How to Get Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance in Florida
If you don’t own a car and you’ve recently had your driver’s license suspended, you probably need non-owner SR-22 insurance in Florida.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Edited by R.E. Fulton
Non-owner SR-22 insurance is for
high-risk Florida drivers
who rent or borrow the vehicles they drive. It allows you to control your coverage limits and satisfy Florida’s insurance requirements
at the same time.- Non-owner car insurance gives you supplemental liability coverage when you borrow or rent a vehicle.
- SR-22 “insurance” is a certificate of financial responsibility that your auto insurance provider files directly with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
- Any non-owner SR-22 car insurance policy sold in Florida will meet the state’s minimum car insurance requirements.
- Not all providers offer non-owner policies or SR-22 forms; comparing quotes from the ones that do will help you find affordable car insurance in Florida.
- Non-owner car insurance gives you supplemental liability coverage when you borrow or rent a vehicle.
- SR-22 “insurance” is a certificate of financial responsibility that your auto insurance provider files directly with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
- Any non-owner SR-22 car insurance policy sold in Florida will meet the state’s minimum car insurance requirements.
- Not all providers offer non-owner policies or SR-22 forms; comparing quotes from the ones that do will help you findaffordable car insurance in Florida.
Non-owner SR-22 car insurance is for high-risk drivers who don’t own a vehicle
Any driver interested in non-owner SR-22 insurance generally meets two criteria:
- They don’t own a vehicle, and borrow or rent when they do drive
- They have one or more serious traffic offenses or driving infractions on theirFlorida driving record
Non-owner versus standard car insurance
You aren’t required to purchase car insurance if you don’t own a car, but a
non-owner policy
provides several benefits:- You can set your own coverage limits. If you rent a van, use a car-sharing service, or borrow your friend’s hatchback, you’re covered under theirliability insurance—no more, no less. You can get more protection by buying a non-owner policy that kicks in after the vehicle owner’s primary coverage has been exhausted.
- It’s cheaper than standard car insurance. Non-owner policies are generally less expensive than standard ones, plus they can save you from a costlylapse in your car insurance history.
- You must file SR-22 insurance. After one or more serious moving violations, a Florida court might order you to purchase SR-22 insurance; a non-owner car insurance policy will satisfy those obligations if you don’t own a car.
You should always check the terms of your insurance provider’s agreement for any special exclusions. For example, some non-owner policies don’t cover rentals, commercial vehicles, or cars owned by household members.
SR-22 versus standard car insurance
SR-22 insurance
policies (also known as SR-22 forms or SR-22 certificates) aren’t car insurance at all. It’s a certificate of financial responsibility that your car insurance company must file directly with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).You may receive a
Florida SR-22 filing requirement
after having your driving privileges suspended for any one of these offenses:- Driving with aFlorida driver's license suspension or revocation
- Failing to pay child support1
- Presentingfake proof of insurance
An SR-22 filing requirement lasts a minimum of two years in Florida and applies even if you move out of state. If you cancel your policy, miss a payment, or interrupt your insurance coverage in any way, your provider will notify the FLHSMV immediately. There’s a $150 fee for your first reinstatement, $250 for your second, and $500 for your third and up.
2
Florida and Virginia are the only two states that require
FR-44 insurance
after a DUI or DWI
. Like an SR-22, an FR-44 must be filed directly with the DMV. Unlike an SR-22, an FR-44 lasts three years and the minimum coverage limits are much higher (see below). Non-owner SR-22 insurance meets Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements
The Florida Financial Responsibility Law requires every vehicle owner to purchase liability car insurance to pay for any damages they cause while driving. Because Florida is a
no-fault state
(where every motorist is allowed to file a claim against their own provider
), no-fault medical coverage known as PIP
is also required.Standard minimum car insurance versus SR-22 and FR-44 liability limits in Florida
Type of insurance | State standard minimum requirements | SR-22 requirements | FR-44 requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
Bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage per person | N/A | $100,000 4 | |
BIL coverage per accident | N/A | $20,000 | $300,000 |
Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage per accident | $10,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 |
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage per person, per accident | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
Florida car insurance companies that specialize in SR-22 insurance
Although non-owner policies are generally cheaper than regular auto insurance, an SR-22 filing requirement can raise your insurance premiums by over 50%. The secret to
cheap car insurance
in Florida is finding a provider that specializes in high-risk drivers
. Here’s an insurance cost comparison of the biggest non-owner SR-22 car insurance providers in the Sunshine State:
- Dairyland($550-$650 per year): Dairyland is one of the few high-risk-driver-friendly companies in the nation; luckily enough, it covers Florida.
- GEICO($530-$650 per year): Reliable and affordable, GEICO offers numerouscar insurance discountsto help lower your rates even further.
- Nationwide($900-$1000 per year): Nationwide’s non-owner policies provide liability insurance for both company vehicles and those driven for business purposes.
- Progressive($1,700-$2,100 per year): While Progressive offers bothnon-ownerandSR-22 policies, it’s not cheap for customers with a driving history of at-fault accidents.
- State Farm($900-$1,100 per year): On average, State Farm customers with an SR-22 filing requirement pay only 11% more than those with clean driving records.
- Travelers($900-$1,000 per year): Travelers’ non-owner insurance covers rentals, car-sharing services, company cars, and borrowing “regularly available” vehicles from friends and family.
No matter the provider, the process of buying non-owner SR-22 car insurance is the same: call the company, ask for a
personalized car insurance quote
, and mention that you need an SR-22 form. In addition to your premiums, you’ll have to pay an SR-22 filing fee of $15-$25 every year.FAQs
How much is non-owner car insurance in Florida?
Non-owner car insurance generally costs slightly less than standard auto insurance coverage in Florida. However, If you’re a driver with a history of traffic violations, you’ll find SR-22 insurance costs more than the average policy whether or not you own a car.
How do I get an SR-22 in Florida?
You must call your car insurance provider directly to request that they file an SR-22 form on your behalf. Note that not all companies offer SR-22 forms, so you might want to shop around.
Why do I have to carry SR-22 insurance in Florida?
Florida requires high-risk drivers to carry SR-22 insurance as a guarantee that they won’t drive uninsured. Your auto insurance company must file the certificate directly with the Florida DMV—and notify them immediately if your coverage lapses for any reason.
How long is SR-22 insurance required in Florida?
High-risk drivers must pay a provider to file and renew their SR-22 certificate in Florida for at least two years. If you allow your insurance coverage to lapse for any reason, you’ll have to pay a $150 fee to reinstate it.
Sources
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