Candace Baker, Car Insurance Writer
@candacebaker
Car insurance in Virginia costs $50 per month or $603 per year for minimum coverage, on average. The cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia are Patriot, Union Mutual, and USAA, and getting quotes from several companies can help you find the best deal.
The average cost of car insurance in Virginia is 53% lower than the national average auto insurance premium. There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in Virginia, including your driving record, age and location, the amount of coverage you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Virginia by Category
- After an at-fault accident: $195 per month
- Driver with poor credit: $86 per month
- Teen driver: $229 per month
- After a DUI: $109 per month
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Virginia by Company
Company | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage |
$620 per year | $2,263 per year | |
$544 per year | $1,070 per year | |
$583 per year | $1,415 per year | |
$417 per year | $1,123 per year | |
$376 per year | $1,098 per year | |
$508 per year | $1,133 per year | |
$922 per year | $1,820 per year | |
$409 per year | $1,085 per year | |
$424 per year | $1,246 per year | |
$346 per year | $1,008 per year |
Note: Rates are an approximation based on a 45-year-old man in Virginia with a clean driving record. Actual rates will vary.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Virginia by Age
Age | Average Premium |
$2,748 per year | |
$2,332 per year | |
$2,061 per year | |
$1,694 per year | |
$1,520 per year | |
$1,151 per year | |
$1,050 per year | |
$982 per year | |
$923 per year | |
$757 per year | |
$640 per year | |
$603 per year | |
$567 per year | |
$610 per year |
Note: Rates are an approximation based on a driver in Virginia with minimum coverage and a clean driving record. Actual rates will vary.
How to Lower the Cost of Car Insurance in Virginia
- Shop around and compare quotes. We recommend comparing quotes from at least three different insurance companies to make sure you are getting the best rate.
- Choose a higher deductible. Your deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premiums but means you will have to pay more out-of-pocket when you file a claim.
- Consider lowering your coverage. Consider purchasing only the minimum amount of coverage required by your state, rather than purchasing higher limits or a full coverage policy.
- Look for discounts you may be eligible for. For instance, most insurance companies offer a good-driver discount for customers with a clean driving record, a good-student discount, or a discount for paying your premiums in full up front.
To learn more, check out our guide to how much car insurance you need in Virginia as well as our picks for the cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia.
People also ask
How much car insurance do I need in Virginia?
Drivers in Virginia need $30,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person (up to $60,000 per accident) and $20,000 of property damage liability insurance. Virginia also requires uninsured motorist protection. UM replaces the liability coverage an at-fault driver should’ve had and pays for your costs up to your policy limits.
Here’s How Much Car Insurance Drivers Need in Virginia:
| Coverage Type | Minimum Coverage Limit |
| Bodily Injury Liability... | $30,000 |
Why is Virginia car insurance so expensive?
Car insurance in Virginia is actually not very expensive compared to the national average, thanks to a saturated, competitive insurance market and low prices for auto repair. In Virginia, you can expect to pay around $3,445 per year for full coverage car insurance, compared to the national average of $4,211 per year. Car insurance in Virginia is less expensive than the national average, which is around $4,211 per year for full coverage and about $1,407 per year for minimum coverage.
The cost of car...
read full answerWhat is the penalty for driving without insurance in Virginia?
The penalties for driving without insurance in Virginia can include fines up to $500, fines, suspension of license and registration, high-risk insurance requirements, and increased monitoring for three years. Penalties for repeat offenses may be even harsher. You can avoid these consequences by meeting Virginia's minimum car insurance requirements.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Virginia
| Type of Offense | License and/or Registration Suspended? | Car Impounded? | Jail Time? | SR-22 Required? | Maximum Fines & Fees |
| No Proof of Insurance (Can Prove Coverage Later) | No | No | No | No | Dismissed with proof |
| 1ST Offense With No Coverage | Yes, both | No | No | Yes | $500 |
| Repeat Offense (No Coverage) | Yes, both | No | No | Yes | $500 |
Not having car insurance and not being able to prove that you have it are two different violations. If you have insurance but cannot prove it when you get pulled over or at the scene of an accident, you are guilty of an "administrative violation", similar to a seat-belt ticket. In Virginia, your citation might be dismissed if you can provide the court with proof of valid insurance for the date of the citation within 30 days.
Driving without car insurance at all is much more serious, and the penalties are more severe. In addition to the legal consequences, you can also expect your car insurance premium to go up.
You can avoid these consequences by meeting Virginia's minimum car insurance requirements.
Required Car Insurance in Virginia
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $60,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $20,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
- $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $20,000 property damage in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
The key to maintaining the minimum amount of coverage required by Virginia is to find a policy you can afford. If your coverage has already lapsed, start by comparing quotes from the insurance companies WalletHub's analysis identified as having the best post-lapse rates.
Best Car Insurance in Virginia After a Lapse in Coverage
Drivers in Virginia pay an average of $1,260 per year to maintain the minimum amount of coverage. That's nothing compared to the consequences of driving without insurance, especially if you get into an accident.
What Happens If You Get Into a Car Accident Without Insurance in Virginia?
1. If you get into an accident: all penalties will apply.
If you get into an accident while driving without insurance in Virginia, you will incur the penalties for driving without insurance no matter who is at fault. Driving uninsured can make it difficult to be compensated for damages if you are not at fault and can have long-lasting and life-changing consequences if you are at fault.
2. If the accident is your fault: you'll have to pay for all the damages out of your own pocket.
In addition to the legal consequences of driving without insurance, you could easily be responsible for tens of thousands of dollars or more in damages to your vehicle, the other driver's car repairs and hospital bills, and your own medical care. You could face mounting debt or even bankruptcy, especially if the other driver doesn't carry uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection.
3. Even if you were not at fault or only partially at fault, there will be other consequences.
Driving uninsured doesn't negate the other driver's fault entirely, but you're almost certainly going to be penalized and unable to recover everything you would be entitled to if you had insurance. In at-fault states such as Virginia, the driver who caused the accident is usually responsible for damage to your car and any medical treatment you may need. However, Virginia uses a contributory negligence system, which means you may not be able to recover all the costs associated with the accident if you are found even partially responsible for causing it. This would leave you to cover these costs out of pocket if you were uninsured at the time.
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