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

In Virginia Beach, Virginia, American Family offers the cheapest minimum coverage, while the least expensive full company for full coverage is Virginia Farm Bureau. Nationwide is the most affordable for families with teens, while Erie is the best overall. However, if customer service is paramount, Cincinnati Insurance outshines, suggesting the "best" insurer can depend on your unique preferences and requirements.

MoneyGeek found that these companies are the best options for those seeking the cheapest car insurance in Virginia Beach:

• American Family: $315 per year
• Virginia Farm Bureau: $399 per year

Kemper has the most expensive minimum coverage policy at $1,179 annually, with a difference of $864 from the cheapest option. This substantial price variance highlights the potential savings for Virginia Beach drivers who invest time evaluating their car insurance choices.

For all cities in Virginia, including Virginia Beach, drivers must adhere to the state's minimum required car insurance coverage. Here's what the law mandates:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
  
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
  
• $20,000 for 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
  

Imagine you're covered with the minimum policy: for a bodily injury claim, your insurer would pay up to $25,000 per person injured in an accident, but no more than $50,000 in total for all injuries per accident. Should costs exceed these amounts, any excess would, unfortunately, be your responsibility to cover out-of-pocket. Keep in mind that these limits set the stage for basic protection.

These companies offer the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Virginia Beach:

• Virginia Farm Bureau: $834 per year
• Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $839 per year

Kemper offers the most expensive policy at $1,961 annually — a significant $1,127 more than Virginia Farm Bureau. This disparity highlights the importance of comparing full coverage car insurance quotes, as full coverage typically costs more due to the inclusion of comprehensive and collision insurance in addition to liability coverage.

A full coverage policy includes coverage for damage to your own vehicle in the form of comprehensive and collision coverages. It usually also includes increased liability limits.

• Collision Insurance: This provides coverage for your vehicle in the event of a collision, whether with another vehicle or a stationary object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage insures your vehicle against various types of damage not caused by collisions, including theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.

If you have a new vehicle, opt for full coverage for more robust financial protection. If you're leasing or have a car loan, you are typically required to carry full coverage insurance. Owners of older vehicles may find the extra premium for full coverage less justifiable due to the car's decreased value. Striking the right balance is key when deciding how much car insurance you need; higher coverage leads to increased premiums, but with lower coverage, you run the risk of being inadequately insured.

MoneyGeek found that Auto-Owners Insurance Co is the cheapest option in Virginia Beach for drivers with a poor driving record looking for full coverage auto insurance. The most affordable companies for each type of incident are:

• Speeding Ticket: Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($867 per year)
• At-fault accident: Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($780 per year)
• DUI: Virginia Farm Bureau ($1,046 per year)

Conversely, National General tends to have the most expensive rates for these offenses, with the difference in annual rates between the cheapest company after a speeding ticket (Auto-Owners Insurance Co at $867) and the cheapest after a DUI (Virginia Farm Bureau at $1,046) being $179. This indicates that the severity of the offense can substantially influence car insurance rates.

In Virginia Beach, as in many other cities, insurance premiums typically climb in response to more serious driving violations due to the increased risk insurers must take on. For instance, drivers with a DUI can expect to pay an average annual rate of around $2,645, which is significantly higher than the $2,136 rate for those with a speeding ticket. This stark difference underscores the importance for individuals with driving offenses to diligently compare insurance rates, as doing so could lead to significant savings.

MoneyGeek found that Nationwide is the cheapest option in Virginia Beach, offering the cheapest car insurance for teens.

• Nationwide: $1,239 per year for female teens and $1,383 per year for male teens
• State Farm: $1,905 per year for female teens and $2,414 per year for male teens

These rates signify premiums for policies that include a combination of two parents and a teenage driver. Kemper presents the most costly teen family policy, with an annual rate of $7,013 for female teens. The stark contrast of $5,774 between the most economical and the most expensive offerings underscores the significance of comparison shopping, particularly with high-risk teenage drivers on a policy.

In Virginia Beach, young drivers face staggeringly high auto insurance premiums when purchasing an individual policy, with an average annual cost of $5,551. In stark contrast, teens added to a family plan see a significant reduction, with premiums averaging $3,313 annually. This differential exists because insurers view teens as high-risk drivers, prone to accidents, and less experienced behind the wheel.

MoneyGeek found that Virginia Farm Bureau is the cheapest option for cheapest car insurance for those with military backgrounds in Virginia Beach.

• Virginia Farm Bureau: $834 per year
• Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $839 per year

While USAA. is not at the top of the list with an annual premium of $897, it is renowned for its exceptional service catering to active-duty military members.

Saving on car insurance in Virginia Beach involves diligent rate comparison, which traditionally could consume upwards of 15 minutes per company.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator streamlines this task. By simply inputting age, driving history, credit score, desired coverage level and additional pertinent details, individuals can promptly receive tailored rate estimates, making it possible to achieve cost efficiency with far less time investment.

Choosing the best auto insurance for your needs can depend on a variety of factors, including the importance you place on service quality, cost, coverage options and other personal considerations. MoneyGeek has compiled research on the most commendable car insurance providers in Virginia Beach, using distinct scoring systems to highlight top performers in different categories, with the following standouts:

• Best overall: Erie (MoneyGeek score 88 out of 100)
• Best for service: Cincinnati Insurance (MoneyGeek score 86 out of 100)
• Best cheap: American Family (MoneyGeek score 87 out of 100)

If you prioritize overall value, Erie stands out as the top choice, excelling in both service and affordability. For those seeking premier customer experience, Cincinnati Insurance emerges as the leader. Alternatively, American Family is a great choice for individuals focused on keeping costs low without significantly compromising on service.

MoneyGeek found that Erie offers the best car insurance in Virginia Beach, ensuring drivers receive top-notch coverage and service.

• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100 ($928 per year)
• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 ($1,041 per year)

Standing out with the highest MoneyGeek score, Erie shines in the realms of customer satisfaction and affordability. The score is indicative of a full-coverage policy that balances quality service and financial ease, making Erie a preferred choice for comprehensive protection without compromising on cost or customer experience.

MoneyGeek found that Cincinnati Insurance offers the best car insurance for customer service in Virginia Beach. This is based on comprehensive assessments of general satisfaction, claims handling, and available coverages, with rates not being the primary focus of evaluation.

• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($1,041 per year)
• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($928 per year)

Cincinnati Insurance stands out particularly due to its high satisfaction and coverage scores, which are the biggest contributors to its overall superior MoneyGeek score. These factors reflect a positive customer experience and a broad spectrum of insurance offerings.

MoneyGeek found that American Family is the best cheap car insurance option in Virginia Beach for drivers looking for a balance between affordability, claims handling and overall satisfaction.

• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 ($315 per year)
• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($476 per year)

American Family distinguishes itself by securing the highest MoneyGeek score, attributed largely to its exceptional affordability and high satisfaction ratings. The score emphasizes the cost-efficiency of their minimum coverage policy, making it a standout choice for budget-conscious motorists in Virginia Beach.

In Virginia Beach, the average car insurance cost is around $1,051 per year. When compared to the overall average car insurance cost in Virginia, which is approximately $1,086 annually, Virginia Beach residents pay slightly less. Virginia's state average is significantly lower than the national average cost of car insurance, showcasing a difference of $695, with the state average at $1,086 compared to the national average of $1,781.

Car insurance premiums are influenced by a range of factors, with the location being a significant determinant due to its impact on variables like accident rates, thefts, and vandalism. Virginia Beach, with its annual premium of $900, represents the cheapest city in the study for car insurance within the state. In contrast, Norfolk stands as the most expensive, with a figure of $1,036 indicating a notable difference of $136 between the two cities. This contrast illustrates how urban areas with higher traffic density tend to have higher insurance rates, whereas less populated, non-city regions may find even lower rates. MoneyGeek's analysis included only these two cities, emphasizing the variability in car insurance costs across different urban centers.