Understanding FR-44 Insurance in Florida and Virginia

• An FR-44 requires higher coverage limits than an SR-22
• Drivers with DUI convictions in Florida and Virginia might need to file an FR-44
• FR-44 insurance coverage financially protects others from reckless drivers

In some states, drivers convicted of serious driving offenses must file an SR-22 certificate. Drivers who receive a DUI or similar extremely dangerous driving violations in Florida and Virginia must file an FR-44 insurance certificate. An FR-44 demands more comprehensive coverage to protect others on the road from reckless drivers.

Florida and Virginia require FR-44 insurance for extremely high-risk drivers. Drivers with DUI convictions pose life-threatening risks to others on the road. FR-44 insurance is necessary in order to ensure that these high-risk drivers can compensate others in the event of a repeat offense. FR-44 filing requirements tend to be more expensive than an SR-22 ruling. If you need to file an FR-44 certificate, then there is a lot you need to know.

This article should help you understand what FR-44 insurance is and how to get the right coverage. If you need FR-44 coverage, then it is important to compare quotes. By comparing quotes from a handful of insurance companies, you might be able to find FR-44 compliant coverage that will not break the bank.

What is an FR-44?

An FR-44 is not an insurance policy but a financial certificate of responsibility required for high-risk drivers. SR-22 coverage is sufficient for drivers convicted of serious driving violations in most states. Convictions requiring an SR-22 form include reckless driving, multiple car accidents, and driving while intoxicated.

In Florida and Virginia, an FR-44 certificate exists to cover more severe driving violations. FR-44 liability requirements are more comprehensive than SR-22 liability requirements in most cases. This is because driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is highly dangerous driving behavior.

FR-44 insurance guarantees comprehensive liability coverage to protect others on the road from the actions of a dangerous driver. The minimum liability requirements for an FR-44 in Florida and Virginia are higher than the requirements for SR-22 coverage. They also are higher than the state minimum liability requirements.

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What is FR-44 insurance in Florida?

In October of 2007, Florida changed the car insurance coverage laws for high-risk drivers. In addition to SR-22 coverage, Florida introduced the FR-44 insurance Florida certificate. The SR-22 certificate was not retired. Instead, the convictions that require an SR-22 got distinguished from FR-44 worthy violations.

In Florida, a driver needs an SR-22 if convicted of a serious traffic violation. Such violations include:

• Driver’s license suspension
• Habitual traffic offenses resulting in a revoked driver’s license
• Uninsured automobile accidents
• Conviction of no proof of insurance

The FR-44 certificate is mandatory for drivers convicted of a DUI, DWI, or other alcohol-related convictions.

FR-44 insurance in Florida provides more protection for others on the road than an SR-22. The logic here is pretty straightforward – any driver who habitually operates a vehicle while impaired poses a huge risk to others on the road. This risk is even greater than a driver with multiple moving violations that aren’t intoxicant related.

FR-44 liability requirements in Florida are greater than SR-22 liability requirements. 

Florida SR-22 Minimum Liability Requirements	Florida FR-44 Minimum Liability Requirements
$10,000 bodily injury liability per person	$100,000 bodily injury liability per person
$20,000 bodily injury liability per accident	$300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$10,000 property damage liability	$50,000 property damage liability

The difference in liability coverage between Florida SR-22 and FR-44 filing requirements is huge. This extra coverage is important, though. A driver who operates a motor vehicle while impaired can potentially kill other drivers on the road. By requiring coverage levels 5-15 times higher than an SR-22, an FR-44 protects others financially from dangerous drivers.

Purchasing insurance that meets Florida’s FR-44 minimum liability requirements will be much more expensive than insurance that meets the SR-22 minimum liability requirements. With an increase in coverage comes an increase in rates. With FR-44 insurance in Florida monthly payments are much higher than average.

These increased costs are why it is especially important to compare quotes if you must purchase FR-44 compliant insurance. Finding an insurance company willing to insure a very high-risk driver can be exceptionally difficult. If you need to file an FR-44, your rates can be up to 300% higher than a driver with a clean record. But there are options for coverage even though prices will be increased. For instance, you can get a GEICO fr-44 certificate if you have insurance with GEICO.

What is FR-44 insurance in Virginia?

Shortly after Florida’s FR-44 law, in January 2008, high-risk Virginia drivers needed to purchase FR-44 compliant insurance for major driving violations. Whereas Florida’s FR-44 insurance is only necessary for DUIs and alcohol-related driving offenses, Virginia has a few other convictions that may require an FR-44 certificate.

In Virginia, a driver might need an SR-22 certificate if they get convicted of:

• Suspension of an uninsured motor vehicle
• Failure to provide proof of insurance
• Falsifying insurance documentation
• Driver’s license suspension

In Virginia, very high-risk drivers may need an FR-44 if they get convicted of:

• Bodily harm while under the influence
• Driving while intoxicated or impaired
• Driving with a suspended license
• Other violations of federal law

FR-44 insurance in Virginia has minimum liability requirements that are lower than those in Florida. FR-44 insurance requirements in Virginia are still much greater than SR-22 minimum liability requirements. Virginia SR-22 minimum liability limits are the same as general state minimum limits.

Virginia SR-22 minimum liability	Virginia FR-44 minimum liability
$25,000 bodily injury per person	$50,000 bodily injury per person
$50,000 bodily injury per accident	$100,000 bodily injury per accident
$20,000 property damage	$40,000 property damage

FR-44 insurance in Virginia minimal liability requirements are twice the state minimum requirements. 

Even though these coverage limits are lower than those in Florida, you can still expect to pay much higher rates if you need an FR-44 certificate in Virginia. 

What are the consequences of holding an FR-44 certificate?

Drivers who need to file an FR-44 certificate are beyond high-risk drivers — operating a vehicle while impaired is an extremely dangerous mistake. If you drive while intoxicated, you pose a risk to yourself and those around you. This risk makes an FR-44 driver expensive to insure, exceeding the costs of SR-22 insurance.

Insurance companies need to minimize the risk of insuring drivers. Whenever an insurance company takes on a customer, they risk paying out immense claims for a reckless driver’s actions.

An FR-44 certificate indicates that a driver is a very high risk. Because of this risk, it can be difficult to find an insurance company willing to work with an FR-44 driver. 

Drivers who need to file an FR-44 may still be able to find insurance through Florida and Virginia state-assigned risk pools. These states offer insurance options for very high-risk drivers. This specialty insurance is generally known as non-standard insurance. 

An FR-44 certificate indicates that a driver is a very high risk.

Non-standard insurance companies specialize in working with high-risk drivers. This option is much more expensive than a standard insurance company. Still, if you are required to file for FR-44 insurance, then you may need to pay this extra expense.

In order to have your license reinstated after a severe driving violation like a DUI conviction, you must prove to the state that you are ready to be responsible for your actions. Filing for FR-44 insurance is the first step in turning over a new leaf with your state.

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What is an FR-44 insurance certificate?

An FR-44 insurance certificate is a certificate of financial responsibility. An FR-44 is not an insurance policy but rather a court-mandated proof of insurance for very high-risk drivers. FR-44 coverage helps financially protect other drivers on the road. Both SR-22 and FR-44 insurance coverages are more expensive than traditional car insurance. 

If you have a DUI or DWI conviction and you live in Virginia or Florida, you may be required to file an FR-44 certificate. This ruling can be very discouraging, but with a little bit of research, you might be able to find an affordable insurance option. You find different coverage options depending on your needs, such as FR-44 insurance in Florida for non-owners if you do not own a car.

To get your insurance rates back to standard, you need to prove that you can be a safe driver. Being a safe driver means never operating a motor vehicle while impaired. It also means maintaining the coverage that the court orders for the required duration.

Once you have fulfilled your FR-44 requirements, you might be able to go back to standard insurance rates. Generally, the FR-44 will only stay on your record for three to five years. After you have fulfilled your requirement, then you can start over with a clean slate.

Understanding FR-44 Insurance in Florida and Virginia

After reading this article, you should better understand what FR-44 insurance means in your situation. You should shop around first if you need coverage to comply with your FR-44 insurance requirements. By comparing quotes from a handful of car insurance companies, you might be able to find FR-44 compliant insurance that will not break the bank.

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