Florida SR-22 Insurance

Coverage Tailored to Your Unique Needs in the Sunshine State

Florida SR-22 Insurance

Getting an SR-22 in Florida can be confusing and frustrating but having the right information can make the process a lot smoother. In certain situations, some drivers may be required to obtain Florida SR-22 Insurance. This article will take a deep dive into everything you need to know about Florida SR-22 car insurance and how to save on coverage.

What is Florida SR-22 Auto Insurance?

A Florida SR-22 is a certificate of insurance that proves you have liability insurance. It’s required by the state of Florida for drivers who have been convicted of certain traffic violations. These include:

It’s important to note that a Florida SR-22 is not an actual insurance policy. It’s simply proof to the state of Florida that you have the minimum required insurance. The length of time you’ll need to carry an SR-22 in FL depends on the violation. For a first-time DUI, it’s typically 3 years but it could be more or less than that.

Why is Florida SR-22 Required?

The main purpose of the SR-22 is to ensure you maintain liability insurance. Florida drivers who have been convicted of serious traffic offenses are considered high-risk. So the state of FL wants proof they’re maintaining adequate coverage.

Without the SR-22, the state can suspend your license and registration. So you won’t be able to legally drive until you file the form.

How to Get an SR-22 in Florida

To get an SR-22, you’ll first need to purchase a Florida insurance policy that meets the state minimum limits. This includes:

$10,000 bodily injury liability per person
$20,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$10,000 property damage liability

The easiest way to obtain FL SR-22 Insurance is through your auto insurance company or agent. Most insurers will file the form directly with the Florida DMV at no charge. Just ask your agent to send in the paperwork. Check out the Florida DMV’s website. It contains a list of approved companies that file SR-22s in the state.

Once the insurer processes your request, they’ll electronically submit the Florida SR-22 to the DMV. It typically takes around 1-2 weeks to process. The DMV will then send you a letter confirming it’s been filed.

Make sure to maintain continuous auto insurance coverage while the SR-22 is active. If you cancel the policy or it lapses, the insurer will notify the DMV immediately. This will lead to another license suspension that will likely end up costing you a lot of money.

How Much Does Florida SR-22 Insurance Cost?

Filing the SR-22 itself is usually free or you will need to pay a small fee. However, getting high-risk insurance with an SR-22 requirement can be very expensive.

Your auto policy rates will depend on several factors, including:

Expect to pay anywhere from 1.5X to 3X (or more) for FL SR-22 coverage compared to standard insurance costs. So if regular coverage was $100 per month, with an SR-22 it could be $150 to $300 or more. The Florida SR-22 surcharge is in addition to the standard rate increase for a violation. Just for a first-time DUI, rates typically go up 80% – 100% or more.

The good news is the rate increase and SR-22 requirement are NOT permanent in most cases. Once the SR-22 term is up, you can shop for cheaper auto insurance again.

How to Save on Florida SR-22 Insurance

Since SR-22 insurance can be so expensive, it pays to shop around. Here are some tips to lower your rate.

Ask for discounts. Insurers offer things like multi-policy, good driver, defensive driving courses, and payment in full discounts.
Raise your deductible. This shifts more out-of-pocket risk to you in exchange for a lower premium.
Limit your mileage. Driving less than around 10,000 miles per year can earn a low mileage discount.
Improve your credit. Florida allows insurers to use credit when pricing. So improving your credit score can help secure a lower rate.
Bundle home and auto. Purchasing both policies from the same insurer often results in a multi-policy discount of up to 15%.
Compare many quotes. Rates can vary dramatically between insurers, so get quotes from at least 5-10 companies. Compare apples-to-apples policies.
Maintain a clean driving record. Once your SR-22 term is up, avoiding further violations will keep your rates low.
Ask about forgiveness programs. Some insurers may forgive the rate increase after a set time period if you maintain a clean record.

Shopping carefully, maintaining good credit, driving safely, and comparing quotes are key to getting cheap FL SR-22 insurance

Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance in Florida

If your license is suspended but you need to drive, non-owner SR-22 insurance can be an option, although you will be paying more for coverage. It provides liability coverage when you operate a vehicle registered to someone else.

Non-owner SR-22 policies are relatively inexpensive. They satisfy the minimum state requirements so you can get an FR-44 filing on your record. Just make sure you follow all rules and only drive cars you’re authorized for.

To qualify for non-owner SR-22 insurance in Florida:

How Long Will an SR-22 Stay on Your Record?

In Florida, the SR-22 will stay on your DMV record for the full mandated term. Common SR-22 requirements are:

First DUI – 3 years
Second DUI – 5 years
Driving without insurance – 3 years
Too many points – Variable, depends on DMV decision

This 3 to 5 year clock starts once the SR-22 is processed and added to your license. As long as you maintain insurance coverage, the DMV will utomatically remove the SR-22 after the term is complete.

What Happens if You Let SR-22 Insurance Lapse?

Letting your SR-22 insurance policy cancel or lapse is asking for trouble. The insurer is required to immediately notify the Florida DMV if your coverage terminates. Once the DMV is alerted, they will suspend your license again. They will also extend the FL SR-22 requirement, even if you were close to being done with the original term.

How to Reinstate Your Florida License with an SR-22

Lapsed SR-22 insurance can lead to big headaches. Make sure you never let it cancel without having new compliant coverage already in place. If your license is currently suspended due to lack of an SR-22, here are the steps to get it reinstated:

Purchase a Florida policy meeting the required minimums.
Ask your insurer to electronically submit the SR-22 to the FL DMV.
Pay required reinstatement fees. This varies based on your violation but can be $150-$500 or more.
Verify the SR-22 was processed by checking with the insurer or FL DMV.
If eligible, you can apply for a hardship license while waiting for reinstatement. This allows restricted driving for purposes like work, school, and medical care.
Once the DMV verifies you have an active SR-22 on file, they will fully reinstate your driving privileges.

The Final Word On Florida SR-22 Insurance

Maintaining SR-22 insurance is mandatory for Florida drivers who need it. Letting it lapse results in license suspension, fines, and headaches.

The good news is there are ways to secure affordable coverage, even with the SR-22 requirement. Shopping around, comparing lots of quotes, maintaining good credit and a clean record can significantly lower costs.

With some diligence, Florida drivers can get through the SR-22 process smoothly. Following the rules and maintaining insurance in force lets you comply with Florida laws, drive legally, and eventually remove the SR-22 from your record. Once you have gone through the SR-22 insurance process you can then get standard coverage and lower your coverage costs

Author: David Haan

David Haan is a professional writer who has a passion for writing about financial topics: including investing, insurance, and entrepreneurship. David has a way of simplifying complex financial topics to make it easy for anyone to understand. During his free time, he likes to play volleyball, surf, and listen to jazz music.