Cheapest car insurance in Virginia for 2024

Virginia drivers purchasing a car insurance policy may be pleasantly surprised by the state’s low average rates. Based on our analysis of the latest rate data from Quadrant Information Services, Bankrate found that Virginia drivers pay an average of 1,963 per year for a full coverage policy. This is 15 percent less than the national average cost for the same policy. Minimum coverage car insurance in Virginia is also cheap, with average rates of 677 per year.

Average rates may be low in Old Dominion, but that may not be the case for all drivers. To help you hone in on the cheapest car insurance in Virginia, Bankrate’s team of insurance experts identified some of the most affordable providers in the state for a mix of different driving profiles.

Key takeaways

• Cheapest company for minimum coverage: Travelers
• Cheapest company for full coverage: Nationwide
• Cheapest company for drivers with prior incidents: Travelers
• Cheapest company for young drivers: Travelers

Car insurance is not a legal requirement in Virginia; drivers have a choice of paying an uninsured motorist fee or purchasing a car insurance policy. Although Viriginia’s car insurance laws may be more flexible than other states, all car insurance policies must comply with the state’s minimum coverage requirements. A minimum car insurance policy consists of liability-only coverage, which pays for damages and medical costs for those in the other car if you are in an at-fault accident. The average cost of minimum coverage is 677 per year, but you may be able to find cheaper insurance by shopping around.

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 $500 paid directly to the DMV that allows you to drive without insurance for 12 months, but does not provide you with any insurance coverage. For all policies effective January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024, drivers must have at least these coverage amounts:

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

For all policies with starting dates of January 1, 2025, coverage limits are slightly higher:

• $50,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability

Both 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. Minimum coverage isn’t likely to 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.

Full coverage includes all the liability elements of minimum coverage, but adds in collision and comprehensive insurance. Drivers usually also opt for higher liability coverage limits on a full coverage policy. These types of coverage help pay for damage to your own car after an accident or other vehicle mishap. Although it generally costs more, full coverage may protect you more fully after an accident. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Virginia is 1,963 per year.

In general, the cheapest car insurance rates in Virginia will be earned by drivers with a clean driving record. When you have moving violations on your record, your insurer perceives you as more likely to be involved in an accident in the future. They cover this increased risk by charging you more for your policy. Whatever your driving record, though, you may be able to find more affordable coverage by considering one of the companies we review below.

• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a ticket: Travelers
• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Travelers
• Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers: Travelers

Cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Virginia with a speeding ticket: Travelers

Even a single speeding ticket conviction can impact your ability to find cheap auto insurance in Virginia. Safe drivers almost always earn the lowest rates. A speeding ticket indicates that you may take risks when you drive, making you more likely to be involved in an accident. In fact, a speeding ticket in Virginia increases the average cost of car insurance by several hundred dollars on average according to Bankrate's research. However, since each company determines rates differently, you may find cheap car insurance in Virginia after a speeding ticket at the following insurers.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers in Virginia with an at-fault accident: Travelers

Accidents are never a good thing, but when you are found to be at fault in one, either fully or partially, you may find your insurance premium increasing. If your policy includes accident forgiveness, a single accident may not lead to an increase.

Cheapest car insurance in Virginia for high-risk drivers: Travelers

High-risk drivers are more likely to partake in risky driving behaviors and file claims. If your insurer puts you in this category, you are likely to pay more for your insurance to help mitigate this risk. There are a number of infractions that can lead to you being considered high-risk, but perhaps the most serious is a conviction for DUI. A single instance of driving under the influence on your record can lead to significant increases in your premium rate and may even make you ineligible for coverage. Multiple DUIs can lead to even more serious consequences, including suspension of your license.

In most states, age is one of the factors that insurers take into account when determining premium rates. Generally, teens pay more for their policies than any other age group, mainly because they lack experience behind the wheel and are statistically more likely than any other group to be involved in accidents. Having said that, it is possible to find cheap car insurance for young adults by shopping around — but be aware that the most affordable rates will be for teens who have a clean driving record.

• Cheapest car insurance for insuring a teen driver: Travelers
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with a ticket: Travelers
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Travelers
• Cheapest car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: Travelers

Cheapest Virginia car insurance for insuring a teen driver: Travelers

Teen drivers have less driving experience than older, more experienced drivers, making them higher risk for accidents. Because they are more likely than any other age group to be involved in accidents, they generally pay higher premiums for their car insurance, whether they are on their parents' policy or their own. Teens may be able to save money by taking advantage of teen and student discounts. Here are the insurers who are writing some of the cheapest insurance in VA for teens.

Cheapest Virginia car insurance for teens with a ticket: Travelers

Earning a single ticket may be enough to increase a teen's policy costs. If you or your teen are in this situation, you may want to consider one of our other choices below for cheap insurance.

Cheapest Virginia car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Travelers

A single accident may be enough for insurers to consider your teen an at-risk driver. Taking a defensive driving course may help lower rates if this is the case.

Cheapest Virginia car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: Travelers

Possibly the most serious infraction a young driver can have on their license is a DUI. Most insurers take this very seriously, and some may not be willing to write a policy for a young driver who has one on their license.

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:

• Young driver discounts: Your teen driver may qualify for any number of young driver discounts, such as for maintaining a good academic standing in high school or college. They may also earn a discount if they are away at school and live more than 100 miles away while on their parents’ policy.
• Protective device discounts: Since most newer cars feature elements such as anti-lock brakes and air bags, protective device discounts may be easy to qualify for. You may also save if you have a security or alarm system installed in your vehicle.
• Safe driver discounts: Taking a defensive driving course is likely to earn you a discount off your premium. Additionally, there may be savings if you go a certain number of years without filing a claim — usually three to five. Your insurer may also offer a telematics program, which monitors your driving skills in real time and offers savings for safe driving habits.
• Bundling discount: If you have more than one policy with a single company, you're likely to see savings. Bundles with auto and homeowners or renters insurance tend to yield the most savings, but there may also be savings if you have multiple cars insured on your policy.

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze the latest rates in May 2024 for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates include the most recent approved rate increases filed by insurance companies and are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region so that policyholders can see the impact rates have in their areas. 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 2022 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.

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.

Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16-year-old teen to a 40-year-old married parent’s policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy. 

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18 and 21 applied. Drivers are renters on their own policy. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.