FR-44 insurance: the higher-limit DUI filing in Florida and Virginia

What is an FR-44?

An FR-44 is a financial responsibility certificate, like an SR-22. Your insurance company fills it out and sends it to the state to confirm you hold a liability policy. The difference is the size of the coverage it certifies. An SR-22 usually proves the state minimum. An FR-44 proves limits several times higher, because the legislatures in Florida and Virginia decided that drivers convicted of impaired driving should carry more protection for the people they might injure.

Like an SR-22, an FR-44 is not a separate kind of insurance. It is attached to an ordinary auto liability policy, and the insurer must tell the state if that policy is cancelled or ends. Virginia's certificate stays in effect until it is cancelled or terminated under the state's financial responsibility rules.

No other state uses the FR-44 name. If you were convicted of DUI anywhere else, you will most likely need an SR-22 instead; see car insurance after a DUI.

FR-44 requirements in Florida

Florida's rule is in section 324.023 of the Florida Statutes and applies to drivers who own or operate a vehicle that must be registered in Florida or is located there.

Who needs a Florida FR-44

The law covers anyone who, after October 1, 2007, was found guilty of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, driving under the influence under Florida's DUI statute. A formal adjudication of guilt is not required, so a plea with adjudication withheld still counts. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) lists the requirement as applying to all persons convicted of DUI under section 324.023.

Florida FR-44 limits

The statute requires, in addition to Florida's other insurance requirements:

• $100,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in a crash.
• $300,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in a crash.
• $50,000 for property damage in a crash.

FLHSMV writes these limits as 100/300/50. A driver who uses a certificate of deposit instead of insurance must deposit at least $350,000.

To see how big the jump is, compare the regular Florida requirement. To register a car, Florida drivers normally show personal injury protection of $10,000 and property damage liability of $10,000. The FR-44 keeps those and adds high bodily injury liability limits on top. Read about personal injury protection and liability coverage for what each part pays.

How long a Florida FR-44 lasts

The higher limits must be kept for at least 3 years. The statute ends the requirement for a driver who has no DUI or felony traffic conviction for 3 years after driving privileges are reinstated for the DUI. A new conviction in that time keeps you under the rule.

FR-44 requirements in Virginia

Virginia's rule is in section 46.2-316 of the Code of Virginia, and the Virginia DMV handles the certificates.

Who needs a Virginia FR-44

The DMV requires an FR-44 after convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and for maiming while under the influence. The statute also covers driving on a license forfeited for those offenses, and it counts similar federal, local and other-state convictions. The double-limit rule applies to convictions on or after January 1, 2008.

Virginia FR-44 limits

Virginia does not list FR-44 dollar amounts separately. Instead, the policy must carry at least double the minimum limits in section 46.2-472. For policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, that minimum is $50,000 for injury to one person, $100,000 for injuries to two or more people and $25,000 for property damage. Doubled, the FR-44 limits are:

• $100,000 for bodily injury or death of one person.
• $200,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people.
• $50,000 for damage to other people's property.

Because the FR-44 is tied to the minimum, the required amounts rise whenever Virginia raises its minimum limits. If your policy started before the most recent change, ask your insurer which limits apply at renewal.

How long a Virginia FR-44 lasts

The DMV will not issue or reinstate a license for 3 years after you would otherwise become eligible unless you file proof at the doubled limits. The DMV places a stop on the record of drivers who do not comply, which blocks driver's license transactions.

FR-44 vs SR-22

Why FR-44 insurance costs more

Two things push the price up. First, the conviction itself: insurers treat a DUI as one of the most serious entries on a driving record. Second, the limits: a policy with much higher bodily injury limits costs more than a minimum policy for any driver. We do not publish typical FR-44 prices, because no official source tracks them and quotes vary widely by insurer, county, age and vehicle.

To keep the cost manageable, drivers often compare several insurers, including companies that specialize in high-risk auto insurance, and review optional coverage such as collision on an older car. Our deductible chooser helps you weigh a higher deductible against a lower premium, and shopping at renewal explains how to compare offers fairly.

Non-owner FR-44 coverage

You can need an FR-44 even without a car. Florida's law applies to owners and operators, and Virginia's FR-44 form lets the insurer certify either an owner's policy or an operator's policy covering vehicles not registered to you. A non-owner (operator's) policy covers your liability when you drive a car you do not own. Read non-owner car insurance for what it does and does not cover.

How to get FR-44 insurance

1. Read your court and DMV paperwork to confirm the state, the FR-44 requirement and the dates.
2. Ask your current insurer whether it writes FR-44 policies in Florida or Virginia; not every company does.
3. Compare quotes at the required limits from several insurers or a licensed independent agent.
4. Have the insurer file the FR-44 with FLHSMV or the Virginia DMV, and keep a copy of the confirmation.
5. Keep the policy active for the full period, paying on time, and have any replacement filing in place before an old policy ends.
6. Before dropping to lower limits, confirm with the state that the requirement has ended.

What happens if your FR-44 coverage lapses

If the policy ends, the insurer notifies the state. In Virginia, the DMV's stop on your record blocks license transactions until you comply. In Florida, a lapse in required insurance can lead to suspension of your license and plate for up to 3 years and a reinstatement fee of up to $500, according to FLHSMV's general insurance rules. A lapse also makes the next policy harder to find and more expensive.

Moving while you have an FR-44

The requirement stays with the state that imposed it. Virginia's DMV says drivers who live outside Virginia may submit a letter on their insurance company's letterhead instead of an FR-44. For Florida, contact FLHSMV before you cancel any Florida policy. Our guide to car insurance for new residents covers the rest of the move.