FR-44 vs SR-22: Which Certificate Your State Requires After a DUI

A DUI conviction in most states triggers a state-mandated filing requirement that proves you carry continuous auto insurance coverage. In 48 states and the District of Columbia, that requirement is called SR-22. In Florida and Virginia, it is called FR-44. Both are certificates your insurance carrier files with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles — not a type of insurance policy itself. The certificate system exists because drivers convicted of DUIs, certain traffic violations, or caught driving without insurance are statistically more likely to drive uninsured in the future. The SR-22 or FR-44 filing creates a direct link between your insurer and the state: if your policy lapses or cancels, your carrier must notify the DMV within 24 hours in most states, which typically triggers an immediate license suspension. Whether you need SR-22 or FR-44 depends entirely on where you were convicted and where your license is issued. If you live in Florida or Virginia and received a DUI or certain violations in those states, you need FR-44. If you live anywhere else, you need SR-22. The filing requirement follows your license state, not where the violation occurred — if you were convicted in Georgia but hold a Florida license, Florida will require FR-44 for reinstatement.

SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the state, proving you carry the required minimum liability coverage set by your state. Those minimums vary widely — California requires 15/30/5, while Maine requires 50/100/25. SR-22 does not change the coverage you buy; it simply adds a state filing layer on top of whatever liability limits your state already requires. FR-44 is Florida's and Virginia's version of the SR-22 requirement — a state-mandated certificate filed after a DUI or certain alcohol-related violations, but with higher minimum liability limits than standard state requirements. In Florida, FR-44 requires 100/300/50 coverage: $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 bodily injury per accident, and $50,000 property damage. In Virginia, FR-44 requires 60/120/40 coverage. These minimums are significantly higher than Florida's standard 10/20/10 requirement and Virginia's standard 25/50/20. The practical consequence: if you need FR-44, you cannot satisfy your filing requirement with minimum liability coverage. You must buy a policy with the FR-44 liability minimums, then your insurer files the FR-44 certificate with the state. If you mistakenly purchase SR-22 coverage in Florida or Virginia, your insurer will file the wrong certificate, and your license will not be reinstated. If you need SR-22 in any other state and mistakenly research FR-44, you will overestimate your coverage requirements and your cost. Both SR-22 and FR-44 certificates add a filing fee to your premium — typically $15 to $50 paid to your insurance carrier for processing and maintaining the state filing. This fee is separate from the rate increase caused by the violation itself.

The cost of SR-22 or FR-44 coverage is driven by two factors: the violation on your record and the liability limits you must carry. A DUI conviction typically increases your auto insurance premium by 70% to 130% depending on your state, age, prior record, and carrier. A major violation like reckless driving or driving on a suspended license typically increases rates by 40% to 80%. These increases apply whether you need SR-22 or FR-44 — the certificate itself does not raise your rate beyond the small filing fee. FR-44 coverage costs more than SR-22 coverage in practice because the required liability limits are higher. Increasing your bodily injury coverage from Florida's standard 10/20/10 to FR-44's required 100/300/50 typically adds $300 to $800 annually to your premium, depending on your driving record, age, and location within the state. Virginia's FR-44 increase is typically lower — $200 to $600 annually — because Virginia's standard minimums are already higher than Florida's. Most states require SR-22 filing for three years following a DUI conviction. Some states require five years for repeat offenses or aggravated DUI. Florida requires FR-44 for three years after a DUI conviction. Virginia requires FR-44 for three years as well. The filing period begins on the date your license is reinstated — not the date of conviction — which means delays in finding coverage extend the total time you will pay elevated rates. If your policy lapses or cancels during the required filing period, your insurer notifies the state within 24 hours, your SR-22 or FR-44 filing is terminated, and your license is suspended again. Reinstating after a lapse typically requires starting the three-year clock over in most states and paying reinstatement fees a second time.

Not all insurance companies offer SR-22 or FR-44 filing. Most major carriers — State Farm, Allstate, GEICO in many states — will non-renew your policy at the end of your current term if you receive a DUI, and many do not file SR-22 or FR-44 certificates even if they agree to renew. If your current carrier non-renews you or declines to file the required certificate, you will need non-standard auto insurance. Non-standard auto insurance refers to coverage offered by carriers that specifically work with high-risk drivers — those with DUIs, violations, lapses, or suspensions on their record. The coverage itself is identical to standard insurance; what differs is the carrier's willingness to write drivers who have been declined or overpriced elsewhere. Non-standard carriers that commonly offer SR-22 filing include Progressive, Dairyland, The General, Bristol West, National General, Acceptance Insurance, and SafeAuto. Carriers offering FR-44 filing in Florida and Virginia are fewer but include Progressive, Dairyland, and several regional non-standard carriers. Because FR-44 is specific to two states, fewer national carriers offer it compared to SR-22. In Florida and Virginia, you will likely need to compare quotes from multiple non-standard carriers to find one that offers FR-44 filing and competitive rates for your violation and coverage tier. Standard comparison tools often exclude FR-44-specific options, which means drivers in Florida and Virginia searching for "SR-22" may receive quotes that do not satisfy their actual filing requirement.

1. **Confirm which filing your state requires — within 24 hours of receiving your court judgment or DMV notice.** If you live in Florida or Virginia and were convicted of DUI or an alcohol-related violation in those states, you need FR-44. If you live in any other state, you need SR-22. If you were convicted out of state, contact your home state DMV to confirm which filing they require for reinstatement. Researching the wrong filing type will waste time and lead you to incorrect coverage. 2. **Request SR-22 or FR-44 quotes from non-standard carriers before your current policy renews or before your reinstatement deadline — whichever comes first.** Most standard carriers will non-renew you at the end of your current term, not immediately. If your policy expires before you secure SR-22 or FR-44 coverage, a gap appears on your record, and your reinstatement timeline extends. Contact at least three non-standard carriers by name: Progressive, Dairyland, and The General all write high-risk drivers in most states. If you need FR-44, confirm explicitly that the carrier offers FR-44 filing in your state — not all SR-22 carriers offer FR-44. 3. **Buy a policy with the correct liability minimums and request the state filing at the time of purchase — at least 10 days before your reinstatement date.** If you need SR-22, verify that your policy meets your state's minimum liability requirements. If you need FR-44, verify that your policy meets Florida's 100/300/50 minimums or Virginia's 60/120/40 minimums. Your insurer will file the certificate with the state electronically, typically within 24 to 48 hours. The state processes the filing and updates your license status, which can take 5 to 10 business days in some states. If you wait until your reinstatement deadline to buy coverage, the filing may not process in time. 4. **Maintain continuous coverage without any lapses for the entire required filing period — typically three years.** Set up automatic payments and monitor your policy renewal dates closely. If your policy cancels for non-payment or any other reason, your insurer notifies the state immediately, your filing terminates, and your license suspends again. Most states require you to restart the three-year SR-22 or FR-44 period from zero if a lapse occurs, and you will pay reinstatement fees a second time.