John Calton: Florida : Would a high risk driver for DUI or aggressive driving who requires FLFR44 car insurance or Sr22 as it is called in other states, be eligible for some safety features discount like air bags?

Response : John, in Florida you require FLFR44 insurance which is similar to SR22 car insurance but has higher limits. Most of the insurance companies would consider a discount for the safety features of a vehicle when they are rating the insurance. However, honestly more than the discount given by the insurance company the safety feature is more an added feature that acts as a life saver for you. Let me give you some statistics given by the NHTSA:
“Airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal crashes. NHTSA estimates that by 2006, more than 177 million passenger vehicles were equipped with airbags, including 162 million with dual airbags. NHTSA says that frontal airbags saved 2,788 lives in 2007. From 1987 to 2006, 22,466 lives were saved by the devices. Airbags, combined with seatbelts, are the most effective safety protection available for passenger vehicles. Seatbelts alone reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent. The fatality-reducing effectiveness for air bags is 14 percent when no seatbelt is used and 11 percent when a seatbelt is used in conjunction with air bags. Side airbags that protect the head, chest and abdomen reduce driver deaths by an estimated 37 percent, according to the IIHS. Side airbags without head protection, which protect only the chest and abdomen, are less effective but still reduce deaths by about 26 percent, according to a 2006 study. Head-protecting side airbags reduce driver deaths when cars are struck by SUVs and light trucks, probably because when cars are struck in the side by these higher riding vehicles, heads are more vulnerable.”

Thus in case of drivers who are in the habit of alcohol consumption or are aggressive dirvers who speed, these safety features are certainly life savers.
Be safe and drive safe.
Thanks.

Smith (Florida) : What is FR44? When do I need this?

Response : The FLFR-44 car insurance is similar to the SR-22 financial responsibility certificate that you must file with the state after certain convictions though typically the FR-44 is required after DUI convictions and has higher limits than the SR-22 insurance.

In Florida the FR-44 has been required since February 2008. Those convicted of a DUI in FL after October 1, 2007 were allowed to keep an SR-22 with limits of 10/20/10 until February 1, 2008. Effective February 2, 2008, drivers in FL with a DUI were required to up their Liability limits.

The FL FR-44 has higher limits in the amount of 100/300/50. A driver must have these new required Liability limits (instead of the previously lower limits of 10/20/10) in place on the offense date of the alcohol related offense to not owe a reinstatement fee but will still need to provide the state with an FR-44. If they did not have the required limits a driver who had their license reinstated prior to February 2, 2008, only paid a $15 reinstatement fee. The reinstatement fee on or after February 2, 2008, is now $150, $250, or $500 dollars.

You need this if you are held for a DUI or DWI offence. It is always advisable to compare the car insurance quote which can still be low.