I Just Got a DUI in Florida and Need FR-44: How to Get It (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Florida requires an FR-44, not an SR-22, for DUI and DWI convictions specifically. SR-22 still applies to other violations like driving without insurance or excessive points.
- FR-44 requires liability limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $50,000 for property damage.
- The filing must be maintained for three consecutive years, starting from the date your license is reinstated, not the date of conviction.
- FR-44 insurance typically runs $150 to $400 or more per month due to the higher required limits.
- A non-owner FR-44 policy satisfies the requirement if you don’t own a vehicle.
If the court or FLHSMV just told you that you need FR-44 insurance, the first thing to know is that it isn’t the same as SR-22, even though most national guidance defaults to that term. Florida and Virginia are the only two states that use FR-44 specifically for DUI and DWI convictions, and it requires liability limits roughly ten times higher than the state minimum. Understanding Florida fr44 insurance requirements up front saves you from filing the wrong paperwork, so here’s exactly how to get it.
FR-44 is a certificate your insurance provider files with FLHSMV, proving you carry Florida’s higher DUI-specific liability limits: $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $50,000 for property damage.
How to get FR-44 insurance after a Florida DUI
Step 1: Confirm you actually need FR-44, not SR-22
If your conviction is DUI or DWI, you need FR-44. If FLHSMV or your court paperwork says SR-22, double check the underlying violation, since SR-22 in Florida applies to non-DUI issues like driving without insurance, excessive points, or reckless driving. Filing the wrong certificate delays your reinstatement, so confirming this before you shop saves real time.
Step 2: Figure out whether you need an owner or non-owner policy
If you own a vehicle, you’ll need a standard FR-44 policy covering that car at the required 100/300/50 limits. If you don’t own a car, a non-owner FR-44 policy satisfies the same filing requirement and typically costs less, since there’s no vehicle to insure for physical damage. This applies to most motor vehicles registered in Florida, and it matters even if you were driving someone else’s car at the time of the DUI.
Step 3: Shop carriers that specifically handle high-risk FR-44 filings
Not every insurance company writes FR-44 policies, and rates vary more between carriers here than for almost any other type of car insurance, the spread between the cheapest and most expensive carrier can exceed $100 to $200 a month for identical coverage. Standard carriers like State Farm, Progressive, and GEICO all write FR-44 in Florida, while non-standard, high-risk specialists like Dairyland and The General focus on drivers standard carriers decline. Get quotes from at least three or four before committing.
Step 4: Purchase the policy and confirm the filing goes through
Once you buy a qualifying insurance policy, your insurance provider files the FR-44 certificate directly with FLHSMV electronically, typically for a filing fee in the range of $15 to $50 on top of your premium. Don’t assume it’s done automatically, confirm with your insurance company or check your FLHSMV status directly that the filing was received before assuming your license is ready to be reinstated.
Step 5: Maintain continuous coverage for the full three-year period
The three-year clock starts when your driving privileges are reinstated, not when you were convicted, so a lengthy suspension period extends how long you’ll actually carry the requirement. A lapse in insurance coverage, even for a single day, typically resets the clock back to zero and can trigger another license suspension. Set up autopay or a renewal reminder so this doesn’t happen by accident.
Why does a DUI require FR-44 instead of a standard policy?
Florida law treats a DUI conviction as evidence of meaningfully higher driving risk, and responds by requiring proof of financial responsibility at a much higher level than the state’s baseline automobile insurance minimums for PIP and property damage. The cost difference between FR-44 and a standard car insurance policy comes almost entirely from those higher liability limits themselves, not a separate DUI surcharge layered on top, though the conviction does affect your rate as well.
How do Florida’s top insurers compare on FR-44 costs?
FR-44 rates vary more between carriers than almost any other type of Florida auto insurance policy, since not every insurance provider treats DUI risk the same way, and not every carrier writes FR-44 policies at all. The filing fee itself is small, so the real cost driver is the 100/300/50 liability minimum layered on top of a DUI conviction’s effect on your risk profile.
| Carrier | Market type | Typical monthly rate, owner policy | Notes for FR-44 shoppers |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | Standard | Approximately $85 to $140 | Frequently cited as one of the cheapest standard carriers for FR-44 filings in Florida |
| Progressive | Standard | Approximately $85 to $140, sometimes higher | Rates vary sharply by driver profile; also named among the more FR-44-competitive standard carriers |
| GEICO | Standard | Approximately $100 to $110 | Premiums rise noticeably after a DUI but generally stay competitive against other standard carriers |
| Dairyland | Non-standard, high-risk specialist | Varies, often competitive for recent DUIs | Specializes in high-risk and non-standard drivers that some standard carriers decline |
| The General | Non-standard, high-risk specialist | $180 or more | Broad acceptance of high-risk drivers, but typically among the pricier options for identical coverage |
Sample rates only, based on a representative profile (single DUI, clean record otherwise). Rates run 15% to 25% higher in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties than in less densely populated parts of the state. Non-owner FR-44 policies cost substantially less, often in the $14 to $60 monthly range. Sources: MyFloridaFR44, Quote.com.
The bottom line
Getting FR-44 insurance after a Florida DUI comes down to five steps: confirm you need FR-44 and not SR-22, decide between an owner or non-owner policy, shop multiple carriers since the price spread is unusually wide, purchase and confirm the filing went through, then keep coverage continuous for the full three years. Skipping any one of these steps is what typically causes a delayed reinstatement or a reset filing clock.
If you’re shopping for FR-44 coverage, compare quotes from at least three carriers that specialize in high-risk filings. Given how wide the spread runs, this is one situation where the first quote you get is rarely the best one available.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get FR-44 insurance in Florida after a DUI?
Confirm you need FR-44 rather than SR-22, decide whether you need an owner or non-owner policy, shop insurance providers that write high-risk FR-44 filings, purchase a policy with the required 100/300/50 liability limits, and confirm your insurance company files the certificate with FLHSMV.
Does Florida use SR-22 for DUI convictions?
No. Florida requires an FR-44 for DUI and DWI convictions instead of the standard SR-22. SR-22 in Florida is reserved for non-alcohol-related violations, such as driving without insurance or excessive points.
How long do I need to carry FR-44 insurance in Florida?
Most FR-44 requirements last three years, or 36 consecutive months, starting from the date your driving privileges are reinstated rather than the date of your conviction.
Can I get FR-44 insurance without owning a car?
Yes. A non-owner FR-44 policy satisfies the filing requirement and covers you when driving vehicles you don’t own, such as rentals or borrowed cars, typically at a lower cost than an owner’s policy.
What happens if my FR-44 coverage lapses?
A lapse in coverage, even briefly, typically resets your three-year filing clock back to the beginning and can result in your license being suspended again. Continuous, uninterrupted coverage is essential throughout the filing period.
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