FR-44 Insurance in Virginia: Cost, Requirements, and Cheapest Companies

FR-44 requirements in Virginia

An FR-44 is a financial responsibility certificate that Virginia requires drivers to obtain after convictions for driving under the influence or driving with a forfeited license. Filing an FR-44 proves to the commonwealth that you have the minimum required liability insurance.^[1]

Your insurer will file the FR-44 form on your behalf when you buy your policy, and you’ll typically need to maintain FR-44 coverage for three years.^[2]

The FR-44 is similar to an SR-22 certificate in Virginia, which serves as proof of insurance for drivers with convictions for unsatisfied judgments or a variety of lesser driving violations. The FR-44 certificate is primarily for drivers with DUI-related convictions, and it has higher liability limits — double the standard coverage requirements.

Insurers report canceled and terminated FR-44 policies to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Penalties for lapsed insurance coverage include suspension of your driver’s license and all vehicle registrations under your name.^[3] You must then pay fees and file an SR-22 to get your license reinstated.

Here’s what you need to know about FR-44 insurance requirements in Virginia.

FR-44 Insurance	Virginia Requirement
Minimum bodily injury liability limit	$100,000 per person/$200,000 per accident
Minimum property damage liability limit	$50,000 per accident
Filing fee	Virginia doesn’t mandate an FR-44 filing fee, but insurers often charge up to $25
When Virginia requires it	To reinstate driver’s license after a DUI or driving with a forfeited license
How long do you need it?	3 years
Penalty for insurance lapse	Suspension of driver’s license, vehicle registration, and license plates until the driver pays a $600 fee

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How much is FR-44 insurance in Virginia?

Virginia drivers with an FR-44 pay an average of $141 per month for liability-only coverage and $249 for full coverage. Those premiums are higher than the average cost of car insurance for Virginia drivers with clean records.

The price difference reflects the driving behavior that triggered the FR-44 requirement. High-risk drivers with a past driving under the influence (DUI) conviction have a higher likelihood of filing another insurance claim, so insurers charge them higher premiums. How much more depends on many factors, including the insurer you choose, your driving history, and the severity of your violation.

Below, you can see how average car insurance costs in Virginia compare for drivers with a clean record and those with an FR-44 requirement.

Driver Profile	Average Monthly Cost: Liability Only	Average Monthly Cost: Full Coverage
Clean record	$117	$207
With FR-44	$141	$249

Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time Virginia quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.

Cheapest companies for FR-44 insurance in Virginia

Auto-Owners and State Farm are two of the cheapest car insurance companies for Virginia drivers with an FR-44. Below, you can compare average quotes by coverage level from the cheapest insurers for drivers with an FR-44 requirement in Virginia.

The below rates in Virginia are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Liability Only	Full Coverage
Auto-Owners	$67	$120
State Farm	$69	$123
USAA	$93	$165
Chubb	$102	$181
Erie	$105	$188
Mercury	$105	$193
Elephant	$106	$166
CSAA	$114	$162
GEICO	$125	$208
National General	$126	$237
Progressive	$126	$177
Bristol West	$130	$227
Allstate	$136	$260
Direct Auto	$138	$252
GAINSCO	$140	$303
Safeco	$143	$214
AssuranceAmerica	$154	$262
Trexis	$164	$313
Liberty Mutual	$166	$237
Dairyland	$176	$416
The General	$177	$389
Root	$178	$272
Clearcover	$189	$380
Trexis One	$190	$420
Travelers	$194	$345

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Virginia car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Virginia may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

When do you need FR-44 insurance in Virginia?

Virginia requires you to maintain an FR-44 insurance requirement to reinstate your driver’s license after a conviction for any of the following violations:

• Maiming while under the influence: This refers to when a driver under the influence causes serious bodily injury or permanent physical impairment.^[4]

• Driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants: In Virginia, this applies to drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or impairment due to consumption of a narcotic or other intoxicant.^[5]

• Driving with a forfeited license: Virginia drivers receive this conviction for driving despite a prior violation that resulted in the forfeiture of their driver’s license.

• Violation of comparable local, state, or federal laws: Virginia also requires an FR-44 after convictions for violations of federal, state, or local laws similar to those listed above. For example, a driver moving to Virginia with a DUI-related license suspension in another state will need an FR-44 certificate to obtain a Virginia driver’s license.

How to get FR-44 insurance in Virginia

An FR-44 isn’t a type of insurance. It’s a document of financial responsibility that proves you’ve met minimum liability coverage requirements after a conviction and license suspension for certain serious offenses, including a DUI. Your insurance company will file the FR-44 certificate with the commonwealth.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Contact your insurance company. Check with an insurance agent to learn if your insurer files FR-44s. Some insurers don’t, due to the risks associated with coverage for drivers with past DUIs.

2. Request car insurance quotes. If your current insurer can’t continue covering you, you’ll need to find a new auto insurer that files FR-44 forms. Request quotes from several different insurers to find the cheapest rate. If you don’t currently own a car, contact insurers directly to ask about a non-owner FR-44 policy.

3. Purchase an insurance policy. Virginia drivers subject to an FR-44 requirement must at least have a 100/200/50 liability policy. Compare quotes, coverage options, and more to determine the best auto insurer for your needs.

4. Contact the insurance company to request the FR-44 filing. Your insurer must comply “without unreasonable delay,” as outlined in the Code of Virginia.^[6] While filing methods and timelines vary by insurer, electronic filing is usually the fastest and most direct way to file.

5. Maintain your coverage. Virginia requires drivers to maintain this coverage for three years. Failure to do so may result in license suspension.

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How long does Virginia require FR-44 insurance?

Virginia law requires applicable drivers to maintain FR-44 coverage for three years. The clock starts once you’ve become eligible to reinstate your driver’s license. Remember to have your insurance agent submit a new FR-44 form every time your auto insurance renews until those three years have passed.

If the insurer cancels or terminates your policy, or if you cancel coverage, it’ll notify the insurance commissioner within 15 days. You’ll need to supply proof of new coverage to avoid having your driver’s license and registration suspended. Until then, don’t drive, as driving uninsured can lead to even more penalties.

Virginia FR-44 insurance FAQs