Almost every state (except New Hampshire and Virginia) requires its licensed drivers to have a minimum amount of insurance coverage. The required insurance generally includes bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage in certain minimum amounts.

You are required to show proof of the minimum insurance coverage to a police officer when you are stopped for a moving traffic violation or involved in a traffic accident—and you may receive a citation if you are not able to show proof of insurance—also known as failure to maintain financial responsibility (FMFR) or no proof of insurance. And in some states, you are required to show proof of insurance to register your car. In those states, the failure to register your car may result in an additional citation.

But a ticket or citation for no proof of insurance may be correctable—a fix-it ticket of sorts—if the driver did have the required insurance but was unable to provide proof of it when requested by the law enforcement officer. Laws vary from state to state but in that situation the driver may be able to have the ticket dismissed upon showing proof of insurance and possible payment of a smaller fine.

If you have been convicted of DUI/DWI (or a similar offense) or of driving without insurance (failure to maintain financial responsibility) or of reckless or negligent driving, you may be required to get a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22). An SR-22 is proof or verification the holder is maintaining vehicle liability insurance in the required amounts. It is not a type of insurance—it is a form filed with the state’s department of public safety (DPS), department of transportation (DOT), or department of motor vehicles (DMV) and may also be referred to as an SR-22 Bond or SR-22 Form.

An SR-22 can be issued by most insurance providers, who will notify the state’s department of public safety or department of motor vehicles when an SR-22 is cancelled, terminated, or lapses. There are usually significant additional costs for an insured (driver) to get an SR-22.

The state will often require a driver whose license has been suspended following an arrest for DUI/DWI to provide an SR-22 to get their occupational or restricted license or to have their driver’s license reinstated.

In Florida, licensed drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance, which includes both bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. The specific minimum amounts are set by state law. Drivers must provide proof of this insurance when stopped for a traffic violation or involved in an accident. Failure to provide proof can result in a citation for failure to maintain financial responsibility. However, if a driver did have insurance at the time but couldn't show proof, they may be able to have the citation dismissed by later providing evidence of insurance and potentially paying a reduced fine. For those convicted of DUI/DWI, driving without insurance, or certain other serious traffic offenses, Florida may require the driver to obtain an SR-22 form. This form is not insurance itself but a certification from the insurance company to the state proving that the driver has the necessary insurance coverage. The SR-22 must be maintained for a period determined by the state, and there are additional costs associated with obtaining it. If a driver's license is suspended due to a DUI/DWI, they will likely need to provide an SR-22 to have their license reinstated or to obtain a restricted license.