How to guide for buying Virginia FR44 Auto Insurance Online

​The Virginia DMV requires drivers to carry an FR44 state auto insurance filing if they've had their license suspended for DUI or various other reasons. Getting an FR44 state filing is easy to buy online. But there are some key things that you need to be aware of to make sure you're buying the right type of policy that you need. This article will help you understand what you need to know and how to go about getting the right type of coverage you need at the lowest possible price.


What is an FR44?


     An FR44 is not auto insurance. An FR44 is a state filing that attaches onto some type of auto insurance policy. It is a guarantee to the state DMV that you're carrying continuous auto insurance liability coverage. Thank of it as a tattletale attachment. If an auto insurance policy that has an FR44 attached to it ever lapses, expires or cancels, the auto insurance company is required by law to notify the Virginia DMV, and your license once again will be suspended until another FR44 is active, or the old one is reinstated.


What's the difference between an FR44 and an SR22?


     You are probably more familiar with the term SR22 because it is more common. Many states have SR22 state filings. However only Virginia and Florida have the FR44 filing. So there's not as much information about FR44's as their are SR22's online.
An FR44 works exactly the same way as an SR22 does. The only difference between the two is that an SR22 requires at least state minimum liability auto insurance coverage. An FR44 requires double that amount of coverage in Virginia. Other than that there is no difference between an FR44 and an SR22. It just boils down to which type of filing you're required to carry, and the level of liability coverage needed. An SR22 in Virginia requires at least 25/50/20 in liability coverage. An FR44 in Virginia requires at least 50/100/40 in liability coverage.


How do I set up an FR44?


This is very simple but important:


If you own a vehicle or have a registered vehicle in your name, then you need to attach the FR44 onto a regular auto insurance policy.


If you do not own a vehicle, then you need to attach the FR44 on to what's known as a named operators policy a.k.a. non-owners policy.

Buying an FR44 Policy Online: Where to look and where not to look.


  
      The most challenging part of finding a policy is finding a company that is both FR44 friendly, and offered at an affordable rate. Many companies won't even write state filings such as FR44's or SR22's. Getting your policy at the right price means looking in the right place. Here are some things to look for things to stay away from:

•     The best place to look for an auto insurance policy with an FR44 attached is through independent agents who specialize in high-risk auto insurance. They will have several of the companies that go easy on drivers that have dings on their driving record. They also go much easier on state filings. All you need to do is give your quote information once, and the agent will do the hard work of shopping around for the best price at the coverage levels you need.

•      Quoting for auto insurance online versus on the phone. There's nothing wrong with getting a quote online, as long as you have a good understanding of the coverages involved. But if you do not understand the coverages, you're making a big mistake by quoting online, and blindly taking guesses at what coverage you need. Many drivers get burnt by this! If you understand the coverages very well, and know exactly what coverage you need, then fine. There's nothing wrong with quoting online. But if you don't understand the coverages, I highly recommend you talk to an agent that can explain this to you.

•      Getting a quote directly from a company is usually a bad idea! Understand that when you call the company directly and asked for a quote you will not be talking to an actual insurance agent but rather a customer service rep. A CSR doesn't have the overall knowledge and expertise that a regular agent has. Not to mention that their advice is more geared towards sales than towards doing what's best for you. Quoting this way is also not time efficient because you're only quoting one company at  a time.

•    Stay away from agents and agencies that only sell one company. It's not that these agents are bad. Most of them do a great job. It's more about the company that they work for. Most companies who only hire agents to work exclusively for them are usually the companies that are not FR44 friendly! Many of them won't write FR44's all. And of the ones that do, they are usually the most expensive. These companies do not want your business because of your driving record. That's why they price their selves out of the market.

• Beware of lead generation websites! When you search online for an independent agent, you often run into websites that look like any other agency's website should look. Don't be fooled! It's easy to spot a lead generation site because they all share on characteristic: there is no contact information given. If you don't see an actual agent's name address and phone number, chances are that you're dealing with a lead generation site. These companies do not sell auto insurance at all. All they do is take your quote information and sell it to other agents. This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, except that many of these lead generation sites will sell to dozens of agents. So while it might be an effective way to get a good price, it's also a good way to blow up your phone! So when getting a quote online, make sure your information is going to an actual agent and not a company that's going to simply sell your information. The difference between the two is really easy to spot just by looking for contact information like I mentioned.

Summary: There is no instruction manual for buying an auto insurance policy with an FR44 attached. That's why so many drivers either buy the wrong policy, have the wrong coverage, or pay way more in premium than they should be. Using the guidelines above will help point you in the right direction. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call, or drop me an email. I will be happy to answer any questions you have.


   If you would like to get a quote with several companies at once who are FR44 friendly, I will be happy to help you with that also. Click on the top link below if you own a vehicle. Click on the bottom link if you do not own a vehicle. And as always, I handle all quotes personally and privately.


Get an FR44 quote with Lyles Insurance here if you own a vehicle


Get an FR44 quote with Lyles Insurance here if you don't own a vehicle


Call me for a Quote



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