After a DUI or some other major driving violation, you shouldn’t be surprised if you get a letter in the mail from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) telling you that you need extra insurance coverage and proof.
This is pretty standard for people charged with major driving crimes, but you might not know exactly what type of insurance coverage or form you need to get.
You might need an SR22 or an FR44 but what is an FR44 and an SR22?
Insurance terminology often leaves consumers feeling confused and uncertain and can even result in people buying the wrong types of policies.
If you need a form, like an FR44 or an SR22, you’ll need to choose the right type. Keep reading to see an explanation on what the differences are with these two similar forms.
They Are Both Forms And Not Insurance Coverage
First things first – an FR44 and an SR22 are forms, or documents, and are not insurance coverages. Many people have a misconception that these are actually forms of insurance coverage but this simply isn’t true.
Instead, each term refers to a specific form that insurance companies use and issue to policyholders and to the FLHSMV when needed. The forms both prove that a person has auto insurance coverage and that is really all they are for.
What Is An SR22?
An SR22 form is a common type needed by people who experience driving charges such as a DUI or reckless driving. People also need this if they experience a lot of tickets and driving violations in a short period of time.
If you lose your driving privileges and want to get them back, you would most likely have to prove you have insurance by obtaining an SR22 form from your insurance company.
What Is An FR44?
An FR44 is almost identical to an SR22 but is needed in more severe cases. When a person has multiple DUIs, for example, or has a lot of serious traffic violations, the person might need an FR44 instead of an SR22.
The key difference between these two is the additional insurance coverage you must get if you need Florida FR44 insurance. You would not be able to carry a policy with state-minimum requirements.
You would have to increase your coverage to $100,000 bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 bodily injury liability total, and $50,000 personal property liability.
These amounts of liability coverage are significantly more than state-minimum liability requirements but are required for FR44 insurance policies.
Choose The Right Type Of Form To Meet The Requirements
What is an FR44 and an SR22? Hopefully, you understand now and are ready to obtain the right one for your situation.
Are you interested in learning more about these products? If so, check out our blog to learn more about what is an FR44 and other similar topics.