Updated May 2026
What Is FR-44 Insurance (FL and VA) Insurance?
FR-44 is a certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurance company with the state DMV to prove you maintain continuous liability coverage at elevated limits. Florida requires FR-44 after DUI convictions with BAC of 0.15 or higher, or DUI with property damage or injury. Virginia requires it after alcohol-related convictions including DUI, refusal to submit to testing, or driving after license suspension for alcohol offenses. The FR-44 itself is not insurance—it's proof your policy meets the state-mandated minimums, which are double the standard liability requirements.
- You're convicted of DUI in Florida with a BAC of 0.18. The court mandates FR-44 filing for three years. Your insurer files the certificate showing you carry $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage liability—double Florida's standard 10/20/10 minimums. Your premium increases from $140 per month to $310 per month due to the DUI conviction and elevated coverage requirements.
- You refuse a breathalyzer test during a Virginia traffic stop. DMV suspends your license and requires FR-44 before reinstatement. You obtain a policy meeting Virginia's FR-44 minimums of $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury and $40,000 property damage. Your carrier electronically files the FR-44 with Virginia DMV. Any lapse in coverage triggers automatic notification to DMV and immediate re-suspension of driving privileges.
- You maintain FR-44 coverage in Florida for 18 months, then cancel your policy without replacement. Your insurer notifies Florida DHSMV within 10 days. DMV suspends your license immediately. To reinstate, you pay a $150 reinstatement fee, obtain new FR-44 coverage, and restart the three-year filing clock from zero—adding 18 months to your total compliance period.
How Much Does FR-44 Insurance (FL and VA) Insurance Cost?
FR-44 filing adds $180–$420 per month ($2,160–$5,040 annually) compared to standard liability premiums, reflecting both the DUI conviction surcharge and doubled coverage limits.
- Your specific alcohol-related conviction—DUI with injury costs more than first-offense refusal
- Required coverage limits in your state—Virginia's $50,000/$100,000 FR-44 minimum costs less than Florida's $100,000/$300,000
- Prior insurance history before the violation—continuous coverage before FR-44 requirement results in lower rates
- Vehicle type and value—higher-value vehicles paired with FR-44 increase collision premium stacking
- Whether you need non-owner FR-44 for license reinstatement without a vehicle—typically $80–$150 monthly
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Who Needs FR-44 Insurance (FL and VA) Insurance?
You need FR-44 if Florida or Virginia DMV specifically names it in your suspension notice or reinstatement letter following an alcohol-related driving offense. It's also required if you're reinstating after license revocation for DUI-related convictions in either state. Non-owner FR-44 policies make sense if you don't own a vehicle but need to satisfy filing requirements to regain driving privileges or maintain a valid license for employment purposes.
Check your official suspension or reinstatement letter for the exact filing type required—DMV correspondence states either FR-44 or SR-22 explicitly. If FR-44 is mandated, compare quotes from at least three non-standard carriers since pricing varies by 40–60% for identical coverage. If you're borderline on affording FR-44 premiums, prioritize non-owner policies first to regain your license, then add vehicle coverage once employed and cash-stable—driving uninsured after FR-44 reinstatement triggers harsher penalties than the original offense.