)
Michelle Lambright Black is a credit expert, content writer, and founder of CreditWriter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and speaking about credit and money and has been writing for Compare.com since 2023.
Michelle’s work has appeared in publications such as Yahoo! Finance, Reader’s Digest, Parents, FICO, Forbes, Bankrate, The Seattle Times, MarketWatch, BuySide from Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Insurify, and more.
In her writing, she focuses on helping families and small business owners make smart, informed decisions about their credit, money, and financial products (including insurance).
Michelle is also a three-time finalist for the best personal finance freelancer award from the Plutus Foundation.
)
Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
Updated
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While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Table of contents
RVA drivers pay an average of $174 per month for car insurance. That’s more expensive than the rest of the state, likely due to the city’s roughly quarter of a million people[1] and high frequency of car accidents. Despite the city’s “Vision Zero” initiative to eliminate all traffic fatalities in the city, RVA averages more than 4,000 crashes and 20 traffic fatalities each year.[2]
But even with these higher rates, some insurance companies offer competitive coverage options and below-average premiums. For example, Auto-Owners, State Farm, and GEICO have the most affordable average car insurance rates in the Richmond area, with basic policies starting as low as $41 per month.
In this guide, we’ll outline Richmond’s cheapest car insurance companies for different drivers. Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to pick the right company and save money on your policy.
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest auto insurance in Richmond, VA, with an average monthly rate of $41.
Richmond drivers pay an average of $131 for liability car insurance and $217 for full coverage.
As of Jan. 1, 2025, Virginia’s liability coverage requirements increased to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage and $50,000 of property damage liability coverage.[3]
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Richmond, Virginia
Despite the relatively high cost of auto insurance in Richmond, you can find multiple ways to save money. Comparing insurance quotes from several companies can help you make sure you get the best deal. Plus, several insurance companies in Richmond offer rates below the citywide average.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
---|---|
Auto-Owners | $41 |
State Farm | $42 |
GEICO | $56 |
USAA | $56 |
Chubb | $62 |
Erie | $65 |
Clearcover | $67 |
Nationwide | $74 |
Mercury | $87 |
Allstate | $88 |
Progressive | $102 |
Direct Auto | $112 |
Elephant | $113 |
National General | $118 |
Travelers | $119 |
CSAA | $120 |
GAINSCO | $129 |
Root | $131 |
Safeco | $139 |
Bristol West | $149 |
Dairyland | $160 |
AssuranceAmerica | $169 |
The General | $200 |
Liberty Mutual | $200 |
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest car insurance rates in Richmond, with monthly car insurance costs averaging just $41. But the best insurance company for you depends on factors like your driving record, age, and vehicle.
Next, we’ll tell you which car insurance companies provide the best car insurance rates and coverage options for different Richmond drivers.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Richmond by Driver and Coverage Type
No single insurer is perfect for all drivers. Just because your friend or neighbor gets a great rate on their insurance policy from a certain company doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you.
Many companies have affordable insurance for different types of drivers. Below are some of the best auto insurance companies for different driver profiles in Richmond, according to Compare.com data.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|
State-minimum coverage | Auto-Owners | $41 |
Full coverage | Auto-Owners | $73 |
Teens | Auto-Owners | $73 |
Seniors | Auto-Owners | $32 |
Drivers with a speeding ticket | State Farm | $52 |
Drivers with an at-fault accident | Auto-Owners | $54 |
Drivers with a DUI | Auto-Owners | $65 |
Drivers with excellent credit | Auto-Owners | $37 |
Drivers with poor credit | State Farm | $55 |
Next, we’ll break down rates by driver profile and tell you how you can save money on car insurance.
Cheapest state-minimum coverage: Auto-Owners
RVA drivers pay an average monthly rate of $131 for minimum-coverage liability insurance, according to Compare.com data. But car insurance that only meets Virginia’s minimum liability limits could mean you’ll pay more out of pocket if you cause an accident.
For this reason, most experts recommend purchasing more coverage than Virginia’s minimum requirements.
But if you need just basic coverage, the chart below shows the five cheapest insurance companies in Richmond for state-minimum limits, according to Compare.com research.
Average Liability Rates by Company
Cheapest full coverage: Auto-Owners
Full-coverage auto insurance is a good option for most drivers because it provides more financial protection than minimum-coverage policies. On top of liability insurance, full-coverage insurance policies usually include comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Lenders typically require you to buy a full-coverage insurance policy if you finance or lease your vehicle.
Richmond drivers pay an average of $217 per month for full-coverage insurance. Although full-coverage policies tend to cost more than liability-only insurance, you may find coverage in Richmond for close to the city’s average liability price.
The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Richmond for full-coverage policies, according to Compare.com data.
Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company
Cheapest for teens: Auto-Owners
Teen drivers usually pay some of the most expensive insurance rates of any age group because their lack of experience can lead to more accidents and a higher risk of claims.[4]
Richmond teens pay a monthly average of $328 for auto policies. But teens may still save money on car insurance by maintaining a clean driving history, looking for discounts, sharing a policy with their parents, and comparison shopping.
To help you or your teen find a better deal, the chart below highlights the five cheapest insurers for Richmond-area teens, according to our data.
Average Rates for Teens
Cheapest for seniors: Auto-Owners
Senior drivers, on the other hand, usually have the lowest insurance costs because they tend to have fewer accidents than younger drivers.[5] Richmond seniors pay an average of $139 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data.
Still, if you take the time to shop around, you may find an even better deal. Check the chart below for the five most affordable insurance companies in Richmond for seniors, according to Compare.com data.
Average Rates for Seniors
Cheapest after a ticket: State Farm
Getting a speeding ticket could significantly increase your insurance rates. Average auto insurance rates increase by around 29% nationwide when you get a ticket, according to Compare.com data.
In Richmond, drivers with a recent speeding ticket pay an average of $228 per month for car insurance. But your personal rate may vary, and you may find a cheaper rate by shopping around.
The chart below highlights the five cheapest insurers in Richmond for drivers with a recent ticket.
Average Rates With a Ticket
Cheapest after an accident: Auto-Owners
Causing an accident can also cause your insurance premiums to jump substantially. A single at-fault accident causes average insurance rates to increase by 33% nationwide, according to Compare.com research.
Richmond drivers with a recent accident pay an average rate of $238 per month, but you might find a better deal with one of the insurers highlighted below.
Average Rates With an Accident
Cheapest after a DUI: Auto-Owners
A DUI conviction affects car insurance rates more than any other type of infraction. In fact, drivers see a staggering 58% increase in car insurance rates nationwide following a DUI conviction.
Richmond drivers with a DUI pay an average of $273 per month, but you might find a lower rate by comparing quotes from different insurers.
The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Richmond for people with DUIs, according to Compare.com data.
Average Rates With a DUI
Cheapest for bad credit: State Farm
Some insurance companies in Virginia may consider your credit history when setting your insurance rate. Credit-based insurance scores can help insurers predict the likelihood that you’ll file a claim.[6]
Nationally, drivers with poor credit pay an average of 38% more than people with excellent credit, based on Compare.com research.
Richmond drivers who struggle with their credit pay an overall average of $193 per month for car insurance. But not every insurer uses your credit history to set rates, and others offer affordable rates despite your credit.
The chart below shows the five cheapest companies in Richmond for drivers with poor credit, according to Compare.com data.
Average Rates With Bad Credit
Virginia Auto Insurance Requirements
All RVA drivers must meet Virginia’s minimum car insurance requirements to drive legally. For auto insurance policies effective on or after Jan. 1, 2025, these requirements include:
$50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident of bodily injury liability
$50,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage
Even with Virginia’s new higher minimum requirements, basic insurance coverage might not be enough to protect you financially after a major accident. If you rely on state-mandated limits alone, you could end up responsible for medical bills or repairs when you cause an accident.
Most experts recommend buying more coverage than the state’s minimum requirements. Plus, lenders typically require both comprehensive and collision coverage if you finance or lease your vehicle.
Richmond Auto Insurance FAQs
We’ve answered some common questions drivers have about car insurance in Richmond. Check them out below.
How much is car insurance in Richmond, Virginia?
Car insurance in Richmond costs an average of $174 per month. RVA drivers pay an average of $131 per month for liability coverage and $217 per month for full-coverage car insurance, according to Compare.com data.
What’s the cheapest auto insurance company in Richmond?
Auto-Owners has the lowest car insurance rates in Richmond, Virginia, with an average monthly rate of $41.
Is car insurance in Richmond, Virginia, expensive?
It depends. The average car insurance rate in Richmond is $174, compared to a national average car insurance rate of $150. But keep in mind that your auto insurance premium may vary based on several factors like your location, driving record, deductible, and age.
Methodology
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau. "QuickFacts: Richmond city, Virginia."
- RVA.gov. "Vision Zero Dashboard."
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements."
- CDC. "Risk Factors for Teen Drivers."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Taylor & Francis Group. "Empirical Evidence on the Use of Credit Scoring for Predicting Insurance Losses with Psycho-social and Biochemical Explanations."
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Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
)
Michelle Lambright Black is a credit expert, content writer, and founder of CreditWriter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and speaking about credit and money and has been writing for Compare.com since 2023.
Michelle’s work has appeared in publications such as Yahoo! Finance, Reader’s Digest, Parents, FICO, Forbes, Bankrate, The Seattle Times, MarketWatch, BuySide from Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Insurify, and more.
In her writing, she focuses on helping families and small business owners make smart, informed decisions about their credit, money, and financial products (including insurance).
Michelle is also a three-time finalist for the best personal finance freelancer award from the Plutus Foundation.
)
Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.