Progressive FR-44 Insurance in Florida: Rates & Availability

Progressive Corporation does not issue FR-44 certificates in Florida. The company underwrites standard and preferred-risk auto policies through its main carrier, and high-risk SR-22 policies through Progressive Specialty Insurance Company in states that require SR-22 filing. Florida eliminated SR-22 for DUI offenders in 2008, replacing it with the stricter FR-44 filing that mandates 100/300/50 liability limits — double the bodily injury coverage required under SR-22 in most states. Progressive has not entered Florida's FR-44 market. If you receive a quote from a Progressive agent or the Progressive website for a Florida auto policy, it will not include FR-44 filing capability. Some drivers are mistakenly told they can add SR-22 filing to a Progressive policy, which is not a valid substitute in Florida. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) will not accept an SR-22 certificate for license reinstatement after a DUI conviction. You must obtain a policy from a carrier licensed to file FR-44 certificates with the state. The filing error is not always caught immediately. You may pay premiums for weeks or months before discovering the policy does not satisfy your reinstatement requirement. When you attempt to reinstate your license, the FLHSMV will confirm no valid FR-44 is on file, your reinstatement will be denied, and your 3-year compliance period — which begins only after a valid FR-44 is filed and your license is reinstated — will not have started. You will need to cancel the Progressive policy, purchase FR-44 coverage from an eligible carrier, and begin the process again.

Progressive agents and online quote tools generate Florida auto insurance quotes based on the state's standard minimum liability requirements: 10/20/10 for bodily injury and property damage. These policies satisfy the financial responsibility requirement for drivers without a DUI conviction or major violation. They do not satisfy the FR-44 requirement, which mandates liability limits of 100/300/50 — $100,000 per person for bodily injury, $300,000 per incident, and $50,000 for property damage. Some Progressive quotes may include higher liability limits that match or exceed 100/300/50, but the policy still will not include FR-44 filing unless the carrier is authorized to submit FR-44 certificates to the FLHSMV. Progressive's underwriting system does not flag FR-44 filing requirements during the quote process, and agents may not be trained to distinguish between SR-22 and FR-44 filing obligations. You may be quoted a policy that meets the liability threshold but lacks the certificate filing mechanism required by Florida law. If you purchase a Progressive policy and later request FR-44 filing, the company will inform you it cannot accommodate the filing. At that point, you will need to shop for a new carrier, potentially pay cancellation fees, and lose any premium paid for the portion of the policy term already elapsed. The delay extends the period during which you cannot legally drive, and the 3-year FR-44 compliance clock does not begin until a valid certificate is filed with the state.

Florida's FR-44 market is served by a limited group of non-standard and high-risk auto insurers. The most widely available carriers include The General, Acceptance Insurance, Anchor General Insurance, Direct Auto, Infinity Insurance, and National General. These companies underwrite policies specifically for drivers with DUI convictions and major violations, and their systems are configured to file FR-44 certificates electronically with the FLHSMV within 24 to 48 hours of policy binding. Monthly premiums for FR-44 policies in Florida typically range from $200 to $400 per month for the minimum required liability limits of 100/300/50. Drivers with a recent DUI conviction, multiple violations, or a lapsed insurance history will see rates toward the higher end of that range. Drivers who complete DUI school, maintain continuous coverage, and avoid additional violations during the filing period may qualify for mid-term rate reductions after the first policy term. If you do not own a vehicle but need to reinstate your license, you will need a non-owner FR-44 policy. This provides the required liability coverage and filing without insuring a specific car. Non-owner FR-44 policies cost less than standard FR-44 policies — typically $150 to $250 per month — because they exclude collision and comprehensive coverage and limit the insurer's exposure to liability-only risk. Most FR-44 carriers offer non-owner policies, though not all advertise them prominently. You must request non-owner FR-44 coverage explicitly when obtaining quotes.

The most common filing mistake is purchasing a policy from a carrier that does not write FR-44 certificates, then discovering the error only when attempting to reinstate your license. The FLHSMV provides an online portal where you can verify whether a valid FR-44 is on file under your driver license number. If no FR-44 appears within 72 hours of purchasing a policy, contact your insurer immediately to confirm filing status. If the carrier cannot file FR-44, cancel the policy and shop with an eligible carrier. The second most common mistake is allowing a lapse in FR-44 coverage during the 3-year compliance period. If your policy cancels for non-payment or you voluntarily cancel without replacing it, the insurer is required to notify the FLHSMV within 10 days. Your license will be suspended again, and the 3-year compliance clock will reset. You will need to pay reinstatement fees again, purchase new FR-44 coverage, and begin the full 3-year period from the date of the new filing. A single lapse can extend your total compliance period to four or five years depending on how long it takes to secure replacement coverage. To avoid filing mistakes, verify the carrier is licensed to file FR-44 certificates in Florida before purchasing a policy. Ask the agent or insurer explicitly: "Does this policy include FR-44 filing with the Florida DHSMV?" Do not accept answers about SR-22 filing, high-risk coverage, or liability limits alone. Confirm the specific FR-44 filing mechanism is included. After binding the policy, check the FLHSMV online portal within 72 hours to confirm the FR-44 certificate appears under your driver license number.

Because Progressive does not write FR-44 policies in Florida, you will need to shop with non-standard and high-risk carriers directly or through an independent agent who works with multiple FR-44 insurers. Captive agents who represent only one carrier cannot compare rates across the market, and many standard-market agents do not have appointments with FR-44 carriers. Independent agents specializing in high-risk and non-standard coverage can quote multiple carriers simultaneously and identify the lowest-cost option for your specific violation history and coverage needs. When comparing FR-44 quotes, confirm each quote includes the required 100/300/50 liability limits and FR-44 filing. Some carriers quote lower liability limits by default, which will not satisfy Florida's requirement. Others may quote SR-22 filing if their system defaults to out-of-state requirements. Request itemized quotes that break out liability limits, filing fees, and any additional fees for DUI violations or installment payment plans. Filing fees typically range from $15 to $50, charged once at policy inception or annually depending on the carrier. Most FR-44 carriers offer monthly payment plans, though they charge installment fees that increase the effective annual cost by 10% to 20%. If you can pay the full six-month or annual premium upfront, you will save on installment fees and reduce the risk of a lapse due to missed payments. If you require a payment plan, confirm the carrier reports payment activity to the FLHSMV and understand the grace period before a missed payment triggers a lapse notice. Grace periods typically range from 10 to 15 days, after which the insurer is required to notify the state and your license will be suspended.