SR-22 is not a type of Florida auto insurance. It is the name of the form used by auto insurance companies to certify the compliance of people who must maintain minimum liability insurance limits. Auto insurance companies submit the SR-22 form to the Florida Office of Financial Responsibility for policyholders who are required to provide proof of liability insurance.
For most residents, Florida’s minimum required auto insurance, as outlined in Florida’s No-Fault Law, is $10,000 personal injury protection and $10,000 property damage liability. Bodily injury liability listed on an SR-22, in addition to the No-Fault Law requirement, is for individuals who meet certain criteria. Drivers who fail to provide proof of insurance after an accident, or who have accumulated too many points on their license, may require an SR22. Drivers with a DUI conviction require Florida FR44 insurance, not an SR22.
The minimum bodily injury liability limits to comply with Florida SR-22 are $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident. A combined single limit of liability in the amount of $30,000 would also satisfy the SR-22 requirement. As of October 1, 2007, a driver convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence (DUI) will be required to secure higher limits and present evidence via an FR44 filing, not an SR22.
The bodily injury liability insurance premium is the same as your insurance company, regardless of the SR-22 filing requirement. The only additional cost to the SR-22 policyholder in Florida is a $15.00 filing fee. However, drivers who are required to file an SR-22 generally pay more than other drivers in their insurance premium because of the reason for the SR-22, such as an at-fault car accident or a DUI conviction.
Once you are required by the Office of Financial Responsibility to have an SR-22 on file, failure to do so may result in the suspension of your driver’s license and/or vehicle registration. Reinstatement of your driver’s license and/or registration will only occur after certified proof of required liability insurance in the form of an SR-22 is filed with the Office of Financial Responsibility. Reinstatement fees will apply in addition to the $15.00 filing fee. The SR-22 and FR-44 forms are filed (filed) by the insurance company. Filings are transmitted electronically and 15 days is the time allowed for the business to file a return after a policy begins.