSMV or tax collector |
Treat these figures as a starting point. Your own quote can land well outside the average.
What Affects Your FR-44 Premium
- Driving record. A second DUI, crashes or tickets push rates higher.
- Age and experience. Younger drivers pay the most.
- ZIP code. Miami, Fort Lauderdale and other dense areas cost more than rural counties.
- Vehicle. Newer and more expensive cars cost more to insure.
- Coverage choice. Full coverage costs more than a liability only policy that still meets 100/300/50.
- Credit and claims history. Many insurers use these in Florida pricing.
- The insurer. Rates for the same driver can vary by more than $1,400 a year from one carrier to the next.
How Long Do You Need FR-44 in Florida?
You need FR-44 insurance in Florida for three years from the date your driving privilege is reinstated. FLHSMV states this in its DUI FAQ. The clock does not start on your arrest date or your conviction date. It starts when you get your license back, whether that is a hardship license or full driving privileges.
The coverage must be continuous for all three years. This applies whether or not you own a car. If you sell your vehicle, switch to a non-owner FR-44 policy so the filing stays active.
Here is how the timeline usually works:
- You are arrested for DUI and enroll in a Florida DUI program.
- The court convicts you and revokes your license.
- You complete or enroll in DUI school and meet all other conditions.
- Your insurer files the FR-44, and you reinstate your license with FLHSMV.
- Your three year FR-44 period begins on that reinstatement date.
- If you have no new DUI or felony traffic conviction for those three years, the requirement ends.
You can confirm your exact end date with FLHSMV or your local driver license office. Do not cancel your policy until you have that date in writing.
What Happens If Your FR-44 Lapses?
Your insurer must report any cancellation, nonrenewal or lapse to FLHSMV. A lapse can lead to:
- An immediate suspension of your driver license
- A new reinstatement fee of $150 for a first lapse, $250 for a second and $500 for a third
- A new FR-44 filing before you can drive again
- A longer total time under the FR-44 requirement
- Higher premiums when you shop for a new policy
Set up reminders before each six month renewal. A single missed payment can undo months of progress.
How to Get FR-44 Insurance in Florida
Getting an FR-44 in Florida takes a few clear steps. Most drivers can finish the insurance part in one day once they choose a carrier.
- Enroll in DUI school. Florida requires a licensed DUI program before reinstatement. Boca Bay DUI Program Inc. offers Level I and Level II courses.
- Read your FLHSMV notice. It lists your revocation period, fees and the FR-44 requirement.
- Tell each insurer you need an FR-44. Not every company files them, so ask at the start.
- Buy a policy with 100/300/50 limits and PIP. Choose an owner policy if you have a car or a non-owner policy if you do not.
- Let the insurer file the form. The carrier sends the FR-44 to FLHSMV electronically. Ask for a copy for your records.
- Reinstate your license. Pay the reinstatement fee and any license fees at a driver license office or the Bureau of Administrative Reviews if you seek a hardship license.
- Keep the policy active for three years. Pay on time and renew before each term ends.
Non-Owner FR-44 Insurance
A non-owner FR-44 policy covers you when you drive a car you do not own. It carries the same 100/300/50 liability limits. It is usually cheaper than an owner policy because it does not cover a specific vehicle. It is a good fit if you sold your car or rely on rides and rentals.
How to Lower Your FR-44 Insurance Cost
- Get quotes from at least three insurers that file FR-44 forms in Florida.
- Pay the six month premium in full to avoid installment fees.
- Raise your collision and comprehensive deductibles.
- Drop full coverage on an older, paid off car and keep liability at 100/300/50.
- Bundle with renters or homeowners insurance if the carrier allows it.
- Ask about defensive driving or safety course discounts.
- Keep a clean record. Rates tend to fall as the DUI moves three to five years into the past.
How Boca Bay DUI Program Inc. Helps After a Florida DUI
The FR-44 is only one piece of getting your license back. Florida also requires a licensed DUI program, and the clock matters. You have just 10 days after a DUI arrest to act if you want a hardship license. At Boca Bay DUI Program Inc, our goal is simple. We want your DUI course to ease your stress, not add to it.
| Service | What it covers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Level I DUI Course | First DUI or felony drug arrest. Private evaluation interview plus class. | 13 hours, interview included |
| Level II DUI Course | More than one DUI arrest, a DUI reduced to reckless driving, or a prior DUI school. | 21 hours, interview included |
| Special Supervision Services | Screening for drivers with 5 or 10 year revocations who apply for early reinstatement with an ignition interlock | Ongoing |
| Ignition interlock guidance | Help with Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) requirements | As required |
We also connect drivers with our insurance partner, Nexus Insurance Group, for FR-44 quotes. To enroll, check class times or ask a question, call us at 954-449-4762.
FR-44 Insurance in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
What does FR-44 mean in Florida?
FR-44 is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility your insurer files with FLHSMV after a DUI conviction. It proves you carry 100/300/50 liability limits. It is a form attached to a policy, not a policy by itself.
How long do you need FR-44 in Florida after a DUI?
You need it for three years from the date your driving privilege is reinstated. The coverage must stay active without a break. Any lapse is reported to FLHSMV and can suspend your license again.
How much is FR-44 insurance per month in Florida?
Average full coverage with an FR-44 works out to about $150 to $200 a month, and many drivers pay more. Your price depends on age, ZIP code, vehicle and driving record. Most insurers ask for six months up front, so plan for a larger first payment.
Can I get FR-44 insurance without a car?
Yes. A non-owner FR-44 policy meets the 100/300/50 limits and covers you when you drive a car you do not own. It usually costs less than an owner policy.
What is the difference between FR-44 and SR-22 in Florida?
An FR-44 follows a DUI and requires 100/300/50 limits. An SR-22 covers non-DUI violations and only requires 10/20/10 limits. Both usually last three years.
Does a reckless driving plea require an FR-44?
Usually no. Section 324.023 applies to DUI convictions under Section 316.193. A DUI reduced to reckless driving is a different offense, but check your FLHSMV letter to be sure.
What if I move out of Florida while I need an FR-44?
Your Florida requirement does not end when you move. You must keep a valid FR-44 on file with Florida for the full three years. Some out-of-state insurers do not file FR-44 forms, so confirm this before you switch carriers.
Do I need DUI school before I reinstate my license with an FR-44?
Yes. Florida requires you to enroll in or complete a licensed DUI program as part of reinstatement. Boca Bay DUI Program Inc. offers Level I and Level II courses to meet this step.
