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Most consumers and many insurance agents are totally unfamiliar with Florida FR44 insurance, and recent changes have added to the confusion. The FR44 filing process must be completed successfully before a Florida DUI driver can reinstate their license. Policyholders and insurance professionals alike need to avail themselves of the facts to eliminate the confusion.
FR44 Insurance Requirements:
Liability requirements are a minimum of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident of Bodily Injury Liability and $50,000 of Property Damage Liability. A single combined limit of $300,000 is also acceptable. The financial responsibility requirement for other drivers in Florida is 10/20/10. After a policy is issued it cannot be cancelled. Compliance period is for three years. The filing must be on a Florida insurance policy.
FR44 Policy Types:
In addition to a car or truck policy a non-owner or motorcycle policy is acceptable. These two types exclude Personal Injury Protection which is very expensive and required on every car or truck policy. The non-owner policy is only available to drivers who do not own a vehicle, and do not have regular access to one. The motorcycle insurance policy is the least restrictive and often the least expensive way to file.
Florida FR44 Companies:
The well-known companies listed here demonstrate the wide variety of offers coming from different providers. Available through independent agents are; Progressive and Foremost accepting most drivers, Mercury and Infinity which are more restrictive, and Travelers which declines altogether. Foremost is the only one offering monthly payments. Others include; Allstate accommodating current clients only, Geico requiring payment in full, and the biggest company of all, unlike a good neighbor, rejects totally.
FR44 Insurance Cost:
The State filing fee is just 15.00 dollars. However, Increased liability limits, removal of safe driver discounts, and placement into a less favorable rating tier account for much more. Over time, maintaining high limits and continuous prior insurance provide significant discounts that reduce rates. Also, this risk group has been very profitable for companies (agents too) and therefore competition will likely increase. After 3 years rating points from the DUI are removed while discounts continue.
Form Completion:
Required information is derived from the MVR and policy application and includes the name, address, license number, and birth date of insured, and name, effective date, NAIC code, policy number of company, and FR44 case number from the MVR. The policy type is indicated as either owners policy with the year, make, model, and VIN of all registered vehicles, or operators (non-owner) policy, applicable to any vehicle not registered or titled to insured. Authorized representative signature and date prepared completes form.
FR44 Filing:
The completed form is filed (submitted) to Florida’s Bureau of Financial Responsibility. After June 30, 2009 all companies must submit filings electronically. The DMV does not accept proof from policyholders. Companies are required to notify the bureau when there is a cancellation, termination, or lapse of a policy for any reason. Buying from a company that files at point of sale accelerates the process. Choose a company that files instantly in order to reinstate your license quickly.
Miscellaneous Facts:
The actual name of the form is the Florida Uniform Financial Responsibility Certificate FR-44. Florida statute 324.023 is applicable and effective after October 1, 2007. There are no driving restrictions associated with such a filing. Driver exclusions are not permitted on a policy. There cannot be more than one FR44, or FR44 and SR22, on the same driver. Noncompliance results in license and vehicle registration suspension.
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