What do Earth Day, trekking 544 miles of Appalachian Trails, and the Pentagon all have in common? The great state of Virginia! Whether you’re considering moving to the state or you already call Virginia home, you’ll want good car insurance on your side—just in case.
But nobody wants “just car insurance;” they want coverage that they can trust and that’s affordable. So, which insurance companies in Virginia are good, what are the car insurance laws in Virginia, and how can you find the right car insurance policy for you?
Read on, and we’ll delve into everything you need to know about getting Virginia auto insurance.
Free Car Insurance Comparison - Save up to 30%
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.
No Signup required
If you’re driving along the I-64 through Virginia, you want to ensure you’re driving legally by meeting the state car insurance minimums. Otherwise, you could face fines and other penalties.
These are the Virginia minimum car insurance requirements for January 1, 2022-2024:
The 2025 car insurance minimums are increasing come January 1, 2025, to:
Virginia drivers also need these car insurance coverages:
Keep in mind: Virginia car insurance minimums will change effective January 1, 2025. Another interesting fact about Virginia is that a state bill allows drivers to pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee for the year, so they don’t have to buy traditional car insurance—although there is speculation this law may be repealed.
Even with the state minimums in Virginia going up, the new coverage limits are still not enough to protect you from paying out of pocket after a car accident. For example, if you cause a multi-car accident, your insurance will only pay $25,000 for vehicular damages, which is hardly enough to cover a minor accident. Add in paying for the other driver’s medical expenses; your coverage is capped at $25,000 per person for $100,000, which means you’ll max out your medical coverage for other drivers if there are any emergency treatments or serious injuries.
What can be done? Your best bet is to take out higher limits for bodily injury and personal property damage or to buy comprehensive car insurance in Virginia. We’ve got all that and more, next.
Although car insurance is mandatory, you can choose or build the best auto insurance for you. Check out these optional car insurance add-ons to help create your policy:
Not all car insurance is made equal. You can pick and choose the coverage you want, and leave what you don’t. This way, you’re only paying for the coverage that’s important to you. But cost is a big factor, so keep reading to find out what you can expect to pay in premiums.
Free Car Insurance Comparison - Save up to 30%
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.
No Signup required
One of the most important questions a prospective policyholder wants to know about an insurer is: how much is car insurance? But skimping on coverage isn’t the answer to save money on car insurance. After all, Virginia’s slogan is “Virginia is for lovers,” so it’s important for policyholders to have great car insurance so they can take their partner out for a romantic dinner or a couple’s date trekking the Appalachian Mountain National Park without any stress.
The good news is that Virginia boasts below state averages for car insurance! The average car insurance cost in Virginia for full coverage is around $1,400 a year, while minimum coverage is just below $500.
Virginia may be a state for lovers, but you’ll get the cold shoulder if you’re caught driving without sufficient car insurance. Consider that policyholders can either pay $500 to drive without insurance for the year or take out car insurance that meets or exceeds the state minimums, so there’s no reason to drive without car insurance.
It should come as no surprise that you will get slapped with hefty fines and penalties if the red-and-blues appear in your rearview and you don’t have proof of coverage.
Here’s what you can expect if you’re caught without car insurance in Virginia:
If you wish to avoid these penalties after you’re caught driving without car insurance, you must obtain insurance within 30 days of being ticketed. Also, if your license is suspended, you will need an SR-22 form that your insurer will submit for you (it’ll stay on your record for three years), and you have to pay a reinstatement fee of $145 to get your license back. Find out more here.
Insurance companies use varying factors to determine car insurance premiums. If you’re wondering how the home state with the most U.S. presidents calculates your car insurance rates, read on:
Find out more about the factors that affect your car insurance costs here.
Some of these factors are outside of your control, but it’s not all bad news. Next, we’ll explore ways to help you save on your car insurance so that you can put a little bit more money back in your pocket each month.
Who doesn’t want to save on car insurance? Virginia is for lovers of adventure and features a zoo, theme parks, memorials, fine arts museums, and many natural wonders to see and explore; you want to save where you can, like on insurance, so that you can do more!
Fortunately, you can reduce your car insurance rates in Virginia in many ways, including:
Are you ready to start shopping around for car insurance quotes in Virginia? If so, go ahead and get access to free quotes here.
Free Car Insurance Comparison - Save up to 30%
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.
No Signup required
Virginia is the lover’s state. If you love driving, sightseeing, or exploring, it’s in your best interest to find the right car insurance at an affordable rate! The first step to unlocking car insurance savings is knowing what you want: are you satisfied with state minimums, or do you want bumper-to-bumper protection with collision and comprehensive car insurance?
But for those drivers that know what they want, the next step is shopping around for car insurance. Since insurance companies use different factors based on your personal profile (e.g., zip code and age) and your coverage choice to set rates, the only way to find cheap car insurance in Virginia is by collecting a few quotes.
Once you’ve got a few car insurance quotes, you can easily identify which is the best auto insurance in Virginia. So, get started by getting access to free quotes now!
Finally, Virginia is in the process of upping their car insurance minimums by 2025, so when you’re shopping for insurance, please note rates will increase with the higher state minimums. Another thing to remember is that the $500 downpayment to avoid having traditional car insurance for the year is under review. If you’ve relied on this insurance option in the past, you may wish to explore other insurance coverages if they repeal this Virginian law.
We’ve got you covered.
Free Car Insurance Comparison - Save up to 30%
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.
No Signup required
Margaret Huntley Margaret Huntley is a creative writing and philosophy student at Western University. She has been working as a freelance writer for over two years and has written about everything from insurance, to poker, to health and wellness for international businesses.
