Best car insurance in Virginia (2024)

The best car insurance companies in Virginia are State Farm, USAA, Main Street America, Travelers, and Auto-Owners — though your rates can depend on your driving record and other factors.

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By

Andrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

Updated|3 min read

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The cheapest car insurance company in Virginia is State Farm, with an average rate of $70 a month or $838 a year. USAA, Main Street America, Travelers, and Auto-Owners are some of the other cheap insurance options in Virginia.

Ready to shop car insurance?

While the cost of auto insurance in Virginia is cheaper than in many other states, you should still compare quotes before you buy coverage to find your best deal.

Average cost per month

State Farm

$70

USAA

$73

Main Street America

$80

Travelers

$86

Auto-Owners

$88

Cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia

State Farm

State Farm logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.8

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Coverage for rideshare drivers

Good student discount

Mobile app

Usage-based discount

Offers classic car insurance

Offers motorcycle insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

State Farm is one of the top car insurance companies in Virginia thanks to its cheap rates and high customer service ratings. State Farm can even be an affordable pick for drivers with spotty records.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Available in almost every state

  • Low rates for teens and drivers with accidents

  • High customer satisfaction ratings

Cons

  • Limited coverage options

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose State Farm:

State Farm is the best and cheapest car insurance company in Virginia whether you have a clean driving record or multiple violations.

State Farm also has high customer satisfaction ratings and receives fewer complaints than is average for the industry, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

How does the cost of car insurance from State Farm compare to the average in Virginia?

The average cost of State Farm car insurance in Virginia is $70 a month or $838 per year, which is 38% cheaper than the statewide average.

USAA

USAA logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange star

5.0

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

All 50 states

Bundle home & auto

Coverage for rideshare drivers

Good student discount

Usage-based discount

Offers classic car insurance

Mobile app

Offers motorcycle insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

USAA has some of the best car insurance rates and customer service ratings of any company in Virginia. Its add-ons include gap insurance and special savings for service members.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Low rates

  • Available nationwide

  • High customer service ratings

Cons

  • Only available to military members and their families

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose USAA:

If you’re an active or retired member of the military or a part of a military family, USAA is one of the cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia. USAA has some special features for its military clientele, including savings if you garage your car on base. It also offers gap coverage which may be required if you finance or lease your car.

USAA often earns top scores for claims satisfaction from J.D. Power, and it receives about an average number of complaints for the industry, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

How does the cost of car insurance from USAA compare to average in Virginia?

The average cost of car insurance from USAA in Virginia is $73 a month or $881 per year, which is 35% cheaper than the statewide average.

Main Street America

a logo of the main street america insurance company

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.3

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Good student discount

Accident forgiveness

Offers gap coverage

Why we chose itchevron icon

Part of the American Family group of companies, Main Street America offers cheaper-than-average rates in Virginia and lots of coverage options to choose from.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Lower-than-average rates

  • Offers affordable coverage to high-risk drivers

  • Receives fewer complaints than average for its service

Cons

  • Coverage isn’t available in every state

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Main Street America:

Main Street America is one of the cheapest companies for car insurance in Virginia. It also offers a few discounts so there’s potential for even lower rates.

Main Street America also offers a range of add-ons that some larger companies don’t, including gap insurance for cars with a loan or lease, new car replacement, OEM parts replacement, and personal belongings coverage.

How does the cost of car insurance from Main Street America compare to average in Virginia?

The average cost of car insurance from Main Street America in Virginia is $80 a month or $965 per year, which is 29% cheaper than the statewide average.

Travelers

logo for Travelers car insurance

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.7

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Accident forgiveness

Bundle home & auto

Usage-based discount

Offers gap coverage

Offers new car replacement

All 50 states

Coverage for rideshare drivers

Mobile app

New homebuyer discount

Why we chose itchevron icon

Travelers has cheaper-than-average car insurance rates in Virginia (along with a lengthy list of discounts), and a range of useful coverage add-ons.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Offers useful add-ons like new car replacement and gap coverage

  • Cheaper-than-average rates

  • Receives few complaints for service

Cons

  • Has lower satisfaction ratings than competitors

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Travelers:

Travelers is another one of the cheapest companies for car insurance in Virginia. Rates are lower than average, but your insurance may be even more affordable if you qualify for any of Travelers’s discounts.

Travelers’s coverage options are another strength. You can add gap insurance, accident forgiveness, new car replacement, and more to a basic policy.

How does the cost of car insurance from Travelers compare to average in Virginia?

The average cost of car insurance from Travelers in Virginia is $86 a month or $1,036 per year, which is 23% cheaper than the statewide average.

Auto-Owners

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.7

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Offers gap coverage

Mobile app

Good student discount

Offers classic car insurance

Offers motorcycle insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

Auto-Owners has affordable coverage and high customer service ratings in Virginia, plus a range of useful coverage add-ons and discount options.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Lower-than-average rates

  • Offers gap coverage

  • Owned by its policyholders

Cons

  • Not offered in every state

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Auto-Owners:

Auto-Owners rates in Virginia are cheaper than average if you have a clean or spotty record. Your rates may be even cheaper if you qualify for any of the available discounts.

Auto-Owners also has lots of add-ons to choose from, like gap insurance, accident forgiveness, coverage for your car’s lost value after an accident, and more.

How does the cost of car insurance from Auto-Owners compare to average in Virginia?

The average cost of car insurance from Auto-Owners in Virginia is $88 a month or $1,055 per year, which is 2% cheaper than the statewide average.

Best car insurance companies in Virginia

The best car insurance company in Virginia is USAA, which scored the highest on J.D. Power’s 2023 Auto Insurance Survey for the Southeast region. [1] This survey measures how policyholders in Virginia feel about their car insurance company, including customer service, billing, claims filing, and price.

If you’re not a member of a military family, the best-scoring car insurance company in Virginia is Erie.

Company

Score

1

USAA

877

2

Erie

863

3

The Hartford

840

4

NJM

834

5

CSAA

827

Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Virginia

Teenage drivers are inexperienced behind the wheel and more likely to get in an accident, which is why they pay more for car insurance coverage than any other age group. But rates for young drivers typically fall as they age, until they level out at age 25.

Age

Cheapest company

Average cost

16

Farm Bureau

$2,470

18

Farm Bureau

$2,291

21

USAA

$1,397

25

State Farm

$998

30

State Farm

$852

35

State Farm

$834

45

USAA

$827

55

USAA

$776

60

State Farm

$765

65

State Farm

$758

70

State Farm

$799

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Virginia

Since rates in Virginia are already lower than in surrounding states, drivers are in a good position to find affordable coverage. Even if you have a speeding ticket on your record or a less-than-stellar credit score, chances are you can still find a reasonable rate.

The best way to ensure you’re getting the best deal on a car insurance policy is to shop around and compare rates before buying. Policygenius can help you see options from top companies, so you can feel confident in your choice.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Virginia

Accidents and violations on your record will mean higher car insurance rates — and the more serious the violation, the more you’ll pay for coverage. The cheapest auto insurance company in Virginia if you’re a high-risk driver is State Farm.

A bar graph showing the cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia after a driving violation. State Farm has the best rates.

State Farm

USAA

Main Street America

Travelers

Auto-Owners Insurance

At-fault accident

$1,002

$1,322

$1,556

$1,550

$1,442

Suspended license

$927

$1,690

$2,450

$1,708

$1,751

Open container

$927

$1,567

$2,450

$1,120

$1,079

Expired registration

$927

$1,124

$1,533

$1,120

$1,079

Driving without lights

$927

$926

$1,533

$1,470

$1,079

Running a red light

$927

$1,124

$1,676

$1,485

$1,079

Following too closely

$927

$1,124

$1,676

$1,120

$1,079

Hit and run

$927

$1,766

$2,450

$1,708

$1,751

Not-at-fault accident

$852

$926

$1,240

$1,397

$1,079

Passing a school bus

$927

$1,349

$2,450

$1,708

$1,180

Reckless driving

$927

$1,228

$2,450

$1,708

$1,751

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Cheapest car insurance after an at-fault accident in Virginia

The cheapest car insurance company in Virginia after an at-fault accident is State Farm. On average, the cost of car insurance in Virginia from State Farm after an accident is $84 a month, or $1,002 a year.

Monthly premiums

State Farm

$1,002

USAA

$1,322

Auto-Owners

$1,442

Travelers

$1,550

Main Street America

$1,556

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Virginia

Drivers in Virginia can see a significant increase in their rates if they get a DUI or DWI. The average annual cost for car insurance in Virginia is $1,349, but drivers can expect to pay an average of $2,810 per year if they have a DUI.

But rates vary significantly from one company to the next. For example, State Farm has the lowest average rates for drivers with a DUI at $967 per year, while Main Street America's average rate for the same coverage is $2,450 per year.

Rates for drivers with DUIs

State Farm

$927

Travelers

$1,708

USAA

$1,730

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,751

Main Street America

$2,450

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Virginia

A speeding ticket can also cause your rates to go up in Virginia, where the average cost of insurance for a driver with a speeding ticket is $2,031 per year.

Our research shows the companies offering the lowest rates for drivers with a speeding ticket are State Farm, USAA, Farm Bureau, GEICO, and Main Street America.

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

State Farm

$927

USAA

$1,124

Travelers

$1,708

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,751

Main Street America

$2,450

→ Read more about SR-22 and FR-44 insurance in Virginia

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Virginia

A bad credit score can mean you’ll pay more for car insurance coverage. If you have a poor credit score but maintain a clean driving record, you should still be able to find affordable coverage by shopping around and comparing quotes before you buy.

Rates for drivers with bad credit

Nationwide

$1,517

GEICO

$1,628

USAA

$1,630

State Farm

$1,723

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,786

Cheapest car insurance in Virginia by city

The cost of car insurance in your city depends on crime rates, population density, the number of accidents nearby, and other local factors. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in the 10 most populated cities in Virginia.

Largest cities

Cheapest company

Average yearly rate for the cheapest company

Overall citywide average

Virginia Beach

State Farm

$909

$1,468

Chesapeake

State Farm

$904

$1,464

Arlington

State Farm

$863

$1,441

Norfolk

USAA

$964

$1,558

Richmond

USAA

$872

$1,467

Newport News

USAA

$882

$1,422

Alexandria

USAA

$927

$1,494

Hampton

State Farm

$923

$1,445

Suffolk

State Farm

$858

$1,347

Roanoke

State Farm

$823

$1,229

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Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in Virginia

Virginia, like most states, requires drivers to have a certain amount of car insurance coverage. However, unlike most other states, Virginia gives drivers the option to pay a $500 fee to the DMV in order to drive uninsured.

Making this payment doesn’t count as financial protection though — if you cause an accident, you’re still liable for the related damage and injuries. And the best way to cover your financial obligations after a car accident is to have car insurance. For Virginia drivers who carry car insurance, the minimum required amounts are:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $30,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $60,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: $20,000

  • Personal injury protection: Optional

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Coverage must match your liability limits, so $30,000 per person and $60,000 per incident

How to get cheap car insurance in Virginia

Finding cheap insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some easy tips for finding affordable rates:

  • Ask about discounts. Most companies offer discounted rates for safe drivers, good students, military families, seniors, and more.

  • Bundle policies. Get your auto insurance from the same company that insures your home, boat or motorcycle and you’ll save on all your coverage.

  • Shop around. Just because one company charges more to drivers with poor credit doesn’t mean they all will. Find the company that offers you the most affordable coverage.

Find car insurance in your city:

Frequently asked questions

How much is car insurance per month in Virginia?

Car insurance costs an average of $112 per month in Virginia. Getting a minimum-coverage policy will be cheaper, but you could leave yourself unprotected after an accident.

Could I save money by paying to drive uninsured?

Virginia allows drivers to drive uninsured after a $500 payment to the DMV. However choosing to drive uninsured is a major risk — if you’re at fault in an accident, you could be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in repair costs and medical bills.

If insurance in Virginia is inexpensive, why am I paying so much for my teen driver?

Teens across the country pay more for insurance and Virginians are no exception. New drivers are more likely to cause an accident than any other group and because of that, they pay more for coverage until they age out of the highest-risk age group.

Why does insurance cost more in Norfolk than Virginia Beach if Virginia Beach is more populated?

Insurance companies factor in both the size of a city and other details, like crime rate, accidents, claims and car repair costs. That’s why rates can vary from city to city, and even from neighborhood to neighborhood.

References

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Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.

  1. J.D. Power

    . "

    Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds

    ." Accessed September 23, 2023.

Author

Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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