The best car insurance in Richmond, VA

Meredith Napolitano

Updated January 7, 2022

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The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Richmond is $1,430, which is only slightly higher than the state average in Virginia of $1,314. To find the best rate on car insurance you need to compare rates between companies, and rates can vary a lot between drivers based on factors like driving history, age, and ZIP code.

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Policygenius can compare quotes to find you the cheapest coverage, and our experts will make sure that the policies you’re comparing fit your needs the most.

Key Takeaways

USAA has the lowest average rate for full coverage car insurance in Richmond, at $838.
GEICO also has the lowest rates for drivers with bad credit, at $1,487.
Instead of car insurance, you can pay the Virginia DMV a fee of $500 to drive uninsured, but you will be financially responsible for any at-fault accidents you are involved in, which could end up costing you thousands of dollars.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Richmond, VA

Although every insurance company looks at the same factors to assess risk, every company has a unique formula to set the rates for each driver, and the insurers may consider everything from age, location, driving history, and credit score. To get the best rate, you need to compare rates from different companies.

USAA

$838

890

Main Street America

$984

GEICO

$1,020

871

State Farm

$1,032

881

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,083

890

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Richmond, VA

An insurance company will look at data that shows frequency of car theft and accidents, available secured parking, and other relevant data to determine the potential risk of the ZIP code where your car will spend the most time. The safer the area, the lower your premiums will be.

23173

$1,399

23219

$1,464

23220

$1,447

23221

$1,402

23222

$1,500

23223

$1,481

23224

$1,486

23225

$1,426

Choosing the right car insurance company in Richmond, VA

The policy that works best for you should be affordable and offer the most coverage for your needs. Each insurance company will assess your premium rate based on numerous factors, and by comparing insurers, you can choose the one with the lowest rates.

Policygenius makes it easy to compare rates from top car insurance companies, so you can be sure you’re making the right choice for your needs.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Richmond, VA

Any accidents or moving violations will raise your rates, but each insurance company weighs violations in their own way. If you’ve committed a traffic violation or gotten a ticket, shopping for different quotes may help you find the most affordable coverage.

At-fault accident

$1,271

$1,158

$1,743

$1,245

$1,406

DUI

$1,660

$2,548

$2,229

$1,145

$1,406

Suspended license

$1,621

$2,548

$2,711

$1,145

$1,406

Open container

$1,501

$2,548

$2,229

$1,145

$1,097

Expired registration

$1,079

$1,606

$982

$1,145

$1,097

Driving without lights

$887

$1,606

$1,256

$1,145

$1,097

Not showing documents

$1,079

$1,606

$982

$1,145

$1,097

Running a red light

$1,079

$1,673

$1,256

$1,145

$1,097

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Richmond, VA

One of the factors used to calculate your rate is your credit score. A low credit score is considered a higher risk to insure, so the higher your score, the lower your premiums will be.

GEICO

$1,487

USAA

$1,551

Nationwide

$1,703

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,861

Virginia Farm Bureau

$2,047

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Buying car insurance in Richmond, VA

Drivers in Richmond must have the minimum amount of car insurance coverage per Virginia state law. Those minimums are:

Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
Property damage liability coverage: $20,000
Personal injury protection: Optional
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Coverage must match your liability limits, so $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident

While you do have the option to pay the Virginia DMV $500 to legally opt of out buying car insurance, this will not give you any financial protection in case of an accident, and you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars if you cause an accident.

Virginia is an at-fault state, meaning that the driver who caused the violation will be responsible financially for damages caused to all parties. Depending on your needs, the minimum coverage amounts may not be enough, so consider using higher levels of coverage when you compare rates.

How to get cheap car insurance in Richmond, VA

Multiple discounts are available when searching for car insurance in Richmond, including:

Bundling discount: drivers who have car, home, and other insurance coverage with the same company are often able to get bundling discounts.
Safe-driver discount: drivers with a clean MVR may be eligible for discounts.
Good-student discount: young drivers who maintain a high GPA can get discounts on their insurance.
Employer/professional discount: many companies and industries offer discounts for certain insurance companies.
Low-mileage discount: drivers with low mileage can often get discounts for driving less.
Military discount: both active duty and veterans are often eligible for discounts.

By comparing rates, you can still find the least expensive insurance for you, even if you don’t qualify for any discounts.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to have car insurance?

In Virginia, you can pay the DMV $500 to legally drive uninsured. This means, however, that you will personally be responsible for any damages from any at-fault accidents, both to your car and the other vehicles involved.

Which insurance company has the lowest average rates?

USAA has the lowest rates for coverage for drivers in Richmond.

Which violations will raise my rate the most?

A DUI will usually cause your rates to increase the most. After a DUI, assuming you are able to keep your license, you can expect high rates for at least a few years.

Will my rates go down when I turn 25?

At age 25, drivers with a clean record may receive lower rates, as they’ve entered a less-risky age group and more experience behind the wheel.

Methodology

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

Bodily injury liability: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Meredith Napolitano

Freelance contributor

As a content writer, Meredith has written most extensively about home renovation, vocational training, the automotive industry, real estate, family law, and data protection.