FR-44 Insurance Made Simple with Barefoot Insurance Brokers
If you’ve been convicted of DUI in Florida and need an FR-44 filing to reinstate your driver license, Barefoot Insurance Brokers can help—quickly and affordably. We shop a broad network of Florida carriers that file FR-44s so you get a competitive price without the hassle. Based in Broward & Brevard, we serve drivers in Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek, and Margate every day.
What is an FR-44?
An FR-44 is a certificate your insurer files with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to prove you carry higher-than-standard liability limits after certain alcohol-related convictions (like DUI). In Florida, FR-44 policies must carry at least $100,000 / $300,000 for bodily injury liability and $50,000 for property damage (or a $350,000 combined single limit) and must be maintained for 3 years after license reinstatement.
SR-22 vs. FR-44: Both are proof-of-insurance filings, but an FR-44 requires higher liability limits than an SR-22 because it’s tied to DUI convictions. In some states, an alcohol related conviction is handled through an SR22 but Florida requires the heightened FR44 insurance requirement.
Who needs an FR44 Insurance Filing in Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek & Margate?
If a Broward County court record shows a DUI conviction and your license is suspended, you’ll need an FR-44 on an active Florida auto policy (or a qualifying non-owner policy if you don’t own a car) before FLHSMV will reinstate your driving privilege. This needs to be maintained for 3 continuous years to satisfy the requirement.
What affects your FR-44 price?
Driving record & violation history
Vehicle type and garaging ZIP (e.g., 33065, 33071, 33076, 33063, 33066, 33068)
Coverage selections & deductibles
Prior insurance and any lapses
Because rates vary widely between companies, shopping multiple FR-44 carriers is the #1 way to save. That’s where we come in. We work with Bristol West, Kemper, Progressive, National General, GEICO and Dairyland — all of the most competitive insurance providers of the FR44 filing in Florida.
Why Barefoot Insurance Brokers
We shop the market: We compare rates across many Florida carriers that file FR-44s to target the most competitive price for your situation.
Fast filing: We coordinate the FR-44 electronic filing to help you move from quote → bind → filing with minimal downtime. (Processing times vary by carrier.)
Owner & non-owner FR-44 options: Whether you own a vehicle or just need to satisfy the requirement to drive, we’ll guide you to the right policy type.
Local guidance: Clear, judgment-free help from a Florida independent agency that knows Broward and the surrounding areas.
What you’ll need to get started
Driver license number and DUI details (conviction/reinstatement dates)
Vehicle information (if you own one)
Address in Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek, Margate or elsewhere in FL
Prior insurance info (if any)
FAQs
How long do I need to keep the FR-44? Three years from the date you reinstate your privilege. If you cancel or lapse during that period, your license can be suspended again.
What limits are required? At least 100/300/50 or a $350,000 combined single limit, per FLHSMV. Choosing higher limits can better protect your assets.
Is a non-owner FR-44 available? Yes—if you don’t own a car, a non-owner liability policy can often satisfy the filing requirement. (Availability/eligibility vary by carrier; we’ll advise case-by-case.)
Ready to file your FR-44 in Broward?
Call Barefoot Insurance Brokers at 954-368-0060 or start at barefootins.com. We’ll compare the market for you and file the FR-44 fast—so you can focus on moving forward.
Sources: Key FR-44 requirements from FLHSMV (liability limits and 3-year maintenance) flhsmv.gov
What Every Florida Boater Needs to Know Before the Next Storm
As hurricane season rolls into Florida, one of the top questions we hear at Barefoot Insurance Brokers is: “Can I insure my boat for hurricane damage?” The short answer? Yes—but timing is everything.
Boat insurance in Florida can include hurricane and named-storm coverage, but most carriers place binding restrictions once a storm is approaching. That means once a system is named or enters the forecast cone, it’s too late to get or change your coverage.
🌪️ What Does Hurricane Coverage Include?
When you add hurricane coverage to your Florida boat policy, you may be protected from:
Wind and wave damage caused by named tropical storms or hurricanes
Damage from storm surge or flooding (depending on policy type)
Cost to salvage or remove your boat after a storm
Emergency haul-out or storage reimbursement to protect your vessel before landfall
Policies differ by insurer, but we work with top marine carriers like Progressive, Ahoy!, GEICO, and American Integrity to find options that best suit your location, boat type, and storage method.
⚠️ Don’t Wait for a Storm to Get Coverage
Insurance companies shut down new policies or coverage changes when a storm is near. That means if you wait until a storm is already on the radar—you’re out of luck.
At Barefoot Insurance Brokers, we strongly recommend Florida boaters lock in coverage well before June 1st or at least early in the season. We’ll help you understand named-storm exclusions and how to protect your investment year-round.
🌴 Serving Coastal Brevard County Boaters
We proudly serve Florida’s boating community in Brevard County, including these five most populated coastal regions:
City
ZIP Codes
Palm Bay
32905, 32907, 32909
Melbourne
32901, 32935, 32940
Cocoa Beach
32931
Titusville
32780, 32796
Satellite Beach
32937
Lowest priced zip codes for boat insurance in Brevard County, Florida
From riverfront docks to Atlantic marina slips, we help Space Coast boaters secure peace of mind with the right coverage at the right price.
💰 Affordable Boat Insurance Starting at Just $75/Year
Through Progressive, some annual marine insurance policies start at just $75! Rates depend on:
Boat size, age, and type
Storage location (marina, trailer, lift, or dry dock)
Florida is home to more registered boats than any other state—and with good reason. Whether you’re cruising the Gulf, exploring the Keys, or enjoying the Intracoastal Waterway, owning a boat is part of the Florida lifestyle. But the question we hear most often from Florida boaters is: “How much is boat insurance in Florida?”
The Quick Answer: Boat Insurance in Florida Starts at Just $75/Year
At Barefoot Insurance Brokers, we represent Progressive, Ahoy!, GEICO, and American Integrity, which allows us to compare rates and coverages across multiple top-rated insurers. With Progressive, annual boat insurance policies in Florida start at just $75/year, depending on your boat type, location, and desired coverage.
Why Your Zip Code & Boat Type Matter
The cost of your policy can vary based on:
Boat type (fishing boat, pontoon, sailboat, powerboat, personal watercraft, etc.)
Your zip code and where the boat is stored or used
Coverage limits (liability-only vs. full coverage)
Boating experience & claims history
That’s why it’s important to speak with a marine insurance specialist who can shop around on your behalf.
5 Most Populated Coastal Regions in Florida (With Key Zip Codes)
If you’re in one of Florida’s most populated coastal areas, chances are we’ve helped your neighbors secure better marine coverage at the best price.
1. Miami-Dade County
Main Zip Codes: 33139 (Miami Beach), 33133 (Coconut Grove), 33160 (Aventura)
Popular for center consoles, yachts, and sportfishing boats.
2. Tampa Bay Area (Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties)
Main Zip Codes: 33602 (Tampa), 33701 (St. Petersburg), 34698 (Dunedin)
Great for bay boats, deck boats, and sailboats.
3. Fort Lauderdale / Broward County
Main Zip Codes: 33316 (Harbordale), 33004 (Dania Beach), 33062 (Pompano Beach)
Known as the “Yachting Capital of the World.”
4. Jacksonville / Duval County
Main Zip Codes: 32210, 32223, 32207
Popular for bass boats and cruisers in the St. Johns River and Atlantic coast.
5. Palm Beach County
Main Zip Codes: 33480 (Palm Beach), 33410 (Palm Beach Gardens), 33401 (West Palm Beach)
High demand for coverage on center consoles, luxury vessels, and jet skis.
We Shop Rates for You — So You Don’t Have To
Whether you’re storing your boat in Fort Lauderdale, sailing from St. Pete, or trailering to the Keys, Barefoot Insurance Brokers will compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best protection at the lowest possible cost.
Our team understands that cost is a major concern — and we’re here to help you find coverage that fits your budget without cutting corners on protection.
📞 Call or Email Zack Epstein Today
Zack Epstein is your go-to Florida marine insurance agent and is ready to help you compare policies and get covered fast.
After nearly a decade of financial instability, Florida’s property insurance market is finally posting profits—for the first time in eight years. According to a recent article from PropertyCasualty360, insurers across the state have reported positive net income, reflecting improved underwriting discipline, rate adequacy, and fewer catastrophic losses in recent years.
One particularly eye-catching headline is the reported $21 million salary of Slide Insurance CEO Bruce Lucas in 2024, signaling renewed profitability and confidence among private insurers in Florida’s volatile property insurance landscape.
While increased profitability is a positive sign for the long-term health of the industry, many Florida homeowners and business owners are left wondering: Why aren’t my insurance premiums going down?
The answer lies in the larger economic context. Several factors are currently keeping property insurance costs elevated in 2025:
📦 Trade tariffs and global economic uncertainty are driving up the cost of building materials.
🧱 Labor shortages and inflation are impacting repair and replacement costs.
🔍 Insurers continue to account for litigation risk and reinsurance expenses, especially in coastal markets like Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, and Margate.
These pressures are keeping premiums from dropping—even as carriers improve their bottom lines.
What Can Florida Policyholders Do?
At Barefoot Insurance Brokers, we understand how confusing and frustrating the current insurance environment can be. That’s why our licensed agents work with clients across Brevard County, Broward County, and the Treasure Coast to help navigate:
📄 Property insurance policy sublimits and exclusions
🌊 The difference between water damage and flood coverage
📊 Premium comparisons across multiple carriers
🛠️ Coverage options that align with local construction and replacement costs
Whether you’re in Cocoa, Port St. John, Margate, Coral Springs, or Hutchinson Island, we’re here to help you make sense of your policy and identify opportunities to optimize your coverage and costs.
📞 Contact Us for a Personalized Policy Review
If you’re concerned about rising insurance premiums or want to better understand what your current policy covers, reach out to Laurel Schwartz at laurel@barefootins.com. We’re happy to offer a no-obligation review of your Florida homeowners or property insurance policy.
In the state of Florida, Progressive Insurance generally follows standard auto insurance practices when it comes to temporary substitute vehicles and coverage transfers, but it’s important to review your specific policy for exact terms. Here’s a general breakdown of what is typically considered a temporary vehicle and how liability coverage may transfer:
✅ Definition of a Temporary Vehicle
A temporary substitute vehicle is usually defined as:
“A vehicle you do not own, which is used temporarily in place of your covered vehicle when your vehicle is out of normal use because of breakdown, repair, servicing, loss, or destruction.” For the sake of this post, lets consider that you rented a car from a major rental car agency like Enterprise, Avis or Thrifty, for example and fully paid out of pocket for the rental car.
📌 Requirements for Liability Coverage to Transfer
For Progressive to transfer liability coverage to a temporary vehicle in Florida, the following conditions usually must be met:
You must have an active auto policy with Progressive.
The temporary vehicle is:
Not owned by you or a resident of your household.
Being used as a replacement while your covered vehicle is disabled or unavailable.
The use must be temporary (short-term use).
The replacement must be similar in use to your insured vehicle (e.g., replacing a private passenger car with another private passenger car, not a commercial vehicle).
🚫 When Coverage May Not Transfer
If the temporary vehicle is rented or leased for an extended period.
If you’re using a friend’s or relative’s car not as a replacement, but just for convenience.
If the vehicle is used for business or commercial purposes, unless your policy includes such use.
🛑 Important Caveat:
Progressive (like other insurers) may differ slightly in their policy wording, especially for commercial policies or if you have endorsements added to your plan.
🔍 Best Practice:
To be 100% sure, it’s always best to:
Review your declarations page and policy wording under the section “Temporary Substitute Vehicle” or “Other Vehicles.”
Or, call Progressive Customer Service or your local Progressive insurance agent to confirm how your liability coverage would apply in a specific situation.
Are you seeking a local Progressive Insurance Agent? Look no farther than Barefoot Insurance Brokers in Margate, FL, servicing Progressive Insurance clients in Margate, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Coconut Creek and Parkland. Call us today at 954-368-0060 and dial x 1 for new quotes.
