Florida drivers may need to carry SR-22 insurance to be legal behind the wheels for drivers marked on their licenses. Despite its name, the SR-22 is not actually the insurance itself, but a certificate indicating that there is an appropriate amount of insurance. Your career will submit this form at Florida DMV upon your request. The SR-22 is not expensive, but usually costs around $25, but may cost other costs. Carrying the SR-22 requires only a driver with a history of vehicle infringement, so premiums can be higher than if they had had a clean record. In some cases, your insurance company may not be willing to file an SR-22 for you, and you will need to find another insurance company to work with you.
What is the SR-22?
The SR-22 is a form that certifies you with an auto insurance policy that meets Florida minimum coverage requirements. Not all drivers need an SR-22. In most cases, you should only use this form if your driver’s license is suspended or if you have recently experienced one of these driving events.
- Over the past six months, I have received several traffic violations, including speeding tickets.
- You were convicted of DUI/DWI (requires FR-44 and has a 100/300 liability limit)
- License suspended due to failure to pay child support
- You had an accident and did not have car insurance
One of these types of situations could trigger a Florida DMV and request an SR-22 submission. If you need an SR-22, your insurance company may place you in the high-risk driver category. This could mean an increase in premium rates. If you find an insurance company that offers SR-22 filing, filing the form should be easy, but there are several important aspects to the process to understand.
Please note that if you need to use the SR-22 in Florida, the following minimum level of liability coverage is also required:
- $10,000 per person for each accident
- $20,000 in physical injuries per accident
- Liability for property damages of $10,000 for each accident
Florida SR-22 Insurance
If not insured, what is Florida SR-22? Technically, it is a “financial liability certificate.” The purpose is to show the DMV that at least the smallest state has the insurance amount needed, and that it can be financially liable in the event of an accident. Your career will generate this document and submit it on your behalf.
To use the SR-22, you need car insurance. You may find insurers who are reluctant to write an insurance policy because they consider it a higher risk than the average driver, as they only need to get FL SR-22 insurance if there is a mobility violation or if the license is suspended. Also, if you find an insurance company, you are likely to have to pay higher than average fees.
SR-22 vs FR-44
Florida is one of only a handful of states with SR-22 requirements, in addition to the alternative forms needed under other circumstances. As a result, Florida drivers need to have a clear understanding of this more complex regulatory environment.
Florida also has additional forms needed in certain circumstances. This is a FR-44, similar to the SR-22 requirement. FR-44 is required if Florida and alcohol are involved in cases or other serious offences.
Like the SR-22, the Florida FR-44 requires the driver to submit proof of coverage to the state DMV with the insurance company. However, there is a difference between the two. The FR-44, also known as a certificate of higher limiting liability coverage, can be used for serious crimes such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while the SR-22 is more likely to come up for traffic violations such as reckless driving or uninsured driving.
Another difference is the amount of coverage you need. The FR-44S requires drivers to increase their liability insurance amounts higher than the state minimum. Includes:
- Physical injury liability of $100,000 per person per accident
- $300,000 for each accident
- Liability for property damages of $50,000 per accident
This is higher than the SR-22 requirement on 10/20/10.
Florida SR-22 Insurance Cost
The costs associated with Florida SR-22 insurance exceed the actual certificate application fee. This is usually between $15 and $25.
If your license is suspended or revoked, it means there are many serious traffic violations in your driving record. Auto insurance companies consider them as high-risk drivers who are likely to cause an accident or are likely to be involved in expensive insurance claims that the auto insurance company may be financially liable. So, although it may be covered by compensation, it usually costs higher than the Florida average.
Not all car insurance companies offer SR-22 filing in Florida. As long as traffic incidents that led to the need for the SR-22 are kept on record, (more expensive) car insurance should be maintained.
Typically, the SR-22 certificate (and the corresponding insurance contract) must be kept valid for approximately three years. This reflects the time it takes for a violation to be removed from the driving record.
If coverage expires at any time while having the SR-22 certificate, your insurance company will report it to the DMV. Failure to maintain the required insurance coverage during this period could result in additional penalties, such as a suspended or revoked license.
Florida Driver Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance
What happens if the DMV is asked to provide the SR-22 before recovering my driver’s license? You can continue to get auto insurance by purchasing non-owner car insurance. Non-owner car insurance covers you, not your car. This means that if you drive someone else’s car, you will have insurance. If you purchase car insurance from someone other than your owner, the insurance company can issue a Florida SR-22 certificate, which allows you to request that you reissue your driver’s license.
