If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in Virginia, you already know that finding the best deal can be daunting. Insurance costs vary depending on your age, gender, where you live, your driving record and other factors. Prices can differ dramatically from one insurer to the next for seemingly no reason at all, which is why shopping around and comparing quotes is worth your time.
To help drivers find cheap car insurance in Virginia, NerdWallet researched the two cheapest car insurance options in the state for the following categories:
Cheapest for high-mileage drivers
Drivers with imperfect records
Cheapest for safe drivers
For drivers with no at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations
- $60/month
- $82/month
Virginia drivers with a family member in the military should always look to USAA first for auto insurance. No matter what their driving record, the company will provide great service at a manageable cost — often the lowest in the market. Those who don’t qualify for USAA can pay about $20 more per month for Geico. The company offers similar coverage options, and its discounts may make its premiums more competitive.
Cheapest for young drivers
For drivers younger than 25
- $98/month
- $171/month
New drivers in Virginia will save substantially with USAA — around $70 per month. They can also depend on the company’s superior customer service and claims processing if they’re in a pinch. Geico is the next cheapest option for those with less driving experience, and also provides roadside assistance and rental reimbursement services. However, because of the cost, drivers should definitely look into discounts.
Cheapest for high-mileage drivers
For drivers who drive more than 40 miles a day
- $66/month
- $79/month
Virginia drivers with long commutes will pay similar prices at Geico and USAA, and will be eligible for similar discounts. And though those eligible for USAA will pay a bit less, Geico customers may add the company’s unique coverage against mechanical issues, a big bonus for drivers who are very dependent on their vehicles.
Cheapest for drivers with imperfect records
For drivers who have had at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations
- $84/month
- $108/month
Having a few marks on your record will definitely affect your premiums, but not very much, if you’re insured with USAA. The company also offers accident forgiveness policies free to those who’ve maintained good driving records, so if you’ve been a long-time customer, your premium may not be affected by a claim. Drivers who don’t qualify for USAA can pay $24 more per month for coverage with State Farm. The insurer also has great ratings and discounts that could help even accident-prone drivers save.
Minimum car insurance requirements in Virginia
Virginia requires the following minimum coverage:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $20,000 property damage liability
Keep in mind, experts recommend getting more than the minimum coverage, because an at-fault crash could easily result in injury or repair bills higher than the amounts listed above. You may also want to consider common add-ons such as collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist protection.
In Virginia it is possible to drive without minimum insurance requirements. But you must pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee, which does not provide any insurance and only allows you to drive at your own risk. It expires with your registration and must be paid at renewal. You can find state-by-state minimum requirements here.
Alternative car insurance in Virginia
Drivers who are unable to buy Virginia car insurance through the open market may qualify for coverage through the state’s Assigned Risk or High Risk Auto Insurance Plans, which assign high-risk drivers to insurers. Because those drivers tend to be in more accidents and make more claims, they will pay significantly higher rates than for coverage in the open market. For more information about assigned risk auto insurance in Virginia, visit the VA Assigned Risk Auto Consumer Resource Center online.
For more help hunting down the cheapest car insurance in Virginia, NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool lets you review estimates side by side and even find out how discounts and violations affect your premium.
Methodology
NerdWallet ran rates from the largest insurers in Virginia across several ZIP codes. We tested for drivers with no accidents or violations, drivers younger than 25, drivers who travel more than 40 miles per day, and drivers with violations or accidents on their record. We used a Toyota Camry as our sample vehicle, the most popular car in Virginia. These are just sample rates — your own rates will vary.
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