Florida FR-44 Insurance
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If you’ve been convicted of a DUI in Florida, the state might be requiring you to file a FR-44 certificate. Often referred to as Florida FR-44 insurance, this certificate is essential if you want to be able to drive again. And, since it’s expensive to buy, you’ll need to understand just how it works and how to find the best deal on your coverage.
FR-44 insurance in Florida isn’t technically an insurance policy, but is instead a certificate proving you’ve purchased the extra coverage that Florida requires high-risk drivers to carry. According to Progressive Insurance, Virginia also uses FR-44 certificates. Other states require high-risk drivers to carry SR-22 certificates, but the FR-44 has stricter and higher liability insurance coverage requirements for drivers with alcohol-related traffic violations.
You’ll be required to have your insurance company file the certificate with your state’s department of motor vehicles before you can legally drive again. The state will require you to carry the coverage for a certain amount of time, and at the end of the term you’ll be able to return to a standard car insurance policy again.
No, you don’t have to own a car to get FR-44 Florida insurance. Insurance companies offer an FR-44 insurance Florida non owners policy, which allows you to legally drive in the state. You can get an FR-44 certificate so that you can drive a car you borrow from a friend or family members, or you could potentially drive a rental car.
A non owner FR-44 insurance Florida policy provides you with liability coverage, so it protects you and the vehicle owner if you’re ever in an accident while driving a borrowed vehicle. This type of policy generally costs less than a FR-44 policy for vehicle owners, but rates can vary, so be sure to get a personalized quote.
Since FR-44 insurance has higher liability requirements than Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements, it’s a more expensive policy. Plus, since you’re likely required to carry FR-44 insurance because of a DUI, insurance providers consider you a high-risk driver and charge higher premiums because of that risk. Other factors like your age, driving history, location, and make and model of your vehicle can also affect your premiums.
Breathe Easy Insurance estimates that an FRR-44 policy can cost double or triple what a standard car insurance policy does. Additionally, you may be required to pay for your policy in full upfront. A standard Florida car insurance policy with a FR-44 certificate could range from $90 to $1,677 per month, or about $1,080 to $20,124 per year. According to Dairyland Insurance, you may also need to pay a filing fee between $15 and $25 to your insurance company, though some insurance providers don’t charge such a fee.
Since the cost of FR-44 insurance can be substantial, you may need to plan ahead to figure out how you’ll cover the upfront costs. FR-44 insurance Florida monthly payments may not be a possibility if an insurance company requires you to pay the balance upfront. You may be able to pay for your policy with a credit card, but be sure to check with the insurance company.
According to Breathe Easy Insurance, Florida requires high-risk drivers to carry FR-44 for at least three years. You’ll need to maintain continuous coverage during that period, and if your policy lapses, you could face penalties, like the suspension of your license. You may even need to restart your FR-44 insurance period, so letting your coverage lapse could be a very expensive mistake.
Dairyland Insurance states that an FR-44 policy can’t be cancelled. If your insurance policy lapses while the state still requires you to carry FR-44 insurance, your insurance company will notify the DMV. Your license could be suspended until you reinstate FR-44 coverage.
Since Florida FR-44 insurance can be so expensive, you’ll want to carefully choose your insurance company, your policy, and your vehicle. If you’re driving a newer model or more expensive vehicle, you may want to consider selling it and buying a less expensive vehicle. Doing so can save you money on your insurance, plus it could give you some extra cash to put toward paying for your policy upfront.
If you have an existing car insurance policy, you can contact your current insurance provider to request an FR-44 certificate. Not all providers will offer FR-44 insurance, so you may need to shop for a new insurance company that offers this type of coverage.
Car insurance rates vary significantly depending on your insurance provider, and every insurance company uses their own formula to calculate your premium. You may be able to save money by gathering and comparing Florida FR-44 insurance quotes from multiple providers. As you compare the insurance policies, consider not only the differences in the premiums, but also other factors like how the deductibles, coverage, and exclusions stack up.
You can get free, personalized car insurance quotes online today, making it easy to compare the different policies and their prices. Make sure to thoroughly go over each quote and choose an insurance provider that not only offers a good value, but that also offers a policy that’s the right fit for your needs. Once you’ve chosen your policy, your insurer will file the FR-44 certificate with the state, and you’ll be able to get back on the road again.
Lauren Lewthwaite Lauren Lewthwaite has been freelance writing for almost five years writing content that ranges from health to insurance and everything in between. Lauren is also a trained translator in French and English and is a dog-mom to an adorable Australian Shepherd.
