Insurance and coverage problems
- Failing to show proof of required insurance
- An insurance suspension caused by a lapse
The state may require proof of financial responsibility before or after reinstatement.
FLORIDA SR-22 OPTIONS ACROSS CARRIERS
What Is SR-22 Insurance in Florida?
An SR-22 is a certificate attached to an auto policy. Your insurer files it with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to show that the coverage required by your notice is active.
A Certificate, Not a Policy
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that attaches to your auto policy. It tells Florida your policy meets the liability limits your case requires. You still need the policy itself to be insured.
Filed With the FLHSMV
Your insurance company sends the certificate to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles electronically. There is no SR-22 form for you to fill out or mail yourself.
Owner or Non-Owner SR-22
If you own a car, the certificate attaches to the policy on that vehicle. If you don't, a non-owner SR-22 policy covers you when you borrow a car and still satisfies the state.
SR-22 or FR-44 in Florida?
Florida uses two certificates. An SR-22 covers most suspensions, such as driving uninsured or a crash without coverage. A DUI conviction requires an FR-44 instead, which carries much higher liability limits.
Why Florida May Require an SR-22 Filing
Florida uses SR-22 filings in some financial-responsibility cases. Your FLHSMV notice tells you what coverage is required and how long the filing must remain active.
Crashes without required coverage
- A crash while required coverage was not in force
- A financial-responsibility case tied to the crash
FLHSMV may require future proof of coverage before restoring driving or registration privileges.
License and registration actions
- A suspension or revocation tied to financial responsibility
- Certain convictions listed on the FLHSMV notice
An SR-22 may be required as part of the steps needed to reinstate driving privileges.
Too many points on your record
- 12 or more points within 12 months
- A habitual traffic offender designation
Speeding tickets and other moving violations add points to your record. Too many can lead to a suspension, and Florida may require an SR-22 before it reinstates your license.
How SR-22 Insurance Works in Florida
1
When coverage begins, your insurer submits the SR-22 certificate to Florida. The filing shows that the policy meets the coverage required for your case.
2
If the policy cancels or lapses while proof is still required, the insurer reports the change to FLHSMV. That can cause another suspension or delay reinstatement.
3
Keep the filing active for the period shown on your FLHSMV notice. Many Florida financial-responsibility cases require proof for three years, but the dates depend on the case.
What Affects the Cost of SR-22 Insurance in Florida?
There is no single statewide price. What you pay comes from the underlying auto policy and any separate filing fee the insurer charges.
PRICE BREAKDOWN
NO FLAT RATE
The filing and the policy premium are different costs
01
SR-22 filing
The SR-22 is the certificate sent to Florida. An insurer may charge a separate fee to submit and maintain that filing.
02
Auto insurance premium
The larger part of the total is usually the policy itself. Its price reflects the driver, vehicle, location, coverage, and insurer's rating rules.
WHAT INSURERS CONSIDER
Why two Florida drivers can see different prices
- 01
Driving history and the filing reason
Recent violations, crashes, a coverage lapse, and the event behind the requirement can affect the premium.
- 02
Vehicle and garaging location
The vehicle, where it is kept, how it is used, and annual mileage can change what an insurer charges.
- 03
Limits, deductibles, and added coverage
Higher limits or more protection can cost more, while deductibles affect the price of physical-damage coverage.
- 04
Owner or non-owner policy
If you do not own a vehicle, a non-owner policy may fit your situation, subject to eligibility and restrictions. Read the Florida non-owner SR-22 guide.
What Do Florida SR-22 Liability Limits Cover?
A standard Florida SR-22 filing often uses the shorthand 10/20/10. Those numbers are policy limits for different types of loss. They are not the price of the policy or a guarantee that every loss will be paid in full.
Bodily injury liability
This can pay for injury or death to one other person when you are legally responsible for a crash, subject to the policy terms and limit.
Bodily injury liability
This is the most bodily injury liability can pay in total when two or more people are injured in one crash. The per-person limit still applies.
Property damage liability
This can pay for damage you cause to another person's vehicle, building, fence, or other property, up to the policy limit.
$10,000OWNER POLICY PIP
Personal injury protection is separate from 10/20/10
On a Florida owner policy, PIP helps pay eligible medical expenses and part of lost income for covered people, regardless of who caused the crash. Benefits remain subject to the policy and Florida law.
Optional Coverage Can Protect You and Your Car
Liability coverage pays for covered losses you cause to other people. It does not automatically repair your car or fill every injury-related gap after a crash.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist
UM/UIM can help with bodily injury losses when an at-fault driver has no bodily injury coverage or does not have enough. It does not cover damage to your vehicle.
Collision
Collision can pay to repair or replace your vehicle after it hits another vehicle or object, or overturns, subject to the deductible and policy terms.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive can cover theft, fire, vandalism, flood, windstorm, falling objects, and animal strikes, subject to the deductible and policy terms.
Medical payments
Medical payments coverage can help with eligible medical or funeral expenses that PIP does not cover, regardless of fault and subject to the policy limit.
Other available options may include rental reimbursement and towing or labor coverage. A lender or lessor may also require collision and comprehensive coverage on a financed or leased vehicle. If you have a non-owner SR-22 policy, you can purchase uninsured motorist coverage, but not the vehicle-based coverages listed above because a non-owner policy does not insure a specific vehicle.
