Car Insurance After a DUI in Virginia: What FR-44 Actually Costs
Virginia is one of only two states that requires FR-44 instead of SR-22 — and since Virginia raised its own minimum in 2025, the doubled FR-44 limits went up with it.
Virginia's FR-44 doubles an already-higher minimum
Virginia and Florida are the only two states in the country that require FR-44 instead of a standard SR-22 filing after a DUI (see our SR-22 requirements by state reference). The two states set the limits differently. Virginia's are tied to its own minimum, which rose to 50/100/25 for policies effective on or after January 1, 2025 (Va. Code § 46.2-472; see our Virginia teen driver guide, which covers the state minimums), and FR-44 requires double each of those limits (Va. Code § 46.2-316):
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $200,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 in property damage liability
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is mandatory on every Virginia policy, not just FR-44 ones: it must be at least the state minimum and matches your liability limits by default unless you reject the higher amount in writing (Va. Code § 38.2-2206). The FR-44 requirement lasts 3 years, counted from when you would otherwise be eligible to get your license back, not from the conviction date.
What a DUI does to your Virginia premium
| Scenario | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| Clean record, liability only | ~$95 – $120/mo |
| First-offense FR-44, liability only | ~$140 – $165/mo |
| Repeat-offense FR-44 | ~$180 – $220+/mo |
| Total FR-44 annual cost | ~$1,200 – $3,200/yr |
How the surcharge eases over the FR-44 period
The DUI surcharge doesn't stay flat for the full 3-year filing period — it's worst right when the conviction is fresh and eases in stages as your record ages, assuming no new violations:
| Point in time | What typically happens |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Highest rates, fewest carriers willing to quote at all |
| Years 2-3 | More carriers compete for the business; annual decreases of roughly 10%-25% |
| Right after the FR-44 requirement ends | Some insurers cut the rate a further 10%-15% at that renewal, and some drivers see drops of 30%-50% in the year immediately following release — coverage can also drop back to Virginia's standard 50/100/25 minimum |
| Around the 5-year mark | Most insurers treat the driver close to normally again, assuming a clean record since the DUI |
Which insurers tend to be cheapest after a DUI
| Insurer | National average rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | ~$192/mo | -43% vs. national average |
| Progressive | ~$268/mo | Often cited as cheapest among carriers that specialize in high-risk policies |
| Travelers | ~$236/mo | -30% |
| National General | ~$249/mo | -26%; actively accepts DUI applicants |
| USAA | ~$150/mo | Cheapest of all, but restricted to military members, veterans, and their families — notably relevant given Virginia's large military population |
What affects the size of the increase
Prior record and offense severity
A first offense prices well below a repeat offense — the table above shows roughly a 30%-40% jump in liability-only rates between the two.
Insurer availability
Not every standard insurer writes FR-44 policies; drivers often need to shop carriers that specifically accept DUI applicants, similar to Florida.
Mandatory UM/UIM coverage
Because Virginia's FR-44 doesn't allow opting out of uninsured motorist coverage, the total policy cost includes this component in a way that isn't optional the way it might be on a standard policy.
Ways to lower the cost
- Shop insurers that specifically write FR-44 policies — pricing varies more here than for standard coverage.
- If eligible, get a USAA quote, given Virginia's large military and veteran population.
- Keep coverage continuous for the full 3-year filing period; a lapse can restart the requirement.
- Re-shop as you approach the 3-year mark, since rates typically ease once the FR-44 requirement ends and coverage can drop back to the standard minimum.
Frequently asked questions
Does Virginia use SR-22 or FR-44 after a DUI?
FR-44 — Virginia and Florida are the only two states that require it. Virginia's FR-44 limits are 100/200/50, double the state's standard 50/100/25 minimum.
How long do I need FR-44 insurance in Virginia after a DUI?
3 years, counted from when you would otherwise be eligible to get your license back, not from the conviction date.
Do I need uninsured motorist coverage with Virginia's FR-44?
Yes, but that's true of every Virginia policy. UM/UIM must be at least the state minimum and matches your liability limits unless you reject the higher amount in writing. Virginia law doesn't set a separate UM rule for FR-44.
See our related guides for Virginia: teen drivers and senior drivers. See also our Florida FR-44 guide and the SR-22 requirements by state reference.
More Virginia guides
- FR-44 and SR-22 requirements in Virginia
- DUI under 21 in Virginia
- Driving without insurance in Virginia
- Driving with a suspended license in Virginia
- Reckless driving penalties and insurance in Virginia
- Car insurance for teen drivers in Virginia
- Car insurance for senior drivers in Virginia
Sources
- Code of Virginia § 46.2-316 (FR-44 double limits and 3-year period) — accessed September 2026
- Code of Virginia § 46.2-472 (minimum liability limits) — accessed September 2026
- Code of Virginia § 38.2-2206 (uninsured motorist coverage) — accessed September 2026
- Virginia DMV, "Financial Responsibility Certifications" — accessed September 2026
- Virginia DMV, "Insurance Requirements" — accessed September 2026
- SR22direct, "Virginia FR-44 Insurance" — accessed September 2026
- Smart Start, "What is an FR-44 Insurance Certificate in Virginia?" — accessed September 2026
- MoneyGeek, "What Is an FR-44 Form? (2026 Guide)" — accessed September 2026
- Marquis Law Group, "How Long Does a DUI Affect Your Insurance in Virginia?" — accessed September 2026
- InsureMojo, "Car Insurance After a DUI: Costs and Best Companies 2026" — accessed September 2026
See our methodology and disclaimer — these are estimates, not a quote, and this page is not legal advice.