If you’ve been told you need SR22 insurance in Virginia, it means the state wants proof you’ve got at least the minimum auto insurance coverage. SR22 isn’t an insurance policy—it’s a certificate your insurer files with the DMV to show you’re carrying the right liability insurance.
Usually, this comes up if you’ve had a major driving violation or let your insurance lapse.
Getting SR22 insurance can be a headache, honestly, but it’s how you get your driving privileges back if you lost them. Virginia has its own rules about who needs SR22 and how long you have to keep it.
Your insurance company files the SR22 for you once you’ve bought the required coverage.
A lot of drivers want to know how much SR22 will cost, how long they’ll need it, and what happens when it’s over.
Key Takeaways
- SR22 proves you carry the minimum required insurance in Virginia.
- Virginia requires SR22 for certain traffic violations or insurance gaps.
- You’ve got to keep SR22 coverage for a set period to keep your license.
Understanding SR22 Insurance in Virginia
SR22 isn’t a regular insurance policy. It’s a form that proves you’ve got Virginia’s minimum auto insurance.
You need it after certain driving violations, and both your insurance company and the DMV are involved.
What Is SR22 Insurance?
SR22 is a certificate your insurance company files with the Virginia DMV. It tells the state you’ve got the required liability coverage to drive legally.
It’s not insurance itself—just proof you’re covered.
Virginia’s minimums for SR22 are:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 for total bodily injury per accident
- $20,000 for property damage
You’ll still pay your regular premiums, but the SR22 filing is an extra step to show you’re staying insured.
Who Needs SR22 Insurance in Virginia
You’ll need SR22 insurance if you’ve had certain serious driving convictions. Some common triggers:
- Driving without insurance
- Reckless driving
- DUI or DWI
- Too many traffic tickets in a short time
The DMV will let you know if you need SR22. Usually, you’ll have to keep it for three years, but sometimes the DMV can set a different period.
No SR22? Your license gets suspended, and you can’t drive legally.
How SR22 Works with Virginia DMV
After your insurer files the SR22, the DMV keeps tabs on your insurance status. If your coverage lapses, your insurance company notifies the DMV.
If that happens, your license gets suspended again—immediately.
There’s a filing fee for the SR22, and you’ve got to keep it active the whole required time.
SR22 Filing Process and Requirements
There are a few steps to get SR22 in Virginia, and you’ll need certain documents. The SR22 has to be filed on time and kept active for the full required period.
Steps to Obtain SR22 in Virginia
Start by contacting your insurance company—or find one that does SR22 filings, since not all of them do.
Ask your insurer to file the SR22 certificate with the DMV. That’s what proves you’ve got the minimum coverage.
Pay any SR22 filing fees and keep your insurance continuous. If your license was suspended, you’ll need this for reinstatement.
Documents Needed for SR22 Filing
You’ll need a valid Virginia driver’s license or ID. If your license is suspended, you might need a reinstatement letter from the DMV.
Your insurer will also need your vehicle info—make, model, year—to issue the policy and file the SR22.
Keep your policy number handy. It makes it easier when you’re talking to the DMV or your insurance company.
Timeline and Duration of SR22
Once your insurer files the SR22, the DMV updates your driving record.
You usually have to keep the SR22 for three years.
If your insurance lapses during this time, your insurer tells the DMV, and your license can be suspended again.
You can only drop the SR22 requirement after you’ve finished the three-year period with no lapses or new violations.
SR22 Insurance Costs and Factors
It’s smart to know what SR22 insurance costs in Virginia and what might affect those rates. There are ways to save some cash, too.
Average SR22 Insurance Rates in Virginia
SR22 insurance in Virginia almost always costs more than regular car insurance. On average, you’re looking at around $35 a month just for the SR22 coverage.
There’s also usually a one-time filing fee of about $25.
Your total monthly premium is your normal rate plus SR22 costs. Rates vary a lot based on your age, driving record, and where you live.
Most people see higher insurance bills for at least three years—that’s the minimum SR22 period.
Factors That Affect SR22 Premiums
Several things impact your SR22 premium:
- Driving history: DUIs or reckless driving will hike up rates.
- Age: Younger drivers pay more, as usual.
- Vehicle: Fancy or sporty cars cost more to insure.
- Credit score: Better credit can help lower your premium.
- Coverage: Sticking to the state minimum is cheapest.
Each insurance company does its own math, so prices can vary. State Farm, for instance, might be cheaper for SR22, but it’s worth shopping around.
How to Save on SR22 Insurance
A few ways to keep SR22 costs down:
- Shop around: Get quotes from different insurers.
- Stick with minimum coverage: Don’t buy more than you need unless you really want it.
- Work on your credit: Good credit can help.
- Drive safe: Avoid tickets to keep rates from going up.
- Bundle policies: Sometimes you can get a discount if you combine car and home insurance.
Some insurers might even waive the filing fee or toss in a discount. Worth asking when you call for a quote.
Maintaining and Canceling SR22 Coverage
You’ve got to keep your SR22 insurance active, no exceptions. If you let it lapse, you’re looking at penalties.
When your required time is up, you can finally get rid of the SR22.
SR22 Policy Renewal and Lapse Risks
SR22 depends on continuous coverage. If your policy lapses or gets canceled, your insurer tells the DMV.
That can mean an immediate license suspension or other penalties.
Renew your policy before it expires. Even a single day without coverage can reset your SR22 period.
If you switch insurance companies, the new one has to file a new SR22. Don’t cancel your SR22 unless you’re completely done with all requirements.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
If you don’t keep SR22 insurance, you’re in for some headaches. Your license can be suspended on the spot.
Fines or reinstatement fees might also pop up.
Virginia’s DMV is strict about SR22. Even a short gap in coverage can bring on penalties.
Driving without valid SR22 coverage is risky—you could lose your ability to drive until you sort things out with the DMV.
Steps to Remove SR22 Requirement in Virginia
You have to keep SR22 insurance for three years—or however long the court or DMV tells you. When that time’s up, reach out to your insurance company and let them know you’re ready to drop the SR22.
Your insurer will file a cancellation notice with Virginia’s DMV. It’s smart to double-check with DMV yourself, just to be sure your SR22 is actually gone.
After it’s removed, you can finally switch to a regular car insurance policy. Hang onto proof of removal; you never know when you might need it for license stuff or car paperwork down the road.