A DUI is expensive… and a Virginia DUI is no different ! Just when you thought you were done paying for all the costs associated with a DUI : court fees, fines, VASAP, and possibly an ignition interlock…your car insurance goes up ! However there are car insurance providers that offer SR-22 car insurance at a competitive price.

When getting a quote for Virginia car insurance, please make sure you admit to having an SR-22 as this needs to be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The SR-22 insurance coverage is a type of high-risk insurance that requires a specific set of conditions that are not found in other standard types of car insurance policies.

The conditions of Virginia SR-22 insurance are simple, but can have severe penalties if ignored. Your insurance company must validate coverage to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Virginia. Under state law, the insurance company must notify the Virginia DMV immediately if your policy is canceled, terminated, or lapses. If you are required to obtain SR-22 insurance, even if you no longer the owner a car, you must obtain a non-owner SR-22 policy. Non-owner SR-22 is specifically designed for individuals that do not own a vehicle, but need car insurance liability coverage in order for their Virginia driving privileges to be reinstated.

SR-22 car insurance liability coverage in Virginia has a mandatory requirement of being carried for three years from the date on which an individuals driving privileges were reinstated. This also applies to non-owner SR-22 insurance. As previously stated, during the three years, Virginia law requires all insurance companies to notify the DMV if:

• You are late making premium payments
• There is a lapse, or cancellation in your SR-22 insurance policy for any reason
• You switch insurance providers

If your insurance company notifies the DMW for any reason your license will be suspended immediately for failure to comply with the Virginia SR-22 car insurance coverage requirements. It is important to note that if your coverage lapses for even a single day or if you are even late making a payment by a single day, your license can and will probably be suspended. If this does happen, your Virginia drivers license will become suspended for failing to comply to Virginia state laws, and your SR-22 insurance policy will have to be renewed before your full driving privileges can be restored.

Be aware that not all “standard” insurance companies offer SR-22 car insurance liability coverage, but most do. Unfortunately, most “standard” insurance companies do not provide the most competitive car insurance rates if you have an SR-22 on your driving record. So to get the best rates on Virginia SR-22 car insurance, you should contact a non-standard car insurance broker or a licensed SR-22 car insurance broker.

After obtaining your Virginia SR-22 liability insurance, you will receive a certificate of insurance. This certificate is of course called an SR-22. This certificate is required as proof of insurance by the Virginia court system or under Virginia state law. The SR-22 certificate should remain active for 3 years and should be readily available to show as proof in the vehicle you operate at all times should you ever be pulled over by law enforcement. Failure to provide such proof could result in fines or as a driving infraction.