SR-22 in Florida
In Florida, if you are a high-risk driver, you may be required to carry an SR-22. While SR-22s are sometimes referred to as "SR-22 insurance," an SR-22 is a certificate that verifies you have the state's minimum amount of car insurance. Depending on the specific violation, Florida may also use FR-44 and SR-21 forms instead of SR-22. The requirement for an SR-22 indicates a higher level of risk and can have a negative impact on your car insurance premium. SR-22s, on the other hand, are usually removed from your record after a few years.
What is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is a form that proves you have car insurance that meets Florida's minimum coverage requirements. An SR-22 is not necessary for every driver. In most cases, you only need this form if your driver's license has been suspended or if you've recently experienced one of the following driving events:
- In the last six months, you have received several traffic violations, such as speeding tickets.
- You were convicted of DUI/DWI (an FR-44 is required, with liability limits of 100/300)
- Your license was revoked because you failed to pay child support.
- You were involved in an accident and did not have car insurance.
Any of these scenarios could prompt the Florida DMV to request that you submit an SR-22. If you find an insurer that provides SR-22 filing, submitting the form should be simple, but there are a few key points to remember.
The FR-44 and SR-21 forms, which are similar to the SR-22 requirement, are also required in Florida under certain circumstances. When alcohol is involved in the incident or the severity of the infraction, a FR-44 is required in Florida and a few other states, whereas an SR-21 is required in narrower circumstances involving an accident or traffic ticket.
SR-22 insurance in Florida
It is widely assumed that "SR-22" refers to a type of insurance, and references to "SR insurance" or "SR-22 insurance" are frequently used by drivers seeking more information about the requirement. However, an SR-22 is not insurance, even though car insurance is linked to it. The SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility. Car insurance companies create the certificate to prove that you have the minimum amount of insurance required by the state of Florida for all drivers.
You must have car insurance before your insurance company will issue you a Florida SR-22 certificate. The insurance company guarantees to Florida's DMV that you have a valid auto insurance policy and that you are financially responsible for any damages you may cause in the event of an accident by providing an SR-22 certificate. Some insurers may deny coverage or refuse to provide these forms due to the risk associated with drivers who are required to provide an SR-22.
Other insurance forms required in Florida
Florida is one of only a few states that has SR-22 requirements in addition to alternative forms required in other situations. As a result, Florida drivers must comprehend this more complicated regulatory environment.
Form | Requirements |
SR-22 | An SR-22 is required in Florida for drivers who have committed a serious traffic violation, like reckless driving or driving without insurance. |
FR-44 | This form is required for Florida drivers who are ticketed for serious offenses related to driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The FR-44 requirements include the need to buy car insurance with higher limits than those required by an SR-22. |
SR-21 | An SR-21 form is required in more narrow circumstances relating to automobile accidents and traffic violations. |
Cost of SR-22 insurance in Florida
The costs of an SR-22 go beyond the fee for the actual certificate, which is typically between $15 and $25.
If your license has been suspended or revoked, it means you have a history of serious traffic violations. Car insurers will consider you a high-risk driver who is more likely to cause an accident or be involved in costly insurance claims for which the car insurance company may be held financially liable. As a result, you may be eligible for coverage, but it will usually come at a higher cost.
In Florida, not all car insurance companies offer SR-22 filings, possibly due to the increased risk the driver represents. You must keep the (potentially more expensive) car insurance as long as the traffic incident(s) that necessitated the SR-22 remain on your record.
In Florida, you must usually keep your SR-22 certificate (and corresponding insurance policy) in force for three years, which corresponds to the time it takes for the violations to be removed from your driving record.
If you lapse in coverage at any time during the SR-22 requirement period, your insurance company that certified that you had the legal amount of coverage required is required to report you, as is the intent of the SR-22 or FR-44 requirement. Failure to maintain SR-22 insurance coverage can result in your driver's license being suspended or revoked.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance for Florida drivers
What if you've been asked to provide an SR-22 before your driver's license can be reinstated, but you don't own a vehicle? You can still obtain car insurance by purchasing a non-owner policy. Non-owner car insurance protects you rather than your vehicle. This means that you'll be covered if you drive someone else's car. After you purchase non-owner auto insurance, the insurer can issue you a Florida SR-22 certificate, allowing you to reapply for your driver's license.