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

Finding the best and most cost-effective insurance company in Norfolk, Virginia, depends on coverage needs and driver details. American Family has the lowest premium for minimum coverage car insurance. For full coverage, American Family also offers the lowest rates, while Nationwide is the most affordable option for families with teens. When it comes to customer service, Cincinnati Insurance ranks first and also provides the overall best value due to its price and service excellence. The best policy for you will depend upon preference and coverage necessities.

MoneyGeek found that American Family offers the most affordable option for minimum coverage car insurance in Norfolk, representing significant savings for budget-conscious drivers seeking the cheapest car insurance.

• American Family: $315 per year
• Erie: $476 per year

Kemper has the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Norfolk, with an annual premium of $1,741. The $1,426 gap between the cheapest and the most expensive insurance demonstrates why comparing quotes is essential for budget-conscious drivers.

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.

For drivers looking for the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Norfolk, American Family ranks first.

• American Family: $876 per year
• Progressive: $925 per year

Full coverage policies cost more since they provide more protection than minimum coverage. Kemper offers the most expensive full coverage policy in Norfolk at $3,036 per year. The difference between the cheapest and the most expensive option is $2,160.

MoneyGeek examined full coverage policies in Norfolk, 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, opting for full coverage will protect your asset. If you own an older vehicle, the extra premium of getting full coverage might not outweigh the benefits. Assess how much car insurance you need, with the understanding that while more coverage can result in higher premiums, less coverage could mean insufficient protection during accidents.

MoneyGeek determined that the cheapest insurer for drivers with violations in Norfolk varies with the type of driving offense. Here are the lowest-cost providers for each violation:

• Speeding Ticket: Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($962 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($868 per year)
• DUI: Progressive ($1,256 per year)

The most expensive rates for the respective offenses are offered by Kemper, with an Annual Premium of $3,860 after a speeding ticket, $4,547 after an at-fault accident and $3,185 after a DUI. The difference between the cheapest rate after a speeding ticket and the cheapest rate after a DUI is $294, highlighting how offense severity can affect car insurance premiums.

Like in many cities, insurance rates in Norfolk are higher for individuals who have driving violations because insurers perceive them as a higher risk. A Norfolk driver with a speeding ticket gets an average annual rate of $2,413, whereas those with a DUI offense can expect to pay approximately $2,921, showing an increase of over $500 on average.

In Norfolk, Nationwide is the cheapest car insurance option for teens, with rates that reflect a joint policy of two parents and a teenage driver.

• Nationwide: $1,223 per year for female teens; $1,360 per year for male teens
• State Farm: $2,000 per year for female teens; $2,535 per year for male teens

Kemper offers the most expensive teen family policy in Norfolk, with a $10,980 rate for female teens and a $13,681 rate for male teens. This significant contrast with the cheapest option accentuates the need to compare rates for high-risk teen drivers.

Teen drivers face significantly higher costs when opting for an individual car insurance policy. In Norfolk, the average individual annual premium for teen drivers stands at approximately $6,856, compared to a more economical $4,026 when included in a family plan. The difference of nearly $2,830 underscores the benefits of family policies.

Due to teenagers' lack of driving experience and higher accident risk, insurers often hesitate to underwrite individual policies for them, and the rates are considerably higher to offset the potential risk. It’s thus more practical and cost-effective for teens to be insured under a family plan.

MoneyGeek found that American Family is the cheapest option in Norfolk for those with military backgrounds seeking full coverage car insurance.

• American Family: $876 per year
• USAA: $907 per year

USAA offers competitive rates but also provides benefits tailored to the needs of active-duty military members. If the unique military-focused service is a priority, it stands out as a preferred insurer for military personnel.

In Norfolk, car owners seeking to cut costs on insurance might find that researching rates can be laborious, potentially exceeding an hour for assessing just three providers. MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator provides immediate and tailored rate estimates by just inputting essential information such as age, driving history, credit score and coverage preferences, simplifying the decision-making process while taking into account Norfolk-specific insurance factors.

Finding the ideal auto insurance provider is influenced by factors such as service quality, cost and coverage. MoneyGeek's scoring system evaluated different insurers in Norfolk to identify those who excel in specific areas.

• Best overall: Cincinnati Insurance (MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100)
• Best for service: Cincinnati Insurance (MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100)
• Best for affordability: Erie (MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100)

Cincinnati Insurance emerges as the top option in Norfolk for drivers seeking a balance of premium service and affordability, attaining the highest scores for both overall excellence and service. Erie is the budget-friendly provider prioritizing cost efficiency without significantly compromising on service quality. Each company caters to different preferences, ensuring that drivers can find a policy that aligns with their unique needs.

MoneyGeek determined that Cincinnati Insurance offers the best option in Norfolk for car insurance, providing customers with an excellent combination of value and service.

• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($1,028 per year)
• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($928 per year)

Cincinnati Insurance distinguishes itself with a balanced offering that ensures policyholders in Norfolk are well-covered. Its MoneyGeek score is primarily driven by its satisfaction and coverage scores for its full coverage policy.

MoneyGeek concluded that Cincinnati Insurance is the best option in Norfolk for customer service. This distinction is based on an unparalleled record of customer satisfaction, efficient claims handling and comprehensive coverages, without taking rates into consideration.

• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($1,028 per year)
• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100 ($928 per year)

Cincinnati Insurance distinguishes itself as the top provider in this category, indicating its commitment to delivering superior value and support to its clients.

MoneyGeek found that Erie is the best option for cheap car insurance in Norfolk, thanks to a harmonious blend of cost-effectiveness and customer satisfaction. While affordability is heavily weighted in the scoring, factors such as claims handling and overall contentment are also considered in assessing value proposition.

• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100 ($476 per year)
• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100 ($481 per year)

Erie distinguishes itself not only with its annual premiums but also with outstanding marks in claims satisfaction. While both companies hold the same overall score, Erie's blend of affordability and top-tier claims processes sets it apart in this category, particularly for its minimum coverage policy.

In Norfolk, the average car insurance premium is $1,203, which surpasses the overall average cost in Virginia of $1,086. Additionally, the state's average is significantly lower than the national average of $1,781, totaling a difference of $695.

Car insurance premiums are influenced by a mix of factors, and insurance companies consider location vital due to variables like accident rates, theft and the cost of repairs, which vary from one place to another. For instance, Norfolk is the city with the most expensive premium at $1,036, exceeding the state average by $96. On the other hand, Virginia Beach has the cheapest premium at $900, which is $40 less than the state average. Moreover, less urbanized areas with lower traffic density and insurance rates can be even more economical.