SR-22 Insurance in Florida
When Florida requires an SR-22 (or similar) certificate of insurance, how long you must keep it, and what happens if it lapses.
Short answer: An SR-22 is an insurer filing certifying bodily injury and property damage liability coverage to meet Florida's Financial Responsibility Law. FLHSMV, Involved in a Crash?; Florida Insurance Requirements
| SR-22 filing | An SR-22 is an insurer filing certifying bodily injury and property damage liability coverage to meet Florida's Financial Responsibility Law. If an at-fault driver charged with a moving violation in a crash with injuries did not have bodily injury liability ($10,000/$20,000), $10,000 PDL and $10,000 PIP, FLHSMV requires the driver to buy and keep at least 10/20/10 coverage with an SR-22 filing for three years from the suspension date, obtain releases or post a security deposit, and pay a $15 reinstatement fee if applicable. Unpaid crash judgments lead to suspension of license and registrations for 20 years or until the judgment is satisfied. |
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| Driving without insurance | If required PIP/PDL coverage is not maintained, FLHSMV suspends the owner's driver license and registration (for up to three years), and there is no hardship license for insurance-related suspensions. Reinstatement requires proof of coverage and a reinstatement fee of $150 for the first reinstatement, $250 for the second and $500 for each later one within 3 years of the first (the fee returns to $150 after 3 years without a second reinstatement). An at-fault owner in a property-damage crash who lacked PIP/PDL must also obtain releases or post a security deposit. Turning in the plate before canceling insurance avoids suspension. FLHSMV pages: https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/ ; https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/involved-in-a-crash/ |
More Florida car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in Florida
- Driving Without Insurance in Florida
- When a Car Is a Total Loss in Florida
- Transferring a Car Title in Florida
- All Florida car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
When do you need an SR-22 in Florida, and for how long?
An SR-22 is an insurer filing certifying bodily injury and property damage liability coverage to meet Florida's Financial Responsibility Law. If an at-fault driver charged with a moving violation in a crash with injuries did not have bodily injury liability ($10,000/$20,000), $10,000 PDL and $10,000 PIP, FLHSMV requires the driver to buy and keep at least 10/20/10 coverage with an SR-22 filing for three years from the suspension date, obtain releases or post a security deposit, and pay a $15 reinstatement fee if applicable. Unpaid crash judgments lead to suspension of license and registrations for 20 years or until the judgment is satisfied.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Florida?
If required PIP/PDL coverage is not maintained, FLHSMV suspends the owner's driver license and registration (for up to three years), and there is no hardship license for insurance-related suspensions. Reinstatement requires proof of coverage and a reinstatement fee of $150 for the first reinstatement, $250 for the second and $500 for each later one within 3 years of the first (the fee returns to $150 after 3 years without a second reinstatement). An at-fault owner in a property-damage crash who lacked PIP/PDL must also obtain releases or post a security deposit. Turning in the plate before canceling insurance avoids suspension.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.