Best Car Insurance in Virginia for 2026

Travelers earns Virginia's best car insurance score at 4.8/5. Auto-Owners wins for young drivers. See top picks by driver profile and city.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: April 23, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Travelers earns Virginia's top MoneyGeek score at 4.8/5, with a 5/5 affordability score, and wins best and cheapest for adults at $30 per month, newer cars at $30 per month, seniors at $42 per month, and cheapest after an accident at $40 per month.

Auto-Owners earns Virginia's best customer experience score at 5/5 and wins best for young drivers ($81 per month), best and cheapest for low-income drivers ($56 per month), and best for older cars ($31 per month).

Virginia's city results split between Travelers and Auto-Owners: Travelers leads Richmond, Newport News, Alexandria, Hampton and Roanoke; Auto-Owners leads Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk.

HOW MONEYGEEK CHOSE THE BEST CAR INSURANCE IN VIRGINIA

MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from six Virginia insurers across every ZIP code in the state. Virginia is an at-fault state where Northern Virginia's proximity to the D.C. metro corridor and Hampton Roads' military and coastal traffic push rates above the state average, and credit scoring is permitted.

Licensed insurance producers at MoneyGeek evaluated Virginia's at-fault liability system, the Northern Virginia rate effect and the split at the top of the market between Travelers (5/5 affordability) and Auto-Owners (5/5 customer experience).

Affordability (60%): Rate is the primary driver for most Virginia drivers.
Customer experience (30%): Based on J.D. Power scores, NAIC complaint ratios, AM Best ratings and independent agent Google Business ratings.
Coverage options (10%): Measures the range of optional coverages offered in Virginia.

Best Car Insurance in Virginia by Driver Profile

Travelers is the right pick for most Virginia drivers based on MoneyGeek score. Auto-Owners wins for young and low-income drivers, where its 5/5 customer experience score adds value, and Farm Bureau offers the lowest rates for DUI and young-driver profiles.

Travelers earns Virginia's top MoneyGeek score at 4.8/5 with a 5/5 affordability score. At $30 per month for a clean-record adult and $43 per month after a DUI, Travelers wins best and cheapest across most standard profiles: adults, newer cars, seniors and after an accident at $40 per month.

Auto-Owners wins best for young drivers at $81 per month, best and cheapest for low income at $56 per month and best for older cars at $31 per month, backed by a 5/5 customer experience score, the highest of any Virginia insurer MoneyGeek analyzed.

Farm Bureau wins the cheapest car insurance in Virginia for DUI at $38 per month and the cheapest for young drivers at $67 per month, the rate-only alternative for both profiles. Erie wins best for bad credit at $85/month and is the cheapest option for that profile.

Driver Profile	Best Provider	Average Monthly Minimum Coverage	Average Monthly Full Coverage
Adult drivers (26-64), clean record	Travelers	$30	$61
Young drivers (16-25)	Auto-Owners	$81	$153
Senior drivers (65+)	Travelers	$42	$83
After an at-fault accident	Travelers	$40	$80
After a speeding ticket	Auto-Owners	$50	$97
After a DUI	Travelers	$43	$86
Drivers with newer cars	Travelers	$30	$60
Drivers with older cars	Auto-Owners	$31	$65
Bad credit	Erie Insurance	$85	$194
Low income	Auto-Owners	$56	$113

Best Overall and Best for Those With a Violation

Travelers

Travelers earns the top composite score in MoneyGeek's Virginia analysis, 4.8 out of 5, with a perfect affordability score and the lowest rates for most standard profiles in the state. At $30 per month for a clean-record adult, Travelers is both the best and cheapest option in Virginia for that profile, and holds the lead for newer cars at $30 per month, seniors at $42 per month and cheapest after an accident at $40 per month. On violation profiles, Travelers wins the best score for DUI at $43 per month and the best score and cheapest for accident at $40 per month.

Travelers ranks third in MoneyGeek's Virginia customer experience analysis with a 4.6/5 score. Its four optional coverages, accident forgiveness, gap insurance, new car replacement and rideshare coverage, are well-matched for Virginia drivers commuting through the I-95 corridor or financing vehicles.

Affordability (60%): 5/5
Customer Experience (30%): 4.6/5
Coverage Options (10%): 3.9/5

Don't pick Travelers if you have a young driver in the household or need the highest service score. Auto-Owners wins young drivers at $81 per month with a 5/5 customer experience score. Farm Bureau's cheapest DUI rate of $38 per month is $5 below Travelers' best-score rate of $43 per month.

Best for Young Drivers and Those With Low Income

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners earns a 4.7/5 composite score in MoneyGeek's Virginia analysis with a 5.0/5 customer experience score, the highest of any Virginia insurer MoneyGeek analyzed. Auto-Owners wins best for young drivers at $81 per month, best and cheapest for low-income drivers at $56 per month and best for older cars at $31 per month. For those profiles, it's the strongest pick in Virginia when service quality matters.

Auto-Owners includes diminished value protection standard on every policy, not sold as a separate add-on. For young drivers or low-income drivers in Virginia who are financing vehicles, that coverage adds real value. Auto-Owners wins best for speeding at $50 per month, where the service quality advantage is most visible for drivers likely to file a claim.

Affordability (60%): 4.8/5
Customer Experience (30%): 5.0/5
Coverage Options (10%): 3.4/5

Skip Auto-Owners if you need gap insurance or accident forgiveness; neither is available. Travelers offers both at $30 per month for a clean-record adult.

Best Cheap for Drivers With a DUI

Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau wins cheapest after a DUI at $38 per month in MoneyGeek's Virginia analysis, with a composite score of 4.5/5. Farm Bureau's DUI rate is $5 below Travelers' best-score DUI rate of $43 per month. Farm Bureau also wins cheapest for young drivers at $67 per month, $14 below Auto-Owners' $81 best-score rate.

Farm Bureau ranks fifth in MoneyGeek's Virginia customer experience analysis with a 4/5 score. Its local agent network operates through the Virginia Farm Bureau, with agents concentrated in rural and suburban markets. Farm Bureau offers two optional coverages: roadside assistance and new car replacement. Gap insurance and accident forgiveness are not available.

Affordability (60%): 5/5
Customer Experience (30%): 4/5
Coverage Options (10%): 1.3/5

Skip Farm Bureau if gap insurance, accident forgiveness or a strong service record are priorities. Travelers offers all three at $30 per month with a 4.6/5 customer experience score.

MONEYGEEK VERDICT

Travelers leads MoneyGeek's Virginia analysis at 4.8/5, with a 5/5 affordability score and the lowest rates for most standard profiles, the default pick for rate-led decisions, and the best violation scores and the cheapest after an accident at $40 per month. Auto-Owners is the stronger choice for young drivers and low-income drivers, where its 5/5 customer experience score adds value beyond the premium.

Farm Bureau is the cheapest option for DUI profiles at $38 per month, $5 below Travelers' best-score DUI rate of $43 per month. At the city level, Travelers leads inland and D.C. corridor markets while Auto-Owners leads Hampton Roads, so the better insurer depends in part on where in Virginia you live.

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Best Car Insurance in Virginia by City

Virginia's city-level results show a clear geographic split. Travelers leads Richmond, Newport News, Alexandria, Hampton and Roanoke, the state's inland markets and the D.C. corridor. Auto-Owners leads Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk in Hampton Roads. Hampton Roads drivers should compare Auto-Owners closely, given its 4.8/5 scores across all five cities in that market. Northern Virginia ZIP codes near D.C. run above the Alexandria city average shown here.

City	Best Provider	MoneyGeek Score	Average Monthly Premium
Virginia Beach	Auto-Owners	4.80	$60
Chesapeake	Auto-Owners	4.80	$61
Norfolk	Auto-Owners	4.80	$63
Richmond	Travelers	4.80	$53
Newport News	Travelers	4.80	$52
Alexandria	Travelers	4.70	$56
Hampton	Travelers	4.70	$53
Roanoke	Travelers	4.80	$42
Portsmouth	Auto-Owners	4.80	$58
Suffolk	Auto-Owners	4.70	$54

Summary: Best Car Insurance Providers in Virginia on Average

Travelers leads MoneyGeek's Virginia analysis at 4.8/5, driven by its 5/5 affordability score. Auto-Owners scores 4.7/5 and a 5/5 customer experience score. Farm Bureau at 4.5/5 pairs a 5/5 affordability score with the narrowest coverage menu among the featured winners. MoneyGeek weights affordability at 60%, customer experience at 30% and coverage options at 10%.


Travelers	4.77	$46	3	5
Auto-Owners	4.69	$61	1	7
Erie Insurance	4.62	$68	2	3
Farm Bureau	4.46	$46	5	9
Mercury Insurance	4.32	$64	7	6

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Virginia

The gap between Travelers at $30 per month and Mercury at $46 per month for a clean-record Virginia adult is $192 per year, and Northern Virginia ZIP codes run well above the statewide average.

1
Check Virginia's minimum coverage requirements
Virginia requires 30/60/20 liability coverage: $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage. The state operates under an at-fault system with no personal injury protection requirement. Drivers who want only the state minimum should see the cheapest car insurance in Virginia for a full rate breakdown by provider.
2
Account for Northern Virginia rate differences
D.C. corridor ZIP codes in Northern Virginia push rates above the statewide average. Drivers in Fairfax, Arlington or Prince William counties should check their specific ZIP code for an accurate rate rather than relying on statewide or city averages.
3
Compare rates after a DUI
Farm Bureau wins the cheapest car insurance after a DUI at $38 per month; Travelers wins best score at $43 per month. An SR-22 filing is required in Virginia after a DUI conviction.
4
Check low-income options
Auto-Owners wins best and cheapest for low-income car insurance in Virginia at $56 per month.
5
Consider bundling home and auto
Bundling home and auto policies in Virginia reduces the total premium for drivers who own a home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance in Virginia

Who has the cheapest car insurance in Virginia?

Travelers offers the cheapest car insurance in Virginia for most profiles at $30 per month for a clean-record adult and $40 per month after an at-fault accident. For DUI profiles, Farm Bureau wins cheapest at $38 per month, while Travelers wins best score at $43 per month. For low-income drivers, Auto-Owners wins best and cheapest at $56 per month.

What is the average cost of car insurance in Virginia?

Virginia rates vary by region. Northern Virginia ZIP codes near the D.C. metro corridor run above the statewide average.

What car insurance is required in Virginia?

Virginia requires minimum liability coverage of 30/60/20: $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage. Virginia is an at-fault state and does not require personal injury protection.

Is Virginia a no-fault state for car insurance?

No. Virginia is an at-fault state. The driver who causes an accident is responsible for the resulting costs, and the injured party can file a claim against the at-fault driver's liability coverage.

Does credit score affect car insurance rates in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia permits insurers to use credit history as a rating factor. Erie wins best for bad credit at $85 per month in MoneyGeek's analysis and is the cheapest option for that profile.

Which Virginia car insurance company has the best customer service?

Auto-Owners earns the best customer experience score in MoneyGeek's Virginia analysis at 5/5. Erie ranks second at 4.80/5. Both scores are based on J.D. Power ratings, NAIC complaint ratios, AM Best financial strength ratings and independent agent Google Business ratings

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.

His insights on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among others.

Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

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