FR-44 Insurance Explained

FR-44 is the Florida- and Virginia-only variant of SR-22. Like SR-22, it is a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurer files electronically with the state DMV. Unlike SR-22, it requires double the state-minimum liability limits, which materially raises the underlying policy cost. FR-44 is triggered almost exclusively by a DUI or similar serious offense; a basic uninsured-driving citation typically still files SR-22 even in Florida and Virginia.

FR-44 vs SR-22 at a glance

• States that use FR-44: Florida and Virginia only.
• FR-44 trigger: DUI/DWI conviction or similar serious offense per state statute.
• SR-22 trigger (most states): uninsured driving, DUI, repeat moving violations, license suspension.
• FR-44 required limits (Florida): 100/300/50 liability (vs 10/20/10 state minimum).
• FR-44 required limits (Virginia): 60/120/40 liability (double the current 30/60/20 state minimum).
• Filing fee: $15 to $25 one-time per filing event (same as SR-22).
• Required duration: typically 3 years in both states.
• Lapse consequence: immediate DMV notification, license suspension.

What FR-44 actually costs

• Filing fee: $15 to $25, one-time.
• Underlying policy premium increase: higher than SR-22 because of the elevated required limits. Typical total surcharge over the clean-record baseline is 70 to 150 percent for a first-DUI shopper.
• Non-owner FR-44: $80 to $300 per month in Florida and Virginia depending on driver record and state. See our non-owner coverage question for the full breakdown.

Carriers that file FR-44 in Florida and Virginia

• Dairyland is the standard IA-channel answer: same-day electronic FR-44 filing.
• The General writes FR-44 via its direct-to-consumer flow.
• Bristol West writes FR-44 via its IA channel. Non-owner FR-44 is a named product.
• Progressive writes FR-44 in both states; priced higher than the pure specialists.

Operational differences from SR-22

FR-44 works mechanically the same way as SR-22: your insurer files it electronically, the DMV sees the filing, your license is reinstated. The insurer must notify the DMV on any lapse or cancellation. At the end of the 3-year period, the insurer files the equivalent of the SR-26 release form. The practical difference is the dollar impact of the elevated limits, which drives the premium higher throughout the filing period.