Question 1

What is an FR-44 and why do I need it?

Accepted Answer

An FR-44 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you carry higher liability insurance limits, required by Florida and Virginia DMVs after a DUI or DWI conviction before they will reinstate your license. It's not insurance itself — it's a filing your insurance company submits directly to the DMV showing you maintain coverage at 100/300/50 limits in Florida or 50/100/40 in Virginia. The DMV requires continuous FR-44 filing for three years in both states. If your policy lapses or cancels, your insurer notifies the DMV and your license gets suspended again.

Question 2

Can I get FR-44 insurance if I don't own a car?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can get a non-owner FR-44 policy if you don't own or regularly drive a vehicle but need to reinstate your license. Non-owner FR-44 policies provide liability coverage when you occasionally drive borrowed or rental cars and satisfy the DMV's filing requirement. They typically cost less than standard FR-44 policies because you're not insuring a specific vehicle. Many drivers in your situation use non-owner policies during their suspension period, then switch to a standard policy when they purchase a vehicle.

Question 3

What's the difference between FR-44 and SR-22?

Accepted Answer

FR-44 requires higher liability limits than SR-22 and is specifically for DUI offenders in Florida and Virginia, while SR-22 exists in most other states for various violations. Florida completely replaced SR-22 with FR-44 for DUI cases — if you got a DUI in Florida, you need FR-44, not SR-22. Virginia uses both: FR-44 for DUI/DWI and SR-22 for other serious violations like reckless driving. The coverage minimums are significantly different: Florida FR-44 is 100/300/50, while Florida SR-22 (for non-DUI cases) was only 10/20/10 before being phased out.

Question 4

How much does FR-44 insurance cost?

Accepted Answer

FR-44 insurance typically costs between $1,200 and $3,500 per year depending on your driving record, age, location, and whether you need owner or non-owner coverage. The FR-44 filing fee itself is usually $15-$50, but the real cost is the high-risk insurance premium required to meet the coverage minimums. Non-owner FR-44 policies generally run $600-$1,500 annually because there's no vehicle to insure. Rates vary dramatically between insurance companies — some specialize in FR-44 and price significantly lower than standard carriers who view these filings as extremely high-risk.

Question 5

How long do I have to carry FR-44 insurance?

Accepted Answer

You must maintain continuous FR-44 coverage for three years in both Florida and Virginia with no lapses. The three-year period starts from the date your insurance company files the FR-44 with the DMV, not from your conviction or license suspension date. If your insurance lapses or you cancel your policy at any point during those three years, the DMV suspends your license again and the three-year clock resets when you file a new FR-44. There are no early terminations or hardship exceptions to the three-year requirement.

Question 6

Does FR-44 Coverage Info sell my information to other companies?

Accepted Answer

When you submit your information through this site, it goes to licensed insurance agents and carriers who will contact you with quotes — that is how this free service works. We do not sell your information to unrelated third parties or data brokers outside the insurance industry. You should expect phone calls and emails from insurance agents after submitting because they need to gather additional details to provide accurate FR-44 quotes. You can opt out of future communications directly with any agent who contacts you.

Question 7

Is FR-44 Coverage Info a legitimate site or a scam?

Accepted Answer

FR-44 Coverage Info is a lead generation service that connects drivers who need FR-44 insurance with licensed agents and carriers who offer it — we make money when you submit your information and agents pay us for that referral. We are not an insurance company or broker ourselves. This is a common business model in insurance and financial services, and the service is free to you because insurance professionals pay for qualified leads. The agents who contact you must be licensed in Florida or Virginia to sell FR-44 policies.

Question 8

What happens after I buy FR-44 insurance?

Accepted Answer

After you purchase a policy, your insurance company electronically files the FR-44 certificate with the Florida DHSMV or Virginia DMV within 24-48 hours. You'll receive a copy of the FR-44 form for your records, but the DMV gets the official filing directly from your insurer. Once the DMV processes the filing (usually 3-7 business days), you can complete any remaining reinstatement requirements like paying fees or completing DUI school. You should confirm with the DMV that they received your FR-44 before assuming your license is valid to drive.

Question 9

Can I get FR-44 insurance with a suspended license?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can and must purchase FR-44 insurance while your license is still suspended because filing the FR-44 is a required step to get your license reinstated. Insurance companies are legally required to sell you a policy even with a suspended license if you meet their underwriting criteria. You cannot legally drive until the DMV officially reinstates your license, but you need the active insurance and FR-44 filing in place before reinstatement can happen. The non-owner FR-44 option exists specifically for drivers in this situation who don't have a car to insure during suspension.

Question 10

Why is FR-44 insurance so expensive?

Accepted Answer

FR-44 insurance costs more because it requires double or triple the liability limits of standard policies and you're classified as high-risk after a DUI conviction. Florida's 100/300/50 requirement is 10 times higher than the standard 10/20/10 minimum previously required, and Virginia's 50/100/40 is more than double the standard minimums. Insurance companies use statistical data showing DUI offenders have significantly higher accident rates, which drives up premiums. The cost typically decreases after your first year if you maintain a clean record, and it drops substantially after the three-year FR-44 period ends.

Question 11

Do all insurance companies offer FR-44 coverage?

Accepted Answer

No, many standard insurance companies like Geico, State Farm, and Progressive either don't offer FR-44 policies or charge extremely high rates because they don't specialize in high-risk filings. You'll typically find better rates with insurers that focus on non-standard and SR-22/FR-44 coverage, such as The General, Direct Auto, Acceptance, and regional carriers. This is why comparing multiple quotes is critical — rates can vary by $1,000 or more annually between carriers for identical coverage. Some companies offer FR-44 in Florida but not Virginia, or vice versa, so your location matters.

Question 12

What happens if I move from Florida to Virginia or vice versa with an FR-44?

Accepted Answer

If you move states during your three-year FR-44 period, you must obtain a new FR-44 policy in your new state and the three-year clock does not transfer or reset — you still only serve the original three years total. Contact your current insurer first, as some operate in both states and can transfer your policy, but you'll need new FR-44 paperwork filed with your new state's DMV. Notify both your old and new DMV of your address change and confirm the new FR-44 filing is received before the old state's policy cancels. Gaps in coverage will suspend your license in both states.

Question 13

How do I know if I'm comparing real FR-44 quotes?

Accepted Answer

Real FR-44 quotes will specifically state the required liability limits (100/300/50 in Florida or 50/100/40 in Virginia) and include the FR-44 filing as part of the policy. If an agent quotes you standard minimum liability or doesn't mention FR-44 filing, they're not quoting the right product. Ask explicitly whether the FR-44 certificate filing is included and when it will be submitted to the DMV. Legitimate agents should explain how the filing process works and confirm their company is authorized to file electronically with your state's DMV.

Question 14

Can I just get the cheapest FR-44 policy I find?

Accepted Answer

You can choose the cheapest FR-44 policy as long as it meets your state's minimum requirements and comes from a licensed, financially stable insurance company. Verify the insurer is authorized to do business in Florida or Virginia by checking your state's insurance department website. The main risk with extremely cheap policies is insurers with poor customer service or financial instability that could delay DMV filings or create problems if you need to file a claim. Price is important, but also consider the company's ability to maintain continuous filing and respond quickly if issues arise.

Question 15

Will my FR-44 requirement show up on my driving record forever?

Accepted Answer

The DUI conviction stays on your driving record for 75 years in Florida and 11 years in Virginia, but the FR-44 filing requirement itself ends after three continuous years of coverage. Once you've completed the three-year FR-44 period, you can switch to standard insurance at regular rates and are no longer required to carry the higher liability limits. However, the underlying DUI conviction will continue to affect your insurance rates for 3-5 years with most carriers, even after FR-44 ends. Your record will show you satisfied the FR-44 requirement, which demonstrates compliance to future insurers.

FR-44 Insurance Questions Answered