The Increased Insurance Coverage Required Under Florida DUI Law
Under Florida DUI law, convicted drivers may be required to show proof of a Florida Uniform Financial Responsibility Certificate. The certificate is commonly referred to as an FR 44 and requires increased automobile insurance coverage. Drivers with no DUI history are only required to maintain car insurance coverage of $10,000 per person, $20,000 per incident, and $10,000 property damage coverage. However, a driver who must receive an FR 44 certificate will be required to purchase car insurance coverage of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per incident, and $50,000 property damage. The driver will be required to maintain the increased coverage for three years after the conviction. If the driver fails to show proof of the increased insurance coverage at any time during the 3 year compliance period the driver's registration and license may be suspended.
An experienced Tampa DUI lawyer may be able to assert affirmative defenses and prevent a DUI conviction. However, if convicted there is little that a Tampa DUI attorney can do to remove the increased insurance requirement. The insurance is mandated per Florida statute 324.023 and required for certain DUI offenses. The FR 44 mandated insurance coverage is more than ten times the insurance coverage required of drivers with no DUI history. The increased coverage along with a DUI driving record will drastically increase the cost of insuring an automobile. Many insurance companies will be unwilling to insure drivers with a history of drunk driving and the few that are willing to insure drivers often charge very high fees.
If you have been accused of a DUI and could benefit from expert legal advice contact Florida Law Group. We will be glad to have one of our Tampa DUI attorneys review all the facts of your arrest during a free, confidential consultation. Our team of seasoned Tampa DUI lawyers will develop a legal strategy with you to help to defend against the DUI allegations and prevent conviction.