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Cheap Auto Insurance in Virginia: Best Companies & Quotes
Joanna Johnson
Car Insurance Expert
Updated: 11/2020
Joanna is an expert on understanding how the different laws and regulations in the car insurance industry shape the way that policies work.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Virginia
- Virginia Farm Bureau
- Erie
- Geico
- State Farm
- Travelers
- Nationwide
Virginia Farm Bureau | Erie | Geico | State Farm | Travelers | Nationwide | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A- | A+ | A++ | A++ | A+ | A+ |
JD Power 2019 Overall Customer Satisfaction score | Not Rated | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 3/5 |
Avg Annual Premium | $351 | $403 | $438 | $609 | $1,008 | $815 |
Consumer Reports Reader Score | N/A | 86 | 78 | 78 | N/A | 75 |
BBB Rating | A+ | A+ | A+ | A | A+ | A+ |
Auto Insurance Statistics in Virginia
Auto insurance rates in Virginia appear to be much lower than the national averages. In fact, over the past few years, the rates have been increasing which does not bode well for drivers in Virginia looking for affordable car insurance.
Top 10 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Virginia
Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
---|---|---|
1 | Travelers | $666 |
2 | The Hartford | $793 |
3 | Penn National | $867 |
4 | Erie | $953 |
5 | Utica National | $966 |
6 | Virginia Farm Bureau | $1,069 |
7 | Progressive | $1,081 |
8 | USAA | $1,128 |
9 | State Farm | $1,149 |
10 | GEICO | $1,256 |
Drunk Driving Fatalities
Drinking and driving is a deadly combination and fatalities are usually the result of this dangerous practice. When it comes to drunk driving fatalities in Virginia, the rates appear to be fluctuating.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has done a tally of the number of drunk driving fatalities in Virginia vs. nationwide.
Drunk driving fatalities in Virginia from 2013 to 2017
Source: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Teen Drinking and Driving
Teen drinking and driving in Virginia is at a rate that is almost the same as the national average. The data below demonstrates the level of drinking and driving taking place in Virginia when compared to other states around the country.
Teen Drinking & Driving in Virginia vs. Nationwide (2017)
Source: Center For Disease Control
SR-22 Insurance in Virginia
Virginia is one of the many states that requires certain drivers to purchase SR-22 insurance to reinstate their licenses. There are a variety of reasons you may need to purchase an SR-22 insurance policy, including falsifying insurance, unsatisfied judgments, and other offences. If you have a more serious offence, you might not be eligible for an SR-22 — you will have to purchase additional coverage called an FR-44 policy.
For those who only need an SR-22 policy, Virginia has very specific requirements for how much coverage you need. First, you will need property damage coverage of $20,000. For single person injury or death coverage, you will need $25,000. You will also need $50,000 worth of coverage for multiple injuries or death.
Car Theft in Virginia
Car theft in Virginia takes place at a much lower rate than in other states across the country. It is beneficial to become aware of the level of car theft in the State you will be driving in. This lends clarity when making the decision about what type of car insurance to purchase. Understanding the rate of car thefts in Virginia will help drivers to have a more complete understanding of the level of risk they take while driving and owning a car in the state.
Vehicle thefts by rank nationwide vs. Virginia
Source: www.FBI.gov
Uninsured Motorists in Virginia
Without car insurance, drivers in Virginia will have to pay out of pocket expenses. In order to avoid this, it is recommended to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. The statistics outlined below show how well Virginia ranks in the total number of reported uninsured motorists in the state in the year 2015.
Percentage of uninsured drivers (Top States in 2015)
Source: Insurance Information Institute
Several companies in Virginia offer car insurance services. These companies include GEICO General, VA Farm Bureau Mutual, Progressive Advanced Insurance, and Nationwide Mutual Insurance. The three lowest insurers in the state are USAA subsidiaries. They include USAA, USAA Casualty, and USAA General Indemnity. These insurers offer rates of $1,150, $1,161, and $1,600 respectively. The next two companies on the list are Garrison Property & Casualty Insurance Company and Travelers Home and Marine. The reason why USAA and Traveler’s Home & Marine Company offer low rates is that they are specialty auto-insurers and cater for members and direct relatives of members of the military forces.
It would be prudent if we replaced them with the next couple of companies in the list since these insurers are not available for everyone. The cheapest general insurance firms in the state of Virginia are Garrison Property, State Farm Mutual Insurance Company, and Mid-Century Insurance Company. You should expect to pay between a thousand and two thousand dollars annually if you are looking for an affordable insurer. The premiums from the most affordable companies are more than 30% cheaper than the average in the state, so you are sure that you are getting a bargain.
Several insurance companies have certain subsidiaries in the country. Each of them caters to customers with different budgets. A good example is GEICO which has GEICO Indemnity, GEICO General, and GEICO Casualty. It is important to confirm the specific subsidiary that you want before choosing. The average annual premium for car insurance in the state is around $2,700. This is a huge figure. Some companies charge up to $5,000 annually. You have to be extra careful when choosing an insurance package because the highest auto insurance is more than five times that of the cheapest. This shows how important it is to browse for alternative packages before you decide to go with a specific one.
The cost of car insurance also varies according to where you live. The city you live in is a major determinant here. Alexandria has the highest rates. They go for close to three thousand dollars whereas Roanoke has the cheapest with $2300 a year. There are different variations depending on your age group as well. It is important to note that married couples living in Alexandria who have more than 45 years pay less than their counterparts in cheaper cities such as Roanoke and Richmond. The lowest premium offered by a non-military insurer in Alexandria is $1,634 which is offered by GEICO.
Travelers Home and Marine offers the best car rates for residents of Richmond with a price of $1,465. There are also price variations depending on the age-group of residents in Richmond. The rates for twenty-year-old single men and women are four thousand dollars and three thousand dollars respectively. Middle-aged residents pay nearly half of what younger people pay since they get rates as low as $1500. The low price of insurance in Roanoke is attributed to its low population which is less than half of the population of other cities in the state. Virginia Beach has the second cheapest rates of all the other cities even though it has the largest number of residents who amount to close to half a million. The blended premium for insurance rates in Virginia Beach is $2,600 which is lower than the state average. Mid Century is the best insurer in the city with an annual rate of $1600. The price difference between the highest and the lowest is close to $4000 which stress the fact that research is necessary before going with a particular insurer.
Your age-group and the city that you live in are the biggest predictors of the rate that you will pay annually.The data above clearly shows that to see that you get cheaper rates when you grow older. It is also important to know that the same insurer might not be the best in a particular city even though they offer the cheapest rates in the state.The cheapest auto insurer is not always the best. You have to look at other factors such as the number of complaints made and customer service to determine the best.
Types of Auto Insurance Coverage in Virginia:
- Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
- Bodily Injury Liability Insurance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Insurance
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance
- Property Damage Liability Insurance
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Virginia
There are minimum requirements for auto insurance in the state of Virginia. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, each vehicle in the state needs to be covered by a minimum of liability insurance coverage as well as uninsured motorist coverage. Drivers who want to decline having to pay for insurance will need to pay an uninsured motorist fee. However, if damage or injury occurs, assets could be seized to cover the costs.
The liability minimums in Virginia are as follows:
- $20,000 for property damage in an accident
- $25,000 per person in an accident
- $50,000 for each accident
Source: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Cheap Auto Insurance Discounts
At Cheap Auto Insurance, our goal is to help you save as much as possible on the cost of car insurance in Virginia. That is why we have compiled a list of affordable car insurance discounts. Browse the list below to see if any of the discounts can be applied to help you save the maximum amount on the cost of car insurance in Virginia.
- Anti-theft discount
- Mature driver discount
- Military or Veteran discount
- Bundling insurance policies discount
- Senior citizen discount
- Car safety features discount
- Good student discount
- Defensive driving discount
- Low-mileage discount
- Multi-car auto insurance discount
- Infrequent usage discount
FAQ
General Virginia Car Insurance Questions
This section covers basic questions you might have about Virginia car insurance. Use it to help you understand the more detailed questions.
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How to get car insurance in Virginia?
The best way to get car insurance in Virginia is to decide what kind of insurance coverage you need. Then, use an insurance price comparison tool to find the right insurance product for you. The applies if you are thinking about switching car insurance companies, just enter your zip code above to get started.
Which companies sell auto insurance in Virginia?
Lots of car insurance companies sell auto insurance in Virginia including some online auto insurance companies. Some of the most popular include:
- State Farm
- Geico
- Progressive
- Nationwide
- USAA
- Allstate
- Travelers
Some of these same companies also sell GAP insurance. Take a look at a list of GAP insurance companies.
What is considered full coverage Virginia auto insurance?
In order to be fully insured in Virginia you need to have at least 25/50/20 car insurance. That means $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury protection per accident, and $20,000 in property damage liability. To get full coverage insurance quotes just navigate to the top of this page.
How to show proof you can pay for car insurance in Virginia?
The easiest way to show proof you can pay for Virginia car insurance is by submitting a pay stub to the insurance company. This will verify your income and hourly rate.
What do you need to get Virginia car insurance?
You’ll need your driver’s license number, the driver’s license number of anyone who is going to be on the policy, social security numbers, and the VIN of the car you’re insuring.
Virginia Car Insurance Laws
Car insurance laws can be incredibly confusing, so there’s a lot of questions about them. We’ll answer questions about Virginia car insurance laws in this section.
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What are the minimum auto insurance requirements in Virginia?
Virginia requires a minimum of 25/50/20 for insurance. That means you need bodily injury protection at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. You also need $20,000 in property damage liability coverage. Learn more about auto liability insurance and get a quote.
What insurance is required by law for a financed car in Virginia?
State law doesn’t require anything over the basic minimums for a financed car in Virginia. However, most lenders and financiers will require that you get comprehensive coverage for any car you’re still paying off.
What happens if I don't add my child to my auto insurance in Virginia?
That depends on several factors. Your insurance may cover them while they’re still learning to drive. Once they have their own license they’ll either need to get their own policy or be added to yours to legally drive.
How long do you have to get insurance after buying a used car in Virginia?
State law mandates that you’re insured any time you’re driving. Your policy may provide provisional coverage for 7 to 30 days, but you need to check with your policy for specifics. If you need to you can always buy instant online car insurance to get immediate coverage.
What happen in Virginia if I lose my car insurance?
If you lose your car insurance in Virginia then you’ll be notified that you need to get car insurance or have your registration suspended. You can also pay a fee of $500 to avoid obtaining insurance.
Who is required to have commercial auto insurance in Virginia?
Anyone that’s operating their vehicle for business on a regular basis needs commercial auto insurance in Virginia. You should talk to your insurance company to see if your situation qualifies. Related: What type of car insurance should I get?
Does someone who has a driver’s license but doesn't drive have to have car insurance Virginia?
No, you don’t need car insurance just because you have a driver’s license. You can get non-owner car insurance if you want to be sure that you’re protected should you borrow someone’s car. Take a look at the typical non owner car insurance cost.
How long after DUI do you need car insurance to drive in Virginia?
You are required to maintain an FR-44 for either three or four years after a DUI in Virginia. If you get an FR-44 from your insurance company you need it for 3 years, if you get it from the state then you’ll need to have it for four years. Compare FR44 insurance quotes to get the best rate.
What happens if you get pulled over and don't have auto insurance in Virginia?
That depends. If you paid the no insurance fee of $500 then you’ll just have the ticket. If you haven’t paid the fee, then you’ll either need to pay the fee and a fine up to $500 or get car insurance.
What is the fee in Virginia if you don’t have car insurance?
You can avoid buying car insurance in Virginia if you pay a $500 fee for uninsured motorist. However, this doesn’t give you any liability protection.
When did car insurance become mandatory in Virginia?
Virginia passed its compulsory insurance laws in the 70’s. Their laws are a bit unique in that drivers can pay a fee to opt out of getting insurance.
What happens if you let car insurance lapse Virginia?
You will receive a notice from the Virginia DMV that you have 30 days to either provide proof of insurance or pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee. To get car insurance today complete our quote form above.
In Virginia, for a car paid in full, what type insurance must be on vehicle?
If you don’t want the insurance to cover repairs for your car, then you’ll need minimum liability insurance.
In the state of Virginia when do you have to put a child on your car insurance?
You don’t technically have to put your child on your car insurance at any point. You can choose to put them on your insurance when they get their license to save money on the cost of insurance.
Does Virginia require you to report to the DMV when you cancel auto insurance?
No, the insurance company will report for you. You’ll then get a notice that you have 30 days to provide proof of insurance or to pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee.
Virginia Car Insurance Prices
The cost of insurance is one of the most important things people look for. We’ll answer questions about Virginia car insurance costs in this section.
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How much is car insurance in Virginia?
That depends on lots of factors, especially where you live in the state. However, on average, car insurance in Virginia is $843 per year, which is lower than the national average of $1,009.
Who has the cheapest auto insurance in Virginia?
That depends on what kind of insurance you’re looking for. State Farm has the best rates for minimum coverage, low-mileage drivers, and those with one at-fault crash. Geico has the best rates for people with poor credit, and USAA is the best option for military families. Do a car insurance quote compare to determine which company offers the best for you. According to reviews an Erie auto insurance quote would be a good idea too.
Where to get auto insurance in Virginia when one spouse has suspended license?
Your best option is to exclude your husband from your insurance policy. That means he won’t be able to drive your car at all or be covered, but he shouldn’t be driving anyway when he has a suspended license.
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Where to find best car insurance for seniors in Virginia?
The best car insurance prices for seniors in Virginia come from Geico, with an average of $493, Progressive, with an average premium of $618, and State Farm, with an average premium of $1,048. See if you can locate no down payment car insurance companies to save even more money.
How much is car insurance a month in Virginia?
The average price per month for car insurance in Virginia is $62.57. However, the rate you get could be higher or lower than that depending on your car, where you live, and more. Read more: How much is car insurance per month?
When does car insurance go down Virginia?
Generally, the price of car insurance for people in Virginia starts to drop after the turn 25. However, there are a ton of factors that can affect your car insurance rates, so your results might be different.
How much can car insurance cost for a teacher in Virginia?
Your best option is to check with Geico and Esurance to see what kind of teacher-specific savings you can get, as these companies both do business in the state and have special programs for teachers. On average across the country teachers paid $1,391 for insurance compared to $1,427 for other professions. Sometimes you can get a car insurance estimate without personal information being needed.
Where can I get a classic car insurance quote in Virginia?
You have a few options. Tappahannock classic car insurance, Esurance, Harrisonburg collector car insurance and Bolt insurance all offer classic car insurance. If this is a temporary need for a car show for example then you can ask the agent about getting a one month car insurance policy.
What is the most affordable car insurance for young drivers in Virginia?
Travelers and USAA are the best options for cheap car insurance for young drivers in Virginia. On average, young drivers in Virginia pay between $4,513 and $2,266 per year for car insurance, depending on their specific age and whether or not they’re on their parent’s insurance.
How much does car insurance go up after an at fault accident with ticket in Virginia?
That depends on lots of other circumstances. You should expect it to go up at least a few hundred dollars per year. However, the nature of the accident and ticket play a large role in this calculation. Classes can sometime help you learn how to reduce auto insurance premium after a ticket.
What auto insurance discounts are available for Virginia drivers?
Auto insurance discounts come down to the specific companies involved, so there are lots of insurance discounts available in the state. Some of the most popular ones are good drive/claim free, good student, low-risk occupation, driver training, and low mileage. You can also get discounts for safety equipment, multiple vehicles, new car, hybrid fuel or alternative fuel cars, customer loyalty, and more. Getting cheaper student car insurance is one of the perks of going to college and getting good grades.
How long can my child stay on my car insurance in Virginia?
There’s no age limit to keep your child on your car insurance. However, in order to stay on your insurance, your child has to live with you full time or while going to school. Once they establish another residency, then they’ll need to be on their own policy.
How long before car insurance goes down after DUI in Virginia?
There’s no set formula for how long a DUI will affect your insurance rates. Most people see elevated rates for five to seven years. However, others see higher rates for much longer.
What is the best car insurance in Virginia?
State Farm is the best option for many categories of driver, including good drivers, low-mileage drivers, and minimum coverage. Military families get the best deal from USAA, and Geico is the best option for people with poor credit.
Who has the cheapest car insurance Virginia?
For most people, State Farm is the cheapest car insurance. Their rates are lower for good drivers, people looking for minimum insurance, and people with one at fault accident. Geico is the best option if you have poor credit, and USAA is superior when it comes to military families.
Virginia Car Insurance Coverage and Claims
It’s important to know how coverage and claims work for your car insurance. We’ll answer questions about this process for the state of Virginia here.
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In Virginia, if another car runs into my car what is the insurance process?
The first thing you need to do is call your insurance company, regardless of who’s at fault in the accident. Your insurance company will tell you what information to collect and what your next steps are to ensure that you get paid. This includes initiating action with the other driver’s insurance company if necessary.
How long do I have to file a car accident insurance injury claim in Virginia?
You have two years, starting from the date of the accident, to file an injury lawsuit in an auto accident case in Virginia. Your insurance company may have a different policy.
What happens if you have a car accident without insurance in Virginia?
You have a few options in this case. You first option is to file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company. Then you can initiate a lawsuit against the driver and any other responsible parties to pay for any uninsured damages.
In Virginia, whose insurance pays medical bills in a car accident?
The first company that pays the medical bills is the health insurance company. However, they’ll expect to be repaid by the car insurance company that’s ultimately responsible. The two companies may negotiate with each other or even go to court to prove who has to pay.
In Virginia, your insurance company is legally liable to pay up to how much of the other person's car?
Your car insurance company is legally liable to pay up to the value of their property damage liability coverage. The minimum for this coverage in Virginia is $20,000.
How long do you have to report a car accident to your insurance Virginia?
There’s no set period of time from the state of Virginia regarding how long you have to report an accident. However, your specific insurance policy will have limitations that allow it to disclaim your accident after a certain amount of time.
Do you transfer title first or cancel insurance when you sell a car in Virginia?
You should do the bill of sale and title transfer before your cancel your insurance. You can call them and tell them you’ve sold the car and the title will be transferred on a specific date to let them know when to stop covering and charging you.
How to get car insurance on rebuilt tiles in Virginia?
First, you’ll need to get a salvaged title. You can do that by filling out a completed salvage certificate application and bringing the original car title. You also need an itemized estimate of the repair costs. That includes a vehicle description, list of new and used parts that need to be repaired and what it will cost, the total cost of parts and labor, and the signature from an insurance company or appraisal company, and a $15 salvage title fee. Once you have the title, you can get salvage insurance from most companies that operate in the state.
Other Virginia Car Insurance Questions
There are plenty of different questions that involve car insurance. This section covers questions that don’t fit into our other categories.
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How to get a car totaled by insurance company in Virginia legally driveable again?
You can get a car totaled by an insurance company legally driveable again by applying for a Salvage title. You can find out how to do this be following this link to the VA DMV.
How to cancel auto insurance in Virginia?
You can cancel your auto insurance by calling your auto insurance company. You’ll need to explain why you’re canceling insurance. That’s because of state laws regarding insurance. If you cancel, still own the car, and haven’t already obtained other insurance, then you’ll get a notice from the state that you need to pay a fine of $500 or provide proof of insurance within 30 days.
How late can you pay auto insurance in Virginia?
There’s no state law that formalizes grace periods for car insurance payments. The decision is up to your specific provider.
Who governs auto insurance rates in Virginia?
Individual car insurance companies set their own rates in Virginia. The Bureau of Insurance regulates insurance companies if you have issues with your rates or suspect fraud.