What is the difference between an SR-22 and an FR-44?
An SR-22 and an FR-44 are both certificates your insurer files with the state to prove you carry liability coverage after a serious violation; neither is a type of insurance. The difference is the limit and the trigger. An SR-22 proves standard minimum liability (in Florida, 10/20/10) and is used in many states, including California. The FR-44 exists only in Florida and Virginia; in Florida it applies to DUI convictions and requires much higher limits of 100/300/50 for at least three years. For how these filings fit into state compliance overall, see our state auto insurance compliance guide.
- SR-22 and FR-44 are filings attached to a liability policy, not separate insurance products; your insurer files them and must notify the state if the policy ends.
- In Florida, an SR-22 certifies $10,000/$20,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage liability; an FR-44 certifies $100,000/$300,000/$50,000.
- Florida requires an FR-44 after a DUI conviction (for offenses after October 1, 2007), held for a minimum of three years.
- California uses the SR-22 (no FR-44); it is commonly required for three years after events like an uninsured accident or a DUI-related suspension.
- Any lapse while a filing is active is reported to the state and can restart the suspension.
What These Filings Actually Are
Because the filing rides on top of an ordinary policy, its cost is mostly the higher premium your violation produces, plus a small filing fee. Not every insurer will file them, which is why drivers with these requirements often end up shopping specialty carriers.
If you must file but don't own a vehicle, a non-owner policy with an SR-22 or FR-44 attached can satisfy the requirement.
SR-22 vs FR-44 Side by Side (Florida)
• Bodily injury liability: SR-22 requires $10,000 per person / $20,000 per crash. FR-44 requires $100,000 / $300,000.
• Property damage liability: SR-22 requires $10,000. FR-44 requires $50,000.
• Minimum duration: FR-44 must be held for at least three years after reinstatement; SR-22 duration is set by the triggering violation.
Remember that a standard Florida policy does not include bodily injury liability at all, which is why either filing adds real coverage and real cost. Our Florida compliant drivers program guide explains the baseline PIP and property damage requirement both filings build on.
How the SR-22 Works in California
The filing follows the driver, so it applies to whatever you drive, including a motorhome. If you own an RV, confirm the filing covers it; see California RV insurance.
If you move while a filing is active, you usually must keep it with the original state until the period ends, even after registering in your new state. If the move also means buying a home with a small down payment, budget for the higher auto premium alongside lender costs such as California private mortgage insurance, since both hit your first-year cash flow at once.
Why a Lapse Is So Expensive
Illustrative Case: A Florida DUI and the Jump From 10/20/10 to 100/300/50
Scenario: An illustrative Florida driver carried the state minimum ($10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage, no bodily injury liability). After a DUI conviction, reinstatement required an FR-44 certifying 100/300/50 liability for at least three years.
Resolution & Judicial Outcome: The driver's previous insurer declined to file the FR-44, so the driver bought a policy from a carrier that writes high-risk business. The new policy included bodily injury liability for the first time and cost several times the old premium. A missed payment in year two would have triggered a new suspension notice, so the driver set up autopay for the full filing period.
What You Should Do: Step-by-Step Action Plan
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying the filing alone and assuming it is insurance; it is only proof attached to a policy.
- Letting the policy cancel for non-payment, which can restart the required filing period.
- Dropping the filing when you move to a new state before the original state's period ends.
- Assuming an SR-22 at Florida's 10/20/10 limits satisfies a DUI-related requirement that actually calls for an FR-44.