Insurance Monitoring Methods

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) uses the following methods to monitor insurance of Virginia registered vehicles.

Electronic Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Reporting is the cornerstone of all monitoring methods. The motor vehicle code §46.2-706.1 requires insurance companies authorized or licensed to do business in Virginia to furnish liability insurance information to DMV electronically. This information is required when insurance policies are canceled, new policies are written and when there are additions to existing polices for motor vehicles registered in Virginia.

Insurance monitoring also occurs through the Suspected Uninsured Accident. This process allows a driver, vehicle owner or a representative to voluntarily file an accident report (FR200) with DMV and as a part of the report, to indicate there is reason to believe the other vehicle involved in the accident was uninsured. A request for insurance information is sent by DMV to the other vehicle owner specified in the report. If the other vehicle owner fails to respond or is found to have no insurance, an order of suspension is issued to the owner. The vehicle owner or representative filing the accident report may request DMV to provide them with the insurance information obtained.

A third monitoring method, the Law Enforcement Notification is initiated when police officers require owners to provide insurance information to DMV. Drivers are issued a form (FR422A) requesting insurance information at roadside checks. DMV issues an order of suspension to vehicle owners who are found uninsured. In addition to the State Police, a total of 108 local law enforcement agencies participate with DMV in the Law Enforcement Notification process.

The Police Accident Reports (form FR300P) process is another method of monitoring insurance. It utilizes police crash reports to identify potentially uninsured individuals. The crash reports are reviewed to determine if a need exists to request insurance information. If it is determined a need exists, insurance information is requested from the owner. If the owner fails to respond to the request or if the owner does not have insurance, an order of suspension is issued to the owner.