Better rates for better drivers in Virginia

Virginia requires that all drivers carry a minimum of Liability insurance and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage. Driving without insurance could result in suspension of your driver’s license, vehicle registration, license plates, and hefty reinstatement fees. 

Virginia accepts electronic proof of insurance. If you have the Root app on your phone, your coverage is legally documented in a convenient way.

Liability is the insurance coverage for when you cause a car accident—it helps to pay for property damage or bodily injuries that occur. It’s important to keep in mind that it does not cover harm to you or your passengers (that’s what Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection coverages are for). It also does not cover your vehicle ( that's what Collision and Comprehensive coverages are for). Choosing to get additional coverages beyond Liability can help you avoid major expenses if you’re in an accident. 

Minimum required Liability coverage in VA: 

• $25,000 Bodily Injury (per person)

• $50,000 Bodily Injury (per accident – multiple people injured)

• $20,000 Property Damage

You must carry the Virginia state minimum coverage levels of Liability. If you’re found to be driving without it and you have not paid the uninsured motor vehicle fee, you could face suspension of your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and license plates. 

Reinstatement requires:

• $500 fine

• Filing of an SR-22 (required for 3 years)

• Fee of $145-$220 for a reinstated driver’s license.

This insurance is for any injuries you suffer or damages you incur if you’re in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have car insurance or whose car insurance is insufficient.

Minimum required Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage:

• $25,000 Bodily Injury (per person)

• $50,000 Bodily Injury (per accident – multiple people injured)

• $20,000 Property Damage

If you cannot prove that you have car insurance when you register your car, you can pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee to the Virginia DMV, which allows you to drive uninsured for 12 months. However, this option is not insurance and does not protect you financially if you’re in an accident—you must pay for all costs related to damages and injuries for which you’re at fault.

An SR-22 certification is not actually insurance but rather proof submitted by your insurance company that you are compliant with Virginia’s Liability minimum requirements. 

You may be required to file an SR-22 if you’ve been convicted of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from a car accident, got a felony conviction involving a traffic law, were in a hit-and-run accident, or if you falsified your driver’s license, car registration, or insurance information. If you were caught driving without insurance or without having paid the uninsured motor vehicle fee, you may also have to file this certification.

You may need to file an FR-44 certification if you’ve received a DUI conviction or another serious conviction like maiming under the influence. With this filing, you’re required to increase your Liability insurance limits to: 

• $50,000 Bodily Injury (per person, per accident)

• $100,000 Bodily Injury (per accident – multiple people injured)

• $40,000 Property Damage