Cheapest SR-22 insurance in Virginia

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In Virginia, the cheapest SR-22 insurance options are offered by Nationwide at $828 per year and American Family at $938 per year. The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on your location, driving history, and insurance provider.

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance. It’s a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. It’s often required after serious driving violations, such as a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance. If you’ve been ordered to file an SR-22, you might be worried about the impact on your car insurance costs.

Unfortunately, having an SR-22 on your record usually leads to higher premiums, and some carriers won’t cover such drivers, so finding affordable options is essential.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly policy or just trying to learn more about SR-22s, this guide has the information you need to get back on the road without breaking the bank.

What’s an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate of responsibility (CFR) that shows you’ve purchased the required minimum liability auto coverage required by your state. If you’re categorized as a higher-risk driver due to traffic violations, a DWI/DUI conviction, or other reasons, your state or a court order may require you to get an SR-22.

You might hear about “SR-22 insurance,” but an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy – it’s just a term sometimes used to refer to any insurance policy bought by someone who’s required to have an SR-22.

Key Takeaways

An SR-22 isn’t a separate insurance policy but a form your insurer files with the state to show you have the minimum coverage.
You might need an SR-22 in Virginia due to DUI, reckless driving, or license suspension/revocation.
Filing an SR-22 isn’t expensive, but those with an SR-22 often pay higher premiums.

Do I need to buy SR-22 insurance in Virginia?

As mentioned earlier, an SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy; it’s a form your insurance company files with your state’s DMV. This form informs the state that you still carry the minimum required insurance despite certain driving offenses on your record. The filing fee is generally inexpensive, though insurance with an SR-22 can be costly.

Examples of offenses that might require an SR-22:

DUI, DWI or other serious moving violations
Reckless driving
Accidents resulting in suspension or revocation
Accumulation of too many driving violation points
Driving without insurance

If you have any of these offenses on your record, you may need an SR-22. Once you buy an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, request your insurer to file the SR-22 form with the DMV.

You usually need to keep an SR-22 for at least three years. Failing to do so could lead to a license suspension.

Average SR-22 car insurance cost in Virginia

The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in Virginia is $1,343.

This is $328 higher than in New Hampshire, which has the cheapest SR-22 insurance.

However, it’s also $2,698 less expensive than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 insurance.

The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on several factors, such as why you need the SR-22, your driving history, and where you live.

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Virginia

Having an SR-22 usually raises your insurance rates, but not all companies charge the same rates. The companies below offer some of the cheapest rates in Virginia.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Nationwide	$828	$69
American Family	$938	$78
Travelers	$1,024	$85
Progressive	$1,030	$86
GEICO	$1,046	$87
Erie Insurance	$1,230	$103
State Farm	$1,241	$103
Mercury Insurance	$1,521	$127
Auto-Owners	$1,628	$136
Allstate	$2,087	$174
Kemper Insurance	$2,691	$224
USAA*	$856	$71

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

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Cheap SR-22 insurance in Virginia by city

As discussed above, where you live greatly affects how much SR-22 insurance costs. Below, you’ll find the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates in major cities across Virginia.

City	Average annual premium
Staunton	$639
Covington	$667
Bristol	$672
Lynchburg	$698
Galax	$708
Williamsburg	$724
Winchester	$759
Ashburn	$853
Virginia Beach	$867
Arlington	$892
Alexandria	$904
Norfolk	$912

SR-22 insurance requirements in Virginia

The Virginia DMV requires all drivers to meet the following minimum requirements for car insurance coverage:

$50,000 for injury/death per person
$100,000 for injury/death per accident
$25,000 for damage to property per accident

These are just the minimum requirements. Experts advise drivers to get more than the minimum insurance. It may lead to a higher premium, but the extra coverage could be well worth it.

How much does SR-22 in Virginia cost with a DUI?

Insurance companies differ in the premiums they charge for drivers with a DUI.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” refers to the cost of a policy, including the SR-22 filing fee, without factoring in the reason you need the SR-22.

Company	SR-22 with 1 DUI	SR-22 Filing only
Progressive	$1,351	$1,030
State Farm	$1,356	$1,241
Nationwide	$1,534	$828
Travelers	$1,631	$1,024
Mercury Insurance	$1,916	$1,521
American Family	$2,000	$938
Auto-Owners	$2,083	$1,628
Erie Insurance	$2,111	$1,230
GEICO	$2,215	$1,046
Allstate	$2,808	$2,087
Kemper Insurance	$2,821	$2,691
USAA*	$1,608	$856

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Virginia

You may face sky-high insurance premiums if you need an SR-22 in Virginia. However, there are ways to save on car insurance whether or not you require an SR-22.

First, shopping around is always a good idea. There can be an enormous difference in the rates you will get from different insurance companies. Some companies specialize in high-risk drivers and offer you better SR-22 rates.

Another way to get the cheapest insurance with an SR-22 is to improve your driving record. Sure, that might be easier said than done, but it can be worth putting in the time if you want a better rate. You can get a quick win by taking a defensive driving course. Ask your insurer if they offer any of these courses and if they can help you qualify for a discount.

You can also ask about safe driving programs. These usage-based programs track your driving habits and may reward you with lower premiums for safe driving.

There are a few ways someone required to get SR-22 insurance can find the most affordable policy while still meeting all the legal requirements.

Sebastian Hov, CEO of 18 Insurance, an insurance agency based in Sacramento, Virginia, recommends the following:

Shopping around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.
Pay upfront: Paying your premium in full rather than in monthly installments can sometimes result in lower overall costs.
Opt for non-owner insurance: If you don’t own a vehicle but need to maintain SR-22 coverage, non-owner car insurance can be a cost-effective option as it is typically 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard policy. Keep reading for more information on non-owner insurance options.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance in Virginia

Some states may require you to obtain an SR-22 even if you don’t own a car. This filing ensures you meet the state’s minimum liability coverage requirements, which is often necessary to reinstate your driver’s license after a suspension or revocation resulting from violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

Non-owner insurance policies are for individuals who don’t own a vehicle but must fulfill SR-22 requirements or want to maintain continuous coverage. This type of coverage provides liability protection when driving a car you don’t own and helps you meet state mandates for reinstating your license after violations such as a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

It’s often a more affordable option than a standard policy since it only covers liability.

Read more about how non-owners car insurance works in Virginia

Who needs SR-22 insurance?

Remember that an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy. Instead, it’s a certificate that shows your state’s DMV that you have at least the minimum insurance coverage required.

For instance, if you have a DUI, the state will require you to prove you have enough insurance to be financially responsible.

Keep in mind that not all driving offenses require an SR-22. You will be notified if you require an SR-22. If you aren’t sure if you need one, ask your local DMV or an attorney with traffic law experience.

How long do you need SR-22 insurance in Virginia?

You typically need to maintain an SR-22 for three years.

In some cases, the time you need to maintain an SR-22 could be longer or shorter. The length of the SR-22 period will depend on your driving history and how serious the offense is.

The bottom line on SR-22 in Virginia

Virginia’s average SR-22 insurance rate is $1,343, compared to the overall average car insurance cost in Virginia, which is $1,228. That means Virginia’s SR-22 rate is $116 more per year.

But remember that there are a lot of factors that can affect insurance premiums.

What our expert says

Q: How can you save on SR-22 insurance?

Sebastian HovCEO, 18 Insurance.

“Shop around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.”

Resources and Methodology

Sources:

Shouse Law Group. “SR22 Virginia.” Accessed December 2025.
Progressive Insurance. “What is an SR-22?” Accessed December 2025.

Methodology

Insure.com gathered rates from Quadrant Information Services for all states, including Washington, D.C. The rates are based on a sample driving profile of a 40-year-old male and female who drives a Honda Accord LX and opts for a full-coverage policy with coverage limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible across most ZIP codes. We analyzed 5,000,736 insurance quotes from 27 companies.

Bob Haegele

Contributing Researcher

Bob Haegele is a personal finance writer. He covers car insurance, health insurance and life insurance. While working in the corporate world he started a personal finance blog. He later left his corporate job and began freelance writing full-time. Since then, he has made it his mission to help people master their money. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, FinanceBuzz and others.