FR-44 insurance isn’t really a type of coverage. Instead, an FR-44 is a form required in Florida and Virginia that proves you have car insurance. An FR-44 may be required after your license is suspended because of a DUI conviction.
An FR-44 is similar to an SR-22 form, but has higher insurance requirements than your state usually mandates and is usually for more serious offenses.
If you’re a high-risk driver who has to get FR-44 insurance, your rates will be more expensive than average for as long the FR-44 is required. But we found that State Farm was the cheapest option for Florida and Virginia drivers who need an FR-44.
What is FR-44 insurance?
FR-44 insurance isn’t a special kind of car insurance, it’s just a regular car insurance policy with an FR-44 form attached. An FR-44 form is a document required in Florida or Virginia for drivers who have to prove they’re insured after a DUI or other serious driving violation.
If you need an FR-44, you tell your car insurance company and they file the form on your behalf (you don’t need to file it yourself). It’s sometimes referred to as an endorsement, which just means it’s an add-on to your car insurance policy.
Car insurance with an FR-44 is more expensive, but you’ll receive the same protection as you would from a regular auto policy. But an FR-44 also means you’ll need to have more insurance than the minimums required in your state, so getting minimum coverage isn’t an option with an FR-44.
Coverage | Florida | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident | $60,000 per person, $120,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $50,000 | $40,000 |
You can get FR-44 insurance from many of the top companies in the country, but some companies may refuse to cover you once there’s a serious violation on your record. If you’re having trouble finding car insurance with an FR-44, you may need to consider a non-standard company that specializes in covering high-risk drivers, like:
Bristol West
Dairyland
Freeway
The General
National General
SafeAuto
State Auto
Is an FR-44 the same as an SR-22?
While an FR-44 and SR-22 are both documents that prove you’re insured after a serious driving violation, they’re not the same. Most states require SR-22 insurance after serious driving violations, but only two states also require FR-44s in some cases.
An FR-44 also requires higher liability insurance limits than an SR-22. In Virginia, an FR-44 means you need to get double the amount of liability coverage required by law.
Who needs FR-44 insurance?
Only Florida and Virginia require some drivers to file an FR-44 form. Drivers in these states usually need an FR-44 after a DUI or because they committed another violation or injured someone while driving under the influence.
Florida requires all drivers who’ve been cited for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to get FR-44 insurance. In Virginia, you may need an FR-44 if you:
Drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Drive with a forfeited or suspended license
Violate any similar state or federal laws while driving
Injure someone while driving intoxicated
Typically, drivers need to have FR-44 insurance for three years. It’s possible that you’ll need an FR-44 for more time depending on your exact violation and whether you committed any more violations once your driving record has an FR-44.
Florida and Virginia still require SR-22 forms in some cases, but usually for less severe violations.
Do you need FR-44 insurance if you don’t own a car?
You may still have to get FR-44 insurance even if you don’t have a car. In these situations, the best thing to do is get non-owner FR-44 insurance instead of a standard policy.
You can get non-owner insurance from many well-known companies, but you might have to speak directly with an agent or broker to get covered. This is especially true for drivers who have to get non-owners insurance with an FR-44 attached.
How to get FR-44 insurance
There are only a few steps that most drivers who need FR-44 insurance will have to take before they can get covered. You can get FR-44 insurance by:
Letting companies know you need FR-44 insurance: If you already have car insurance, let your insurance company know you need them to file an FR-44. If you don’t already have insurance, shop around to find one that will offer you affordable coverage with an FR-44.
Pay the filing fee for your FR-44: Once you find a company that will file an FR-44 for you, you’ll have to pay a small fee, sometimes around $25. This is added to the cost of your insurance policy.
Make sure your license was reinstated: If your license has been suspended, filing an FR-44 may be a required step towards getting it back. Once you’ve paid your fee, keep an eye out for a notification telling you that you can start driving again.
Cheapest FR-44 insurance in Florida and Virginia: State Farm
Cheapest in Florida and Virginia
State Farm has the cheapest FR-44 insurance in both Florida and Virginia. We also like State Farm because it’s a very reputable company with solid customer service.
Cost in Florida: $165 per month
Cost in Virginia: $84 per month
The cheapest company for drivers who need FR-44 insurance is State Farm. We found that State Farm has the lowest average rates after a DUI in both Florida and Virginia.
On average, the cost of FR-44 insurance from State Farm in Florida is $165 per month, which is $1,139 less than average in the state. In Virginia, the cost of FR-44 insurance from State Farm is $84 per month, or $414 less than the statewide average.
How much is FR-44 insurance?
The cost of FR-44 insurance is $275 per month, or $3,300 per year. That’s $1,662 more expensive per year than the average cost of insurance for drivers with a clean record.
State | Cost with FR-44 | Cost without FR-44 |
|---|---|---|
Florida | $4,235 | $2,794 |
Virginia | $1,419 | $1,349 |
It’s important to keep in mind that your car insurance premiums will be more expensive for the entire time you’re required to have an FR-44, not only for the year after you reinstate your license or right after a violation.
What you pay for your FR-44 insurance also depends on your company’s filing fee. Most of the time, the cost of filing an FR-44 document is less than $50 but it can vary by the insurance provider.
How to get cheaper FR-44 insurance
It can be tough to find cheap auto FR-44 insurance, but it's not impossible. Here are some of the best ways that you can lower the cost of your FR-44 insurance:
Find which company has the cheapest FR-44 insurance: The best way to lower the cost of your insurance with an FR-44 on your record is by comparing quotes from more than one company before buying.
Reshop every yearyou have an FR-44: You should check other companies’ FR-44 costs every time your policy is up for renewal. That way, you’ll know whether you’re still getting the best deal.
Bundle your home and auto insurance: Most companies (including State Farm) offer bundling discounts to drivers who combine their home and auto policies. If you have an FR-44, this is a good way to lower your rates some.
Take advantage of easy-to-get discounts: You might be able to offset the higher rates caused by an FR-44 with a few common discounts, like signing up for paperless billing, automatic payments, and paying your policy in full at the start of the term.
Avoid any other driving violations: If you already have an FR-44 on your record, you should be careful not to get into any more accidents or violate any laws of the road. Otherwise, your insurance rates will climb even higher.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the cheapest FR-44 insurance?
We found that State Farm has the cheapest FR-44 insurance in Florida and Virginia, the two states that require some high-risk drivers to file FR-44 forms. Your cheapest company may vary, so be sure to compare rates before buying.
How long are you required to get FR-44 insurance?
Drivers are usually required to get FR-44 insurance for at least three years, but it can depend on your violation and whether you get another DUI during the three year period.
How do you add an FR-44 to your insurance?
You just have to let your insurance company know that you need them to file an FR-44 for you. Then, after they file the document for you, your company will pass the filing fee onto you.
How do I get an FR-44 removed?
Once you no longer need an FR-44 form, you can contact your car insurance company and let them know you want to remove the FR-44. Your insurer may adjust your current policy or cancel it completely so you can start a new one.
