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Best Car Insurance In Virginia

The cheapest car insurance in Virginia is offered by USAA, Erie Insurance, and Progressive. Other providers with quality car coverage are State Farm and Nationwide.

Find out if you’re paying too much for auto insurance here.

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12/23/2023 04:47 PM

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It’s not always easy to find cheap car insurance in Virginia, but we’ve looked at the top providers and discovered your best options. Affordable and high-quality choices abound in the Old Dominion, but you must know where to look.

After researching the best car insurance providers across the United States, we’ve narrowed our findings for Virginia drivers. The easiest way to find your best auto insurance rates across the state comes by comparing quotes from multiple providers before making a final choice.

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Cheapest Car Insurance In Virginia

The cheapest car insurance in Virginia typically comes from USAAErie Insurance, and Progressive. All three of these providers typically offer full coverage car insurance premiums that sit far below the state’s average of $1,109 per year.

Car Insurance Providers in VirginiaEstimated Annual Cost
USAA$782
Erie Insurance$885
Progressive$913
Nationwide$928
State Farm$1,014

How Much Is Auto Insurance In Virginia?

The average expenditure for car insurance in Virginia is $1,109 per year for full coverage. That’s far below the national average, which sits at an annual premium of $1,732. Remember that your rates may be higher if you live in a more populous region such as Northern Virginia, Richmond, or Hampton Roads.

Certain other factors may play a significant role in determining your car insurance rates. We’ll run through a few of the most critical ones below:

  • Age and gender: Men, especially those who are young drivers, typically pay more for car insurance coverage than other motorists.
  • Marital status: Single drivers are commonly viewed as riskier than married motorists, so they often pay higher rates.
  • Driving record: Those who recently received a speeding ticket, have been in an at-fault accident, or have gotten a DUI violation will likely pay steeper prices for coverage.
  • Credit score: Drivers with poor credit usually face much higher car insurance premiums.
  • Amount of coverage: Those who choose an auto insurance policy with comprehensive coverage, collision insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, and medical payments insurance will likely pay more than those with slimmer policies.

Cheapest Virginia Car Insurance: Young Drivers

It’s rarely cheap for young and teen drivers to find affordable car coverage in the Old Dominion, as seen by an average rate of $1,624 per year. However, some insurers offer more affordable rates to this age group.

Car Insurance Providers in VirginiaEstimated Annual Cost
Geico$1,117
USAA$1,144
Erie Insurance$1,197
State Farm$1,397
Nationwide$1,402

Cheapest Virginia Car Insurance: Speeding Tickets

Drivers with a speeding ticket in their recent driving history pay an average of $1,529 per year for full coverage auto insurance. It’s possible to find much cheaper rates from the providers listed below, though.

Car Insurance Providers in VirginiaEstimated Annual Cost
USAA$948
Erie Insurance$1,012
State Farm$1,112
Nationwide$1,237
Progressive$1,238

Cheapest Virginia Car Insurance: Recent Accidents

A recent at-fault accident on your record will lead to a significant boost in your premiums. Because car insurance companies will be more likely to view you as a risky driver, rates increase to an average of $1,977 per year.

Car Insurance Providers in VirginiaEstimated Annual Cost
USAA$1,144
State Farm$1,209
Erie Insurance$1,271
Progressive$1,468
Virginia Farm Bureau$1,469

Cheapest Virginia Car Insurance: Bad Credit

The average rate for car insurance in Virginia is $1,833 per year if you’ve got poor credit. Few factors will negatively impact your car coverage costs as much as a low overall credit score.

Car Insurance Providers in VirginiaEstimated Annual Cost
Nationwide$1,284
USAA$1,359
Progressive$1,497
Geico$1,538
Virginia Farm Bureau$1,733

Top 5 Car Insurance Companies In Virginia

If you have a driver’s license and valid license plates on your vehicle, it’s a good idea to review your auto insurance provider’s cost for coverage. Below are our rankings of the top five car insurance companies in Virginia.

Best Car Insurance in VirginiaOverall RatingCost RatingCoverage Rating
1. USAA4.854.8
2. Erie Insurance4.54.84.3
3. State Farm4.64.54.5
4. Nationwide4.34.34.3
5. Progressive4.54.74.5

*Our research team scores car insurance companies by taking into account nationwide factors. The order of insurers in this table is specific to Virginia auto insurance.

#1 USAA: Best For Military Members

Our review team recognized USAA as the insurance provider that’s Best for Military Members. USAA was awarded an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). USAA is also a great provider to consider if you’ve been in a recent accident or received a speeding ticket in the state of Virginia.

#2 Erie Insurance: Quality Insurance Choice

Erie Insurance is only available in 12 states, but it’s an exceptional option for Virginia drivers. We recognized the company as an exceptional choice for teen drivers and gave it 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. Erie Insurance received an A+ financial strength score from AM Best and an A+ from the BBB.

#3 State Farm: Best For Student Drivers

State Farm has provided insurance for a century and receives 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from our team. It was given a stellar A++ financial strength rating from AM Best and an A rating from the BBB. State Farm’s wide range of local agents makes it an easy provider to connect with as well.

#4 Nationwide: Top Choice For Poor Credit

Nationwide has quality coverage across the country and stands as a strong option for older drivers and those with bad credit. The company received an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best and typically has competitive rates for Virginia drivers.

#5 Progressive: Best Usage-Based Insurance

We recognized Progressive as the provider with the Best Usage-Based Insurance and offered it 4.5 out of 5.0 stars overall. The company holds an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best and is known for its willingness to insure high-risk drivers.

Virginia Insurance Requirements

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has set the following state minimum coverage requirements for drivers across the Old Dominion:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage: $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability insurance: $20,000 per accident
  • Underinsured/uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
  • Underinsured/uninsured motorist property damage coverage: $20,000 per accident

While you aren’t required to hold car insurance in Virginia, drivers who pass up auto insurance coverage must pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee. It’s smart to follow the state’s minimum requirements if possible since accidents often lead to steep and unexpected costs.

Drivers who’d like to move beyond the minimum standards for car insurance in Virginia can opt for medical payments (MedPay) coverage, comprehensive insurance, and collision coverage. These additional coverage choices cover your personal medical expenses after an at-fault accident and protect your own car after a crash or instances of theft and vandalism.

Is Virginia A No-Fault State?

Virginia is an at-fault state, as is true of most places across the U.S. This means that whoever causes an accident is required to pay for the damages incurred by all drivers involved.

In no-fault states, each driver contacts their own car insurance company after an accident. While states that follow the no-fault system often have fewer cases going through court, policyholders typically pay lower auto insurance rates in at-fault states such as Virginia.

Virginia Car Insurance: Conclusion

The cheapest car insurance in Virginia is usually offered by USAAErie Insurance, and Progressive. Along with State Farm and Nationwide, these providers offer quality coverage at relatively reasonable rates.

You’ll want to compare car insurance quotes, though, to make sure you find the best rates possible in the Old Dominion. Otherwise, you may miss out on cheap car insurance quotes that would best suit your coverage and budget needs.

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Car Insurance Virginia: FAQ

What does car insurance cost per month in Virginia?

Car insurance typically costs around $92 per month in Virginia. This means that drivers across the state usually pay an annual rate of around $1,109 for full coverage.

Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Virginia?

Virginia requires that drivers either meet the state’s minimum coverage car insurance requirements or pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee. It’s wise for all drivers to select the state’s minimum coverage requirements so they won’t end up with steep bills after a car accident.

Is car insurance high in Virginia?

No, car insurance is not high in Virginia. The state’s average annual rate is $1,109 versus the national average of $1,732 per year.

What is the average car insurance per month?

The average car insurance rate across the U.S. is $144 per month. In Virginia, premiums sit much lower at an average of $92 per month.

How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
  • Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
  • Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer easy-to-use claims apps.

*Data accurate at time of publication.