How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance in Virginia

Finding the right car insurance can be a challenge, and with so many different companies to choose from, you might be wondering which insurance agency can offer the best at the cheapest rates. While the process can seem daunting at first, making the right choice becomes a lot easier once you’ve done your research. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive guide on the cheapest car insurance options available to Virginia drivers in 2022.

In This Article:

• Cheapest Rates for Different Types of VA Drivers
• Cheapest Virginia State Minimum Rates
• Cheapest Full Coverage Rates
• Cheapest VA Cities for Car Insurance
• Best Car Insurance Companies in Virginia
• Virginia Car Insurance Laws and Penalties
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Virginia in 2022

Virginia drivers pay a little over $850 a year on car insurance according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners — about 15% less than the national average. But that doesn’t mean you’re necessarily getting the best deal on your auto insurance policy. We’ve broken down some of the best rates from the top companies in Virginia so that you can find savings no matter how much you pay. Keep reading to learn more.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Teen Drivers in Virginia

Insuring teen drivers can be expensive because they lack experience, but there are companies out there that offer more affordable rates than others. If you’re looking for an insurance policy to cover your young driver in high school, then look no further than these great insurance providers.

Here’s a list of the most affordable companies in Virginia for teen drivers.

Metromile offers the most affordable rates at $147/mo. You then see an almost $30 increase to $172/mo with Elephant Insurance. Rates then slow a slight increase to $180/mo with Gainsco before you see them jump significantly to $269/mo with SafeAuto.

Cheapest Quotes for Young Drivers Under 25

Drivers aged 18-24 still pay higher than average rates for auto insurance, but thankfully, not as much as they did in their younger teen years. There are still some great affordable options for Virginia residents. Here’s the breakdown of the insurance companies with the cheapest rates for new drivers in the state.

AssuranceAmerica offers the most affordable auto insurance rates at $116/mo, followed by Clearcover ($120/mo) and MetroMile ($130/mo). Rates are then similar for DirectGeneral ($141/mo), Gainsco ($147/mo), Elephant ($148/mo), and Liberty Mutual ($151/mo).

Cheapest Rates for Virginia Retirees

Once you hit your retirement years at 65+, you get to enjoy more time to yourself and if you spend that time behind the road you want to be sure to keep your auto insurance premiums low. Here are the two cheapest options for retirees in Georgia.

MetroMile and Liberty Mutual offer the most affordable rates at $55/mo and $78/mo respectively.

The Cheapest Quotes for Married Drivers

Being married comes with its advantages, one is more affordable auto insurance. Whether it’s because married drivers are more likely to have multiple cars on their policy or tend to practice safer driving habits, the ring comes with more benefits than you might imagine.

Check out the top 5 cheapest companies available to married drivers in Virginia.

The most affordable rates for married drivers range between $58-$104/mo. MetroMile averages $58/mo, followed by AssuranceAmerica ($65/mo), Gainsco ($75/mo), Liberty Mutual ($84/mo), and SafeAuto rounds out the list at $104/mo.

Best Rates for Single Drivers in Virginia

Even if you aren’t married, you can still find a great rate on your auto insurance. Take a look at this list of affordable insurance options for single drivers in Virginia.

Mercury stands apart from the bunch with the cheapest average auto insurance rate at $57/mo. Premiums are then similar for AssuranceAmerica ($71/mo), MetroMile ($75/mo) and Clearcover ($85/mo). Next, you see rates increase a bit more, ending up at $100+/mo with Gainsco ($101/mo), Travelers ($103/mo) and Dairyland ($113/mo).

Cheapest Rates for Virginians with Spotty Driving Records

Is your driving record more spotted than spotless? No worries. Having a history of accidents and driving tickets can lead to costly insurance, but there are insurance companies that offer affordable premiums regardless of your history.

Here’s a good list of some cheap insurance companies that can offer you the comprehensive coverage you need.

5 Cheapest Companies for Drivers with 1 Ticket

MetroMile offers average rates of $77/mo for drivers with one ticket in Virginia and Mercury offers a similar rate of $80/mo. The final 3 companies on the list offer similar rates of $92/mo at AssuranceAmerica, $95/mo at Clearcover, and $101/mo at DirectGeneral.

5 Cheapest Companies for Drivers with Multiple Tickets

The difference between the cheapest auto insurance rate for drivers with one ticket vs. multiple tickets is over $30. DirectGeneral offers an average monthly rate of $111/mo, followed by Gainsco at $112/mo.

Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for Virginia Drivers After an Accident

Much like having a couple of tickets on your record, you are getting into an accident can also negatively affect your insurance rates. But there are still great companies out there that can ensure your vehicle at an affordable price. Here are the top 5 cheapest companies for those who have had one or more accidents on their record.

5 Cheapest Companies for Drivers with 1 Accident

MetroMile offers the most affordable average auto insurance rates at $86/mo. Assurance America offers similar rates at $94/mo, followed by Liberty Mutual ($110/mo), DirectGeneral ($113/mo), and Gainsco ($114/mo).

5 Cheapest Companies for Drivers with Multiple Accidents

If you have multiple accidents on your record rates will certainly be more expensive. The most affordable option is $132/mo with Direct General. They’re followed by Gainsco at $148/mo, Liberty Mutual at $169/mo, and Elephant at $195/mo.

Cheapest Insurance Companies for Men vs. Women

While auto insurance rates are generally the same for both genders, men are more likely to pay slightly higher rates than women because they are statistically more likely to engage in dangerous driving behaviors that require an insurance claim.

Here’s a breakdown of the cheapest rates available to both men and women drivers in Virginia.

5 Cheapest Companies for Men in VA

The cheapest insurance options for women range between $57-$93/mo with Mercury and Liberty Mutual respectively. Other options include AssuranceAmerica ($70/mo), MetroMile ($74/mo) and Clearcover ($81/mo).

5 Cheapest Companies for Women in VA

The most affordable insurance option for women starts at the same rate as men of $57/mo and goes to $88/mo with Mercury and Liberty Mutual respectively. Other options to consider include AssuranceAmerica ($71/mo), MetroMile ($72/mo) and Clearcover ($83/mo).

Cheapest Virginia State Minimum Coverage

While having car insurance in Virginia isn’t mandated by law, you still need to pay an uninsured motorist fee to the state of $500 if you decide to go without. We recommend avoiding this by getting a policy that has at least the minimum coverage. Here are the cheapest state minimum coverage options.

$53 is the most affordable monthly premium with MetroMile. The rest of the options on the list offer relatively similar insurance rates with Kemper rounding out the list at $84/mo.

The Best Rates for Full Coverage Car Insurance in Virginia

Certainly, having minimum liability coverage is better than no insurance at all—increasing your limits is even better. Accidents can be expensive, and sometimes the minimum coverage isn’t enough to pay for the cost of damages that occur during a bad accident. The last thing you want is to drain your account paying for these costs out of pocket.

Here’s a list of the most affordable full coverage auto insurance options in Virginia.

MetroMile once again offers the most affordable auto insurance at $100/mo. Direct General and Nationwide offer similar rates at $114/mo and $121/mo. Then you see a larger rate jump to $145/mo and $147/mo with Elephant and Liberty Mutual. Finally, SafeAuto ($153/mo), Kemper ($160/mo), and Gainsco ($165/mo) round out our list.

The Best Car Insurance Companies in Virginia in 2022

Hopefully, you have a better idea of what some of the most commonly asked questions are when it comes to insuring your vehicle in Virginia. Now that we’ve gone over that as well as the cheapest insurance companies available to Virginia drivers, we can now take a look at the highest-rated companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction, and policy options, as well as the company’s financial strength.

We use data from Reviews.com to give a breakdown of some of the best-rated policy options that take into account the J.D. Power overall customer satisfaction ratings, as well the Am Best financial strength rating while also factoring in the average premium price for each company policy.

Erie

According to Reviews.com, Erie Insurance comes in with a score of 3.8 out of 5. Where this company shines is in its customer satisfaction rates. They also scored well in regards to their affordability and a wide variety of broad standard coverage options. Their only drawback is they don’t have many digital tools for their customers to use, which is frustrating if you’re the type of person who wants to have access to your policy information through an app or need to communicate with your agent online.

Progressive

Coming in at a 4.2 out of 5, Progressive is another great car insurance company. Known for the wide variety of online tools and multiple discounts they offer to their customers, this company is a great option for those looking for a reliable insurance company with strong technology. With multi-car and multi-policy discounts available to their customers, you can’t go wrong with Progressive. They also offer safe driver discounts, which can save you money based on your driving behavior.

Travelers

The final company rounding out the best-rated car insurance providers in Virginia is Travelers. Travelers shines in the affordability category and offers its customers the most discounts out of the other providers listed above. They also have a wide variety of coverage plans to fit your needs.

Their only weakness is many customers have reported bad claims experiences and overall below-average customer satisfaction. While this can be frustrating, they make up for it with their affordable rates and numerous discount options. Travelers currently offer these types of discounts: safe driver, new car replacement, multi-car, multi-policy, continuous insurance discounts, and much more.

Virginia Car Insurance Requirements

Virginia is unique in that they don’t require vehicle owners to ensure their car by law. However, those who decide to forgo insurance will need to pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee. In addition, not having insurance and getting into an accident that results in a class 3 misdemeanor could result in your license being revoked, vehicle registration taken away, and your license plates confiscated.

With that in mind, it’s usually a good idea to carry the minimum coverage. Those who decide to insure their vehicle will need to get the minimum required insurance coverage in Virginia. This includes bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage.

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

• $30,000 for one person
• $60,000 for total damages

Property Damage Liability Coverage

• $20,000 per accident

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage

• $30,000 for one person
• $60,000 for total damages

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage

• $20,000 per accident

Drivers can purchase more than the minimum, and this is usually recommended considering how expensive damages can be if you’re involved in a car accident or there’s a natural disaster. Now that we’ve gone over the basic requirements, we’d like to take the opportunity to go over what can happen if you’re caught driving without insurance.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in VA

Driving without car insurance can be a major problem if you’re caught by the authorities. Every driver is required to have a certain amount of minimum coverage if they plan on driving a motor vehicle in the great state of Virginia. If you fail to meet the minimum requirements for Virginia, it may result in the following penalties and fines:

• A $500 fee in addition to the cost of license and registration reinstatement
• Suspension of your driver’s license, registration, and license plates
• A three-year requirement to file an SR-22 yearly to maintain your license, once it’s been reinstated

Virginia Vehicle Registration Fees and Other Costs

Buying a new or used car requires you to spend more money than the sticker price. If you’re buying a new vehicle, you need to be prepared to pay registration fees along with other costs. Let’s take a look at some of the extra budget considerations you need to make.

You’ll also be on the hook for basic DMV fees like title, license plate, and registration fees no matter where and how you purchase your new car, truck, or SUV, as well as buying a new car insurance policy for your car.

Some buyers will find themselves responsible for additional fees such as sales tax, documentation fees, personal property tax, emissions and inspection fees, hybrid and electric vehicle fees, lien recording fees, and a slew of other costs.

If you’re interested in learning more about the costs associated with car ownership, check out Compare.com’s comprehensive vehicle costs breakdown to make sure you account for all the added fees you might be on the hook for when buying a car in Virginia.

Compare Car Insurance Rates by Virginia Cities

Now let’s take this opportunity to compare car insurance rates by city.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does cover most of the major towns and cities in Virginia and can give you a good idea of the cheapest companies available in your locality. Read on to find out if your city is listed!

As you can see, Charlottesville has the cheapest car insurance in Virginia, while areas in Northern Virginia like Woodbridge and Dumfries have the highest premiums.

Click on the name of each city in the table above to find detailed breakdowns of all the factors that go into calculating your monthly premium.

Here, you’ll find all the information you need on how things like driving record, age, gender, vehicle make and model, and more will affect how much you pay for car insurance in each locality.

Virginia Auto Insurance FAQs

Now that we’ve broken down the extra costs you have to budget for when buying a new or used car, let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked car insurance questions that seem to come up more often than not.

By going over these questions, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to find an insurance policy that works for you.

What car insurance is required in Virginia?

Surprisingly it’s not required to have car insurance by law in Virginia. However, not getting insurance does come with its downsides. Not only do you risk having to pay out of pocket for any accidents that might happen in the future, but you will also need to pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee to the state.

How much is car insurance in Virginia? 

The average cost of car insurance in Virginia is $99 per month, which ranks as one of the most affordable states to insure your vehicle..

What happens if you drive without car insurance in Virginia?

If you drive in Virginia without paying the $500 uninsured motorist fee, you might be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor, in which case you can also lose your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and license plates. With that being said, driving without insurance is just too big of a risk to take. Don’t make this critical mistake and choose one of the reputable and affordable insurance company options we provide in this guide.

Does Virginia require full coverage car insurance?

No, but all insurance policies need to have the minimum level of coverage we described earlier, consisting of bodily injury coverage, property damage coverage, and uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.

While Virginia’s minimum requirements are mostly the same compared to other states, Virginia is unique in that they actually allow drivers to drive uninsured for a $500 fee. This is not recommended. Even going with the bare minimum can be risky as accidents can often surpass those limits depending on the severity of the incident. Overall, if you can raise your liability limits, it is advised that you do so.

Can You Get Car Insurance Without a License in Virginia

If you own a vehicle but can no longer drive or hold a valid driver’s license and need to have your car insured—then there are options for you to get your car insured without a license. However, this will require that you exclude yourself from the policy and list your someone else’s license number on the policy.

Those who own a car but no longer have a valid license number won’t be able to finalize their policy unless they list the person who will be driving the car as the primary driver. We recommend talking to your insurance agent to see if they can accommodate this request. In most cases, agents are extremely professional and should be able to ensure your vehicle if the circumstances require it.

Methodology

All data referenced in this article comes from a combination of proprietary data — which is aggregated from millions of real customer quotes through Compare.com — and additional data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant.