SR22 vs FR44: What's the Difference?
SR22 and FR44 do the same basic job — they're both certificates your insurance company files with your state to prove you carry liability coverage after a violation. The difference is how much coverage each one requires, and which states use which.
| SR22 | FR44 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Certificate proving you meet your state's standard minimum liability coverage | Certificate proving you meet a higher minimum liability coverage |
| States that use it | Most states | Only Virginia and Florida |
| Coverage required | Your state's standard minimum | Roughly double the standard minimum (or more) |
| Typical trigger | DUI, DWI, driving without insurance, at-fault accidents, license suspension | DUI, DWI, or OVWI conviction specifically in Virginia or Florida |
| Typical duration | 3 years | 3 years |
| Relative cost | Lower — less coverage required | Higher — more coverage required |
Which one do I need?
It comes down to two questions: where did your violation happen, and what was it? If your violation happened in Virginia or Florida and involved a DUI, DWI, or OVWI conviction, you likely need an FR44 — see our FR44 page for Virginia and Florida for the exact current limits. For every other state, and for most other violation types (driving without insurance, at-fault accidents, license suspension), you need a standard SR22 — see our SR22 information page.
Live in California and don't own a car? Neither filing type changes that — you'd still need an SR22, just a non-owner version of it.
Why does FR44 require more coverage?
Virginia and Florida treat a DUI conviction as reason to require more coverage, not just a filing. Both states set the FR44 minimum at roughly double their standard SR22-equivalent minimum, which is why FR44 policies tend to cost more than a standard SR22 policy — you're required to carry more protection.
Ready to see your options?