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Most drivers who lose their license after a DUI hear about the SR-22. Fewer have heard of the FR-44, which is the stricter cousin that only two states use. If you live in Florida or Virginia and were convicted of a DUI, the FR-44 is what stands between you and getting your license back. Here is what it is, what it costs, and how long you are stuck with it.
What an FR-44 is
An FR-44 is not a type of insurance. It is a certificate your insurance company files with the state proving you carry higher-than-normal liability coverage. Like the SR-22, it is the state’s way of keeping tabs on high-risk drivers. The difference is that the FR-44 requires much higher liability limits, and only Florida and Virginia use it. Every other state that requires proof of financial responsibility after a DUI uses the SR-22. If you want the full SR-22 picture, see our SR-22 insurance explained guide.
Which states require it and what limits they demand
Florida and Virginia are the only states with FR-44 filings, and both require them after DUI convictions and related serious offenses like driving on a suspended license. The required liability limits are far above normal minimums:
- Florida: $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 per accident, and $50,000 property damage.
- Virginia: $100,000 bodily injury per person, $200,000 per accident, and $50,000 property damage.
For perspective, Florida’s normal minimum coverage is far lower, so an FR-44 driver carries roughly ten times the standard bodily injury limits. That jump in coverage is a big part of why the premium rises.
What FR-44 insurance costs
Expect your premium to at least double compared to a standard policy, and often more. Three things stack up: the DUI conviction itself, which labels you high risk for years; the much higher liability limits, which cost more to insure; and the filing fee your insurer charges to submit and monitor the FR-44. Not every insurer writes FR-44 policies, and the big standard carriers that do often quote high. High-risk specialists like Dairyland, The General, and Safe Auto exist for exactly this situation and are worth quoting.
If you do not own a car, you can buy a non-owner FR-44 policy, which provides the required liability coverage without collision or comprehensive. It is cheaper than a standard FR-44 policy and satisfies the state filing requirement.
How long you need it
In both states, the FR-44 filing period is typically three years from license reinstatement or conviction. The critical rule: you must keep the policy active for the entire period without a single lapse. If your coverage lapses for even a day, your insurer notifies the state, your license is suspended again, and the three-year clock resets to zero. Automatic payments and a calendar reminder before renewal are the cheapest insurance you can buy during this period.
When the filing period ends, you can have the FR-44 removed, and your rates should start coming down, though the DUI itself keeps affecting your premium for several more years depending on the state.
How to get through it as cheaply as possible
Shop aggressively, because FR-44 quotes vary more than standard quotes. Tell every insurer upfront that you need an FR-44 so you get a real price, not a surprise at signing. Keep a clean record during the filing period, since a second violation makes a bad situation much worse. Once the filing period ends, shop again immediately, because insurers price post-DUI drivers very differently. Our guide on cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers has more on where to look.
