BestCar InsuranceVirginiaBest Car Insurance in Virginia (May 2023)
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Cincinnati Insurance is the best car insurance for full coverage and minimum coverage. It’s also a great choice for senior drivers. Drivers in their 20s and those with violations will find the best value and service from Erie.
We’ve also determined the cheapest car insurance in Virginia if your goal is to save the most money regardless of service quality.
BestCar InsuranceVirginiaBest Car Insurance in Virginia
Best Overall - Cincinnati Insurance
Best for Service - Cincinnati Insurance
Best for Minimum Coverage - Cincinnati Insurance
Best for Young Adults - Erie
Best for Seniors - Cincinnati Insurance
Best for Driving Offenses - Erie
Best for New Cars - Travelers
Best for Military - USAA
Best Overall for Car Insurance in Virginia
The best car insurance for full coverage is from Cincinnati Insurance. We recommend these insurers based on our analysis:
- Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($831 per year)
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100 ($724 per year)
Even though it isn’t the cheapest option, Cincinnati Insurance came out on top in our analysis of 13 major insurers, offering the best balance of affordable rates, coverage options and superior customer service and claims management. If cost is your main consideration in choosing a provider, we’ve also listed the companies with the cheapest full coverage auto insurance in Virginia.
1
ErieBest Overall
Score:93
With its affordable rates and remarkable service and claims management, Erie is the next-best insurer in our study. A full coverage policy costs an average of $724 annually, which is the fourth-cheapest rate of the 13 insurers we analyzed for this category in Virginia. It’s also one of the few insurers that provide better car replacement and glass deductible modification.
More About Erie
Erie earns the second-highest spot in our rankings with its impressive list of rare coverages. Its better car replacement coverage, called Auto Security, handles the cost of replacing your current car with the newest model following a covered accident that totals your vehicle. If your car is over two years old, you’ll receive a replacement that’s two years newer.
Although Erie’s comprehensive insurance already includes glass repair, it’s still worth considering its Full Window Glass coverage. This waives your deductible, letting you save hundreds of dollars in exchange for a small additional fee to your policy.
Erie’s personal property insurance will pay for lost belongings up to $350. These can include clothing, luggage and more.
2
Cincinnati Insurance
Score:90
Offering top-notch service and affordable premiums, Cincinnati Insurance gets our approval as the best overall auto insurance provider in Virginia. Expect nothing less than excellent service from this insurer, which ranks first in customer satisfaction. Full coverage is also reasonably priced at $831 per year, although there are several cheaper options. Add-ons include glass deductible modification and lock replacement coverages.
More About Cincinnati Insurance
Cincinnati Insurance boasts of a long list of optional coverages that many drivers will find useful. On top of basic coverages like roadside assistance and rental car and travel reimbursement coverages, it also offers benefits that are rarely provided by other insurers.
Its glass deductible modification coverage waives your deductible if you need glass replacement following a covered incident. If you live or work in an area that has a high incidence of car theft, it’s worth considering lock replacement coverage. This will pay you up to $1,500 to replace your locks if your car keys are lost or stolen.
Medical expenses following a road accident can easily add up to thousands of dollars, but Cincinnati Insurance’s safety restraint benefit cushions the financial impact by doubling your coverage amount to take care of medical bills if you and your passenger are wearing manufacturer-installed seatbelts during the accident.
How the Best Insurers in Virginia Rank: MoneyGeek Scores and Costs
We ranked 13 insurance providers in Virginia on their full coverage policies. These insurers had enough data to meet all the components of the scoring system and could thus qualify for an overall MoneyGeek score. Based on our analysis, Cincinnati Insurance outpaces its competitors by providing a good balance of affordable premiums, a wide selection of coverages and superior customer service and claims management. Erie is a very close runner-up, offering low premiums and having few customer complaints. The downside is it has limited coverage options.
Best Car Insurance in Virginia for Customer Service
We found that Cincinnati Insurance is the top choice for insurance buyers in Virginia who value excellent customer service over other factors. Consider these insurers if you prioritize good service:
- Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100 ($831 per year)
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 ($724 per year)
Cincinnati Insurance and Erie score almost equally well on customer satisfaction and in how well they handle claims. However, Cincinnati Insurance significantly outpaces Erie with its more extensive range of coverage options.
pros
Ranked 3rd for claims management out of 13 insurers
Outstanding customer satisfaction reputation
Broad selection of coverage options
cons
Ranks 7th of 13 companies for affordability
No accident forgiveness coverage option
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Cincinnati Insurance has a great lineup of basic and rare add-on coverages that will satisfy the needs of most drivers. It is one of the few insurers that offers a general deductible waiver add-on which applies when your car is totaled due to a covered loss. Expenses for repairs can quickly add up, but Cincinnati Insurance’s glass deductible modification can ease your financial burden by waiving your deductible for glass replacement after a covered loss.
Lock replacement coverage is worth considering if you live or work in an area with high rates of car theft. With this coverage, you’ll get up to $1,500 to replace your car’s door locks if your keys are lost or stolen. A few other noteworthy coverages from this insurer that many drivers will benefit from include gap insurance, roadside assistance and new car replacement.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Customer Service?
An insurer that provides good customer service will always be efficient and responsive in managing your policy starting from the day you first request a quote. But their service becomes most important when you face the stress of an incident and need to file a claim. We found that you should expect nothing less than smooth customer support assistance from our top pick, Cincinnati Insurance.
Best Car Insurance in Virginia for Minimum Coverage
When we analyzed premiums and service quality for policies that satisfy Virginia’s minimum liability requirements, we found that Cincinnati Insurance is the best insurer. These are our top picks for minimum coverage in the state:
- Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($356 per year)
- American Family: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100 ($243 per year)
Cincinnati Insurance delivers outstanding service at relatively low premiums. Keep in mind that although the cheapest car insurance in Virginia can be the best option if you’re on a tight budget, it’ll give you the least protection against liability costs and won't cover damages to your car.
pros
An affordable minimum coverage policy costs $356 per year
Offers discounts for bundling policies, insuring multiple cars and installing anti-lock brakes
Ranks number 1 for customer satisfaction and number 2 for coverage
cons
No discounts for going paperless, paying in full or driver’s ed
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
We recommend Cincinnati Insurance’s minimum coverage policy for affordability while maintaining superior service. This company ranked fifth out of 13 insurers for annual premiums and also earned the highest customer satisfaction score in the state.
Cincinnati Insurance has reasonable rates that you can reduce further by taking advantage of its discounts. You could get substantial rate reductions by insuring both your car and home with Cincinnati Insurance or by insuring multiple vehicles on the same policy. Drivers with few or no accidents may also be eligible for a discount.
Additionally, Cincinnati Insurance has a good selection of rare discounts that reward drivers for things like installing and properly maintaining safety features in their cars, such as airbags, an anti-theft system and anti-lock brakes.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Minimum Coverage?
A good minimum coverage policy will offer very low rates and opportunities for discounts that can make premiums even cheaper. Our research showed that Cincinnati Insurance has the qualities that make up a great minimum coverage insurance policy — affordable rates, excellent service and discounts. But remember that there’s usually a tradeoff between cost and coverage options.
Best Car Insurance in Virginia for Young Adults
Erie is the best car insurance provider for young adults in Virginia. Drivers in their 20s purchasing full coverage policies will find the lowest rates and best service from these insurers:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100 ($927 per year)
- Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100 ($1,006 per year)
Young drivers might not be charged rates as high as those for teen drivers, but their rates are still usually higher than what middle-aged drivers pay. To save the most money, we encourage you to shop around to find the cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Virginia.
pros
Ranks 4th out of 13 insurers for affordability
Offers distant student and driver’s education discounts
Ranked number 1 for claims management and number 2 for customer satisfaction
cons
Few coverage options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
We recommend Erie’s full coverage policies for young drivers in their 20s, with its affordable rates and excellent customer service.
Erie has an impressively long list of discounts, combining common and rarely offered discounts. For instance, college students who don’t drive while attending a school away from home could save on insurance with the company’s distant student discount.
Its personal property insurance pays up to $350 to help cover the loss of belongings that you store in your car, like clothing or luggage. Erie is one of a handful of insurers that offers better car replacement coverage which is a great add-on if you have an expensive, new car. With this coverage, if your car is totaled, they’ll replace it with a model that’s two years newer.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Young Adults?
A good policy for young adults provides adequate coverage and reliable service at a reasonable cost. Ideally, it should also offer discounts that apply specifically to drivers who are 25 and under. Our winner, Erie, offers a legacy discount for unmarried young adults who are insured under a parent’s policy for consecutive years. This insurer also has an excellent claims management and customer support reputation.
Best Car Insurance in Virginia for Seniors
Cincinnati Insurance offers great value and service for senior drivers in Virginia. Here are our picks of the best insurers for Virginia drivers in their 60s:
- Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($749 per year)
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100 ($725 per year)
Cincinnati Insurance offers moderately affordable full coverage policies and ranked first in customer service based on our study of 13 providers. Drivers in their 60s pay similar premiums to those in their 30s through 50s. But once you hit your 70s, you’ll notice a significant increase in your rates. Make it a point to compare multiple quotes to get the most affordable car insurance for seniors in Virginia.
pros
Best customer satisfaction rating in Virginia
Ranks 2nd for coverage
cons
Ranks 7th out of 13 insurers for affordability
No senior discount
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Cincinnati Insurance is the ideal choice for senior drivers, even though it ranks outside the top half of insurers for affordability. This is due to the company’s customer satisfaction reputation, which is the best of any insurer we analyzed. It also scores strongly for coverage options.
With Cincinnati Insurance’s roadside assistance and rental car and travel reimbursement coverages, senior drivers will travel with peace of mind, knowing that they have someone to rely on if they get into an accident and require immediate assistance. This insurer pays up to $250 for roadside services, so you don’t have to worry about the costs of emergency repairs, towing, labor or the delivery of gas, tires or a battery.
If you add Cincinnati Insurance’s rental car and travel reimbursement coverage, you’ll receive up to $50 per day (up to a limit of $1,500) for temporary transportation expenses, which makes traveling more convenient and stress-free. Seniors should also consider purchasing the safety restraint benefit, which doubles their coverage amount for medical payments if they or their passenger get injured in an accident while wearing a manufacturer-installed seatbelt.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Seniors?
Seniors are quite cautious drivers but are most susceptible to suffering serious injuries due to a road accident. A good car insurance company for senior drivers offers affordable full coverage policies and senior discounts, in addition to essential coverages and personal injury protection. Our winner, Cincinnati Insurance, provides outstanding customer support and offers roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement coverages.
Best Car Insurance in Virginia for Drivers With Offenses
Drivers with a history of offenses will find the best rates and service from Erie. Here are our recommendations based on our research:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100 ($1,047 per year)
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100 ($870 per year)
Erie offers competitively priced full coverage policies and ranks third in customer satisfaction. It’s important for drivers with violations to choose an insurer that provides affordable car insurance after an incident in Virginia without sacrificing service quality. We found that average rates in this state typically increase by $354 after a speeding ticket, $518 after an at-fault accident and $566 after a DUI.
pros
Ranks 5th out of 13 insurers for affordability
Ranks 2nd for service quality and 1st for claims management
Offers rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness and new/better car replacement coverages
cons
Limited coverage options
Doesn’t offer roadside assistance coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Erie combines reasonable rates with great service, making it a solid option for drivers with offenses. Erie offers add-on coverages that are beneficial to many drivers, especially in cushioning the impact of an accident.
Its rental car expense coverage ensures that you have transportation while your damaged car is undergoing repairs. If you purchase Erie’s accident forgiveness coverage, you won’t face a dramatic increase in premiums after your first at-fault accident, but you’ll only qualify if you’ve been claims-free for at least three years.
Erie is one of the very few insurers that offer better car replacement coverage, which provides the utmost financial protection. With Auto Security coverage, your Erie policy will pay for a vehicle two years newer than your model if you total your car.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Drivers With Offenses?
Many companies charge very high rates to insure drivers with violations on their records. A good insurance company for drivers with offenses offers the lowest possible rates and many discount opportunities. Erie fits this perfectly, with its long list of coverages that include accident forgiveness and better car replacement. It might not be the cheapest for high-risk drivers, but it offers many discounts and has excellent service.
Best Car Insurance in Virginia for Drivers With New Cars
Travelers is the best insurance company for drivers with new cars. For this category, we examined affordability and service quality for drivers with a 2022 model car in Virginia. Also, we limited our analysis to insurers offering new or better car replacement coverage.
These insurers topped our list:
- Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100 ($918 per year)
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($1,342 per year)
Travelers has the lowest premiums and a wide range of coverages. It also offers new car replacement coverage, which covers the cost of buying a brand-new car of the same make and model as your current one.
pros
Offers the cheapest policies at an average annual rate of $918
Offers new car replacement coverage
Highest claims management score
cons
Does not offer better car replacement coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
We recommend a full coverage policy from Travelers if you have a new car. It has the most affordable policies, and you’ll also benefit from having a wide range of coverage options to choose from.
If you purchase the Premier New Car Replacement coverage on top of your policy, Travelers will cover the cost of purchasing a new car of the same make and model as your current one if it is totaled within the first five years.
Travelers also offers gap insurance, which will help pay for the difference between the actual cash value of your totaled car and the unpaid balance in your auto loan or lease. Its accident forgiveness coverage also protects you from a surge in premiums following one accident within a specified period.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Drivers With New Cars?
A new car is a significant investment, and you should get the right coverages to protect it. We highly recommend that drivers with new cars purchase new or better car replacement coverage, especially if they have an expensive vehicle. These coverages provide great financial protection if your car is totaled. Travelers’ new car replacement coverage will replace your car with the same make and model if your new car is totaled within five years.
Best Car Insurance in Virginia for Military Drivers
USAA is at the top of our list of the best car insurance companies for drivers with a military background. Its full coverage policies cost an average of $629 per year, the second cheapest of 14 providers in Virginia. USAA is the ideal insurer for military personnel and their families because it has policies specifically tailored to their needs.
pros
Ranks number 1 out of 14 providers in service quality
Ranks number 2 for affordability at $629/year
Provides accident forgiveness coverage
cons
Below-average rating for coverage options
Doesn’t gap insurance, new car replacement or deductible modification coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
We found that USAA is the best insurer for military personnel and their families, offering outstanding service and the second-cheapest full coverage policies in Virginia.
USAA offers a limited selection of basic add-on coverages like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement coverage. With roadside assistance coverage, your USAA policy will cover the cost of unlocking your vehicle, jumpstarting your car, changing a flat tire, towing and delivering gas. Its rental car reimbursement coverage pays for a rental car while you’re waiting for your vehicle to be fixed.
USAA also offers accident forgiveness coverage, which helps you avoid a sudden exponential increase in premiums after your first at-fault accident, but you need to be accident-free for a minimum of five years to qualify.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Virginia for You
You should look for a good combination of affordable rates, reliable customer service and financial stability when choosing the best car insurance. MoneyGeek has gathered and analyzed quotes and carefully curated the necessary tools for you to find the insurer that fits your needs and profile. We’ve also outlined the steps to take should you want to do your own research.
1
Research customer service reputations in Virginia
MoneyGeek used various credible sources in researching the customer service ratings of auto insurers in Virginia. We referred to J.D. Power's customer satisfaction study and the NAIC customer complaint index to inform our analysis and recommendations. If your preferred insurer isn’t featured in our study, you may visit Virginia’s State Corporation Commission to learn more about them.
2
Compare quotes
MoneyGeek's quotes are average rates for sample drivers in Virginia. Your actual rates may differ depending on factors that are unique to your situation, such as your age, driving record and location. We always recommend collecting and comparing personalized quotes from at least three different companies to get a good estimate of how much insurance will cost for you.
3
Find the coverages you want in Virginia
Insurers often advertise coverages or discounts which might not be available in every state. Consider putting in the time and effort to call or visit the insurer’s office to confirm if it carries the insurance benefits you’re looking for in your area.
4
Check financial stability ratings
It’s always best to check an insurer’s financial strength rating to see how well it meets its financial obligations to its policyholders. Financial stability ratings become even more important if your chosen insurer is a smaller, regional company in Virginia. These tend to score lower on financial strength than major national insurers, so you need to consider if you’re willing to deal with the potential hassle of a less smooth claims process.
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FAQs About the Best Car Insurance in Virginia
The best car insurance for you should match your needs and preferences. MoneyGeek’s answers to the most common questions will help you make an informed purchase.
What is the best way to figure out which insurer is best for me in Virginia?
David Peters:
Auto insurance is a state-regulated product. While there may be differences in how claims are handled and how service is provided, there are no differences in the actual coverage offered in the policy itself from one insurer to another. Every auto policy must meet state standards no matter which insurer you go to.
My recommendation would be to shop around and pay attention to price and reputation for claims handling. This can be done on a price comparison website or by just simply getting a quote from each insurer’s website. While policy contents do not differ from one insurer to another, the price can vary greatly. If you have been with the same insurer a long time, it is helpful to shop the policy around. Prices generally go up each year that you stay with the same insurer, so you should shop around.
Also, you want a company that is going to be available when you have a claim. Check out company reviews on claims handling. Nothing is worse than having a bad experience with a claims agent after you have been in an accident.
What are the best coverages to add to your car insurance policy in Virginia?
David Peters:
State law mandates that you have at least a minimum amount of liability coverage in Virginia. However, if you are driving your car every day on a regular basis, my recommendation is to get more than the minimum if you can.
Comprehensive coverage (sometimes called “Other Than Collision”) is going to cover you for accidents that don’t involve a collision, like a tree falling on your car, damage from hail, or vandalism. This is normally a good coverage to have since not all damage to your car results from you hitting something!
Virginia does require a certain amount of uninsured motorist coverage, but this is also not a place to skimp either. This covers situations where you or your car get hit by someone who has no insurance (or if there is a hit and run).
Finally, towing coverage is also helpful to add. This will cover part of the cost if your car needs to be towed.
Generally, if you get less coverage, you pay less in premiums, but you are taking a chance. If you don’t have coverage for an accident, you will need to pay out of pocket. If you can afford it, going beyond the minimum is usually best.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
