What are Virginia FR-44 coverage limits?
A plain answer to how Virginia FR-44 liability limits work, who sets them, and why this page does not list dollar figures.
Virginia FR-44 coverage limits are liability limits set above the standard state minimum. They apply after a DUI or DWI, and the state of Virginia, not your insurer, sets how high they go. An FR-44 is not a separate policy. It is a certificate your insurer files with the Virginia DMV to prove your liability policy meets that higher floor. Because the exact dollar figures are set by the state and can change, this page explains how the limits work rather than listing amounts. Always confirm the current required limits with the Virginia DMV or your agent before relying on a number you saw elsewhere.
- FR-44 coverage limits are liability limits set above the standard Virginia state minimum.
- The state of Virginia sets the required figures, not you and not your insurer.
- The FR-44 applies after a DUI or DWI; an SR-22 covers non-DUI offenses at the minimum.
- The FR-44 is a certificate filed with the DMV, not a separate insurance policy.
- The same higher limits apply whether you own a vehicle or carry a non-owner policy.
- Because figures can change, confirm the current required limits with the Virginia DMV.
The short answer on FR-44 limits
Coverage limits are the most your insurance will pay toward a claim. For an FR-44, the limits that matter are liability limits, which cover injuries and property damage you cause to other people. Virginia requires every driver to carry a basic state minimum. The FR-44 raises that floor and requires you to carry liability above the standard minimum after a DUI or DWI.
The exact figures are set by the state, so this page does not quote dollar amounts. For a fuller walkthrough with more detail, see our guide on FR-44 coverage limits.
Why Virginia requires higher limits
The higher limits exist because of how Virginia treats serious offenses. A DUI or DWI signals greater risk on the road, so the state asks affected drivers to carry more protection for the people around them. The goal is public protection, not a punishment in the usual sense.
Because the purpose is protecting others, the limits are set by Virginia rather than chosen by you or your insurer. You cannot satisfy the FR-44 by carrying only the basic minimum, even if that minimum met the law before your conviction. The state has decided that drivers who need an FR-44 must carry more.
Who sets the required limits
The required FR-44 limits are set by the state of Virginia. They apply to every driver who needs an FR-44, no matter which insurance company writes the policy. Your insurer does not choose the figure, and neither do you. The carrier simply writes your policy at or above the level the state requires and certifies that level on the filing.
Because the state controls the numbers, they can be reviewed and changed over time. A figure that was correct in the past may not match what is required today. That is why this page does not list specific amounts and instead points you to the current source of truth.
This page does not list specific dollar amounts for FR-44 limits. The required figures are set by Virginia and can change. Confirm the current required liability limits with the Virginia DMV, or ask your agent to confirm them, before relying on any number.
The FR-44 is a certificate, not a policy
A common misunderstanding is that the FR-44 is its own kind of insurance you buy on top of a normal policy. It is not. The FR-44 is a certificate. Your insurer files it electronically with the Virginia DMV, and it states that your existing liability policy meets the higher limits the state requires.
This matters because the limits live on your policy, not on the form. The form does not add coverage by itself. It confirms the coverage your policy already carries. So when Virginia requires higher limits for an FR-44, what that means is that the policy behind the filing must be written at those higher limits.
How FR-44 limits differ from SR-22
The FR-44 and the SR-22 look similar, but their limits are not the same, and mixing them up causes real problems. The SR-22 is used for non-DUI offenses, such as driving without insurance, and it proves only that you carry the standard state minimum. The FR-44 is used specifically for DUI and DWI convictions, and it proves you carry liability above that minimum.
If you have a DUI or DWI in Virginia, the FR-44 with its higher limits is the correct filing, and an SR-22 will not satisfy the DMV. Filing the wrong form, or carrying only minimum limits when higher ones are required, can leave your case unresolved.
Owner versus non-owner limits
The higher limits apply whether you own a vehicle or not. An owner policy insures a specific car and carries the elevated liability the FR-44 requires. A non-owner policy covers you as a driver when you operate a vehicle you do not own, and it meets the same higher Virginia limits. The required level does not drop just because you do not own a car.
A non-owner FR-44 is usually the most affordable way to comply, because it does not insure a particular vehicle. It still files the certificate with the DMV and still carries the higher limits, so it meets the requirement in full.
FR-44 limits compared with the state minimum
The table below sets the FR-44 liability requirement next to the ordinary state minimum so the relationship is easy to see. It does not list dollar figures, because those are set by Virginia and can change. Instead it shows how the two requirements relate and where to confirm the current numbers.
Use this as a quick reference, then confirm the exact figures with the Virginia DMV or your agent before you rely on them.
| Feature | State minimum | FR-44 requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Liability level | The basic Virginia floor | Higher than the basic floor |
| Who sets it | The state of Virginia | The state of Virginia |
| Who it applies to | Most Virginia drivers | Drivers after a DUI or DWI |
| Proof required | None beyond the policy | An FR-44 filed with the DMV |
| Confirm figures with | The Virginia DMV | The Virginia DMV |
This table does not list dollar amounts because the required limits are set by Virginia and can change. Confirm the current figures with the Virginia DMV or your agent.
How higher limits affect price
Higher liability limits generally cost more than the basic minimum, so part of the price you see after a DUI reflects the elevated FR-44 coverage. The larger driver of the increase, though, is usually the conviction itself, since insurers rate a DUI as serious. Price varies by carrier, which is why shopping matters.
Because each carrier prices a DUI differently, the same required limits can cost very different amounts from one company to the next. As an independent agency, we shop multiple carriers to find a qualifying policy at the right limits for a competitive price. For more, see FR-44 cost in Virginia.
Keeping your limits in force
Meeting the higher limits once is not enough. You must keep them in force for the entire FR-44 period, which in Virginia is typically about three years. The no-lapse rule is strict. A lapse, a cancellation, or even a missed payment can lead the DMV to re-suspend your license, and the roughly three-year clock can restart.
The practical advice is simple. Do not drop your coverage or reduce your limits below the required level until the FR-44 requirement is truly over. Pay on time, and contact your agent right away if a payment might be late. To set up your filing, see how to get FR-44 insurance.
We file with the Virginia DMV the same day, with or without a car. Free quote from a licensed Virginia agent.
Frequently asked questions
What are Virginia FR-44 coverage limits?
They are liability limits set above the standard Virginia state minimum, required after a DUI or DWI. The state of Virginia sets how high they go. Because the figures can change, confirm the current required limits with the Virginia DMV or your agent.
What are the exact FR-44 limit amounts in Virginia?
The exact figures are set by the state and can change over time, so this page does not list them. The most reliable step is to confirm the current required limits with the Virginia DMV or ask your agent to confirm them for you.
Who decides the FR-44 coverage limits?
The state of Virginia decides the required limits. Your insurer does not choose them, and neither do you. The carrier writes your policy at or above the state’s level and certifies that level on the filing it sends to the DMV.
Is the FR-44 a separate insurance policy?
No. The FR-44 is a certificate, not a policy. Your insurer files it with the Virginia DMV to prove your existing liability policy meets the higher limits. You buy one ordinary auto policy, and the FR-44 rides along as proof.
How are FR-44 limits different from SR-22 limits?
The FR-44 requires liability above the state minimum and is used after a DUI or DWI. The SR-22 proves only the state minimum and is used for non-DUI offenses. The level of coverage each certifies is the key difference.
Do non-owner FR-44 policies use the same limits?
Yes. A non-owner FR-44 must meet the same higher Virginia limits as an owner policy. It covers you as a driver when you operate a vehicle you do not own, and it is usually the most affordable way to comply.
Will the higher limits make my insurance more expensive?
Higher limits generally cost more than the minimum, but the larger price driver after a DUI is usually the conviction itself. Price varies by carrier, so we shop multiple companies to find a qualifying policy at the right limits for a competitive rate.
What happens if my coverage drops below the required limits?
Falling below the required limits, or letting the policy lapse, can lead the DMV to re-suspend your license, and the roughly three-year period can restart. Keep your limits at the required level and pay on time until the requirement is fully over.
Written by FR44 Insurance of Virginia
Reviewed by a licensed Virginia insurance agent. Last reviewed June 2026. Meet our team.
We make sure your limits meet Virginia's FR-44 rule
We confirm the current required limits, write your policy to meet them, and file the FR-44 with the DMV. Owner or non-owner, we shop carriers so the higher coverage costs you as little as possible.