SR-22 · Originally published May 15, 2015 · Updated November 2026
If you have spent any time reading about SR-22s, you may have run across two other form numbers: FR-44 and SR-26. They sound similar, but each does a very different job. Think of them as a small family: one form that starts your proof of insurance, a stricter cousin used in other states, and one that signals your proof has ended.
An SR-22 is a certificate your insurance company files with the state to show you carry at least the required liability coverage. In Missouri, that means 25/50/25 liability plus uninsured motorist coverage. The SR-22 is attached to a normal auto policy, either an owner policy or a non-owner SR-22 policy if you do not have a car.
Missouri generally requires SR-22 proof for two years in points, alcohol-related and accident-judgment cases, and for three years from reinstatement eligibility in no-insurance and false-insurance cases. Your Department of Revenue (DOR) notice gives your actual dates.
An FR-44 works like an SR-22 but is used in Florida and Virginia, generally for certain alcohol-related offenses. The big difference is that it requires liability limits higher than those states' usual minimums.
Missouri does not use the FR-44. If you live in Missouri and your requirement comes from Missouri, you will be dealing with an SR-22, not an FR-44. You would only run into an FR-44 if one of those two states required it of you, for example because of an offense there. If that is your situation, our article on SR-22 and moving states is a useful next read, and we are glad to talk it through.
The SR-26 is the least known and arguably the most important to understand. It is the form an insurer files to tell the state that the policy tied to your SR-22 has been canceled or has lapsed.
Here is why that matters. When the state receives an SR-26, it no longer has proof that you are insured. That can lead to your license being suspended again, even if you have been driving carefully the whole time.
Common reasons an SR-26 gets filed:
A few habits go a long way:
If an SR-26 has already been filed, act quickly. Our article on what happens if an SR-22 lapses covers the next steps.
Whether you need a new SR-22 or are trying to fix a lapse, call us at 417.865.4800. You can also start on our SR-22 insurance page.
Missouri does not use the FR-44. It is a Florida and Virginia form, so it would only apply if one of those states required it of you.
The SR-26 goes from the insurer to the state. You will usually learn about the cancellation from your insurer's notices first, so read them closely.
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