SR-22 Insurance in Florida: What It Is and How to Get It

If the Florida DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) has suspended or revoked your driver's license, there's a good chance you've been told you need an SR-22 before you can get it back. This confuses a lot of people — because an SR-22 isn't an insurance policy. It's a certificate of financial responsibility.

What Is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a form your auto insurance company files directly with the state of Florida, certifying that you carry the minimum required liability insurance. It's the state's way of monitoring high-risk drivers to make sure they stay insured. If your policy lapses for any reason while an SR-22 is required, your insurer must notify the state — which triggers an automatic license suspension.

What Triggers an SR-22 Requirement in Florida?

• DUI or DWI conviction
• Driving without insurance (first or repeated offense)
• Causing an accident while uninsured
• Reckless driving conviction
• Accumulating too many points on your license
• Court order following a serious traffic offense

How Long Do You Need an SR-22?

Most Florida SR-22 requirements last 3 years, though more serious offenses can require longer periods. The clock only runs while your license is active and your insurance is continuous — any gap resets the requirement.

How to Get an SR-22 in Florida

Contact an auto insurance company licensed in Florida and request an SR-22 filing. Not all carriers offer SR-22s, and those that do often charge a filing fee (typically $15–$50 one-time). Your premiums will also be higher as a high-risk driver, but the difference between carriers can be significant — sometimes hundreds of dollars per year.

Working with an independent agency like FloridAuto.com means we can shop multiple carriers who specialize in SR-22 situations to find you the most competitive rate. Call us at 800-616-1418 — we make SR-22 filing straightforward.

FR-44: Florida's Stricter Version

For DUI convictions, Florida requires an FR-44 instead of an SR-22. The FR-44 requires much higher liability limits: $100,000/$300,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage — compared to the standard $10,000/$20,000/$10,000 minimums. This means significantly higher premiums, but again, shopping the market can help minimize that cost.