Virginia DUI Suspensions Require FR-44, Not SR-22
You searched for The General SR-22 insurance because your Virginia license was suspended after a DUI conviction and you know you need a certificate filing to get your license back. The General's website and third-party quote forms list SR-22 prominently, but Virginia DMV sent you a reinstatement packet that mentions FR-44. You're not sure which one you actually need, whether The General writes the form Virginia requires, or if the two certificates are interchangeable.
Virginia is one of only two states (along with Florida) that requires FR-44 certificates instead of SR-22 for DUI and certain aggravated suspensions. The General writes both SR-22 and FR-44 filings nationwide, confirmed on their state DMV contact list and product pages, but the distinction matters because submitting an SR-22 when Virginia law mandates FR-44 will not satisfy your reinstatement requirement and your suspension will remain in effect.
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Get Your Free QuoteVirginia FR-44 Liability Minimums
$50,000/$100,000/$40,000
FR-44 certificates require bodily injury coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, plus $40,000 property damage — double the standard SR-22 minimums of $25,000/$50,000/$20,000. This higher liability floor increases premiums substantially.
Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-411.01
What FR-44 Filing Covers That SR-22 Does Not
SR-22 and FR-44 are both certificate-of-insurance filings that prove you carry state-minimum liability coverage, electronically transmitted from your insurer to the DMV. The difference is the liability floor: SR-22 filings certify you meet standard minimums (typically $25,000/$50,000/$20,000), while FR-44 filings certify you meet elevated minimums ($50,000/$100,000/$40,000 in Virginia). Virginia Code § 46.2-411.01 mandates FR-44 for drivers convicted of DUI, DWI, or refusal to submit to a breath test.
The General's online quote system may default to SR-22 language because 48 states use SR-22 certificates. If you enter a Virginia address and indicate a DUI suspension, the carrier's underwriting system should automatically route you to FR-44 product offerings, but if you're comparing quotes across multiple carriers you must confirm explicitly that each quote includes FR-44 filing, not SR-22. Submitting an SR-22 certificate to Virginia DMV when your suspension notice specifies FR-44 will result in your filing being rejected and your suspension continuing without interruption.
Non-DUI suspensions in Virginia (excessive points, unpaid fines, insurance lapse) typically require standard SR-22 filings, not FR-44. If your suspension stems from accumulating demerit points or failing to maintain continuous coverage, SR-22 satisfies Virginia's requirement. Review your DMV suspension notice: if it references Va. Code § 46.2-411.01 or explicitly names FR-44, you need the elevated certificate. If it references Va. Code § 46.2-416 or mentions proof of financial responsibility without naming FR-44, standard SR-22 applies.
The General writes both SR-22 and FR-44, but Virginia DUI suspensions require FR-44. Submitting the wrong certificate does not satisfy your reinstatement and your suspension continues.
The General FR-44 Monthly Premium Range in Virginia
Monthly FR-44 premiums through The General for Virginia DUI offenders typically range from $180 to $320 depending on age, county, prior violations, and whether you own a vehicle or need a non-owner policy. Non-owner FR-44 policies (for drivers who do not own a car but need the certificate to reinstate their license) typically cost $120 to $200 per month. These estimates are based on available industry data and individual rates vary by driving history, vehicle type, coverage selections, and ZIP code. The General's online quote tool provides binding quotes within minutes for most applicants.
The General charges a one-time FR-44 filing fee of approximately $25 to $50 to transmit the certificate to Virginia DMV. This fee is separate from your monthly premium and is charged at policy inception. If you cancel your policy and later reinstate, you will be charged the filing fee again. Virginia DMV charges a $145 reinstatement fee separate from any carrier fees; this fee is paid directly to DMV when you apply for license reinstatement after your suspension period ends and all other conditions (ASAP program completion, ignition interlock installation if required) are satisfied.
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FR-44 Filing Window and DMV Notification Timeline
The General transmits FR-44 certificates to Virginia DMV electronically within 1 to 5 business days after your policy binds and payment clears. Virginia uses an electronic insurance verification system that receives near-real-time updates from insurers. Once The General files your FR-44, DMV updates your driver record to reflect that you have satisfied the insurance requirement. You can verify filing status by logging into the Virginia DMV online portal or calling DMV customer service at 804-497-7100.
Your FR-44 filing must remain active for 3 years from the date of your DUI conviction, not from the date you file the certificate. If you were convicted on June 1, 2023, your FR-44 requirement expires June 1, 2026, even if you did not purchase a policy and file until January 2024. Letting your FR-44 policy lapse at any point during the 3-year period triggers immediate DMV notification and license suspension. The General is required to notify DMV within 10 days of any policy cancellation or non-renewal, and DMV will suspend your license effective the date coverage ended.
If you move out of Virginia during your FR-44 filing period, the requirement does not automatically transfer to your new state. Most states do not recognize FR-44 certificates (only Florida and Virginia use them), so if you relocate to another state you will need to contact that state's DMV to determine whether they will accept your Virginia FR-44 as proof of financial responsibility or whether you need to obtain a new policy meeting that state's requirements. The 3-year Virginia filing period continues to run regardless of where you live, and Virginia will not clear the FR-44 flag from your record until the full 3 years have elapsed.
Virginia FR-44 Filing Period
3 years
Virginia requires FR-44 filing for 3 years from the date of DUI conviction. Letting your policy lapse during this period triggers license suspension. The filing period is fixed by statute and does not shorten if you maintain a clean record.
Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-411.01
Non-Owner FR-44 Option When You Do Not Own a Vehicle
If you do not own a vehicle but need FR-44 filing to reinstate your Virginia license, The General offers non-owner FR-44 policies. Non-owner policies provide liability coverage when you drive a borrowed or rented vehicle, and they satisfy Virginia's FR-44 requirement without requiring you to register a vehicle in your name. Monthly premiums for non-owner FR-44 policies through The General typically range from $120 to $200, lower than standard owner policies because the carrier is not covering a specific vehicle's physical damage risk.
Non-owner FR-44 policies are particularly common among suspended drivers who sold their vehicle after the DUI conviction, drivers whose household vehicle is titled solely in a spouse's name, or drivers who rely on public transit or rideshare during their suspension period. The policy remains active and the FR-44 filing remains valid as long as you pay your monthly premium. If you later purchase a vehicle, you must notify The General immediately and convert your non-owner policy to a standard owner policy to maintain continuous FR-44 filing.
Compare The General Against Other FR-44 Carriers in Virginia
The General is one of several carriers writing FR-44 policies in Virginia. Other confirmed FR-44 carriers in Virginia include Geico, Progressive, State Farm, Nationwide, Allstate, Bristol West, Dairyland, and National General. Not all carriers write FR-44 in all Virginia counties, and not all carriers accept DUI-conviction applicants in the non-standard tier. The General specializes in high-risk drivers and typically accepts applicants other carriers decline, but their premiums may be higher than carriers that segment DUI offenders into preferred or standard tiers based on time since conviction and absence of subsequent violations.
Request quotes from at least three FR-44 carriers before binding coverage. Premium variance between carriers for the same driver profile can exceed $100 per month. The General's online quote tool provides binding quotes immediately, but Geico, Progressive, and State Farm may require manual underwriting review for DUI applicants, adding 1 to 3 business days to the quote process. When comparing quotes, confirm that each policy includes FR-44 filing at Virginia's required $50,000/$100,000/$40,000 minimums and that the filing fee is disclosed separately from the premium.