What Is FR-44 Insurance?

A DUI or DWI can change everything overnight. Your license may be suspended. Also, the state may require proof of higher insurance coverage before you can drive again. To meet that requirement, you’ll need an FR-44. It’s not an insurance policy, but a state filing tied to your auto insurance after a serious driving offense. Because of this, your insurance company must show you carry much higher liability insurance limits, often at a higher cost.

In this article, we’ll discuss what FR-44 form/insurance is, who needs it, its requirements, how to get one, how much it costs, how long you have to carry it, and more.

So, What Is FR-44 Insurance?

FR-44 isn’t an insurance policy itself. It’s a state-required certificate your insurer files to prove you carry sufficient auto coverage after a serious driving offense. 

Most often, it’s required following a DUI or DWI. In these cases, the state demands proof of higher liability limits than a standard car insurance policy provides. Your insurer submits the FR-44 directly to the DMV on your behalf. 

Currently, only Florida and Virginia use the FR-44. Other states rely on the SR-22 instead. The difference? FR-44 requires much stricter coverage levels, which is why it typically comes with higher premiums. 

Why Does Someone Need FR-44 Insurance?

You need an FR-44 if the state considers you a high-risk driver, most often after a DUI or DWI conviction. In these cases, the state requires proof that you carry much higher liability insurance limits before restoring your driving privileges. 

Put simply, the FR-44 protects the public. It demonstrates that you have enough coverage to pay for injuries or property damage if another accident occurs. Without it, you generally cannot reinstate your license in Florida or Virginia. 

Who Needs an FR-44 Form?

You may need an FR-44 if you: 

• Were convicted of a DUI or DWI 
• Have repeat alcohol-related driving offenses 
• Caused an accident involving serious injury 
• Are you reinstating a suspended or revoked license after a major violation

In most cases, the court or your state DMV will notify you. Then, you must contact your insurance company to file the FR-44 and activate the required auto insurance policy.

FR-44 Insurance Requirements

As we said, FR-44 requirements are stricter than a regular car insurance policy. That’s because the state wants stronger financial protection after a serious driving offense. So, you must carry much higher liability insurance limits at all times. 

In addition, your insurance company must file the FR-44 with the DMV. You also need continuous insurance coverage with no lapses. If your policy is canceled, your license can be suspended again. 

Florida FR-44 Insurance Requirements

In Florida, FR-44 requires significantly higher liability insurance limits. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, you must carry at least: 

• $100,000 for injury per person 
• $300,000 for total injury per accident 
• $50,000 for property damage

This is often written as 100/300/50 coverage. Also, you must maintain this auto insurance without interruption, because even a short lapse can trigger penalties.

Virginia FR-44 Insurance Requirements

As of January 1, 2025, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires drivers with an FR-44 filing to carry liability coverage that is double the state’s standard auto insurance limits.

However, courts may require even higher limits depending on the case. So, you should confirm your exact requirements with your insurance company or DMV before buying a policy. 

How to Get FR-44 Insurance

Whether you’re in Florida or Virginia, you already know the high-liability requirements for an FR-44 filing. With that in mind, you can secure auto insurance through your preferred . However, not every provider works with high-risk drivers, so it’s important to find the right insurer in your area to ensure reliable coverage.

Here’s how the process usually works: 

• Contact a qualifying insurer that handles high-risk auto insurance 
• Buy a car insurance policy with required liability insurance limits 
• Request the FR-44 filing 
• Pay the filing fee (usually small, but required) 
• Your insurer files the form with the DMV

After that, your insurance coverage becomes active and is reported to the state. However, you must keep the policy active, because even one missed payment can cancel your filing and suspend your license again.

Comparing FR-44, SR-22, and Standard Auto Insurance

It’s easy to confuse FR-44 with SR-22 or even a standard car insurance policy. However, they serve different purposes. FR-44 and SR-22 are filings, while standard auto insurance is the actual coverage you buy. 

The biggest difference comes down to risk and required insurance coverage. FR-44 is for more serious violations, so it demands higher liability insurance limits. SR-22 insurance, on the other hand, applies to less severe offenses and has lower requirements. 

Here’s a simple comparison:

So, if you’re required to file FR-44, expect stricter rules. Also, your insurance company will treat you as a higher-risk driver, which usually means you’re likely to face higher premiums.

Is Full Coverage Available with FR-44 Insurance

Yes, you can get full insurance coverage with an FR-44. However, only liability insurance is required by the state. Everything else is optional but often recommended. 

For example, you can add: 

• Collision coverage (for your vehicle) 
• Comprehensive coverage (theft, weather, damage)

Also, if you have a loan or lease, your lender may require full car insurance coverage. So, while FR-44 mainly requires liability, you can still build a complete auto insurance policy around it. 

If you’re a high-risk driver and looking for affordable full coverage auto protection, you can talk to one of our expert insurance agents!

Can You Get FR-44 Insurance Without a Car?

Yes, you can still get FR-44 without owning a vehicle. Because it follows the driver’s license, not the vehicle. In this case, you’ll need a non-owner car insurance, also known as a non-owner FR-44 policy. This type of insurance policy covers you when driving someone else’s car. 

It provides the required liability insurance, but not coverage for the car itself. So, it only protects against injury or property damage you may cause. 

To get it, simply: 

• Contact an insurance company that offers non-owner policies 
• Request FR-44 filing with the policy 
• Maintain continuous insurance coverage

This option works well if you don’t own a car but still need to reinstate your driving privileges.

FR-44 Filing Fee & Hidden Costs

The FR-44 filing itself is not expensive. Most insurance company providers charge a small fee, usually between $15 and $50. However, that’s just the starting point. 

The real cost comes from everything around it. For example: 

• Higher insurance premiums due to DUI risk 
• Possible upfront payments (often 6 months) 
• License reinstatement fees from the state 
• Extra fees if your insurance policy lapses

How Much Does FR-44 Insurance Cost?

FR-44 insurance coverage is significantly more expensive than a standard car insurance policy. That’s because you’re considered a high-risk driver, and the required liability insurance limits are much higher. 

On average, you may pay: 

• $1,500 to $4,000+ per year 
• Sometimes double or triple your previous auto insurance rate

Your exact cost depends on several factors. These include your driving history, location, age, and the severity of the violation. Also, each insurance company calculates risk differently.

Florida FR-44 Insurance Cost

In Florida, FR-44 insurance tends to be more expensive. That’s because the required 100/300/50 liability insurance limits are much higher than standard coverage. Besides, the regular auto insurance alone can cost 34% higher than the national average.

On average, drivers with FR-44 in Florida may pay roughly $2,000 to $4,500 per year.  

However, your insurance premium can go even higher after a DUI. So, you should compare multiple insurance companies to find a better rate. 

Virginia FR-44 Insurance Cost

Virginia FR-44 insurance coverage is also costly, but sometimes slightly lower than in Florida. The required limits are still high, which increases your insurance premium. 

Typical annual costs range from: 

• $1,500 to $3,500

Still, your final cost depends on your personal risk profile. Therefore, maintaining a clean driving record after your violation can help lower your rates over time.

How Long Do You Need to Carry FR-44 Certificate in Florida and Virginia?

In most cases, you must carry an FR-44 for three years. This period begins when your driving privileges are reinstated, not on the date of your violation. The exact timeline can vary depending on your case. 

Both Florida and Virginia follow similar rules. You must maintain continuous insurance coverage with the required liability limits throughout the entire period. Even a short coverage lapse can cause serious problems. 

• Florida: Typically, three years of continuous FR-44 coverage. 
• Virginia: Usually three years, though courts may extend it in certain cases.

If your policy cancels or lapses, your insurer will notify the state. And this can lead to the license being suspended again, and your FR-44 period could restart from zero.

What Happens If Your FR-44 Insurance Lapses?

If your FR-44 insurance policy lapses, you will face some immediate consequences. First, your insurance company must notify the state right away. Then, your driving privileges can be suspended again. 

This is called a compliance failure. It happens even if you miss one payment. So, keeping continuous insurance coverage is critical. 

Here’s what usually follows: 

• Your license gets suspended again 
• Your FR-44 filing is canceled 
• Your required filing period may restart 
• You may face extra reinstatement fees 
• You may also face surprisingly higher auto insurance rates

In many cases, you’ll need to buy a new car insurance policy and refile the FR-44. As a result, your auto insurance costs can increase even more. So, always set reminders and avoid gaps at all costs.

What Happens If You Don’t Submit FR-44

If you don’t submit the FR-44, you simply cannot reinstate your license. The state requires proof of liability insurance before allowing you back on the road. So, your driving privileges stay suspended without it.  

This applies in both Florida and Virginia. In fact, the FR-44 is often tied to serious violations like DUI. So, the state will not make exceptions. 

Here’s what you may face: 

• Continued license suspension 
• Possible fines or court penalties 
• Delays in restoring your insurance coverage status 
• Higher future insurance policy costs

Eventually, you’ll still need to file the FR-44. However, waiting only makes things worse. So, it’s best to secure the required auto insurance and file as soon as possible. 

How Do I Get Rid of FR-44?

Getting rid of an FR-44 takes time and discipline. It’s not something that happens overnight. You must maintain continuous liability insurance at the required high limits for the full period. 

In most cases, that means 3 years from the day your driving privileges are reinstated (not the date of your violation). However, the exact timeline can vary depending on your case and state rules. 

Here’s what you need to do to remove FR-44: 

• Maintain continuous coverage: Keep your FR-44 insurance active with no lapses for the entire required period. 
• Pay reinstatement or compliance fees: Ensure all DMV or court-related fees are cleared. 
• Confirm with the DMV: Contact your DMV to verify the exact end date of your FR-44 requirement. 
• Notify your insurer: Once the DMV confirms, tell your insurance company. They will stop filing the FR-44 certificate and remove it from your policy.

After these steps, you can usually switch back to standard auto insurance limits, which often lowers your premiums since you no longer need those steep liability amounts. 

FR-44 Insurance: The Bottom Line

FR-44 is a temporary requirement tied to serious violations like DUI. Keep continuous insurance, meet the state’s minimum period, and pay any fees. Once the state confirms compliance, the FR-44 is removed. Then, you can return to a standard auto insurance policy without extra filings. Staying diligent avoids penalties, lapses, and higher insurance costs. 

FR-44 Form/Certificate FAQs

Can you cancel FR-44 early? 

Not usually. You must carry FR-44 for the full state-mandated period, typically 3 years in Florida and Virginia. Canceling early can trigger license suspension and higher insurance costs. Only after the state confirms compliance can you switch to a standard policy. 

Do you need FR-44 for every vehicle? 

No. FR-44 must cover only the vehicle you’re registered to drive. However, if you own multiple cars, each can require coverage if it’s operated under your name and license. Always check with your insurance company to avoid gaps. 

How much is FR-44 insurance in Florida per month? 

On average, expect $150 to $400 per month, depending on your driving record, age, vehicle, and insurer. It’s higher than standard auto insurance because FR-44 signals a high-risk driver. Shopping around can save money while meeting state requirements. 

Is FR-44 considered car insurance? 

No. FR-44 is a certificate filed with the state showing you carry the required liability coverage. It proves compliance, but you still need a valid auto insurance policy to be legally insured. Think of it as a state notice, not the policy itself.