Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Richmond, Virginia (2023)

Richmond drivers pay, on average, 18% more for car insurance than the overall average cost for the state.

Choncé Maddox
Written byChoncé Maddox
Choncé Maddox
Choncé Maddox
  • 7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content

  • Certified financial education instructor (CFEI)

Choncé was a licensed life insurance agent before becoming a freelance personal finance writer. She’s passionate about helping people learn to protect themselves with insurance.

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Chris Schafer
Edited byChris Schafer
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

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Updated November 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM PST

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If you’re looking for car insurance in Richmond, Virginia, you can’t go wrong by starting with Auto-Owners Insurance, State Farm, and GEICO. These are three of the area’s top insurers, but because Richmond is one of Virginia’s largest cities and the state’s capital, you have plenty of other options, too.

No matter the insurer you choose, you can expect to pay an average of $260 per month for full coverage and $197 for liability-only car insurance. But your rates may vary depending on your age, driving history, and other factors.

This article is your guide to the things that affect your car insurance rates in Richmond.

Quick Facts
  • The overall average cost of insurance in Richmond is $243 per month. 

  • Starting in 2025, Virginia’s minimum-liability coverage requirements will increase considerably.[1]

  • Virginia allows car insurance companies to consider your credit when determining your rates, and a higher score can lower your rates.

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Best car insurance companies in Richmond

Narrowing down the best auto insurance company for you will depend heavily on your personal preferences and what’s important to you. The quotes you receive will be affected by your age, driving history, level of coverage, and more.

Here is an in-depth look at some of the cheapest insurance options based on different situations and needs such as liability-only coverage, an accident on record, and young drivers.

Best insurer for liability rates: Auto-Owners

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.1
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
837
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$43/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$70/mo

Auto-Owners Insurance has an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 4.0 out of 5 and some of the lowest rates for liability-only auto insurance in Richmond. Auto-Owners also offers gap coverage and roadside assistance and multiple discounts for multiple policies, getting a quote in advance, and making on-time payments for 36 months.

Pros
  • Several available discounts

  • Gap coverage and roadside assistance available

Cons
  • Quotes not available online

  • Accident forgiveness not included with basic policy

I was pleased with the agent and for years the price, but now they have gotten too expensive for a person on a fixed income.

Mary - August 13, 2023
Verified

I was dropped because of two minor at-fault accidents in two plus years.

Zachary - January 8, 2023
Verified

You can work directly with an agent.

Guy - May 17, 2022
Verified
Read our Auto-Owners review

Best insurer for drivers with a speeding ticket: GEICO

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$59/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$97/mo

GEICO has a 4.2 IQ Score and offers personalized auto coverage based on your needs. If you have a speeding ticket on your record, your rates may go up, but GEICO allows you to get a quote online and utilize discounts to save, especially after completing an approved defensive driving course or bundling your insurance policies.

Pros
  • High customer ratings

  • Several discount options, including savings for completing an approved defensive driving course

Cons
  • Gap coverage for rideshare insurance not available

  • Accident forgiveness not available

Unwilling to work with clients. Especially senior citizens on a fixed income.

Janina - September 10, 2023
Verified

Awesome customer service, good prices, easy to deal with.

Kathleen - September 9, 2023
Verified

Good treatment in responding to questions and handling of my accident, especially because I was not at fault. No hesitation in paying the repair bill and then collecting from the at-fault insurance company client's policy.

James - September 7, 2023
Verified
Read our GEICO review

Best insurer for teen drivers: State Farm

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$43/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$72/mo

State Farm has some of the cheapest auto insurance rates in Richmond and offers several ways for teens to save on their premiums. Students who report good grades can save up to 25% on their premiums, and drivers younger than 25 can also enroll in the Steer Clear driver safety program to receive a discount.

Pros
  • Variety of coverage options, including emergency roadside assistance and rental car coverage

  • Several discounts for young drivers

Cons
  • Gap insurance not available

  • Accident forgiveness not available

I feel like I am being way overcharged for my insurance since I have had no accidents or tickets in the last 10 years.

Theresa - September 14, 2023
Verified

I really enjoyed working with them, I just couldn't keep up with the expensive rates.

Becki - September 13, 2023
Verified

I was 5 stars until the recent increase, without any explanation.

Norman - September 13, 2023
Verified
Read our State Farm review

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Richmond

If you’re at fault for an accident, liability-only car insurance covers damage to the other person’s vehicle and their medical expenses.

If you drive an older car or a car that’s already been paid off, liability-only car insurance may be an option for you. Here are some of the cheapest liability-only car insurance rates in Richmond.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Auto-Owners43
State Farm43
GEICO59
USAA59
Chubb64
Erie67
Safeco73
Mercury75
Nationwide76
State Auto76
Clearcover78
Midvale Home & Auto85
Allstate92
Liberty Mutual96
Elephant98
Progressive98
AssuranceAmerica111
Dairyland112
Direct Auto116
National General116
GAINSCO118
Travelers123
CSAA153
Bristol West167
The General183
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Keep in Mind

Insurance professionals generally recommend buying more than your state’s minimum required amount of liability insurance. Higher liability coverage limits provide better financial protection in case of an accident.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Richmond

Full-coverage auto insurance includes liability, but it also includes collision insurance to cover damage to your vehicle or your medical expenses after an accident, and comprehensive coverage, which pays for non-accident damage to your car. If you have a car loan or lease, your leasing company and lender likely already require you to carry full-coverage insurance.

Full-coverage insurance may be a good option for you if you can’t afford to pay for vehicle repairs out of pocket. Here are some of the cheapest full-coverage car insurance rates in Richmond.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Auto-Owners70
State Farm72
GEICO97
USAA97
Chubb105
Erie110
Clearcover117
Nationwide121
Midvale Home & Auto135
Mercury136
Safeco136
Allstate150
Travelers156
Elephant162
State Auto167
Liberty Mutual174
Direct Auto177
AssuranceAmerica180
Progressive185
National General220
CSAA236
Dairyland238
GAINSCO267
The General309
Bristol West321
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Car insurance requirements in Virginia

Most states require drivers to have minimum or liability-only insurance. In Virginia, drivers must meet certain minimum-coverage limits or risk driver’s license suspension and a $500 fee.[1]

Virginia is also increasing its minimum requirements on Jan. 1, 2025. Here are the current car insurance requirements, along with the new requirements that’ll go into effect in 2025.[1]

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/f2ca9fa443/protection-for-passengers.svg

    Bodily injury liability coverage

    • $30,000 per person ($50,000 as of 2025)

    • $60,000 per accident ($100,000 as of 2025)

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/7b43b14514/damage-from-aircraft.svg

    Property damage liability coverage

    • $20,000 ($25,000 as of 2025)

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Your driving history is one of the biggest factors that affects your car insurance rates. An at-fault accident can cause your insurance rates to go up, as will other infractions like speeding tickets and driving under the influence.

In the sections that follow, you’ll see how each infraction affects your rates differently.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

If you receive a citation for speeding, it can show up on your driving record and, depending on your insurer, could increase your rates. Here are some of the average monthly quotes from insurers in Richmond when you have a speeding ticket on your record.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full Coverage Average Quote: Liability Only
Auto-Owners9760
State Farm10060
GEICO13582
USAA13582
Chubb14689
Erie15393
Clearcover163109
Nationwide168106
Midvale Home & Auto188118
Mercury189104
Safeco189102
Allstate209128
Travelers217171
Elephant225136
State Auto232106
Liberty Mutual242134
Direct Auto246161
AssuranceAmerica251154
Progressive257136
National General306161
CSAA328213
Dairyland331156
GAINSCO372164
The General430255
Bristol West447232
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

Accidents can be dangerous, scary, and costly. In addition to having to repair your car after an accident, your insurance rates will likely go up. An accident can also stay on your driving record for three to five years, creating risk for insurers, which is why they may quote you a higher price.[2]

Here are some monthly quotes from insurers in Richmond when you have an at-fault accident on your record.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full Coverage Average Quote: Liability Only
Auto-Owners10162
State Farm10462
GEICO13985
USAA13985
Chubb15192
Erie15896
Clearcover168112
Nationwide174109
Midvale Home & Auto194122
Mercury196108
Safeco196105
Allstate216132
Travelers224177
Elephant233141
State Auto240109
Liberty Mutual250138
Direct Auto255167
AssuranceAmerica259160
Progressive266141
National General316167
CSAA339220
Dairyland342161
GAINSCO384170
The General444263
Bristol West462240
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Driving under the influence is a serious offense that stays on your driving record for several years in Virginia. Having a DUI doesn’t look good to insurers, and they may raise your rates significantly or drop you altogether. Here are some of the rates Richmond insurers are offering for drivers with a DUI.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full Coverage Average Quote: Liability Only
Auto-Owners11570
State Farm11870
GEICO15997
USAA15997
Chubb172105
Erie180110
Clearcover192128
Nationwide198124
Midvale Home & Auto221139
Mercury223123
Safeco223120
Allstate246151
Travelers256201
Elephant265161
State Auto274124
Liberty Mutual285157
Direct Auto290190
AssuranceAmerica295182
Progressive303161
National General360190
CSAA387251
Dairyland390183
GAINSCO437193
The General506300
Bristol West526274
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Generally, seniors have the cheapest car insurance rates of any age group. But rates typically rise for senior drivers around age 70 because insurers see this group as a higher risk to insure.[3] This is, in part, due to slower reflexes but also to the increased risk of costly medical claims in the event of an accident.

But if you’re a senior driver, you can still find cheap insurance rates if you keep a clean driving record and take advantage of discounts.

Many insurance companies offer discounts for bundling coverage, remaining accident-free, and completing a driver safety course. Some insurers may even offer specific discounts for seniors or for using usage-based coverage, meaning if you drive fewer miles, it could lower your premium. 

Here are some of the best monthly insurance quotes for seniors in Richmond.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full Coverage Average Quote: Liability Only
Auto-Owners3321
State Farm3421
GEICO4628
USAA4628
Chubb5031
Erie5232
Clearcover5637
Nationwide5836
Midvale Home & Auto6441
Mercury6536
Safeco6535
Allstate7244
Travelers7459
Elephant7747
State Auto8036
Liberty Mutual8346
Direct Auto8455
AssuranceAmerica8653
Progressive8847
National General10555
CSAA11373
Dairyland11453
GAINSCO12756
The General14787
Bristol West15380
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for teens

Young drivers and teens also tend to pay higher insurance rates than the general population. This is because insurers find that drivers younger than 25 tend to get into more accidents and have less experience on the road.

Some insurers offer discounts for young drivers who earn good grades or who complete a driver safety program. Young drivers may also save by staying on their parents’ insurance.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full Coverage Average Quote: Liability Only
Auto-Owners12476
State Farm12876
GEICO172105
USAA172105
Chubb186113
Erie195119
Clearcover207138
Nationwide215135
Midvale Home & Auto239151
Mercury241133
Safeco241129
Allstate266163
Travelers277218
Elephant287174
State Auto296135
Liberty Mutual309170
Direct Auto314206
AssuranceAmerica319197
Progressive328174
National General390206
CSAA418271
Dairyland422199
GAINSCO473209
The General548324
Bristol West569296
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
What Are the Best Cars for Teens to Drive?

What Are the Best Cars for Teens to Drive?

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Richmond

Finding the cheapest car insurance in Richmond depends on factors including your age, ZIP code, driving history, and desired level of coverage. While some of these factors are outside of your control, you can still do a few specific things to lower your insurance costs, including:

  • Avoid violations. Practice safe driving habits so you can avoid violations like speeding tickets and other infractions. In doing so, you’ll maintain a clean driving record.

  • Improve your credit score. Car insurance companies can use your credit score to determine the likelihood that you’ll file a claim, so it’s important to maintain a good credit score to keep your rates lower.

  • Ask about discounts. Insurers offer several discounts, from bundling coverage and multi-policy discounts to having a vehicle with certain anti-theft protection or driving safely. Be sure to ask about which discounts you may qualify for.

  • Shop around and compare quotes. Shop around and compare quotes from at least three different insurers to make sure you’re getting the best price.

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Richmond car insurance quotes by credit tier

Virginia is one of many states that allow insurers to use your credit score as a factor when calculating insurance rates. An excellent credit score is considered anything above 720, and the higher your credit, the better chances you’ll have a lower insurance rate.

However, it’s important to note that a lower credit score doesn’t always guarantee you’ll have higher insurance rates. It all depends on the insurer and how it weighs other factors like your age, driving history, and location.

Here are the average monthly quotes for Richmond based on your credit score tier.

Rates by Credit Tier

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Is car insurance more expensive in Richmond?

The average cost of full-coverage insurance in Richmond is $290, which is a little higher than the average cost for the state of Virginia of $253. In fact, insurance in Richmond is much higher than in other large Virginia cities like Arlington and Alexandria.

Drivers in larger cities with more traffic may see higher car insurance rates, especially if there are more accidents or higher vehicle repair costs.

More cities in Virginia

Here’s how the average monthly car insurance quote differs in other Virginia cities compared to Richmond.

CityAverage Monthly QuoteCompared to Richmond
Alexandria$252-13%
Arlington$221-10%
Henrico$275-5%
Newport News$283-2%
Norfolk$287-1%
Roanoke$196-32%
Virginia Beach$246-15%
Woodbridge$266-8%
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Richmond car insurance FAQs

Looking for more information about securing the best car insurance rates in Richmond? Consult the answers below.

  • How much is car insurance in Richmond?

    The average cost of full-coverage insurance in Richmond is $290, a little higher than the average cost for the state of Virginia, at $253. Rates in Richmond are higher than in other large Virginia cities like Arlington and Alexandria.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in Richmond?

    Auto-Owners Insurance, State Farm, and GEICO are the top insurers in Richmond. Each has an IQ Score of 4.0 or better, and Auto-Owners and GEICO offer several discounts. State Farm’s customer service is continually ranked among the industry’s best.

  • What’s the Virginia minimum car insurance coverage?

    Drivers in Virginia must maintain coverage that amounts to at least $30,000 for injury or death of one person and $60,000 for injury or death of two or more. They must also maintain property damage coverage of $20,000. But on Jan. 1, 2025, these numbers will climb to $50,000, $100,000, and $25,000, respectively.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance requirements." Accessed July 25, 2023
  2. Virginia DMV. "Four Point Violations." Accessed July 25, 2023
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed July 25, 2023
Choncé Maddox
Choncé Maddox

Choncé Maddox is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) and personal finance freelance writer. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Journalism and has been covering personal finance topics surrounding saving, debt payoff, credit, and home insurance for seven years. Chonce briefly held a life insurance license in Illinois where she developed a passion for helping people learn how to protect themselves and their property through insurance coverage. Her work has been featured on LendingTree, Business Insider, RateGenius and more.

Chris Schafer
Edited byChris SchaferSenior Editor
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

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