The Cheapest Car Insurance in Virginia for 2022

Car insurance can be tough to afford when you're on a limited budget. MoneyGeek's review ensures you get the best auto insurance rates for your specific profile. For your convenience, we've compiled a list of Virginia's most affordable car insurance carriers by city. We also provide tips on how to get the best car insurance in Virginia.

Liability-only coverage is the most affordable car insurance available in Virginia. However, it only covers the other party’s expenses in an at-fault accident, not your costs. You need a full coverage policy to cover your own medical and vehicle repair costs.

The cheapest car insurance providers in Virginia for minimum coverage are:

• Progressive: $406 per year
• Erie: $426 per year

USAA also offers minimum insurance coverage for an average of $406 annually to military members and their families. Travelers is the most expensive car insurance for minimum coverage, costing an average of $565 per year.

These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Virginia driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.

A full coverage package with higher liability limits and comprehensive collision insurance will ensure you’re covered in most on and off-road accidents in Virginia. While this plan costs more than minimum coverage, it protects against the cost of damages to your car, not just damages to others. Consider comparing car insurance quotes from multiple providers to reduce your costs for this additional coverage.

The least expensive full coverage car insurance carriers in Virginia are:

• Progressive: $614 per year
• GEICO: $816 per year

USAA's average rate of $809 per year is the second cheapest in the state, but it's only available to military personnel and their families. Allstate’s full coverage policy is the priciest, with an average annual rate of $1,105.

Please bear in mind that your premiums will be different than these examples. The prices listed above are for a policy with comprehensive and collision insurance and $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

Most insurers offer a convenient online quote tool. While comparing quotes, you should use consistent coverage limits. For instance, if you get a rate from one provider for comprehensive and collision insurance with a $500 deductible, you should use the same figures while obtaining prices from another carrier.

Use MoneyGeek’s calculator to find out how much car insurance will cost for an average driver. To receive a personalized quote, you’ll need to enter more details or use MoneyGeek’s price information to select suitable company websites to shop on. In Virginia, the three least expensive companies for liability coverage are USAA, Progressive and Erie. We recommend you kick off your search by getting quotes from these providers.

Younger drivers pay more for car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. A 16-year-old driver in Virginia pays around $2,799 per year for auto insurance, while a 25-year-old driver pays an average yearly premium of $1,027. Progressive offers the most affordable car insurance in Virginia for young drivers aged 16 to 25.

According to MoneyGeek, younger drivers can save $1,708 by shopping around, comparing car insurance rates and remembering to ask the insurance provider about discounts for good grades and safe driving. Allowing your teen to drive a large-frame family car with sophisticated crash protection and safety features can also save you money on insurance.

Seniors typically pay higher car insurance premiums than the average driver. Car insurance for seniors in Virginia costs an average of $1,038 annually, compared to $962 for a 40-year-old driver.

The following companies offer the cheapest full coverage car insurance for senior drivers in Virginia:

• Progressive: $690 per year
• Erie: $851 per year

Meanwhile, Mercury quotes Virginia's highest average annual premium for seniors, at $1,424.

Senior drivers face 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 rules for mature drivers to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.

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

It’s worth noting that senior drivers have more expertise behind the wheel and often take more precautions. By comparing rates, senior drivers looking for low-cost auto insurance in Virginia can save $734.

Even a ticket for a minor offense, like distracted driving, can hike your auto insurance premiums. A Virginia driver with a speeding ticket on their record must shell out an average annual amount of $1,190 for their car insurance coverage, compared to $962 for a driver without any tickets.

The most affordable car insurance carriers in Virginia for a driver with a ticket who wants full coverage are:

• GEICO: $816 per year
• Progressive: $816 per year

Travelers charges drivers with tickets the highest average annual rate of $1,446.

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.

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.

In Virginia and other states, a major driving offense, such as a DUI, may raise vehicle insurance premiums and require an SR-22. A Virginia motorist with a DUI pays an average of $1,414 annually for vehicle insurance, compared to $790 for a driver with a clean record.

The cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia for a driver with a DUI who wants full coverage are:

• Progressive: $860 per year
• State Farm: $991 per year

Meanwhile, GEICO's average rate for drivers with DIUs is the state's highest, at $2,050 annually.

A DUI conviction can result in jail time, fines, license suspension and higher insurance premiums. DUI offenders in Virginia risk a minimum of five days in prison, $250 in penalties and a one-year license suspension. To find the cheapest car insurance with a DUI in Virginia, get quotes from different carriers. Doing so can save you as much as $1,190 per year.

In Virginia, having an at-fault accident on your driving record can significantly increase your car insurance premiums. On average, drivers with at-fault accidents pay $1,441 per year for their policies.

The cheapest car insurance for drivers in Virginia with at-fault accidents are:

• Progressive: $1,058 per year
• State Farm: $1,077 per year

If you’re eligible, USAA is also an affordable option, at an average cost of $1,183 per year.

A healthy credit score is crucial to qualifying for loans and lower insurance premiums. In Virginia, a driver with a poor credit score pays $1,538 per year on average for car insurance, compared to $962 for the average driver with good credit.

The least expensive full coverage insurance policies in Virginia for drivers with poor credit are offered by:

• GEICO: $949 per year
• Progressive: $1,058 per year

Mercury's $1,810 average rate is the highest for Virginia drivers with bad credit.

According to Experian, the average credit score in Virginia in 2019 was 709 — meaning most residents rate as “good” on the FICO credit score scale. If you have bad credit, try to take steps to improve your credit score. Meanwhile, Virginia drivers with bad credit can still save $861 per year on car insurance by shopping around and comparing quotes from different insurers.

USAA tied with Progressive for the cheapest car insurance company in Virginia. Both companies offer a minimum coverage policy at around $406 a year. However, USAA caters its insurance products to eligible active-duty military members, veterans and their family members.

In Virginia, your address can greatly impact your car insurance cost. An average driver in Virginia Beach pays the cheapest full coverage car insurance premiums at approximately $777 per year. Meanwhile, residents of Alexandria pay the highest in Virginia’s car insurance marketplace at an annual average rate of $843.

Click on your city to know more about car insurance costs in your area.

Virginia car owners are financially liable for their automobiles, whether on the road or parked by the curb. The state does not require insurance for automobiles stored on private property if they are not registered for road usage.

Insured drivers in Virginia must have proof of insurance with them at all times. Although insurance companies still encourage having a card in the glove compartment, Virginia law permits drivers to store their insurance information on smartphones. You must present proof of insurance after an accident or if a law enforcement official asks for it.

Moreover, Virginia requires liability insurance coverage of at least $25,000 for injuries per person, $50,000 for injuries per accident and $20,000 for property damage. Virginia cracks down on uninsured motorists with an online verification system that identifies car owners who do not conform to state law.

If you own commercial vehicles, you may be able to self-insure them or acquire a surety bond in place of insurance.

If you don't have car insurance, you may still register your vehicle and get license plates in Virginia by paying a $500 uninsured driver charge each year. This fee does not provide motor insurance coverage. If you are an uninsured motorist in Virginia, you are solely accountable for any accidents you cause.

Almost everyone wants inexpensive auto insurance, but the statutory minimum isn't always enough to protect you. If you can afford it, industry experts recommend insurance that covers $100,000 per injured person and $300,000 for all those injured in an accident. Consumer advocates also recommend uninsured motorist insurance, which covers your expenses if an uninsured driver hits you.

To help you buy the right policy for your needs, MoneyGeek answered common questions about auto insurance rates and coverages in Virginia.