SR22 Insurance Certification in the State of Florida

This article will elaborate on the implementation of SR-22 insurance certification in the state of Florida. The Florida Motor Vehicle Department intends to curb potential vehicular collision that happen because of the negligence or recklessness of the drivers involved in it.

The authorities imposed the SR-22 certification to make it difficult for recurring offenders such as vehicle owner convicted of driving under influence or DUI as well as driving while intoxicated or DWI.

SR-22 act as a penalty or even as a barrier to stop impaired drivers from hurting others and in the eventuality of a vehicular collision the insurance company of the vehicle owner that provided SR-22 certification will compensate the aggrieved party. This is the gist of this article but further readers will get to know about the details of SR-22 certification in the context of Florida State.

Definition of SR-22 prescribed by the Florida State authorities

SR-22 is certification filed before the Department of Motor Vehicles in Florida State by the insurance provider on behalf of the insured vehicle owner. It validates the fulfilment of the minimum requirements imposed in the state of Florida regarding the vehicle insurance liability coverage by the insured vehicle owner.

Hence SR-22 is also referred as financial responsibility certificate. It is vital to note here that SR-22 is merely a certification, not an insurance policy, which is proof to the fact that associated vehicle owner has purchased an insurance policy.

Liability to maintain a SR-22 certification in the state of Florida

Any person deemed as a high-risk driver by the state authorities may be subjected to maintain a SR-22 certification. SR-22 certification may also be alternated by FR-44 certification which is only applicable in the state of Virginia apart from Florida in the USA.

High-risk driver in the state of Florida

When a vehicle owner is found guilty of any of the following then he/she may be subjected maintaining a SR-22 certification:

• Convicted under DUI charges;
• Frequently associated with causing vehicular accidents;
• Recurring offender charged with reckless driving behavior or violation of traffic rules;
• Driving while not maintaining an adequate insurance policy on multiple occasions;
• Not paying child support that has been imposed in pursuance of an court order.

Minimum liability amounts in the state of Florida

The minimum SR-22 requirements to be fulfilled by a vehicle owner while purchasing liability vehicle insurance in the Florida State are as follows:

• Coverage of injury or death of one person in one accident – $10,000;
• Coverage of injury or death of two or more persons in one accident – $20,000;
• Coverage of damage of property in one accident – $10,000.

Difference between SR-22 and FR-44 certification in the Florida State

Both FR-44 and SR-22 are validating certification of fulfilling the minimum liability coverage while purchasing vehicle insurance. Where there two differs are the liability amounts that are much higher for FR-44 in comparison to SR-22 requirements.

FR-44 requirements in the Florida State

The requirements for liability coverage of vehicle insurance policy under FR-44 certification in Florida State are as follows:

• Coverage of injury or death of one person in one accident – $100,000;
• Coverage of injury or death of two or more persons in one accident – $300,000;
• Coverage of damage of property in one accident – $50,000.

Minimum duration for an SR-22 insurance certification in the State of Florida

Usually an SR-22 certification is required for a minimum period of three years consecutively. Any lapse, termination or cancellation of SR-22 liability coverage by insurance policy has to informed, at the earliest possible opportunity, to the Department of Motor Vehicles in Florida. This reporting is done by insurance provider on behalf of the vehicle owner.

Consequences of non-compliance to maintain a SR-22 in Florida State

Any non-compliance of SR-22 requirements is followed by the suspension of driving license as a consequence. Such suspension will be notified to the vehicle owner by the Department of Motor Vehicles in Florida.

Expiration of three years duration of maintaining an SR-22 certification

The vehicle owner will be notified by the Department of Motor Vehicles in Florida upon expiration of the mandatory three years period of SR-22 certificate requirement. But the certificate might still persist attached to the vehicle insurance policy of the said vehicle owner. In this situation, the vehicle owner needs to contact his or her insurance company and make a request for removal of SR-22 certification.

It is crucial to make the request of removal after being notified on expiration of mandatory period as any early removal might subject vehicle owner to be levied with penalties or suspension of driving privileges. 

If Florida DMV don’t notify upon expiration of minimum SR-22 time duration

Upon expiration of the said duration if the Department doesn’t notifies the vehicle owner then he or she needs to contact the concerned authorities to get clarification on the situation. But in no condition, the vehicle owner should remove the SR-22 certificate from his/her insurance policy without the notification approval by the Department.

Non- vehicle owner requires an SR-22 certification in the state of Florida

Any person who does not own a car but is subject to require an SR-22 certification has to purchase an insurance policy having adequate minimum liability coverage.

Such policy is categorized as non-owner insurance policy. Such policy owner will be able to rent and drive a vehicle in the public roads of Florida State while satisfying the impose requirements of SR-22 certification without owning a vehicle.