What is an SR-22 in Florida?

An SR-22 form is a certificate that must be filed by car insurance companies on behalf of drivers convicted of a severe traffic offense. SR-22 insurance is not different from a typical auto insurance policy; it only certifies to the state that your car insurance meets minimum liability coverage requirements.

Where can Florida drivers get an SR-22?

A convicted driver’s car insurance company needs to file the SR-22 form on their behalf electronically. But it is up to the provider to decide if they wish to perform this service, as they may deem the driver to be high-risk.

How much does SR-22 insurance cost compared to a standard policy in Florida?

SR-22 insurance is much more expensive than a regular car insurance package in Florida. MoneyGeek’s research shows that the average cost is $1,790 per year for SR-22 coverage. For a minimum policy without SR-22 coverage, the average rate is $1,043 per year.

Who has the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Florida?

USAA is the least expensive company for SR-22 insurance in Florida. But it serves only former and current military personnel and their families. The next cheapest service is State Farm, with average yearly rates of $1,184 for minimum DUI coverage.

How long do you need an SR-22 in Florida?

The period depends on the severity of your offense. For most drivers, the required period for SR-22 insurance coverage is three years.

Florida SR-22 and FR-44 Insurance: What It Is and How Much It Costs

SR-22 insurance in Florida is for drivers who have committed a serious traffic violation, like reckless driving or driving without insurance. While these policies are the same as a standard car insurance policy, they are more expensive due to committing a driving violation. In Florida, the cheapest SR-22 coverage is offered by USAA and costs $775 per year on average. Additionally, Florida drivers who commit an offense related to driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs need to get FR-44 insurance, which comes with a requirement of purchasing higher liability limits.

Florida SR-22 and FR-44 Insurance: Details and Average Costs

The severity of the driving violation makes SR-22 insurance more expensive than a standard car insurance policy. The filing of the SR-22 form only requires a small fee, but associated serious offenses like a DUI can increase your auto insurance premiums. In Florida, minimum FR-44 insurance coverage after a DUI costs about $1,790 per year on average, compared with an average of $1,043 for drivers with a clean record.

USAA is the cheapest provider of FR-44 insurance in Florida. But it serves only those with a military background. The next best option is State Farm, whose average annual price is $1,184 for minimum DUI coverage. On the other hand, the most expensive company is MetLife, with an average yearly rate of $2,608 for similar coverage.

Cheapest Companies for SR-22 Insurance in Florida

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Company
Average Annual Rate
1.
USAA
$775
2.
State Farm
$1,184
3.
Allstate
$1,271
4.
GEICO
$1,407
5.
Progressive
$1,994
6.
Travelers
$2,204
7.
Allied
$2,265
8.
Mercury
$2,405
9.
MetLife
$2,608

These prices are for a policy meeting Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements or a full-coverage policy covering $100,000 in bodily injury liability costs per person, $300,000 in injuries per accident and $100,000 in property damage costs. There can be a wide difference in the average insurance costs of different carriers. If you need an SR-22 filed in Florida, you can find the cheapest rates by comparing at least three auto insurance companies’ quotes.

If you'd rather have a balance between quality and price, you can also shop for the top-rated car insurance companies in Florida.

Key Takeaways

A small one-time fee of about $25 is enough for an SR-22 or FR-44 form filing.

The actual SR-22 insurance cost is more expensive, especially as the convicted driver loses access to “good driver” discounts.

A severe offense like a hit-and-run accident can increase SR-22 car insurance costs.

What Is SR-22 and FR-44 Insurance in Florida? Who Needs It?

In Florida, SR-22 forms are needed for serious driving offenses, like driving without insurance coverage. But for drug- and alcohol-related violations, like a DUI, you’ll need to file an FR-44 form. Insurance after a DUI can be expensive because of the violation’s severity. Florida requires auto insurance companies to file SR-22 or FR-44 forms on behalf of convicted drivers, but each provider might have its own policy about this service.

FLORIDA MINIMUM CAR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Drivers who file an SR-22 must show they meet Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements. In Florida, after you obtain an SR-22, you’ll need to purchase liability insurance not normally required by the state.

SR-22 Requirements in Florida

$10,000 bodily injury liability per person
$20,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$10,000 property damage liability per accident
$10,000 personal injury protection

FR-44 Requirements in Florida

$100,000 bodily injury liability per person
$300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$50,000 property damage liability per accident
$10,000 personal injury protection

Read more with MoneyGeek's Florida car insurance resources or estimate rates with our Florida car insurance calculator.

Who Needs SR-22 and FR-44 Insurance in Florida and for How Long?

Each state has its own list of severe violations that require an SR-22 form. In Florida, your insurer needs to file an SR-22 for you if you commit any of the following serious offenses:

Reckless driving
DUI (an FR-44 form needs to be filed in this case)
Driving with a suspended license
Driving without insurance coverage

An SR-22 is not needed for minor offenses. To find cheap insurance after an accident or ticket, you should still compare prices from several companies, but the cost will generally be much lower than that of SR-22 insurance.

The severity of your offense dictates how long you need SR-22 insurance in Florida. It is usually three years for most drivers. If a violation leads to the temporary revoking of your driver’s license, the three-year period starts after you get your license reinstated.

How Do You Get SR-22 Insurance in Florida?

Car insurance providers file SR-22 certificates on behalf of their customers. But since the offense is generally severe, the insurance company may deem the driver to be high-risk and decline to provide this service. Even if drivers manage to get SR-22 coverage, they have to pay higher rates than before their conviction.

Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance in Florida

In Florida, your driver’s license may be suspended if you’re convicted of a major violation. On top of paying the corresponding fines, you may also need to file for an SR-22 to get it reinstated and prove that you have insurance even if you don’t have a car.

If you don’t have a car but regularly rent one, consider purchasing a non-owner car insurance policy. For drivers who are trying to get their license back, this is a cheaper way to provide proof of liability coverage compared to traditional insurance policies.

Insurance providers in Florida have policies with varying rates, but on average, a non-owner car insurance policy costs $1,648 per year. If you need SR-22 non-owner insurance, GEICO offers the most affordable rate of roughly $522 per year. USAA, the second cheapest, offers a similar policy with an average annual premium of $564 but is only available to military members, veterans and their families.

The Average Cost of Non-Owner SR-22 Car Insurance in Florida

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Company
Average Annual Rate
1.
GEICO
$522
2.
USAA
$564
3.
State Farm
$1,030
4.
Progressive
$1,724
5.
MetLife
$4,401

The prices for non-owner car insurance policies are for drivers in Florida with a DUI conviction with liability coverage up to $100,000 for bodily injuries per accident, a $50,000 limit for each person and $50,000 for property damage in a covered accident.

FAQs About SR-22 Insurance in Florida

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about SR-22 insurance in Florida to help drivers make an informed decision.

Methodology

MoneyGeek analyzed car insurance premiums from nine of the top insurance companies in Florida that were provided in partnership with Quadrant. Our analysis includes quotes from ZIP codes across Florida. Quotes were gathered for policies that meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements and for full-coverage policies with $100,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability per accident. Rates are for the same driver with both a clean record and a DUI.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.