Updated March 2026
State Requirements
Florida operates as a no-fault state, requiring all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) with minimums of 10/20/10. However, after a DUI conviction, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles mandates FR-44 certification, which raises liability requirements to 100/300/50 — ten times higher for bodily injury per person. Florida eliminated SR-22 filings for DUI offenders entirely in 2008, making FR-44 the exclusive financial responsibility certificate for license reinstatement after DUI.
Cost Overview
FR-44 insurance in Florida costs substantially more than standard policies due to the 100/300/50 liability requirement and the elevated actuarial risk category assigned to DUI offenders. Average monthly premiums range from $150–$400 for owner policies and $80–$200 for non-owner policies, based on available industry data. Rates vary widely by ZIP code, with Miami-Dade, Broward, and Hillsborough counties typically seeing premiums 20–40% above state averages due to high traffic density, uninsured motorist rates, and personal injury protection fraud claims.
What Affects Your Rate
- DUI conviction timing: Premiums are typically 15–30% higher in the first year after conviction, decreasing gradually as you demonstrate continuous coverage and clean driving through the 3-year FR-44 period.
- County and ZIP code: Miami-Dade County FR-44 rates average $270–$380/month, while North Florida counties like Alachua and Leon see $150–$230/month due to lower traffic density and injury claim frequency.
- Vehicle type and age: Insuring a 2018 or newer sedan in Tampa costs approximately 25–40% more than a 2010 economy car due to higher repair costs and comprehensive theft risk in urban Florida counties.
- Filing type: Non-owner FR-44 policies cost 40–60% less than owner policies because they exclude collision and comprehensive coverage and assume lower annual mileage exposure.
- Credit-based insurance score: Florida permits insurers to use credit history in underwriting; FR-44 filers with credit scores below 600 may see premiums 30–50% higher than those with scores above 700, even with identical driving records.
- Continuous coverage: A lapse of even one day triggers an FR-44 violation report to the Florida DMV, restarting your 3-year filing clock and often adding a $15–$25 reinstatement fee plus potential license re-suspension until coverage is restored.
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Get Your Free QuoteCoverage Types
FR-44 Insurance
The state-mandated certificate proving you carry 100/300/50 liability limits. Your insurer files the FR-44 electronically with the Florida DMV; you do not submit it yourself. The filing remains active for 3 years from your license reinstatement date, and any lapse triggers immediate DMV notification and potential re-suspension.
Non-Owner FR-44
Provides liability coverage and FR-44 filing when you do not own a vehicle. Common among suspended drivers who need reinstatement to commute via borrowed cars, employer vehicles, or rental cars. Does not cover a vehicle you own or one registered to your household.
Liability Insurance
Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others. FR-44 liability minimums are 100/300/50; standard Florida minimums are 10/20/10. The gap represents the elevated financial responsibility standard imposed after DUI conviction.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Pays for your injuries and vehicle damage when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient limits. Not required in Florida, but highly relevant given one in five drivers operates without coverage.
Collision Coverage
Covers damage to your vehicle after a collision, regardless of fault. Required by lenders if you finance or lease a vehicle. FR-44 filers with newer or financed cars must carry collision to meet loan obligations and maintain the FR-44 filing simultaneously.
Comprehensive Coverage
Covers non-collision damage: theft, vandalism, flood, hail, and animal strikes. Florida's hurricane exposure and high vehicle theft rates in metro areas make comprehensive a common addition to FR-44 policies, especially for drivers in coastal counties.
