Cheapest car insurance in Virginia for 2023

The cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia

When looking for cheap insurance in Virginia, consider your situation and the type of coverage you're looking for. If you only want minimum coverage, for example, it may pay to get a quote from Travelers. If you've got a teen driver at home, Alfa's car insurance options may be attractive. It's usually a good idea to gather quotes from several insurers to see which one offers you the best rate.

Cheapest company for minimum coverage

Cheapest company for full coverage

Cheapest company for adding a teen driver

Cheapest company for getting a speeding ticket

Cheapest company for being in an at-fault accident

Cheapest company after a high-risk incident

The cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia by coverage level

Like most states, Virginia mandates a certain level of minimum coverage in order to drive legally. This coverage is generally the most inexpensive insurance you can purchase. However, for more thorough coverage including damage to your vehicle, full coverage may make sense. Full coverage insurance includes collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, and will pay for damages to your car in a covered accident or incident. If you have a car loan or lease, your lender may require you to purchase full coverage.

Cheapest cities in Virginia for car insurance

One factor that plays an important role in determining how much you will pay for your car insurance in Virginia is your ZIP code. If you live in a high crime area or a neighborhood that sees more than the average number of car accidents, you may pay more for your policy. Urban areas tend to have higher rates than rural areas, due to increased traffic congestion, which can lead to more accidents. Here are sample rates in some of Virginia's regions:

Getting a speeding ticket

Getting into an at-fault accident

Being deemed a high-risk driver

Minimum coverage requirements for Virginia drivers

Drivers in Virginia are required to carry minimum liability coverage unless the driver is willing to pay the uninsured vehicle fee. The uninsured vehicle fee is a $500 fee paid directly to the DMV that allows you to drive without insurance for 12 months, but does not provide you with any insurance coverage. According to Virginia state law, minimum coverage includes:

• $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $20,000 property damage liability per accident

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages must be offered, but can be declined in writing. Purchasing only the minimum required coverage could put drivers in Virginia in a vulnerable situation. There is no guarantee minimum coverage would cover the entire cost of an at-fault accident — nor will it provide any payment towards the repair or replacement of your own vehicle — which can make it even more difficult to financially recover from an accident. In addition, you may be required to carry full coverage if you have an auto loan, since your lender will want to protect their investment in your vehicle.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Virginia

If you're wondering how to save on car insurance in Virginia, here are a few suggestions that can help you find lower rates. It's possible to find cheap auto insurance in Virginia with just a little research and time, if you have a good strategy for your search.

Shop around

Comparing numerous insurance providers is key. The best way to know if you are getting the cheapest rates is to compare a number of insurance providers. Rates vary from one carrier to another, which means you can benefit from shopping around. Keep in mind the coverage limits that are best for you, and be sure to compare coverage options in addition to rates.

Be a careful driver

Maintain good driving records and safe driving habits. Having a clean driving record not only keeps you safer on the road, but also helps you qualify for additional savings. If you are a safe and careful driver, consider opting in to your insurer's telematics program, if it has one, which could lead to considerable savings on your premium costs.

Review your policy annually

As your vehicle ages, you should make it a habit to review your policy each year and adjust coverages as necessary. With an older vehicle, for example, it might make sense to cancel your collision and comprehensive coverage, since the car's decreasing value may make it difficult to justify repairs in the event of an accident.

Car insurance discounts in Virginia

Discounts can be your best allies when looking for ways to save on car insurance in Virginia. Most insurers offer a handful of discount options, and many of them are easy to qualify for. Here are some common ones for Virginia drivers:

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. 

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. 

Bankrate Scores 

Our 2023 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories. 

Like our previous Bankrate Scores, each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. This year, our 2023 scoring model provides a more comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and better highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, 2023 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.