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SR22 Insurance Florida
If you’ve been convicted of a serious traffic violation which resulted in a drivers license suspension, you should handle it promptly.
To reinstate your license in Florida, you will likely need to obtain either SR-22 insurance or FR-44 insurance, depending on the circumstances of your violation.
You will want to ensure that whichever insurance requirement you have been hit with is appropriately filed to avoid further penalties. The insurance guide below will assist you with fulfilling your insurance responsibilities as a driver in Florida.
SR-22 Insurance in Florida
SR-22 insurance isn’t a type of coverage but a form you file with your auto insurance company that serves as proof of insurance to the state of Florida that you meet their required minimum liability insurance.
An SR-22 is commonly referred to as a certificate of financial responsibility, Florida requires an SR-22 to be filed by your auto insurance company with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) if you are found to be a high-risk driver after a major traffic violation, excluding driving under the influence (DUI).
Those with a DUI violation will need to obtain FR44 insurance. To keep your SR-22 certificate active, you must keep up with your car insurance payments.
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Who Needs an SR-22 in Florida?
Thankfully, only some Florida drivers have to carry an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate. Keeping a clean driving record will ensure you never need to file an SR-22.
SR-22 insurance is only required in Florida after committing serious driving offenses that result in you losing your driving privileges. The state will notify you when you are required to obtain FL SR-22 insurance.
The following traffic violations will require you to get a FL SR-22 certificate:
Reckless driving
Driving without insurance
Driving with a suspended license
Accumulating multiple minor traffic violations
Multiple at-fault accidents
Who needs Florida FR-44 Insurance?
FR-44 insurance is relatively similar to SR-22 insurance in that you must file it with your insurance carrier, and it proves to the state of Florida that you meet their vehicle insurance requirements.
However, the circumstances in which you must obtain an FR-44 filing differ from an SR-22. Florida requires a driver to purchase FR44 insurance after being convicted of a DUI violation. For this reason, it is often referred to in Florida as “DUI insurance.”
How much car insurance you must carry in Florida to file your FR-44 form also differs from an SR22 certificate. To fulfill your FR44 requirement, you must purchase much higher coverage limits than a standard auto insurance policy.
Listed below are the minimum liability requirements you will have to meet at least to meet Florida’s FR-44 insurance requirements:
$100,000 for bodily injury per person
$300,000 for bodily injury per accident
$50,000 for property damage
Florida Car Insurance Minimum Requirements
An SR-22 form assures the state of Florida that you carry the minimum liability insurance coverage with your auto insurance company.
When shopping for auto insurance, it is recommended that you purchase beyond the Florida minimum coverages. However, to fulfill your SR-22 requirement in Florida, you will need to carry at least the following amount of coverage:
$10,000 for bodily injury liability per person
$20,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
$10,000 for property damage liability per accident
$10,000 for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage
Every Florida driver must meet the minimum liability insurance requirements, at the very least. Carrying the state minimum amount of insurance is known as basic auto insurance and is generally the cheapest.
However, it is essential to remember that liability insurance only covers the other driver in a collision by paying for injuries and damages you cause in an accident.
You must utilize auto policy add-ons like collision coverage and medical payments (MedPay) to cover your damages and injuries. Adding this kind of coverage to your auto policy will increase your insurance premiums while providing great financial protection.
How Much Does SR-22 or FR-44 Insurance Cost in Florida?
Filing an SR-22 or an FR-44 in Florida will be a costly undertaking. The one-time filing fee your Florida auto insurance agency charges you will only be about $15-$25. However, your car insurance premiums will increase significantly.
How much they increase will depend on which type of financial responsibility form you must file, the circumstances of your violation, and your insurance company. You may also have to pay reinstatement fees to get your drivers license back.
The average cost a Florida driver may pay is around $3,500 per year for auto insurance following an SR-22 requirement. Suppose they are convicted of a DUI violation and need FR44 insurance. In that case, it is likely to be even higher as their liability insurance limits will increase.
A DUI conviction is also one of the most severe traffic violations you can commit, naturally leading to a steep hike in your insurance premiums. Once your SR-22 or FR44 insurance period is over, you may see a slight decrease in your policy rates, but this is not guaranteed.
How long your violations are required to stay on your driving record will be a significant factor in whether your policy’s rates will lower, which can take years.
Suppose you need help finding cheaper car insurance in Florida due to your driving record. In that case, it is recommended that you shop around for auto insurance quotes from several insurance companies.
Insurance Navy shops around from the top Florida auto insurance companies to find you the best coverage at the lowest rates.
If you having trouble finding low rates in Florida, talk to your insurance agent about discounts on your auto policy. Insurance companies offer several policy discounts, such as defensive driving, multi-car, and bundling discounts. Find out which you may qualify for to get cheaper auto insurance rates!
How Long Must You Maintain an SR-22 or FR44 in Florida?
The great news about both SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Florida is that it is optional forever. So long as you keep a good driving record and don’t get additional violations, you can drop your SR-22 or FR44 insurance after a few years.
In Florida, on average, drivers are required to maintain their SR-22 insurance or FR44 insurance for around three years. This is on par with the national average.
Depending on the infraction’s severity, Florida could require you to maintain SR-22 or FR44 insurance policies for longer than three years.
Whatever has been decided by the state of Florida, once your designated maintenance period is over, you are responsible for informing your insurance company. They will then go about canceling your SR-22 or FR44 insurance.
Failure to maintain your SR-22 or FR44 insurance for the assigned period of time can be incredibly damaging to your driving record. Letting your insurance coverage lapse will effectively end your SR-22 or FR44 insurance. If this happens, your insurer must inform the state of Florida’s Department of Motor Vehicles. That is why it is very important to maintain continuous coverage on your vehicle during your SR-22 period
As a result, your license can be suspended again, and you will have to restart your SR-22 insurance filing period. This includes paying all the associated fees once again. It is likely that your provider will drop you after you let your car insurance coverage lapse.
To obtain SR-22 or FR-44 insurance again, you must purchase a new auto insurance policy in Florida, which can be challenging given your driving profile. Insurance companies will likely label you as a high-risk driver, and many will want to avoid providing such drivers with coverage. To avoid these headaches, paying your insurance premiums continuously is best.
Florida Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance
Even if you do not own a car, you can still be required to purchase SR-22 insurance in Florida. Not owning the car you were driving during your traffic violation does not exempt you from any SR-22 or FR44 insurance laws. You will want to purchase a non-owner SR-22 insurance policy in this situation. A non-owner policy provides mandatory coverage and fulfills your Florida SR-22 requirements.
By carrying a non-owner car insurance policy, you will be recognized as an insured driver. You can go about filing your SR22 form or FR44 certificate with Florida. However, purchase car insurance before you have an SR-22 requirement.
Driving without insurance is incredibly dangerous and leaves you and your assets at risk. Not to mention that every driver in Florida must carry auto insurance with the minimum liability limits, and failure to have coverage comes with severe penalties, including having to get an SR-22.
Florida DUI Convictions
Florida has strict DUI/DWI penalties beyond getting cheap FR44 insurance. This is not a surprise, given that a DUI is one of the worst offenses a driver can commit. Many states, just like Florida, do not take driving under the influence lightly.
After your first DUI conviction, you could face a fine between $500 and $1000. If blood alcohol content (BAC) is over 0.15, the fine can be between $1,000 and $2,000.
Regarding jail time, a first offense could land you in jail for up to six months and even higher, depending on your BAC. Penalties escalate in subsequent offenses. Impoundment of your car could also be on the table, depending on your case.
Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Requirement in Florida
If convicted of a DUI or DWI, the state of Florida may require you to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your car.
An IID is a device that prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath or if you fail to complete the breath test. The allotted time an IID can be mandated in Florida varies based on your number of previous convictions and blood alcohol level (BAL).
Get a Free SR-22 Insurance Quote in Florida
Insurance Navy™ is here to help drivers get an SR-22 certificate and auto insurance coverage at the lowest price. We understand that things can happen to good people, so having our knowledgeable insurance agents to assist you in correcting driving mistakes is critical.
Save time and money addressing your SR-22 insurance requirement by contacting Insurance Navy™ as soon as possible for the Cheapest SR-22 insurance quote. A driver should always have coverage on their car to avoid any additional obstacles. Call us for more information or get a quote online to get your ID Cards Instantly!