Every year, there are anywhere between 40,000 to over 50,000 DUI cases filed in Florida. While the actual guilty adjudications amount to just around 70% of the cases, you may be one of the majority who have actually been convicted of a DUI.
Your court or motor vehicle notice determines whether you need the filing. Use the FR-44 overview to compare state rules, then check the Florida FR-44 guide or Virginia FR-44 guide for the state named in your notice.
In that case, it may quite a stressful time for you, and you just want to get past it and go on with life. However, a DUI comes with several things you’ll need to deal with before you can.
In this article, we’ll discuss what FR-44 insurance is and if you need it.
What Is FR-44 Insurance?
FR-44 insurance is a type of high-risk insurance that typically DUI offenders will need to carry. This is because they’ve been convicted of a crime where they might have (or have already) caused either bodily harm and/or damage to property.
FR-44 insurance is similar to the SR-22. The SR-22 is required in most states by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if you’ve been convicted of a DUI. However, it’s not insurance; instead, it’s a certification for you being financially responsible for whatever auto policy you have.
FR-44 is not actual insurance either; it’s also a certification. Residents in Florida (and Virginia) will need to get FR-44 by law if they’ve been convicted of a DUI. This is in place of the SR-22.
You can obtain the FR-44 “insurance” from your insurance company. This is one of the only ways you can regain your driving privileges after getting a DUI.
What Does FR-44 Insurance Indicate?
So if FR-44 insurance isn’t actually insurance, then what does it do?
Well, after being convicted of a DUI, you’ll usually lose your license for a certain period of time. After that, you can reinstate your driver’s license.
However, to do that, you’ll need to have valid auto insurance. Because you’re such a high-risk driver, many companies will hesitate to insure you.
FR-44 insurance is a certification that essentially reassures insurance companies that you can carry double Florida’s (or Virginia’s) minimum liability requirements for the next 3 years.
In Florida, you’ll need $100,000 bodily injury coverage (per person), $300,000 bodily injury coverage (per accident), and $50,000 property damage coverage.
In comparison, all you’d need for SR-22 are $25,000, $50,000, and $20,000 respectively.
Do I Need FR-44 Insurance?
If you’ve been convicted of a DUI in either Florida or Virginia, then yes, you’ll need FR-44 insurance if you want to reinstate your license. Other circumstances that’ll require you to get FR-44 insurance is if you’ve driven with a suspended license, caused bodily harm while driving under the influence, or violated federal, state, or local laws that have to do with driving with either a suspended license or a DUI.
This is because it’s on record that you’ve driven (recklessly) while under the influence. As a result, you’re most likely more of a liability than other drivers when you’re on the road.
How Long Do I Need FR-44 Insurance For?
The duration that you’d need FR-44 insurance for varies from person to person. However, in most cases, you’ll need it for at least 3 years.
But no matter what, you should always check with the court or Florida’s DMV. Otherwise, you risk losing your license again if it lapses before the designated time is up. So it’s vital you don’t just assume the duration you need FR-44 insurance for; always check with the court and/or the DMV.
How Much Does FR-44 Insurance Cost?
Of course, it’ll cost some money out of pocket to get FR-44 insurance. However, the exact amount will vary from person to person.
Factors that’ll affect how much you pay for FR-44 insurance include how old you are, your marital status, driving experience, and where exactly you live in Florida.
As you’d expect with high-risk driver insurance, your policy premiums will most likely be much higher. However, we at BadDrivingRecord.com can help you save by finding you the best rates and discounts around.
Do note that unfortunately, you can’t pay for your insurance in installments. You’ll have to pay the full amount in full, so make sure you have the funds for FR-44 insurance before you purchase.
Some insurance companies will give you a “free pass” if it’s your first offense. So this means it’s possible for you to not be penalized for a DUI if it’s the first time you’ve made a driving transgression.
How Do I Get FR-44 Insurance?
It’s very easy to get FR-44 insurance. When you’re applying for a regular policy, all you have to do is tell your insurer that you need FR-44 certification and they’ll assist you with that promptly. The insurance company will submit an FR-44 form electronically for you when you purchase your policy.
How Quickly Can I Get FR-44 Insurance?
If you need FR-44 insurance today, you can technically get it the day of! Because all it takes is electronic filing, the approval for your certification can potentially be instantaneous. So all you have to do is get in touch with an insurance company and they’ll take care of the rest.
Make Sure You Have the Right Coverage
Now that you know a bit more about FR-44 insurance, hopefully, you should have the proper knowledge to know whether or not you need it. Plus, you’ll also be aware of how long you need this coverage for as well.
All of us make mistakes, so make sure you don’t pay even more for this one. If you’ve just realized that you need FR-44 insurance, then don’t delay. Make sure you get the proper coverage now so you don’t suffer even more consequences for your past mistakes.
Do you need FR-44 insurance? Then get a free quote from us today.
