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If you’ve ever been convicted of a DUI in Florida, you may have heard of FR-44 insurance. Despite the name, this isn’t actually a type of insurance. Instead, it’s a document your insurance company files with the state declaring that you have the correct amount of auto insurance to meet the requirements of your conviction. FR-44 insurance in Florida requires increased liability coverage and must be purchased before you can have your license reinstated, even if you no longer own the car. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team has created this guide to help you understand what you need to do to comply with the law after a DUI in Florida.
What is “FR-44 Insurance”?
Simply put, the FR-44 is proof of insurance. A judge may order you to obtain an FR-44, or you may receive a letter in the mail informing you that you must obtain the form (and the corresponding level of insurance) before your license can be reinstated.
To meet Florida’s FR-44 requirements, you’ll need to have your insurance company send a certificate of insurance to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Management Division (FLHSMV). There may be a fee, but other than that, obtaining FR-44 is a simple process.
Drivers who do not own a vehicle and are not named on a valid insurance policy may need to find a Florida auto insurance company that will allow them to apply for non-owner insurance FR-44. Non-owner insurance provides liability coverage to the driver, not the vehicle. Depending on the provider and the severity of the conviction, you may not be able to obtain insurance from a traditional or local provider and may need to look for a company that specializes in insuring high-risk drivers.
Who needs FR-44 insurance in Florida?
Drivers convicted of DUI in Florida may need to submit an FR-44 to have their driver’s license reinstated. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety, if it is a driver’s first DUI conviction, their license will be revoked for six months to a year. If a first-time DUI offender causes an accident resulting in serious injury or death, the license revocation period will be at least three years, but could be longer.
When a driver’s license is suspended, they typically have two options: apply for a driver’s license and be granted limited driving privileges, or wait out the license revocation period.
- Applying for a driver’s license in difficult circumstances: This requires the driver to provide proof to the Administrative Review Office that they have completed a DUI program and, if court ordered, have undergone substance abuse treatment. Once approved, the driver will undergo additional testing, pay any applicable fees, and have the insurance company submit the FR-44.
- Wait for the cancellation periodDrivers must certify that they have enrolled in a DUI prevention program and must complete the program within 90 days of their license being reinstated or their license may be suspended again until the program is completed, pay any applicable fees, and maintain the FR-44 for three years.
What is an IID?
IID stands for Ignition Interlock Device. It is a small breathalyzer that, when installed in a vehicle, requires the driver to provide a breath sample in order to start the engine. If the blood alcohol content is above .05, the car will not start and a failed test will be recorded on the data report. IID requirements are commonly used for drivers granted a hardship license after a DUI conviction or as a condition of permanent license reinstatement.
FR-44 and SR-22 in Florida
The FR-44 and SR-22 are very similar. Both require drivers to provide documentation to the FLHSMV that they have the required minimum auto insurance. Both are issued after a serious traffic violation, such as a DUI, but there are some key differences between the two forms.
FR-44 is only used in Virginia and Florida. However, if you live in another state, you may need FR-44 if you are ordered to obtain one by a Virginia or Florida judge. Failure to comply can result in the revocation of your license and registration. Florida typically uses the FR-44 form for serious violations, and has the SR-22 form available for minor violations. The biggest difference between the two forms is that FR-44 requires you to purchase coverage limits that are much higher than the state’s minimum liability limits. Florida drivers who need to meet the FR-44 insurance requirements for violations after October 1, 2007 must carry the following liability coverage limits:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $100,000 per person
- Bodily injury liability insurance is $300,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability Insurance: $50,000 per accident
- or $350,000 Comprehensive Single Limit (CSL) Liability
Florida’s SR-22 requirement is a 10/20/10 policy, so FR-44 significantly increases the amount of insurance required.
FR-44 Florida Insurance Costs
The cost of filing an FR-44 varies by insurance company. The fee will be listed on your policy when you obtain the FR-44 and at each renewal during the application period. The cost of the FR-44 itself is small compared to the cost of upgrading an existing policy or obtaining it for the first time as a high-risk driver.
A secondary cost of FR-44 is the amount of insurance required. The cost of insurance with minimum coverage is usually much less than the required limits of 100/300/50. The amount you pay will depend on a variety of factors. One factor is the fee you pay to reinstate your suspended license. Fees you will have to pay include, but are not limited to:
| Price Type | Fee amount |
|---|---|
| Alcohol and drug-related expense administration fee | $130 |
| suspension | $45 |
| Reissue fee | $150 to $500 for subsequent violations |
| DUI Program Fees | $15 |
| Interlock Ignition Device Fee | $12 |
The actual costs associated with FR-44 revolve around the reason it was introduced in the first place: if you are convicted of DUI, it is your record of a DUI conviction, not FR-44 itself, that effectively increases the average cost of auto insurance through premium surcharges.
A DUI conviction is a sign of risky driving behavior to insurance companies. Drunk driving remains a significant cause of death on American roads and is associated with an increased number of insurance claims each year. For this reason, drivers with a DUI conviction who require FR-44 may not be able to avoid increased insurance premiums.
