What Is FR-44 Insurance?
FR-44 is a Financial Responsibility insurance certificate required for drivers who have a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) conviction. After sentencing, such drivers must file an FR-44 that dictates the minimum amount of insurance coverage. As of June 2010, an FR-44 is used in the states of Florida and Virginia.
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Virginia
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As of January 1, 2008, Virginia became the first state to require an FR-44 certificate for drivers convicted of a DUI or DWI. The FR-44 limits in Virginia are 50/100/40, which means that the coverage is set at $50,000 for the bodily injury or death of one person, $100,000 for bodily injury or death per accident and $40,000 for property damage.
Florida
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Florida instituted the FR-44 as a requirement on February 2, 2008. The limits in Florida are even higher, at 100/300/50. The limits also apply to those convicted of a DUI prior to the date that the FR-44 went into effect.
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SR-22
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The FR-44 is similar to the SR-22, which is a certificate that serves as proof that the driver maintains auto insurance liability coverage. However, with the FR-44, the driver maintains higher limits. For instance, in Virginia, the FR-44's 50/100/40 is twice as high as the state's 25/50/20 limits for the SR-22. In Florida, the SR-22 can be maintained for as low as 10/20/10--much lower than the state's 100/300/50 requirement for the FR-44.
Filing
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Drivers with a DUI/DWI violation usually receive a case number so that the state can issue the FR-44 form. Then they can consult with insurance companies to get policy quotes for insurance carrying an FR-44. As of June 2010, the length of time required to hold FR-44 insurance is three years. However, it is the duty of insurance holders to verify how long they should keep the certificate filed with the state.
Violation
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Failure to maintain the appropriate FR-44 filing can lead the DMV to suspend the individual's privilege to drive, register vehicles in the state or obtain state decals.
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