SR-22 Insurance in Florida
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If your license or vehicle registration have been suspended in Florida, the state may require you to get SR-22 insurance. You may need SR-22 insurance in Florida after an accident or serious traffic violation, but it’s important to understand how this certificate works and what to look for in an insurance company to get this certificate.
SR22 insurance in Florida is often referred to as a type of insurance, but it’s actually a certificate of financial responsibility. The certificate confirms that you’ve purchased car insurance that meets Florida’s minimum requirements, so you’re legally allowed to drive again. Once you purchase this certificate, your car insurance company will file the certificate with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.
According to Direct Auto Insurance, Florida state or a court could order you to take out Florida SR-22 insurance. You might need SR-22 insurance if you had serious driving violations, like reckless driving, excessive traffic violations, repeat offenses in a short period of time, or driving while uninsured.
Progressive Insurance explains that in addition to the SR-22 certificate, Florida may require drivers charged with a DUI to get an FR-44 certificate, which has higher liability requirements than an SR-22 certificate.
The SR-22 form proves that you’ve purchased car insurance that meets Florida’s minimum liability coverage requirements. According to Money Geek, Florida requires drivers to carry:
After a severe driving violation, Florida will require you to carry SR-22 insurance for three years.
Many factors affect SR-22 insurance in Florida cost. To get an SR-22 certificate, you’ll need to purchase appropriate liability coverage, and factors like your driving history, age, and location can all affect your insurance premiums. The type of coverage you choose and even your vehicle’s value can also impact what you’ll pay.
Since you’re required to get SR22 insurance because of a serious traffic violation, car insurance companies will consider you a high-risk driver, and they will charge you higher premiums to make up for that increased risk.
Money Geek reports that SR-22 insurance in Florida costs drivers an average of $1,385 per year for minimum coverage. SR-22 drivers pay over 38% more than drivers with clean records, who pay an average of $968 per year for car insurance in Florida. If you want full coverage insurance, you’ll pay even more; full coverage SR-22 insurance costs an average of $3.063 per year. In comparison, Florida drivers with clean driving records pay an average of $2,0211 per year for full coverage.
You’ll also need to pay a SR-22 filing fee. Direct Auto Insurance reports that the filing fee is about $25, though that can vary depending on your insurance company. You will pay that filing fee every time you renew your SR-22 insurance.
No, you don’t need to own a vehicle to get SR-22 insurance. Instead, you’ll need to purchase non owner SR-22 insurance Florida. The non-owner certificate will prove that your insurance meets Florida’s requirements, allowing you to reinstate your license. You’ll be able to drive borrowed cars, or you could potentially rent a car, and your liability coverage will apply when you’re driving those vehicles.
According to Allstate, the SR-22 is temporary, and the period often lasts for about three years. However, the violation that caused you to be required to have the SR-22 can stay on your driving history for much longer. Serious violations, like a DUI, can stay on a driving record for 10 years. Even after you’re no longer required to have an SR-22 certificate, the driving violation can continue to affect your car insurance rates.
If you have existing car insurance, you can start by contacting your insurance company and explaining that you need an SR-22 certificate. If your insurance company provides SR-22 certificates, they will be able to file a certificate for you, and you’ll pay the required filing fee.
Only certain car insurance companies file SR-22 certificates, though, so it’s possible that you may need to shop for a new car insurance company. If that’s the case, take the time to get and compare quotes from multiple companies. Each car insurance provider uses their own algorithm to calculate their premiums, so you may find that rates vary significantly between different companies.
You may be able to save money on your SR-22 insurance by choosing a policy with a higher deductible, which can help keep your premiums down. Just make sure that you’re prepared to pay that deductible in full if you ever need to file a claim. If you’re driving an expensive car, selling that car and choosing a less expensive vehicle can also help reduce your rates.
You can get free car insurance quotes online today, which will help you identify the cheaper SR-22 insurance options. As you compare the quotes, think not only about the premiums, but also consider other factors, like the amount of coverage you’ll be getting, any exclusions, your deductible, and the insurance company’s overall reputation.
You may need SR-22 insurance after a serious driving violation, like driving without insurance or repeated traffic violations in a short period of time.
You’ll typically need to carry SR-22 insurance for three years after a violation.
SR-22 insurance proves that your car insurance policy meets Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements, which include personal injury and property damage liability coverage. This certificate doesn’t address other types of coverage, like comprehensive coverage, which is an optional coverage.
Paige Cerulli Paige Cerulli is a freelance content writer and journalist who specializes in personal finance topics. She graduated from Westfield State University and brings more than a decade of professional writing experience to the ConsumerCoverage team. Paige’s work has appeared in outlets including USA Today, Business Insider, and more.
