Florida requires FR-44, not SR-22—and if you're looking for the absolute cheapest filing with minimum coverage, you'll face sticker shock. Here's what FR-44 costs with liability-only coverage and which carriers write it.
Florida Uses FR-44, Not SR-22—And the Liability Floor Is Higher
If you're searching for "cheapest SR-22 in Florida," you're looking for the wrong filing. Florida requires FR-44 certification after DUI convictions and certain alcohol-related suspensions—not SR-22. The distinction matters because FR-44 mandates higher liability limits than the state's standard minimum.
Florida's standard minimum liability is $10,000 bodily injury per person, $20,000 per accident, and $10,000 property damage (10/20/10). FR-44 requires 100/300/50: $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, $50,000 property damage. You cannot file FR-44 with Florida's standard minimum liability—the filing itself forces you to carry limits ten times higher for bodily injury.
This means if you were quoted a dirt-cheap liability-only policy with 10/20/10 limits, it won't satisfy your FR-44 requirement. You'll need to upgrade to 100/300/50 minimums, which raises premiums significantly before you even factor in the DUI surcharge.
What Minimum Liability FR-44 Actually Costs in Florida
Liability-only FR-44 policies in Florida typically run $200–$450/month for drivers with a DUI. That range reflects 100/300/50 limits with no collision or comprehensive coverage. Your actual rate depends on your age, county, prior coverage history, and how recently the DUI occurred.
The FR-44 filing fee itself is modest—usually $15–$25 processed by your carrier and submitted electronically to the Florida DMV. The cost driver is the 70–150% DUI surcharge carriers apply to your base premium, combined with the higher liability limits FR-44 requires. A clean-record driver might pay $80/month for 100/300/50 liability in Florida; the same coverage with a DUI and FR-44 filing jumps to $240–$360/month.
If you add collision and comprehensive to protect a financed vehicle, expect monthly premiums to climb into the $400–$700 range. For liability-only coverage on a non-owned or older paid-off vehicle, staying at the FR-44 minimums (100/300/50) keeps costs lowest.
Find out exactly how long SR-22 is required in your state
Which Carriers Write Liability-Only FR-44 in Florida
Not all carriers writing standard Florida auto policies will write FR-44. Many national brands—State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, Progressive—route high-risk DUI business to non-standard subsidiaries or decline FR-44 filers outright. Carriers actively writing FR-44 in Florida include Progressive (via subsidiary), Esurance, The General, Direct Auto, and regional non-standard carriers like Acceptance Insurance and Infinity.
Progressive writes FR-44 through its non-standard division, typically at higher rates than its preferred book. The General and Direct Auto specialize in high-risk drivers and will quote liability-only FR-44 policies, though rates skew toward the upper end of the $200–$450 range. Esurance writes FR-44 but often requires higher limits than the 100/300/50 floor.
If you're shopping for the cheapest option, get quotes from at least three non-standard carriers. Regional carriers sometimes undercut national brands for liability-only FR-44 policies, especially if you're older than 30 and the DUI is your only violation. Avoid paying for coverage you don't need—if you don't own a car, a non-owner FR-44 policy covers your filing requirement and liability exposure without collision or comprehensive premiums.
How Long You'll Carry FR-44 and What Happens If You Lapse
Florida requires FR-44 for 3 years after a DUI conviction, measured from the date your license is reinstated—not the conviction date or the date you first filed FR-44. If you let your FR-44 policy lapse even one day during that 3-year window, your license suspends immediately and the 3-year clock resets to zero from the date you refile.
Your carrier is legally required to notify the Florida DMV electronically within 10 days if your policy cancels for non-payment or if you drop coverage. The DMV suspends your license automatically. Reinstatement after a lapse requires paying a $150 reinstatement fee, refiling FR-44, and proving 3 consecutive years of uninterrupted coverage going forward.
To avoid a lapse, set up automatic payment and confirm your carrier has your FR-44 on file before your reinstatement hearing. If you switch carriers mid-filing-period, the new carrier must file FR-44 before the old policy cancels. A gap of even 24 hours triggers suspension and restarts your 3-year requirement from scratch.
Should You Carry More Than Minimum Liability With FR-44?
Legally, 100/300/50 satisfies Florida's FR-44 requirement. Financially, it may not be enough. If you cause an accident with injuries exceeding $100,000 per person, you're personally liable for the difference. Florida allows injured parties to pursue your assets—wages, savings, property—above your policy limits.
Increasing liability to 250/500/100 adds $30–$60/month to most FR-44 policies. If you own a home, have significant savings, or earn above median income, the additional liability coverage protects you from a lawsuit that could wipe out years of financial recovery. If you're judgment-proof—no assets, low income, renting—sticking with 100/300/50 minimizes your monthly cost.
Uninsured motorist coverage is optional in Florida, but roughly 20% of Florida drivers carry no insurance. Adding UM coverage at 100/300 limits costs about $15–$35/month and covers your medical bills if an uninsured driver hits you. It's not required for FR-44 compliance, but it's the cheapest way to protect yourself from Florida's high uninsured driver rate.
