What Minimum Coverage Actually Means in Florida
You're comparing SR-22 quotes and the monthly premiums range from $135 to $340. Some carriers call it minimum coverage; others won't quote you at all. The confusion isn't the carriers — it's Florida's two-tier filing system. What counts as minimum depends entirely on what triggered your suspension.
Florida uses SR-22 for most non-DUI suspensions: insurance lapses, points accumulation, and some reckless driving cases. For DUI suspensions, Florida is one of only two states requiring FR-44 instead of SR-22. FR-44 mandates $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage — triple the liability minimums a standard SR-22 state would require. That difference drives the entire cost spread you're seeing.
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Get Your Free QuoteFlorida FR-44 Liability Minimums
$100k/$300k/$50k
Florida Statutes § 322.28 requires FR-44 filers to carry 100/300/50 liability coverage — significantly higher than the standard 10/20/10 minimums for non-DUI drivers. This applies to all DUI-related suspensions and hardship licenses.
Florida Statutes § 322.28
SR-22 vs FR-44 Cost Reality
SR-22 filing for non-DUI suspensions costs $135–$220 per month for liability-only coverage meeting Florida's standard PIP and property damage requirements. The SR-22 form itself adds a $25–$50 filing fee, but the base policy reflects Florida's no-fault minimums: $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage.
FR-44 filing for DUI suspensions costs $180–$340 per month because the mandated liability limits are substantially higher. Carriers price the 100/300/50 coverage tier, not the form itself. The FR-44 form fee is similar to SR-22 ($25–$50), but the policy premium reflects the increased exposure the carrier assumes at those limits.
If your suspension stems from DUI, any quote under $180 per month should raise questions about whether the carrier understands Florida's FR-44 requirement. You cannot legally reinstate with standard-minimum coverage after a DUI suspension — DHSMV will reject the filing.
Florida will reject your reinstatement if you file SR-22 instead of FR-44 after a DUI suspension. The form type matters, and substituting the cheaper one blocks reinstatement entirely.
Carriers Writing Minimum FR-44 in Florida
Acceptance Insurance, Bristol West, Dairyland, and The General are non-standard carriers confirmed to write FR-44 in Florida. These carriers specialize in high-risk policies and typically quote $180–$260 per month for minimum FR-44 coverage with no vehicle ownership (non-owner policies). If you own a vehicle, add $40–$80 per month for comprehensive and collision at state minimums.
Progressive, Geico, State Farm, and Nationwide write FR-44 but price it in their standard tier, not their high-risk division. Expect $220–$340 per month for the same 100/300/50 coverage. These carriers often decline to quote drivers with DUI convictions in the past 36 months, routing you to their non-standard affiliate or declining coverage outright. If you can get a quote, the monthly cost reflects their broader book of business, not a high-risk underwriting model.
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Non-Owner Policies Cut Cost When You Don't Have a Vehicle
If you don't own a vehicle but need FR-44 to reinstate your license or secure a Business Purpose Only License, a non-owner policy satisfies DHSMV's filing requirement. Non-owner FR-44 policies cost $135–$220 per month for the 100/300/50 liability coverage Florida mandates — roughly 20–30% less than a standard vehicle policy at the same limits.
Non-owner policies provide liability coverage when you drive a vehicle you don't own: a rental, a borrowed car, or a vehicle provided by an employer. The policy does not cover a vehicle you own, lease, or have regular access to. DHSMV accepts non-owner FR-44 filings for reinstatement as long as the carrier electronically submits the FR-44 certificate through the Florida Insurance Tracking System.
Dairyland, The General, and Progressive write non-owner FR-44 policies in Florida. Geico writes non-owner SR-22 but has confirmed FR-44 availability in Florida; verify during the quote process that the policy meets FR-44 minimums, not just SR-22. If you later purchase a vehicle, you must notify the carrier within 30 days and convert to a standard policy — failing to do so voids coverage and triggers a lapse notification to DHSMV.
Florida FR-44 Filing Period
3 years
Florida requires continuous FR-44 filing for 3 years from the date of reinstatement, not from the date of conviction. Any lapse during this period restarts the suspension and requires a new reinstatement process, including payment of the $45 base reinstatement fee plus tiered lapse penalties.
Florida Statutes § 324.0221
Filing Fee and Reinstatement Costs on Top of Premiums
The carrier charges a one-time FR-44 filing fee of $25–$50 to submit the certificate to DHSMV electronically. This fee is separate from the monthly premium and typically appears on your first bill. Some carriers waive the filing fee if you pay six months up front; others charge it regardless of payment plan.
DHSMV's reinstatement fee is $45 for most suspensions, processed after you've satisfied all other conditions: DUI school enrollment confirmation, FR-44 filing, payment of outstanding fines, and completion of any court-ordered programs. If your suspension included an insurance lapse violation, add $150 for a first lapse, $250 for a second, or $500 for a third lapse within three years. These fees stack — a DUI suspension with a concurrent lapse violation requires both the $45 base fee and the tiered lapse penalty.
Compare Quotes Before Filing
FR-44 pricing varies by $100+ per month across carriers for identical coverage. The General may quote $190 while Progressive quotes $280 for the same 100/300/50 limits. Both meet Florida's requirement; the difference reflects underwriting model and risk appetite, not coverage quality.
Request quotes from at least three carriers confirmed to write FR-44 in Florida. Provide your exact suspension trigger, conviction date, and whether you need a non-owner policy or vehicle coverage. Verify the quote reflects 100/300/50 liability limits before comparing price — a $140 quote for 10/20/10 coverage is not a valid FR-44 policy and will not satisfy reinstatement. Compare the monthly premium, the filing fee, and any payment plan restrictions. Some non-standard carriers require six-month prepayment; others allow monthly billing with an installment fee.