FR-44 insurance: Your car insurance questions, answered

An FR-44 is a document of financial responsibility—in Florida and Virginia—proving that you carry car insurance after a driving incident like a DUI or driving with a suspended license.

When incidents like these occur, your state may require you to obtain FR-44 insurance and file this certificate of financial responsibility with the Florida or Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you live in Virginia or Florida and have recently received an infraction for driving under the influence (DUI), then you may need an FR-44. Here are some common questions and answers that many people have about FR-44 and insurance.

No. An FR-44 proves you're meeting your state's car insurance requirements, but it's not considered insurance itself. An FR-44 is a certificate from your insurance company letting the state know that you're covered for the insurance it requires you to have.

When you get a DUI, only the states of Florida and Virginia require your insurance company to file an FR-44. In all other states, this filing is referred to as an SR-22.

An SR-22 verifies that you'll carry at least your state's minimum liability insurance requirements for typically three years, though how long may vary based on your traffic violation. An FR-44 differs from an SR-22 in that an SR-22 requires minimum liability limit insurance be carried, and an FR-44 requires greater than minimum liability limits.

Virginia and Florida can also require an SR-22 for non-alcohol-related offenses, such as falsifying or not carrying required auto insurance.

Once you have your court hearing and are told you need an FR-44, contact your insurance company. They'll start the process of adding an FR-44 to your policy and ensure you get the proof of FR-44 you need to reinstate your driver's license.

While the duration might vary, an FR-44 is usually required for three years. But to be sure, double check with the court or your state's DMV to know how long you must keep this certificate on file. If your insurance policy lapses before your designated term is up, the DMV will be notified by your insurance provider and your license may be suspended.

Insurance rates are determined by multiple factors, including:

• Driving experience and history

• Age

• Marital status

• Where you live

Additionally, requiring an FR-44 deems you a high-risk driver, which increases your insurance rates.

Researching available auto insurance discounts can help reduce the cost of your insurance.

Yes. We can issue an FR-44 immediately, with same-day electronic filing in Florida and Virginia. Give us a call at 844-242-4468 to begin.

In Florida, when you buy an FR-44, it must be paid in full. In Virginia, you can pay in installments—we can work with you to set up a payment plan. In both states, we offer an insurance discount when a policy is paid in full. This discount applies to your FR-44 policy, and can help offset your total cost.

An FR-44's minimum requirement for bodily injury liability protection is $100,000/$300,000, and $50,000 for property damage liability protection in Florida. For Virginia, it's $60,000/$120,000 and $40,000 respectively.

State law requires that an FR-44 policy can't be cancelled. If your policy lapses, your insurance provider is required to notify the state and your license may be suspended.

Typically, your rates will increase following a DUI or DWI. The extent your rates change will vary by insurance carrier.

A certificate of financial responsibility is another term for an FR-44, showing that you meet your state's car insurance requirements for a specified amount of time.

We know you might have more questions about FR-44 insurance, and we can help. Contact us online or give us a call at 800-334-0090.

Wondering how other traffic violations, such as speeding tickets, might affect your insurance? We can help clarify.

Auto insurance requirements vary from state to state. That's why it's important to understand your state's insurance requirements.