Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Newport News, VA (August 2024)

Finding the cheapest and best car insurance in Newport News, Virginia, varies based on coverage and driver specifics. For full coverage insurance, American Family offers the most affordable premiums, while Nationwide is cost-effective for families with teens. This contrasts with the cheapest minimum coverage from Virginia Farm Bureau. Regarding service, Cincinnati Insurance tops customer satisfaction, but Erie excels in overall value, blending price and service. Ultmately, individual preferences and coverage needs decide which insurer is right for you.

MoneyGeek found that Virginia Farm Bureau offers the cheapest car insurance in Newport News for minimum coverage plans.

• Virginia Farm Bureau: $363 per year
• American Family: $364 per year

Kemper has the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Newport News, with an annual premium of $1,263, which is $900 higher than Virginia Farm Bureau. This variance underscores the need to shop around for the best rates to ensure cost-efficiency in automotive insurance.

Across Virginia's cities, car insurance coverage minimums are governed by state law, and the following limits are observed:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
  
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident
  
• $20,000 property damage liability per accident
  
• $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  
• $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  
• $20,000 uninsured/underinsured property damage coverage
  

If you are at fault in an accident and cause bodily injury to another person, your insurer will cover up to $25,000 for that individual. In the event of injuries to multiple people, your policy can provide up to $50,000 per accident. Once the total expenses exceed these limits, additional costs will be your responsibility.

MoneyGeek determined that American Family offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Newport News.

• American Family: $810 per year
• Virginia Farm Bureau: $835 per year

Among the providers, Kemper offers the most expensive full coverage policy, with a $2,129 annual premium — $1,319 higher than American Family. This significant difference highlights the importance of comparing full coverage car insurance options, as they typically cost more than minimum coverage due to the comprehensive financial protection they provide.

MoneyGeek examined full coverage policies in Newport News, which considerably exceed minimal coverage limits and contain these features:

• $100,000 bodily injury per person
• $300,000 bodily injury per accident
• $100,000 property damage liability per accident

This type of insurance is commonly referred to as a 100/300/100 policy. It also includes additional protective measures beyond liability.

• Collision Insurance: This component covers the repair costs for your vehicle in case of an accident, whether with another car or an object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.
• Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage pays for non-collision-related incidents such as theft, vandalism, natural disasters and being struck by an animal.

If you own a new vehicle, are leasing a car or have a loan, obtaining full coverage is required for the financial protection of your asset. If you own an older vehicle, the extra expense of getting full coverage insurance won't correlate with the benefits, as the car's value might not justify the higher premium. In deciding how much car insurance you need, weigh the increased cost of comprehensive coverage against the potential risk of insufficient protection.

MoneyGeek found that Auto-Owners Insurance Co is the cheapest full coverage insurance for drivers with violations in Newport News.

• Speeding Ticket: Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($863 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($779 per year)
• DUI: Virginia Farm Bureau ($1,071 per year)

National General generally charges the most for drivers with the same offenses.

The annual premium for the cheapest option after a speeding ticket is $863, which significantly increases to $1,071 after a DUI, which shows how offense severity can affect car insurance rates.

Auto insurance rates increase depending on the severity of a driving offense because insurers view violations as indicators of increased risk. Drivers with minor violations such as speeding tickets pay an annual average of $2,120, while those convicted of DUI — a more serious infraction — face a higher annual average rate of $2,602. For individuals with driving offenses, it's crucial to compare insurance rates as they have more to gain from finding a competitive policy that accommodates their risk profile, potentially reducing insurance costs.

MoneyGeek discovered that Nationwide offers the most affordable car insurance for teen drivers in Newport News.

• Nationwide: $1,117 annually for female teens; $1,242 annually for male teens
• State Farm: $1,680 annually for female teens; $2,130 annually for male teens

These rates represent a combined policy covering two parents and a teenage driver.

Kemper has the most expensive policy, with annual premiums of $7,612 for female teens and $9,484 for male teens. The substantial difference between the cheapest and the most expensive options exemplifies the critical nature of comparing plans for high-risk drivers such as teenagers.

In Newport News, a striking difference exists between the cost of individual and family car insurance premiums for teenagers. On average, an individual annual premium for a teen driver is $5,638, significantly higher than the $3,260 family premium that includes a teen. This discrepancy is mainly affected by the elevated risk insurance companies associate with independent teen drivers, who lack the extensive driving history and risk mitigation factors typically accounted for in family policies. Moreover, due to this risk profile, teens may face challenges in qualifying for an individual policy. Choosing a family plan not only helps with costs but also eases the approval process for young drivers.

MoneyGeek concluded that American Family offers the cheapest full coverage option for drivers with military backgrounds.

• American Family: $810 per year
• Virginia Farm Bureau: $835 per year

USAA is not the cheapest and only ranks fourth with an annual premium of $852, yet it is well-regarded for its tailored services to active military personnel.

To maximize savings on car insurance in Newport News, diligent comparison of rates is essential, though it may take more than an hour to research just a few providers.

Using MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator, you can expedite this process and focus on crucial factors impacting premiums. By inputting details such as age, driving history, credit score and coverage preferences, you can instantly see rate estimates.

Choosing the best auto insurance depends on how you weigh factors like service, cost, coverage and other variables. MoneyGeek's scoring system identified Newport News' top car insurance providers:

• Best overall: Erie (MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100)
• Best for service: Cincinnati Insurance (MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Erie (MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100)

Erie secures the title for both the best overall and cheapest insurance provider, offering both affordability and overall value. In contrast, Cincinnati Insurance, with the highest rating for service, is ideal for those prioritizing a premium customer experience.

MoneyGeek determined that Erie offers the best option in Newport News, standing out with comprehensive coverage and competitive rates for drivers seeking the best car insurance. After thorough evaluation, these two providers showed the best value overall:

• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100 ($892 per year)
• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 ($1,030 per year)

Erie's high level of customer service and affordability are the largest contributors to its high MoneyGeek score. Considering the abundance of positive customer service interactions and the reasonable cost for a full coverage policy, Erie is a prominent choice for car insurance in Newport News.

MoneyGeek found that Cincinnati Insurance offers the best car insurance for customer service in Newport News, catering to customers who prioritize general satisfaction, expert claims handling and comprehensive coverages above all else, with no specific emphasis on rates.

• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($1,030 per year)
• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($892 per year)

Cincinnati Insurance is committed to customer satisfaction and exceptional claims service, which largely contributed to its MoneyGeek score. These strengths emphasize the importance of providing superior service and support to policyholders in Newport News.

MoneyGeek found that Erie is the best option for affordable car insurance in Newport News, offering a commendable balance between cost and service quality.

• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100 ($455 per year)
• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100 ($468 per year)

Erie stands out for its leading affordability, with a solid MoneyGeek score justified by highly competitive premiums for minimum coverage policies. Its streamlined claims process and customer satisfaction metrics offer reliability and affordability.

In Newport News, the average car insurance cost is $1,048, which is lower than the state average of $1,086, making Newport News a more economical option. Virginia's average car insurance cost is substantially lower than the national average of $1,781, showcasing a sizeable savings of $695 annually.

The cost of car insurance is predicated on numerous factors, with location being a significant one. Where you reside can impact insurance costs due to variables such as accident rates, theft statistics and local legislation. To illustrate, Virginia Beach has the lowest insurance premium at $900, while Norfolk ranks as the most expensive within the state at $1,036. This notable difference stresses the impact location has on premiums. Additionally, less congested and non-urban areas may even have more affordable rates due to lower traffic density.