Virginia Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Virginia

Nowadays, having car insurance is imposed by current laws, helping vehicle owners stay safe and protected in case of accidents. Whether they are using the respective car for personal or professional purposes, the purchase of a valid insurance policy is not optional. Without such a policy, drivers are liable for fines of up to $1,000 or they might even have their driver's license and vehicle registration suspended, for up to six months. If you are interested in discovering more information on the topic of auto insurance in Virginia, all you have to do is keep on reading.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in Virginia?

According to the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act, all Virginia residents who intend to operate a moving vehicle should purchase a liability insurance policy. If the mandatory insurance is not purchased, the respective vehicle registration will be suspended for several months or more. The local authorities also have access to an online insurance verification system, which they can use to determine whether a vehicle has insurance or not.

For a resident to operate a vehicle in the state of Virginia, the respective auto insurance must comply with specific guidelines. These include: bodily injury liability ($60,000 per accident and $30,000 per person), property damage liability ($20,000 per accident), uninsured motorist bodily injury ($60,000 per accident and $30,000 per person), and uninsured motorist property damage ($20,000 per accident). The full coverage insurance is more recommended than the minimum liability coverage, as vehicle owners can include options such as comprehensive and collision insurance. It is always a good idea to choose a higher liability coverage limit than the one required by law in Virginia. Thus, you will benefit from the best possible protected, should the worst-case scenario occur.

The sums mentioned above refer to the amount an insurance provider will be able to pay, should you be involved in an accident for which you are at fault. According to the law, vehicle owners should carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. Naturally, driving without insurance is illegal in Virginia, with consequences including legal fines and the suspension of one's driving documents, as previously stated. Jail time might be legally enforced in case of repeated infractions.

Average cost of auto insurance in Virginia

The state minimum auto insurance policy in Virginia has a value of $408. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,067 per year. Collision and comprehensive coverages might not be included in the general policy, which means you will have to pay extra for them. Among the factors that influence the overall insurance rates, there are: marital status, gender, age, driving record, location, number of miles driven, the presence of prior insurance, vehicle, etc. The best policies are the ones that offer a wide coverage, in contrast to those that are suspiciously affordable.

Everyone knows that the average cost of car insurance varies from one state to the other. Such differences are encountered for both the minimum and full coverage, including when it comes to options such as comprehensive and collision insurance. Some of the factors influencing these values include the following: road conditions, how many uninsured drivers there are in the city, number of drivers in accordance with the general population, at-fault accidents, accidents caused by weather elements or conditions, etc.

Virginia has a significantly lower rate for the average car insurance than the national median, which is around $1,770. The states with the most expensive policies of this kind include: California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. As for the ones with the most affordable policies, these are: Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. New York is the most expensive, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum one. Maine has the most affordable policies, with $876 for the full coverage, respectively $227 for the minimum version.

Within the state of Virginia, one might also notice certain differences between the various cities. Arlington has some of the most attractive rates to offer, while Norfolk stands at the top of the list. The average annual premiums are as follows: Arlington - $1,572; Chesapeake - $1,572; Virginia Beach - $1,591; Richmond - $1,631; Norfolk - $1,738.

The value of auto insurance depends, among other factors, on the driver's age. Young drivers typically pay more for this type of insurance, as providers perceive them as immature and irresponsible. A teenage driver is prepared for an annual premium of over $7,700, as opposed to a middle-aged driver, who is accustomed to the same premium being close to $2,000. Gender differences are also present, with men benefitting from more affordable rates than women. Married couples have access to the most attractive rates, as opposed to those who are single, divorced, or widowed.

In calculating the value of a potential coverage policy, car insurance companies will analyze the driver's credit history as well. Drivers with exceptional credit can save important sums on their car insurance premiums, while those with a poor credit history will struggle to meet the high rates. Prior driving offenses, such as at-fault accidents, speeding, DUI/DWI, reckless driving, will increase the value of auto insurance without doubt. The type of coverage can cause the insurance rates to fluctuate. Drivers are encouraged to add both comprehensive and collision insurance to the state minimum policy, in order to increase the level of protection they benefit from.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in Virginia. Find car insurance in Virginia by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance in Virginia

If you are looking for the right insurance policy, perhaps our expert assistance will come in handy. Thanks to the experience and knowledge accumulated in the field of auto insurance, we are happy to match vehicle owners with the best policies for their needs. All the suggestions we offer are in accordance with your available budget. Just give us a call and we will be more than pleased to provide you with the desired support. We would like to remind you that the service is completely free-of-charge and it can make a genuine difference whereas your insurance needs are concerned.