Why Most Non-Owner Carriers Refuse Florida FR-44
You were ordered to file FR-44 after a DUI conviction in Florida, sold your car or never owned one, and discovered that most carriers advertising non-owner insurance refuse to file FR-44 without a vehicle to insure. This is not a carrier policy quirk—it is a structural reality of Florida's FR-44 requirement. FR-44 exists in only two states (Florida and Virginia) and mandates liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, and $50,000 property damage—substantially higher than the standard SR-22 minimums most carriers file in other states.
The higher liability floor makes FR-44 non-owner policies riskier for carriers to underwrite, because the policyholder has no owned vehicle to anchor the risk profile and the state is asking for coverage limits that protect against catastrophic loss. As a result, only a handful of carriers write non-owner policies and file FR-44 in Florida. This article identifies which carriers actually write non-owner FR-44 in Florida, what each offers, and how to compare them when your license reinstatement depends on finding one that will file.
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8 carriers
Of the 24 carriers writing auto insurance in Florida, only 8 are verified to write non-owner policies and file FR-44 certificates: Geico, Progressive, The General, Dairyland, Acceptance Insurance, Bristol West, Infinity, and National General. State Farm writes non-owner in only 1 of 51 jurisdictions and is not a Florida option.
Auto insurance carrier state data, verified 2026
What FR-44 Means for Non-Owner Coverage
An FR-44 is a certificate of financial responsibility a carrier files with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) on your behalf, proving you carry liability insurance at the state-mandated minimums. For DUI offenders, those minimums are $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 per accident, and $50,000 property damage—higher than the standard $10,000 property damage and PIP requirements Florida imposes on most drivers.
A non-owner FR-44 policy files this certificate without listing an owned vehicle. The policy covers bodily injury and property damage liability when you drive a car you do not own—a borrowed car, a rental, or a car-share vehicle. It does not cover collision or comprehensive damage to any vehicle, because there is no owned vehicle to repair. The FR-44 certificate itself is filed by the carrier and remains active as long as your policy stays in force. If the policy lapses, the carrier notifies DHSMV, your FR-44 filing is cancelled, and your license is suspended again.
Florida requires FR-44 for 3 years after DUI conviction, measured from the reinstatement date, not the conviction date. The filing period clock does not start until your license is reinstated and the FR-44 is on file. If your policy lapses at any point during those 3 years, the clock resets and you start the 3-year period over from the date you refile.
A non-owner FR-44 lapse in Florida resets the 3-year filing clock and suspends your license immediately—DHSMV receives electronic notification within days of cancellation.
Carriers Writing Non-Owner FR-44 in Florida
Geico writes non-owner FR-44 in all Florida counties and files electronically with DHSMV. Geico's non-owner policies include uninsured motorist coverage as standard and allow online quote requests. Geico is a standard-tier carrier and may decline applicants with multiple DUI convictions or recent at-fault claims. Progressive writes non-owner FR-44 statewide and files the certificate at policy inception. Progressive's non-owner policies include uninsured motorist coverage and allow online binding. Progressive accepts a wider risk profile than Geico but may surcharge heavily for recent DUI convictions within the past 3 years.
The General is a non-standard carrier writing non-owner FR-44 for high-risk drivers, including those with multiple DUI convictions, suspended licenses, or recent at-fault accidents. The General files FR-44 electronically and allows online quotes. Premiums are higher than standard-tier carriers but acceptance rates are broader. Dairyland is a non-standard carrier specializing in SR-22 and FR-44 filings. Dairyland writes non-owner FR-44 in Florida and accepts applicants declined by standard carriers. Dairyland requires a broker in some counties; check availability by ZIP code before quoting.
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Non-Standard Carriers for Multiple DUI or Recent Convictions
Acceptance Insurance writes non-owner FR-44 for drivers with multiple DUI convictions or convictions within the past 12 months. Acceptance is a non-standard carrier with higher premiums than Geico or Progressive but broader underwriting guidelines. Acceptance files FR-44 electronically and allows online quotes in most Florida counties. Bristol West writes non-owner FR-44 and accepts high-risk applicants, including those with suspended licenses or recent at-fault accidents. Bristol West requires a broker in some regions; availability varies by county.
Infinity is a non-standard carrier writing non-owner FR-44 for drivers with DUI convictions, points suspensions, or uninsured-driving violations. Infinity files FR-44 electronically and allows online quotes. Premiums are higher than standard carriers but acceptance is broader. National General writes non-owner FR-44 and accepts applicants with recent DUI convictions or multiple violations. National General is a standard-tier carrier with non-standard underwriting divisions; risk profile determines which division underwrites the policy.
Florida FR-44 Filing Period
3 years
Florida requires FR-44 for 3 years after DUI conviction, measured from the reinstatement date. If your policy lapses at any point during those 3 years, the filing period resets and you start over from the date you refile. The clock does not run during suspension—it starts only when your license is reinstated and the FR-44 is on file.
Florida Statutes § 322.28
How to Compare Non-Owner FR-44 Carriers
Start by confirming the carrier writes non-owner policies and files FR-44 in your county. Not all carriers write statewide, and some require a broker rather than allowing direct online quotes. Request quotes from at least three carriers on the verified list above—premiums vary widely based on your DUI conviction date, driving history, age, and ZIP code.
Verify the policy includes uninsured motorist coverage. Florida does not require uninsured motorist coverage by statute, but most non-owner policies include it as standard because the policyholder is driving cars with unknown insurance status. Confirm the carrier files FR-44 electronically with DHSMV at policy inception—some carriers delay filing until the first premium payment clears, which delays your reinstatement eligibility. Ask whether the carrier allows monthly payments or requires a 6-month or annual premium upfront. Non-standard carriers often require larger down payments than standard carriers, and missing a payment triggers immediate cancellation and FR-44 lapse.
What Happens If You Choose the Wrong Carrier
If you buy a non-owner policy from a carrier that does not file FR-44, you will not satisfy Florida's reinstatement requirement. DHSMV will not reinstate your license until the FR-44 certificate is on file, and you will have paid for a policy that does not meet the court's order. If you buy a policy that files FR-44 but lapses because you missed a payment, DHSMV receives electronic notification within days, your FR-44 filing is cancelled, and your license is suspended again. The 3-year filing period resets, and you must refile FR-44 and pay a reinstatement fee to restore your license.
The reinstatement fee for DUI-related suspensions in Florida is $45 for administrative reinstatement, plus any court-ordered fines or DUI school completion fees. If your FR-44 lapse triggers a new suspension, you pay the reinstatement fee again and restart the 3-year clock. Compare carriers carefully before binding coverage—switching carriers mid-filing-period is allowed, but any lapse between policies cancels your FR-44 and suspends your license.