The Best Cheap Car Insurance in Virginia for 2021

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Liability-only car insurance covers you for damages and medical expenses for the other involved driver if you are responsible for a car accident. It does not cover your own medical expenses and damage repair costs. You can opt for comprehensive and collision coverage if you are still making payments on your car. A minimum-liability requirement is in place in most states. Insurance companies offer additional coverage for added protection. For both the state minimum of 25/50/20 and a higher 50/100/50 coverage level in Virginia, Progressive is the cheapest option for most drivers.

Average Cost for Liability Coverage

MoneyGeek calculated overall auto insurance company scores out of 100 by giving equal weight to industry reports like J.D. Power’s claims and customer satisfaction analysis, AM Best’s financial strength rating and unique pricing data. You can use MoneyGeek’s rankings and comparative company scores to find the best car insurance provider in Virginia for your needs.

While USAA scores highly in many areas, this provider is only available to military members, veterans and their families.

Market Share by Company

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reported that the CEICO Group holds 19.01% of the market share, making it the largest car insurance company in the state of Virginia. The following table showcases the four largest companies in the state.

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MoneyGeek determined the average costs for 100/300/100 comprehensive and collision insurance for a 40-year-old male driver of a Toyota Camry with a clean driving record. Your annual vehicle insurance premium may be higher or lower than these Virginia averages depending on your age, driving record, location and coverage level.

• Average Driver: $790
• DUI: $1,414
• Speeding Ticket: $977
• Poor Credit Score: $1,296
• Seniors: $852
• Students: $2,072

Driving under the influence is one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in the country. In Virginia, 2,278 people were killed in alcohol-related car accidents between 2009 and 2018. 1.6% of Virginia drivers report driving after drinking too much in the past 30 days. Being cited with a DUI will likely result in jail time, fines, a license suspension and a spike in your insurance rates. In the state of Virginia, DUI offenders can face a minimum of five days in jail, a minimum of $250 in fines and a one-year license suspension. The following table showcases what drivers in Virginia who get a DUI can expect to pay in auto insurance.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI

It’s not uncommon for insurance rates to double overnight after a DUI. The minimum estimated cost for a DUI is estimated at $45,435. Finding cheap car insurance with a DUI in Virginia will require requesting quotes from multiple insurance providers who will look at your offense in addition to other regularly considered factors (age, gender, etc.) to give you the best rate possible.

Distracted driving can raise your car insurance rates. It might feel like distracted driving or speeding shouldn’t result in a citation or an increase in insurance rates, but they are intended to discourage distracted driving and to keep people safe. According to Insurance.com, a texting ticket can cause your insurance rates to increase by 26% on average. The following chart features the rates that drivers in Virginia can expect to pay for auto insurance after receiving a distracted driving or speeding ticket.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket

If you do receive a speeding or distracted driving ticket, don’t panic. The amount your rate increases will depend on your insurance provider and your previous driving history, but you will likely see a change in your fees for months or years. To find cheap car insurance after getting a ticket in Virginia, speak with multiple top-rated auto insurance companies in Virginia to request a free car insurance quote before choosing your plan.

According to Experian, the average credit score in Virginia in 2019 was 709 — meaning most drivers score “good” on the FICO credit score scale. However, poor credit can negatively impact a variety of items, including your car insurance rates. Some companies look at your credit score to determine your financial responsibility and reliability, which is why having a lower score might lead to higher insurance rates. The following are auto insurance estimates for individuals with poor credit in Virginia.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit

Insurance providers will take your credit score into consideration, so rates can vary from driver to driver. If you do have bad credit and are searching for cheap car insurance quotes, it’s important to recognize the root of your credit issues so you can raise your credit score.

Senior drivers face a unique set of driving challenges that come with age, such as vision and hearing loss, slower reflexes and shorter attention spans. Therefore, the state of Virginia has implemented a series of procedures and rules for mature drivers to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. Drivers over the age of 75 must renew their license in person at the DMV every five years.

The following table shows what senior drivers in Virginia may pay for auto insurance.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

Due to the increased risks older drivers face behind the wheel (16.5% of fatal car crashes in 2017 involved a driver over 65), insurance companies are often likely to increase their rates. However, senior drivers tend to have a lot of experience behind the wheel and often take more precautions— they’re more likely to wear a seatbelt while driving and avoid texting and talking on the phone. If you’re looking for affordable car insurance in Virginia as a senior, a good driving record can help keep your rates down.

Virginia has put laws and regulations in place to keep young drivers safe. Still, auto insurance for teen drivers is almost always greater than for older drivers. To control these costs, the Virginia DMV suggests asking the insurance company for a higher deductible on any damages.

For college students enrolling in a school outside of Virginia, let the insurance company know if a vehicle will be used in the student's state for more than 30 days per year, or consider scaling back the student's coverage to "occasional driver" if your child won't be using a car often.

The table below demonstrates approximate rates for young drivers. Unfortunately, teen drivers lack maturity and experience behind the wheel and therefore are the >most expensive demographic to insure. Compare car insurance quotes and don’t forget to ask the insurance company about discounts for good grades and safe driving. Letting your teen use a large-frame family sedan with advanced crash protection and safety features may also lower your premium.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Students

The major insurance carriers in Virginia offer reduced rates for the state's active-duty military personnel and veterans. Geico maintains a special military center to serve the numerous bases in Virginia. In addition, there are also specialty insurance carriers who work just with military families on their coverage needs. Get at least three price quotes in writing to make a good comparison of prevailing rates.

The state DMV guide for military personnel covers insurance, licensing and registration requirements for enlisted men and women. While stationed in Virginia, if you purchase a vehicle, you can register that vehicle in your home state or in Virginia. Vehicles titled and registered in your name can be driven with a valid out-of-state license plate, but only if you are the sole owner. Co-owners must also be on active duty; otherwise, the vehicle must be registered in Virginia.

If you're from Virginia but stationed outside the state, most of the business you would normally need to conduct with the DMV can be done online.

Insurers operating in Virginia that give discounts to military personnel and veterans include GEICO and USAA. With GEICO specifically, you may see discounts of up to 15%. The following table reflects estimates of what active-duty and veteran military personnel can expect to pay in Virginia for auto insurance.

Average Rates for Virginia service members

25 years$1,230
50 years$959

25 years$1,187
50 years$945

Expert Advice on Finding Cheap Car Insurance in Virginia

To help you find trustworthy and accurate details on car insurance in Virginia, MoneyGeek received expert advice from proven professionals. The perspectives and sentiments shared are those of the individual contributor.

1. What are the key factors drivers in Virginia should look for when searching for the best auto insurance coverage?

   Irene Leech

   Look at more than price but be sure to compare paying the premium monthly vs. quarterly or semi-annually. Also, look at differences based on the deductible. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium, but make sure the deductible is something you can afford – we once had two of our vehicles hit in the same hit and run accident and had to pay deductibles for both!

   Look at what is covered. Also, consider your overall finances, driving record, need to add young drivers, and other things that may be unique to your situation. Consider dropping comprehensive coverage when a vehicle gets high mileage/high years.

2. What steps can drivers in Virginia take to find affordable car insurance?

   Irene Leech

   Most important is comparison shopping. Be sure you are comparing apples with apples and not apples with oranges.

   Set up criteria for what you need for insurance and comparison shop.

   Look to Cooperative Extension or another research-based, non-industry source to learn more about insurance!

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Irene LeechAssistant Professor of Consumer Studies at Virginia TechREAD ANSWERS

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About the Author

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Nicole Duxbury is a writer for MoneyGeek and a marketing and communications professional based in Reno, Nevada. She has more than five years of professional marketing and communications experience working with clients in finance, travel, food and beverage, CPG, non-profit, higher education and politics. Her work has an emphasis on content writing, social media management, content and digital marketing.

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