Virginia Auto Insurance Car Insurance Comparison

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Requirement : No

Car insurance not required in Virginia . You may opt out of insurance, however, you must register with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles as an uninsured motorist. Drivers who don’t wish to register as an uninsured motorist must have a minimum of liability, and uninsured motorist coverage.

Minimum Coverage Car Insurance Requirements:

A minimum liability, and uninsured motorist coverage is required:

• $25,000 for bodily injury to one person.
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident.
• $20,000 for property damage per accident.
• Uninsured motorist coverage – Covers you in case you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured party, or they don’t have adequate coverage.
• $25,000 for bodily injury to one person.
• $50,000 for total injury per accident.
• $20,000 for property damage per accident.

Other Car Insurance Coverage Options:

Liability, and uninsured coverage is the only requirements for Virginia motorist to have, there are several other types of coverage available to drivers:

• Collision – Covers damages to your vehicle due to an accident.
• Comprehensive – Covers damages due to your non-accident related damages to your car, such as inclement weather.
• Medical Payments – Helps cover your medical or funeral costs due to an accident.

• Note: Comprehensive and or collision coverage is optional, unless the vehicle is being financed or leased, the lending/leasing agency may require you to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage.

Other Forms of Financial Responsibility:

Other legal ways around buying car insurance include:  

• Registering with the Virginia DMV as an uninsured motorist. To do so, you must pay a $500 annual fee. Note: If you get into an accident, you are financially responsible for all damages and injuries for which you are found responsible.
• $55,000 cash or securities deposit with the state comptroller.

Proof of Insurance: No

The Virginia DMB can electronically track your insurance status.

Insurance Violations:

Violations, Fines & Penalties:

• Should you be found operating a vehicle without the mandatory minimum insurance coverage, you face:
• $500 fine.
• Suspension of driver’s license, vehicle registration, license plates until proof of insurance is furnished.

SR-22:

A SR-22 may be required after a suspension in order to get your driver’s license reinstated. An SR-22 certificate only certifies proof of insurance of minimum requirements, it is not insurance.

• An SR-22 certification may be required to reinstate your license or registration if you’ve been convicted of:
• Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter.
• Falsifying your:
• Driver’s license.
• Car registration.
• Insurance information
• Felony conviction involving a traffic law.
• Hit-and-run accident.
• Driving without insurance, or registering for the uninsured motorist status.

FR-44 :

A FR-44 certification must be filed after a:

• DUI conviction.
• Maiming under the influence.
• Driving with a forfeited license.

FR-44 will require an increased liability limit of:

• $50,000 for bodily injury to one person.
• $100,000 for bodily injury per accident.
• $40,000 for property damage per accident.

  Credit Scores & Determining Your Insurance Premium :

All Virginia drivers are required to have car insurance, however, insurance providers are reserved the right to deny coverage to high-risk drivers. High-risk drivers should try to find a provider that specializes in high-risk, non-standard drivers.

Other factors that may be used to determine your premiums include:

• Age
• Credit history
• Driving history
• Deductible
• Year, make, model of vehicle

Discounts : Yes

Discounts available in Virginia:

• Anti-theft discount
• Good driver discount.
• Good student discount.
• Safety discount
• Homeowner discount.
• Multi-vehicle discount.

Cellphone Use:

Drivers under the age of 18 are banned from using their cell phones while driving. All drivers are prohibited from texting while driving. Texting violations are considered primary offenses. Violators face a $125 fine for first offense, $250 fine for subsequent offenses.