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Virginia SR-22 & High-Risk Auto Insurance

Virginia requires 50/100/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.

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Virginia at a Glance

50/100/25

Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)

At-fault

The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause

Required

Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy

$145

State license reinstatement fee

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

State Requirements

Drivers convicted of DUI or certain alcohol-related offenses must carry FR-44 certification with doubled liability limits of 50/100/40 for 3 years. The Virginia DMV may also require FR-44 for driving on a suspended license, reckless driving with alcohol involvement, or multiple uninsured violations. Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory unless rejected in writing.

Liability Insurance

Virginia's standard minimum is 25/50/20, but drivers with DUI or alcohol-related convictions must carry FR-44 certification requiring doubled limits of 50/100/40. Minimums cover the other party's costs but leave you liable for excess damages—a serious concern if you cause a severe accident while already at high risk for policy cancellation.

FR-44 Insurance

FR-44 is Virginia's version of SR-22 and requires higher liability limits than standard minimums. Virginia is one of only two states (along with Florida) that uses FR-44 instead of SR-22 for DUI and alcohol-related offenses. Not all carriers offer FR-44 filing—expect to work with non-standard insurers like The General, National General, or Progressive.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Virginia requires uninsured motorist (UM) coverage at the same limits as your liability policy unless you reject it in writing. For FR-44 drivers, this means 50/100/40 UM coverage is mandatory unless waived.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage is not legally required but is mandatory if you finance or lease your vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive covers theft, vandalism, weather damage, and animal strikes. Like collision, it is required by lienholders but optional otherwise. High-risk drivers pay elevated comprehensive rates due to overall risk profile, even though comprehensive claims are not at-fault events.

Cost Overview

$21–$46/mo

Typical monthly rate in Virginia, non-owner policies

Rate data: Insure.com and MoneyGeek, 2026

What Affects Your Rate

  • Time since incident: rates begin decreasing after 3 years violation-free and drop significantly after 5 years as incidents fall off driving record
  • Carrier availability: non-standard insurers like The General, National General, Bristol West, and Dairyland dominate the FR-44 market; standard carriers like State Farm and USAA rarely write FR-44 policies
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Stay Covered While You Drive Borrowed Cars

Find Coverage After Violations

If your license is suspended

Restricted driving privileges

A restricted license is available while suspended.

A coverage lapse is reported

The state can act when your insurance lapses.

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SR-22 and FR-44 in Virginia?

Virginia requires FR-44 instead of SR-22 for DUI and alcohol-related offenses. FR-44 requires double the liability limits of standard minimums: 50/100/40 versus Virginia's 25/50/20 base requirement. SR-22 is not accepted in Virginia for alcohol-related violations—you must obtain FR-44 from a licensed carrier. Non-alcohol violations may require standard financial responsibility certification but not FR-44.