Driving without insurance in Virginia
Virginia drivers used to be able to circumvent minimum insurance coverage by paying a $500 uninsured motor vehicle (UMV) fee. However, this is no longer the case. Drivers are now mandated by law to carry a certain amount of bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance. Because driving without minimum auto insurance coverage is now illegal, being caught uninsured can result in serious consequences. In short, it’s better to make sure you have the right coverage than to roll the dice on the road without a policy.
Minimum insurance required in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. When you register a new vehicle, you must comply with state laws by purchasing a policy that carries the following minimum insurance coverage:
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
This coverage typically reads as 50/100/25 on your policy. Keep in mind that these are just the minimum amounts of coverage. Experts recommend increasing coverage limits to protect yourself financially.
Considering the low average cost of insurance in Virginia — $694 per year for minimum coverage, as of February 2025 according to premium data from Quadrant Information Services — this type of insurance may sound appealing. But liability coverage can only be used to help you cover the costs of injuries to other drivers or damaged property in an accident. Minimum coverage doesn’t help you pay for the damage to your vehicle or for your medical bills if you cause an accident.Â
Plus, Virginia is an at-fault state. That means the driver who is found responsible for the accident must pay all expenses that result. For these reasons, experts recommend carrying more than the state-mandated minimum coverage.
Once you’ve signed a policy, you should carry proof of insurance when you drive. Virginia does allow drivers to show electronic proof of insurance.
New car insurance laws in Virginia
As of January 1, 2025, a law passed in 2021 is in effect which increased the minimum insurance requirements to those listed above. When the law first changed in 2024, drivers could carry:
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $20,000 property damage liability per accident
If you still have that level of insurance, your minimum coverage policy will increase your limits (and your rate) at your next renewal.
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Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Virginia
If you’re wondering how long you can go without car insurance before being penalized in VA, the answer is not promising. If the police or DMV discover that you’re driving uninsured, you have 30 days to provide proof of coverage. To encourage motorists to only operate an insured vehicle, Virginia imposes strict penalties on uninsured drivers after that period. You can incur expensive fees and even lose your license. Penalties for driving without insurance in Virginia include:
- Paying a $600 noncompliance fee to the DMV
- Obtaining an SR-22 certificate for three years
- Paying a reinstatement fee of $145, if applicable, on your license, registration and plates
- License, license plate, and registration suspension until you obtain insurance
Additionally, insurance companies usually consider a lapse of insurance as a high-risk rating factor. As such, failing to maintain continuous coverage could result in an increase in average premiums.
What is an SR-22?
Being mandated to carry SR-22 is one of the penalties you can face for driving without insurance in Virginia. Although often called SR-22 insurance, an SR-22 is not actually an insurance policy. It’s a document sent from your insurance company to the Commonwealth of Virginia that proves you have the minimum insurance coverage required. Â
Most drivers do not need SR-22s. The certificate is mainly required for drivers who are in the high-risk category, such as those convicted of a DUI or driving uninsured. Drivers with an SR-22 requirement may need to switch carriers to find one that files SR-22s and will likely pay above-average rates for coverage based on their driving record.
Virginia is also one of two states with an FR-44 requirement for certain high-risk drivers (Florida is the other). An FR-44 is similar to an SR-22, but in addition to proving that you meet minimum coverage requirements, you are required to carry at least double the state minimum amount of liability coverage. Whether you need an SR-22 or FR-44 in Virginia will depend on the severity of your offense and conviction specifics. You can check with the Virginia DMV for more details.
Getting into an accident without insurance
Although the minimum liability limits are designed to cover the other driver if you cause an accident, most insurance agents and financial advisors will suggest that you purchase more coverage than required to get sufficient financial protection. Causing an accident without any insurance can be catastrophic for a few reasons. Here are some ways having minimum insurance and full coverage (liability, plus comprehensive and collision) might protect you:
Minimum required insurance in Virginia
| What happens with insurance? | What happens without insurance? | |
|---|---|---|
| Property damage to the other car(s) | Your insurer pays for the damage up to your coverage limit of $25,000. | You are financially responsible for all of it. |
| Injuries to the other driver or passengers | Your insurer will cover approved medical claims up to your coverage limit of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. | You are financially responsible for all of it. |
Full coverage insurance
In addition to what minimum insurance coverage could pay for, full coverage car insurance, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage, also generally comes with higher liability limits than those outlined above, plus covers these costs if you cause an accident.
| What happens with insurance? | What happens without insurance? | |
|---|---|---|
| Property damage to your own vehicle | Your insurer pays for the damage up to your coverage limit. | You are financially responsible for all of it. |
| Injuries to yourself or your passengers | Your insurer will cover approved medical claims up to your coverage limit. | You are financially responsible for all of it. |
Even if you cause a minor accident, the other driver could report you to the state for driving uninsured. This could trigger some of the penalties listed above, including license suspension and an SR-22 requirement.
Frequently asked questions
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