What are SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Virginia?
Your insurance company will file an FR-44 or SR-22 form to prove you have financial responsibility as a driver. SR-22 and FR-44 certificates are only required if you have certain violations on your driving record.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jun 23, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jun 23, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- SR-22 and FR-44 certificates are necessary if you have certain infractions on your driving record
- Certain car insurance companies will not offer coverage if you need an SR-22 or FR-44 filing
- Your insurance rates will likely increase if you have to file an SR-22 or FR-44 form
If you’re a high-risk driver in Virginia, you may need to file an SR-22 or FR-44 form in your state. Virginia’s SR-22 and FR-44 insurance may be fairly easy to find, but coverage will probably cost more than you’re used to paying.
Drivers in Virginia who need an SR-22 or an FR-44 typically have one or more specific violations, like at-fault accidents, on their driving record. Therefore, if you have a clean driving record in your state, you will not need to seek SR-22 or FR-44 certificates.
Insurance companies in Virginia will file an SR-22 or FR-44 on your behalf. It typically costs around $25 to file the form, and you may notice that your insurance rates increase after you file with your state.
While coverage with an SR-22 or FR-44 can be much more expensive than a standard auto insurance policy, you may find affordable car insurance options by shopping online and comparing quotes. Doing so will help you learn which companies offer the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
How much are SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Virginia?
You will not know how much you will pay for SR-22 or FR-44 auto insurance coverage until you find and compare quotes from different companies. Your auto insurance rates will increase if you’re not used to paying for car insurance for those with a bad driving record.
FR-44 auto insurance will cost more than an SR-22 because Virginia drivers are required to carry higher levels of liability insurance with an FR-44. However, if you have an SR-22, you may be able to shop around and find affordable prices.
Many auto insurance companies in Virginia offer coverage for people who need an SR-22 or an FR-44, but rates for coverage will vary. You may also find that some companies will not offer you auto insurance based on your driving record. For example, insurance companies are less likely to offer you auto insurance coverage if you have a DUI or DWI on your driving record.
What’s the average rate for an SR-22 in Virginia?
Rates for coverage with an SR-22 vary from $494 annually or $41 per month with Virginia Farm Bureau to $1,701 annually or $142 per month for Nationwide auto insurance.
The average cost for auto insurance with an SR-22 is around $1,100 annually or $92 per month. However, an FR-44 can be much more expensive because FR-44 filings are typically related to drug or alcohol-related charges.
How much is FR-44 coverage in Virginia?
The average cost for minimum coverage in Virginia is $607 annually or $51 per month. However, if you need auto insurance for drivers with a DUI, your rates could increase by nearly 100%. For example, while the average cost of a minimum coverage policy in Virginia is just over $600 annually, the average cost for DUI insurance in Richmond is $1,200 annually or $100 per month.
You will not find cheap auto insurance with an FR-44, but you could find more affordable coverage when you compare rates from multiple companies instead of just choosing the first one you find. Insurance companies evaluate risk differently, so comparing multiple quotes gives you a better chance of finding cheaper coverage.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What are the SR-22 requirements in Virginia?
If you have to file an SR-22 in Virginia, your state requires that you offer proof of auto insurance coverage. SR-22 filings are considered legal recognition that you have the appropriate minimum coverage for your vehicle. You will only need an SR-22 if you have certain infractions on your driving record, such as:
- Multiple moving violations
- One or more at-fault accidents
- A suspended license
- Reckless driving
- A hit-and-run
- A gap in auto insurance coverage
- Failure to pay child support
Virginia auto insurance requirements with an SR-22 include:
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $20,000 in property damage liability per accident
- $30,000 in uninsured/underinsured bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 in uninsured/underinsured bodily injury liability per accident
- $20,000 in uninsured/underinsured property damage liability per accident
By 2025, requirements for auto insurance coverage with an SR-22 may increase to $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $100,000 per accident, along with $25,000 in property damage liability per accident.
While SR-22 requirements in Virginia include liability auto insurance, you will not have coverage that protects your vehicle if you’re at fault in an accident. If you want additional protection, you may need a full coverage car insurance policy.
How can I get SR-22 coverage in Virginia?
You can file an SR-22 through your insurance company. You just need to notify your insurance company that you need an SR-22 and ask how much you’ll need to pay to have the form filed. You should also ask if your rates will increase once you file the document.
If you do not currently have auto insurance, you’ll need to shop online to find and compare coverage to see how much auto insurance companies will charge. Compare quotes from multiple companies to find cheap SR-22 auto insurance.
How long do I need SR-22 coverage in Virginia?
In most cases, Virginia drivers must keep SR-22 coverage for three years. However, you may need coverage for longer if you have repeat violations on your driving record. If you cancel your coverage or do not pay your premiums, your insurance company must inform the Virginia DMV.
If your SR-22 coverage lapses, your license may be suspended. You could also have to pay reinstatement fees and increased auto insurance rates. In many cases, a lapse in SR-22 coverage will result in another three years for your SR-22.
Renew your auto insurance policy as soon as possible to avoid a lapse in coverage. Your insurance company will inform you when it’s time to renew. Once you’ve had your SR-22 coverage for at least three years, contact the DMV to ensure you have met the requirements. Do not cancel your coverage before you hear from the DMV that it is okay to do so.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What is Virginia FR-44 coverage?
What is an FR-44 certificate? FR-44 insurance is similar to an SR-22 certificate, though drivers typically need an FR-44 certificate for the following reasons:
- Maiming under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving without a license
FR-44 coverage includes higher limits for auto insurance. The requirements include:
- $60,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $120,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $40,000 in property damage liability per accident
Requirements for uninsured/underinsured auto insurance coverages are the same for coverage with an SR-22 or an FR-44.
How long do I need FR-44 insurance in Virginia?
Many FR-44 requirements state that the driver needs FR-44 coverage for a minimum of three years. Some convictions, however, require drivers to carry FR-44 insurance for at least four years before they can pursue a standard car insurance policy.
Do not allow your FR-44 certificate to lapse. If you do, you could have difficulty finding appropriate coverage with a company that is willing to help, and you will likely have to start over in terms of the time frame for your FR-44.
Which cities offer the cheapest SR-22 coverage in Virginia?
Certain cities in Virginia tend to offer lower rates for auto insurance with an SR-22.
Rates in Chantilly are often the lowest at $148 per month for a full coverage auto insurance policy with an SR-22 filing. SR-22 insurance in Roanoke, however, costs around $177 per month.
Depending on where you live, your rates may be higher than the statewide average for auto insurance coverage. If your rates are too high, shop online and compare quotes from other insurance companies.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Virginia SR-22 and FR-44 Insurance: The Bottom Line
If you were driving recklessly, driving under the influence, or driving without a license, you might have to file an SR-22 or FR-44 in Virginia.
You can file an SR-22 or FR-44 through your current insurance company, but you should shop online and compare costs for coverage to ensure you don’t overpay in your area. You may be required to maintain an SR-22 certificate for up to three years. You may be required to maintain an FR-44 certificate for up to four years in some cases.
As your driving record improves, you may find that your auto insurance rates decrease. Shop online at least once a year to compare quotes and determine which company will offer you the coverage you want at a price that works with your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Virginia?
Your insurance company will submit the SR-22 or FR-44 for you. You will have to pay a fee for your company to do so, which normally costs around $25.
If your insurance company does not cover high-risk drivers, you may need to search for coverage with another company. Compare quotes from any company you’re considering to avoid paying too much for SR-22 or FR-44 car insurance.
What is an SR-22 or FR-44?
An SR-22 and an FR-44 are certificates the state of Virginia requires stating you have proper auto insurance coverage. You only need SR-22 or FR-44 coverage for certain violations, like a DUI/DWI, multiple at-fault accidents, or a lapse in auto insurance coverage.
How can I get rid of an FR-44?
You will need to keep your FR-44 for at least three years. Once your three years are up, you can check with your department of motor vehicles to ensure you no longer need a FR-44 certificate. If your DMV confirms it, you can remove the FR-44 certificate from your auto insurance policy and get quotes from other companies to see how much you would pay.
Can I get non-owner SR-22 certificate in Virginia?
If you do not own a car but want to reinstate your license, you may need non-owner auto insurance.
Non-owner auto insurance offers liability coverage that enables you to drive one or more vehicles you do not own on occasion. Most non-owner SR-22 car insurance policies cost less than other SR-22 coverage options, but they still meet the requirements.
How do SR-22 and FR-44 insurance differ?
The main difference between SR-22 and FR-44 insurance lies in the level of liability coverage required. SR-22 insurance requires the minimum liability coverage limits set by the state, while FR-44 insurance mandates higher liability coverage limits. Virginia’s minimum liability coverage limits for SR-22 insurance are 25/50/20 (per person/total per accident/property damage), whereas FR-44 insurance requires 50/100/40 coverage.
Who needs SR-22 or FR-44 insurance in Virginia?
In Virginia, individuals who have committed certain offenses or violations, such as DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance, may be required to obtain an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate. The specific type of certificate needed depends on the severity of the offense. SR-22 is generally required for less serious violations, while FR-44 is required for more severe offenses, particularly DUI with a high BAC.
How long do I need to maintain SR-22 or FR-44 insurance in Virginia?
The duration for maintaining SR-22 or FR-44 insurance in Virginia varies depending on the offense. For SR-22 insurance, the typical requirement is three years from the date of the offense. However, for FR-44 insurance, the requirement is usually five years from the date of the offense. It’s essential to comply with the specified duration to avoid any further legal consequences.
Will SR-22 or FR-44 insurance increase my premiums?
Generally, SR-22 or FR-44 insurance may lead to higher premiums compared to standard insurance policies. Since these certificates are required for individuals who have committed certain offenses, insurance companies perceive them as higher-risk drivers. As a result, the premiums associated with SR-22 or FR-44 insurance are typically higher. It’s advisable to compare quotes from different insurance providers to find the most affordable option available.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.