Guide to FR-44 Insurance

An FR-44 is a form that proves you have a certain level of car insurance that is higher than the state’s minimum coverage. Only Florida and Virginia require FR-44s for people who have been convicted of serious traffic violations, like a DUI or driving while intoxicated.

Required Coverage

Check out the requirements for car insurance in Florida and Virginia with and without an FR-44.

Note that Virginia’s minimum requirements are increasing on January 1, 2025.

Is an FR-44 the Same as Insurance?

An FR-44 form is not the same as a car insurance policy. Rather, it’s proof of insurance, which you’ll need to drive again legally after certain driving-related convictions.

Your FR-44 will be issued by your insurance company and filed with the DMV when you purchase your insurance policy once your license has been reinstated.

What Is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility?

Another word for an FR-44 or SR-22 form is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility. It proves you hold the required liability coverage to cover the other party’s injuries and property damage if you cause an accident, up to the limits set by the state.

Common examples of offenses requiring FR-44s include:

• DUI/DWI convictions
• Traffic offenses causing serious injury or death
• Repeat traffic offenses

Violations That Require FR-44s in Virginia

In Virginia, you will need an FR-44 if you have been convicted for one of the following:

• Maiming under the influence
• Driving under the influence of drugs or intoxicants
• Driving while your license has been forfeited due to a conviction or a ruling of “found not innocent” for a juvenile offense
• Violating federal law, another state’s law, or a valid local ordinance similar to the above convictions¹

Violations That Require FR-44s in Florida

In Florida, FR-44s are required for DUI convictions.²

How Long You’ll Need an FR-44

Typically, you’ll have to carry an FR-44 for three years following your license reinstatement date.

Do You Need an FR-44 If You Don’t Have a Car?

Yes, you need to file an FR-44 even if you don’t have a car. In this case, you’d be required to purchase a non-owner’s policy. This policy ensures you comply with the FR-44 mandate and maintain your driving privileges.

Purchasing a non-owners policy not only ensures you’re in compliance with the law, it also ensures you maintain continuous coverage. This helps prevent price hikes caused by lapses in coverage. Typically, a non-owners policy includes only liability coverage, meaning it would cover third-party injuries and damages if you caused an accident.

Florida

In Florida, the average annual cost of auto insurance with an FR-44 is a little over $4,000. GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive, tend to have lower-than-average rates—however, to find out exactly how much you’ll pay, you need to get a quote. Pricing data is more limited for smaller, high-risk carriers, so shop the market in order to find the best rates.

Virginia

The cost of insurance with an FR-44 in Virginia is lower than in Florida. In general, you can find a minimum coverage policy for around $1,200 annually ($100 monthly). State Farm, Erie, and USAA tend to have below-average rates.

Filing Costs

Filing an FR-44 costs only $15 to $25, but the real financial impact comes from increased auto insurance costs, as explained above.

Not all insurance companies will accept drivers who require FR-44s. In some cases, your provider may drop you as a customer. If you’re struggling to find affordable coverage, contact an insurance company which specializes in high-risk drivers.

Consider the following companies that accept people requiring FR-44s:

• Bristol West
• Dairyland
• Direct Auto
• Erie
• GEICO
• Infinity
• Nationwide
• Progressive
• State Farm
• GAINSCO
• The General
• Travelers
• USAA

Your insurance provider will submit your FR-44 on your behalf. Let your insurance agent know you need an FR-44, and they will contact your state’s DMV for you (provided your insurance accepts drivers who require FR-44s).

While your insurance rates will be higher with an FR-44 than without, there are ways to keep them as low as possible.

1. Shop around: First, compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. Getting a car insurance quote won’t affect your credit score, so you can only benefit from shopping the market.
2. Get discounts: Ask your insurance agent what discounts you qualify for. For example, could you save money by paying for your policy annually as opposed to every six months? There are easy ways to save that you may not be aware of.
3. Take a defensive driving course: Many providers offer discounts for taking defensive driver courses. This can also be a good way to improve driving skills and rebuild confidence after a serious accident.
4. Drop coverages you don’t need: While you’ll have to purchase the inflated limits that the FR-44 requires, you can minimize optional coverages, like rental car insurance, roadside assistance, or collision/comprehensive coverage on an older car that’s paid off.
5. Raise your deductible: As long as you have the money to spend out of pocket on any property damage, raising your deductible could be a good way to lower your rates.
6. Improve your credit score: If you improve your credit score, you’ll see lower insurance prices in Florida and Virginia.

People often compare FR-44s to SR-22 forms, but there are some key differences to be aware of.

What’s the Difference Between FR-44s and SR-22s?

The key difference between FR-44s and SR-22s is that SR-22s require you to have the minimum insurance coverage the state mandates for all drivers, while FR-44s require you to have higher-than-minimum coverage. Additionally, while many states require SR-22s, only Florida and Virginia require FR-44s, and they are for more serious convictions.

Who Needs an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that many states require for drivers with certain convictions. However, SR-22s require you to have only the state’s minimum insurance coverage, not the higher limits imposed by an FR-44.

Most states use SR-22s. The following states are the only exceptions:

• Delaware
• Kentucky
• Minnesota
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania

SR-22 rules vary from state to state. For example, in Georgia, you’ll need an SR-22 if you’ve had your driver’s license revoked for three to five years and are a habitual violator of the law. In Montana, you’ll need an SR-22 if you’ve had your driver’s license revoked due to certain felony convictions, or have 30 or more conviction points within the past three years.

Whether you’ve been convicted of a DUI, DWI, or another driving offense, FR-44s are required for more serious driving offenses in Florida and Virginia. You’ll be required to file an SR-22 for less serious infractions, like driving with a license that was suspended due to a car crash. If you follow the law, you can prevent yourself from injuring others, causing property damage, losing your driver’s license, and paying much higher car insurance rates.