What are SR-22 or FR-44 Insurance Certificates?
September 7, 2022
It is true that most consumers enter SR-22 insurance or FR-44 insurance into a Google Search box when looking for information about these certificates. Although neither are insurance policies per se, both are Certificates of Financial Responsibility issued by auto insurance companies to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to validate that you have the minimum amount of car insurance.
Florida also requires the insurance carrier who issues an SR-22 or FR-44 Certificate to immediately notify the DMV should you lose coverage. Your failure to comply means your license will remain suspended until the state receives confirmation that the required coverage has been reinstated.
If your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked by the DMV, your auto insurance company has likely already terminated your policy. That means you are no longer covered to drive on Florida roadways. Even if you don’t own a vehicle, you will need to show proof of insurance along with an SR-22 (or FR-44) form before your driving privileges can be restored.
Who Needs an SR-22 Certificate in Florida?
Before your insurance company can provide you with a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, you must purchase a policy with the minimum amount of auto insurance that the state requires. Situations where the DMV requires an SR-22 certificate may follow one of the events listed below:
- Driving without insurance – You illegally operated a vehicle on the roadways without the specified minimum insurance coverage.
- At-fault accident without minimum coverage – You caused an accident and did not have the insurance needed to pay for the damages incurred.
- Driving without a driver’s license – You were caught driving after your license had been revoked or suspended.
- Repeat traffic violations – You may have excessive points on your driver’s license due to repeat traffic offenses or causing too many accidents.
- Failure to pay child support – Your driver’s license was suspended for failure to make court-ordered child support payments.
- Driving with a hardship license – Your suspension ended and you’ve been approved for a temporary or restricted driver’s license.
In Florida, minimum limits for auto insurance are $10,000 of bodily injury per person ($20,000 per accident) and you must carry no less than $10,000 in property damage protection and must be certified by the insurance carrier as having car insurance in-force during a specific 3-year filing period.
Who Needs an FR-44 Certificate in Florida?
Florida has stricter laws for driving under the influence than many other states. If you are arrested for a first-time DUI, the arresting officer will confiscate your license and issue a Notice of Suspension. If convicted, Florida Statute 324.023 requires an FR-44 certificate for any of the following offenses:
- Driving under the influence – You have been convicted of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated.
- DUI resulting in bodily injury – You caused an accident while driving under the influence that resulted in bodily injury.
- DUI while violating the law – You were driving under the influence while in violation of a local, state or federal law.
Generally speaking, the only real difference between an SR-22 certificate and an FR-44 certificate is the amount of liability coverage that you are required to purchase. For FR-44 insurance certification, the law mandates a higher amount of liability coverage than for the SR-22, and both for a minimum of 3 years.
Nsurance Nation Helps with Your Car Insurance Needs
Let’s face the facts. Most people find insurance to be a bit boring. But at Nsurance Nation, our agents appreciate that every person’s auto insurance needs are unique. We also know anyone can experience a lapse in judgement and sometimes may need advice about managing his or her insurance coverage. Our agents will help you find the insurance to cover any high-risk classification assigned by the Florida DMV. Moreover, if you need to file a special certificate of insurance, we can walk you through that process as well. And remember, a little time and a clean driving record can bring your rates back down.
If you do not have a vehicle registered in your name but have been asked to provide an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate before the DMV will reinstate your driver’s license, it is smart to get quotes from multiple insurance companies. That way you can compare premiums for a non-owner auto insurance policy. Once you purchase non-owner coverage, the insurance company can issue the appropriate certificate and you can request to have your driver’s license reissued by the DMV. That way you will be legal and covered when driving someone else’s vehicle for work, travel and pleasure.
Although we do our best to be factual and timely in regard to information provided about Florida’s insurance requirements, the specifics can change quickly. Put our 35 years of experience to work for you today by using this website’s Click Here for Quotes option or call us direct at 1-833-450-9490 for the most up-to-date insurance information.
