The best car insurance in Virginia
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Drivers in Virginia pay an average of $1,314 per year for a full coverage policy, making it one of the cheaper states for car insurance. But that doesn’t mean that Virginia drivers can’t still save even more — the best way to find affordable rates is to compare quotes before you buy.
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Policygenius makes it easy to see quotes from top companies and compare rates, so you can choose a policy that offers you the coverage you need at a price you feel good about.
Key Takeaways
USAA offers the lowest average rate in Virginia at $776 per year
GEICO has the lowest rates for Virginia drivers with bad credit
Virginia allows drivers to pay a fee of $500 to drive uninsured, but drivers are still financially responsible for any injuries or damage they cause
Cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia
Car insurance costs vary based on details like your age, address and driving history, but rates can also vary widely from company to company.
Company
Average cost
JD Power Rating
USAA
$776
890
State Farm
$889
881
GEICO
$913
871
Main Street America
$933
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Erie
$994
880
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
Virginia Farm Bureau
$2,532
18
GEICO
$2,032
21
USAA
$1,172
25
USAA
$978
30
USAA
$815
35
USAA
$785
45
USAA
$729
55
USAA
$684
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.
Violation
USAA
State Farm
GEICO
Main Street America
Erie
At-fault Accident
$1,178
$1,062
$1,533
$1,095
$1,463
DUI
$1,541
$983
$1,925
$2,393
$1,742
Driving with a suspended license
$1,504
$983
$2,338
$2,393
$1,742
Driving with an open container
$1,393
$983
$1,925
$2,393
$1,184
Driving with expired registration
$1,000
$983
$888
$1,505
$1,184
Driving without Lights
$824
$983
$1,132
$1,505
$1,184
Failure to show documents
$1,000
$983
$888
$1,505
$1,184
Failure to stop at a red light
$1,000
$983
$1,132
$1,568
$1,184
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.
Company
Rates for drivers with bad credit
GEICO
$1,338
USAA
$1,435
Nationwide
$1,497
Auto-Owners Insurance
$1,737
State Farm
$1,823
Car insurance costs in Virginia cities
Where you live also has an effect on what you’ll pay for car insurance coverage. Drivers in cities with crowded streets or higher rates of car theft and vandalism will pay more for a policy than drivers in smaller cities with lower crime rates. Here’s what drivers pay, on average, in the 10 biggest cities in Virginia.
Virginia Beach: $1,440
Chesapeake: $1,431
Norfolk: $1,530
Richmond: $1,430
Newport News: $1,396
Alexandria: $1,452
Hampton: $1,414
Roanoke: $1,191
Portsmouth: $1,492
Suffolk: $1,312
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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: $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
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jessica Olivo
Freelance contributor