An FR-44 isn’t a separate insurance product — it’s a state-mandated filing proving you carry higher liability limits after certain Florida DUI convictions. The policy itself is just the tool that keeps that compliance active with the DMV.
Getting convicted of a DUI is one of those experiences that hits harder than people expect — not just legally, but emotionally. There’s the embarrassment, the stress, the sense that your life just got more complicated overnight. If you’re in that spot right now, I want you to know something before we get into any of the details: you’re not alone, and this is absolutely something you can work through.
I see it constantly. Florida law enforcement writes tens of thousands of DUI citations every year, and across the country, roughly a million people are arrested annually for driving under the influence. It happens far more often than most people realize — which doesn’t make it easy, but it does mean you’re not the only one sitting where you are right now.
I’m Clifford Schimek with Florida Auto Plus Insurance, and FR-44 filings are a big part of what I work on every day. I understand how little it can take to cross the legal limit in Florida, and I also understand how disorienting it is to suddenly be told you need a type of insurance you’ve never heard of before. That’s where I come in.
A Word About All the AI-Generated Information Out There
Here’s something worth knowing before you start researching this on your own: a lot of what shows up online about FR-44 insurance right now is wrong.
I’ve seen AI-generated content list companies like State Farm as a solid option for FR-44 coverage. It isn’t. State Farm doesn’t even write policies for drivers with a DUI on their record, let alone offer an FR-44 filing. And that’s just one example — there’s a fair amount of inaccurate information getting surfaced prominently when people search for this topic.
This is exactly the kind of situation where real, hands-on experience matters more than a quick search result. I’ve worked through this process with thousands of Florida drivers, and the details I share with you come from doing this work directly — not from scraping together information that sounds right on the surface. If you want to understand why that distinction matters more than ever right now, I get into it in When Search Gets More Human, Real Experience Finally Gets Its Due.
What an FR-44 Actually Is
An FR-44 isn’t a special kind of insurance policy you go out and buy. It’s a state-mandated compliance filing — proof to the Florida DMV that you’re carrying higher liability limits than a standard policy requires, following certain DUI convictions. The insurance is simply the vehicle that keeps that compliance active. I explain this distinction in more depth in FR-44 Insurance Is Not a Policy — It’s an Ongoing Compliance Requirement, because understanding it upfront saves people a lot of confusion later.
If you’re wondering how long any of this actually lasts, the honest answer is that it depends on you — your consistency, your payment habits, and whether your coverage stays active without a single gap. I walk through exactly how that works in How Long Do You Carry FR-44 Insurance? “That Depends On You. And once your filing is active, there are a handful of things worth knowing from day one — I cover those in What I Tell Florida Drivers the Day Their FR-44 Insurance Starts After a DUI].
How I Can Help
This is what I focus on, day in and day out:
- Florida FR-44 filings and the requirements behind them
- Working with Florida DUI and DWI drivers since 2007
- Access to top-rated insurance companies that actually write FR-44 policies
- Finding the right policy and rate for your situation — not just the first one available
- No judgment, no lectures — just straightforward solutions and a quick response when you need one
If you’re ready to get your license back on track, you can visit my FR-44 site for more detail, or just reach out directly and we’ll talk through your specific situation. And when the time comes to actually go to the DMV, it helps to know what that visit looks like — I break that down in [Proving FR-44 Insurance to the DMV: Have Your Agent Available in Real Time][URL]. No script, no pressure — just a real conversation about where you stand and what comes next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Written by Clifford Schimek — Florida Auto & FR-44 Insurance Expert
I help Florida drivers every day with auto insurance quotes and FR-44 filings. My goal is to make everything simpler and less stressful, no matter where you live in the state. If you ever need help or just want a straight answer, you can always call or text me directly.
Clifford Schimek — Florida Auto & FR-44 Insurance Expert
Call or text: 305-796-2968
Learn More About Cliff
Why Clifford Schimek? – The case for working with me
Florida Auto Plus Insurance – Agency website
Florida FR-44 Information and Guidance – For Florida drivers who need an FR-44 filing
View my Google Business Profile – Reviews and business information