An FR44 certificate is a state-mandated proof of financial responsibility required for high-risk drivers, primarily those convicted of severe traffic offenses like driving under the influence (DUI). State Farm provides FR44 filings to help drivers fulfill state requirements and keep or reinstate their driving privileges. To secure an FR44 through State Farm, you must maintain a active auto policy with liability limits substantially higher than standard state minimums and pay a small filing fee.
What Is FR44 Insurance?
Despite its name, an FR44 is not an independent insurance policy. It is an official document, often called a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, that your auto insurance carrier files directly with the state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV). This certificate serves as legal proof that you carry a specific amount of liability insurance.
States enforce FR44 requirements following serious driving violations, most commonly alcohol- or drug-related offenses like DUI or DWI, driving on a suspended license, or causing severe accidents while uninsured. The requirement is tied directly to the driver, meaning you must maintain this filing continuously for a designated period, typically three years, without any coverage gaps.
States That Require FR44 Certificates
The FR44 form is not used nationwide. Only two states currently mandate FR44 filings: Florida and Virginia. Most other states utilize a similar form called an SR22 for high-risk drivers.
While both forms serve to verify insurance coverage to the DMV, the key difference lies in the required coverage limits. An SR22 generally only requires you to carry the state’s standard minimum liability limits. An FR44, however, mandates significantly higher liability limits to ensure greater coverage due to the severe nature of the offense that triggered the requirement. If you move out of Florida or Virginia while under an FR44 mandate, you must still maintain the required filing with your original state to prevent license suspension.
State Farm FR44 Liability Coverage Minimums
To obtain an FR44 filing through State Farm, your auto insurance policy must meet or exceed the elevated state-specific liability limits. Standard minimum liability limits will not qualify for an FR44 filing.
Florida FR44 Requirements: You must carry liability coverage of at least $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $50,000 for property damage (100/300/50).
Virginia FR44 Requirements: You must carry liability coverage of at least $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $50,000 for property damage (100/300/50).
In addition to these higher limits, both states have specific rules regarding how policies are maintained. Florida, for example, requires drivers subject to an FR44 to pay their insurance policy premiums in full upfront or adhere to strict non-cancellation terms, preventing policies from lapsing due to missed monthly payments.
How to Get a State Farm FR44 Filing
Obtaining an FR44 filing through State Farm involves contacting the insurer to update your existing policy or establish new coverage if you are a new customer. You must inform the agent that you need an FR44 attached to your policy for Florida or Virginia.
Once you request the filing, State Farm will adjust your policy limits to match state mandates and charge a nominal, one-time filing fee, usually ranging between $15 and $25. State Farm then submits the FR44 form electronically directly to the state DMV. While electronic filing is generally fast, processing can take a few business days, so it is crucial to confirm with the DMV that the certificate has been received before attempting to reinstate your driver’s license.
How FR44 Requirements Impact Insurance Costs
Securing an FR44 will lead to a substantial increase in your auto insurance rates, but the FR44 filing itself is not the main reason for the cost jump. The primary driver of high premiums is the underlying conviction, such as a DUI, which reclassifies you as a high-risk driver in State Farm’s underwriting model.
Furthermore, increasing your liability limits from baseline minimums to the required 100/300/50 levels naturally raises your base premium. High-risk drivers often see their overall premium double or even triple after a major violation. State Farm remains a competitive option for high-risk coverage, but exact rates depend heavily on your age, driving history, location, and vehicle type.
Non-Owner FR44 Insurance with State Farm
If you are required to hold an FR44 certificate but do not own a vehicle, State Farm offers non-owner car insurance policies that can accommodate an FR44 filing. A non-owner policy provides bodily injury and property damage liability coverage when you drive borrowed or rented vehicles.
A non-owner policy satisfies the state’s financial responsibility mandate, allowing you to reinstate or maintain your driver’s license even without vehicle ownership. These policies are generally less expensive than standard auto insurance policies because they do not cover physical damage to a vehicle, such as collision or comprehensive coverage. However, a non-owner policy will not cover vehicles registered to your household or vehicles you drive regularly.
Maintaining Coverage and Preventing Lapses
Continuity is the most critical aspect of fulfilling an FR44 requirement. States mandate that your FR44 filing remain active without any interruption for the entire duration of your court-ordered or DMV-ordered period, which usually lasts three consecutive years.
If your State Farm policy cancels or lapses for any reason—such as missed payments or policy non-renewal—State Farm is legally required to submit an FR46 form (in Virginia) or a cancellation notice (in Florida) to the DMV immediately. Upon receiving this notice, the state will automatically suspend your driver’s license and vehicle registration. Furthermore, the mandatory three-year requirement period will typically reset, forcing you to start the entire process over from day one once you secure coverage again.
Removing the FR44 from Your State Farm Policy
Once you have successfully completed your required FR44 period, the state mandate ends, but the filing does not drop off your insurance policy automatically. You must actively take steps to clear the requirement from your State Farm account.
First, contact your local state DMV to verify that your FR44 obligation has officially ended and that your driving record reflects a clear status. Once confirmed, contact your State Farm agent and request to remove the FR44 filing from your policy. At this stage, you can also discuss re-evaluating your coverage limits and options, which may help lower your monthly insurance premiums, provided your overall driving record has remained clean.
