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Last updated: December 16, 2024
Guide to High-Risk Car Insurance in Virginia
An SR-22 increases your auto insurance premiums by 40 percent in Virginia, but there are ways to save.
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Did you know that 27 percent of fatal crashes in Virginia in 2022 involved alcohol-impaired driving? Forty percent involved speeding, 17 percent involved distracted driving, and 2.5 percent involved hit-and-runs, according to data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.1
These dangerous behaviors not only put lives at risk, but can also lead to fines and penalties. If these violations end up on your driving record, insurance companies will label you as a high-risk driver, resulting in significantly higher premiums compared to someone with a clean record. Let’s explore how much you can expect to pay for car insurance as a high-risk driver in Virginia.
Insurance Rates for High-Risk Category Drivers in Virginia
On average, a minor violation like a speeding ticket will increase your Virginia car insurance premiums by less than 10 percent, while a violation that requires an FR-44 will double your rates.
| Driver profile | Avg. cost full coverage in Virginia | Premium increase |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $1,808 | N/A |
| Speeding ticket | $1,952 | 8% |
| DUI | $2,298 | 27% |
| SR-22 | $2,531 | 40% |
| FR-44 | $3,832 | 112% |
DID YOU KNOW?
SR-22s require you to carry the state’s minimum coverage, while FR-44s, which are for more serious violations, require limits double the minimum.
Not every high-risk driver is someone who was caught speeding or driving under the influence. Other high-risk categories include young drivers, drivers with poor credit, and drivers with an at-fault accident on their record. The average cost of auto insurance for high-risk drivers across all companies is always going to be more than it would be for someone with a clean driving record.
Options for High-Risk Drivers Who Can’t Find Coverage
A single speeding ticket or at-fault accident will raise your rates, but won’t prevent you from finding coverage with most standard insurers. However, standard carriers may reject drivers with SR-22s, FR-44s, or other serious violations, making it difficult to find coverage. High-risk auto insurance companies cater to nonstandard drivers and will accept customers with serious violations. Because these companies specialize in high-risk insurance, their average rates are higher than standard providers.
DID YOU KNOW
Previously, Virginia’s car insurance laws allowed drivers to pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle (UMV) fee in lieu of having auto insurance. As of July 1, 2024, all drivers in Virginia must carry minimum liability coverage, with required limits increasing on January 1, 2025. New Hampshire is now the only state that doesn’t require drivers to have car insurance.
When looking for an insurance company that accepts high-risk customers, compare quotes from at least three providers. The cheapest insurance company for high-risk drivers varies based on factors like ZIP code, gender, and marital status.
The following nonstandard insurance companies sell policies in Virginia:
- Direct Auto (which recently acquired SafeAuto)
- The General
- Acceptance Insurance
- GAINSCO
- Good2Go
Additionally, Progressive, State Farm, Travelers, and USAA are standard insurers that may take on nonstandard drivers.
How to Lower Your Premium
Even when you’re considered a high-risk driver, there are ways to find cheap auto insurance in Virginia.
- Bundle home and auto insurance. If you’re one of the 69 percent of Virginia residents who own their home, bundling home and auto insurance can earn you a discount on both policies.2
- Pay-per-mile insurance. If you’re retired, work from home, or your household has a second car that is driven less frequently, you could save money with pay-per-mile insurance. USAA Noblr and Nationwide SmartMiles are both available in Virginia. Additionally, some companies, like State Farm offer low mileage discounts.
- Take a defensive driving course. Senior drivers age 55 and older can take a defensive driving course every two years to get five points removed from their driving record. These eight-hour courses cost $100 but could save you even more on your car insurance premium by getting points removed from your record. Find a course near you via https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#clinics.asp.
- Get minimum coverage. Since Virginia requires insurance for all drivers, you must meet certain minimum liability limits. Buying minimum coverage with the limits below is your cheapest option.
| Policy effective date | Bodily injury per person | Bodily injury per accident | Property damage per accident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1, 2022-Dec. 31, 2024 | $30,000 | $60,000 | $20,000 |
| On or after Jan. 1, 2025 | $50,000 | $100,000 | $25,000 |
Will You Stay High-Risk Forever?
You will stay a high-risk driver in the eyes of insurance companies if you continue to have points on your driving record. The number of points you get and how long they stay on your record depend on the severity of the violation.3 See a list of all non-commercial violations in Virginia below.
| Violation (excludes commercial violations) | Number of points | How long they stay on driving record (in years) |
|---|---|---|
| Aggressive driving | 4 | 5 |
| Attempting to elude the police | 6 | 3 years for misdemeanor offense, 11 years for felony offense |
| Authorizing a person suspended for being a habitual offender to drive and/or driving while intoxicated | 6 | 3 |
| Blocking access to a service facility | 6 | 11 |
| Changing course after signaling | 3 | 3 |
| Coasting in neutral | 3 | 3 |
| Disregarding a crossing guard/officer’s signal or a police officer’s signal to stop | 4 | 3 |
| Driving after being declared a habitual offender | 6 | 11 |
| Driving after illegally consuming alcohol (for people under age 21) | 6 | 3 |
| Driving in violation of a restricted license (restrictions related to physical limitation, such as a mechanical control device) | 3 | 3 |
| Driving on a suspended license | 6 | 11 |
| Driving over a fire hose or through a safety zone | 3 | 3 |
| Driving the wrong way on a one-way highway or street | 4 | 3 |
| Driving to the left of a rotary traffic island | 4 | 3 |
| Driving under suspension or revocation before giving proof of financial responsibility, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving under the influence of drugs, driving while intoxicated, or driving while intoxicated and maiming | 6 | 11 |
| Driving while your license is revoked for driving while intoxicated – involuntary manslaughter, maiming, or when your license is suspended or revoked, including for DUI | 6 | 11 |
| Driving without lights/excessive lights or driving/riding on a sidewalk | 3 | 3 |
| Emergency vehicle violation – death | 6 | 11 |
| Emergency vehicle violation – injury or property damage | 4 | 5 |
| Evading traffic control device | 3 | 3 |
| Failure to dim headlights | 3 | 3 |
| Failure to drive on the right half of a highway or street, or drive to the right and stop for a police/fire/emergency vehicle | 4 | 3 |
| Failure to give way in favor of overtaking a vehicle or when abreast of another vehicle | 3 | 3 |
| Failure to have license revalidated | 3 | 3 |
| Failure to keep to the right when crossing an intersection or failure to obey highway lane markings | 4 | 3 |
| Failure to obey highway sign | 3 | 3 |
| Failure to obey a lane directional signal or traffic signal | 4 | 3 |
| Failure to obtain a driver’s license | 3 | 3 |
| Failure to signal before moving from a curb or stopping and yielding right of way | 4 | 3 |
| Failure to stop at the scene of a crash – death, injury, or property damage worth $1,000 or more | 6 | 11 |
| Failure to stop at the scene of a crash – property damage only | 4 | 3 |
| Failure to stop at the scene of a crash – unattended property, damage worth over $500 | 4 | 11 |
| Failure to stop for a pedestrian, yield right of way, yield to funeral process, or yield when turning left | 4 | 3 |
| Felony offense | 6 | 11 |
| Following too closely | 4 | 3 |
| Impeding traffic by driving too slowly | 3 | 5 |
| Impeding/disrupting a funeral procession | 4 | 3 |
| Improper backing, stopping, or turning | 4 | 3 |
| Improper driving, passing, or passing on the right | 3 | 3 |
| Improper signal | 4 | 3 |
| Improper stopping on a highway, turn including U-turn, or inadequate hazard lights | 3 | 3 |
| Injuring person while racing – felony | 6 | 11 |
| Involuntary manslaughter, including aggravated and alcohol-related manslaughter | 6 | 11 |
| Violating a learner’s permit | 3 | 3 |
| Manslaughter | 6 | 11 |
| Misdemeanor | 6 | 3 |
| No driver’s license – vehicle/motorcycle | 3 | 3 |
| No Virginia driver’s license or license plate for both vehicles and motorcycles | 3 | 3 |
| Operating a motor vehicle while suspended/revoked/restricted with a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or more | 4 | 11 |
| Operating an unsafe vehicle | 6 | 3 |
| Parking without the proper lights displayed | 3 | 3 |
| Passing a stopped school bus (non-reckless), to the left of an approaching vehicle, or when unsafe | 4 | 3 |
| Permitting an unlicensed person to drive | 3 | 3 |
| Reckless driving – driving too fast for conditions, 2 vehicles abreast, or failing to give a proper signal | 6 | 11 |
| Reckless driving – failure to stop before entering a highway | 4 | 11 |
| Reckless driving – faulty brakes/improper control, generally, on parking lots, passing a school bus, railroad crossing, crest of hill, emergency vehicle, or 2 vehicles abreast, racing, speeding 20 mph or more over limit or over 85 mph, or driving with an obstructed view | 6 | 11 |
| Refusing a blood/breath test | 6 | 11 |
| Speeding 1-9 mph above the speed limit posted | 3 | 5 |
| Speeding 10-19 mph above the speed limit posted | 4 | 5 |
| Speeding 20 mph or more above the speed limit posted | 6 | 5 |
| Unauthorized use of crossover on a controlled highway | 3 | 3 |
| Vehicular assault or willful stopping, impeding, or damaging a vehicle | 6 | 11 |
| Violation of left turn on red or right turn on red | 3 | 3 |
| Vulnerable road user, including bodily injury | 4 | 5 |
| Vulnerable road user including death | 6 | 11 |
Conclusion
Whether you were caught driving without insurance or driving under the influence, having a high-risk designation will cause you to pay an inflated car insurance premium in Virginia. If you’re struggling to find insurance, look into nonstandard insurers like Direct Auto, The General, Acceptance, GAINSCO, or Good2Go. Taking a defensive driving course and lowering your coverage can help you lower your insurance premiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers?
According to our research, Virginia Farm Bureau offers some of the cheapest rates for Virginia drivers after a DUI ($1,328 annually). Here are some other providers who also offer lower premiums for high-risk driving:
| Auto Insurance Provider | Average Annual Rate After a DUI |
|---|---|
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $1,328 |
| Mercury | $1,762 |
| Progressive | $1,777 |
| State Farm | $2,162 |
| Erie | $2,241 |
What are the requirements for FR-44 insurance in Virginia?
If you’re required to get an FR-44 in Virginia, you’ll need to get the following coverages and limits.
| Required FR-44 coverages and limits by policy effective date | Jan. 1, 2022- Dec. 31, 2024 | On or after Jan. 1, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury per person | $60,000 | $100,000 |
| Bodily injury per accident | $120,000 | $200,000 |
| Property damage per accident | $40,000 | $50,000 |
How long do you have to carry FR-44 insurance in Virginia?
You have to carry FR-44 insurance for three years in Virginia, typically.
Is Virginia a no-fault state?
No, Virginia is not a no-fault state. It’s an at-fault state, which means that the at-fault party is responsible for the other party’s bodily injury and property damage losses.
Senior Writer & Editor
A seasoned journalist and content strategist with over 10 years of editorial experience in digital media, Aliza Vigderman has written and edited hundreds of articles on the site, covering everything from plan coverages to discounts to state laws. Previously, she was a senior editor and industry analyst at the home and digital security website Security.org, previously called Security Baron. She has also contributed to The Huffington Post, SquareFoot, and Degreed. Aliza studied journalism at Brandeis University.
Citations
2022 Virginia Traffic Crash Facts. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. (2024).
https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/crash_facts_22.pdfHousing Vacancies and Homeownership (CPS/HVS). United States Census. (2023).
https://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/rates.htmlMoving Violations and Point Assessments. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. (2023).
https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/improvement/points/assess
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