What car insurance costs in Virginia

Virginia's 2023 bill next to the U.S.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tracks what insurers collect in each state. Its 2023 state figures, the latest available, show an average Virginia expenditure of $1,114 per insured car, 17% above the $950 of 2022. Expenditure combines cars with liability only and cars with full coverage. A car carrying liability, collision and comprehensive cost $1,238 on average.

The gap is even across the board: liability, collision and comprehensive each run roughly 12% to 15% below the national averages. The 17% jump from 2022 was larger than the 14% national increase. Keep in mind that these numbers come from a year when Virginia's minimum was 30/60/20 and some owners paid a fee instead of buying insurance, so they don't reflect what the newer rules cost. Your own price also turns on your car, record and garaging address; see how location sets a price.

What Virginia now requires on every car

For policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, Virginia Code § 46.2-472 sets the minimum at $50,000 for injury or death of one person, $100,000 for two or more people and $25,000 for property damage. From 2022 through 2024 it was 30/60/20.

• No more paying to skip insurance. Effective July 1, 2024, Virginia eliminated the option to pay a fee rather than insure a vehicle. Every car registered in the state must carry a policy that meets the liability limits, and you certify coverage when you buy plates or decals.
• Going uninsured is costly. Operating an uninsured vehicle is a Class 3 misdemeanor. DMV suspends the owner's license and registration until a $600 noncompliance fee is paid, and reinstatement requires an SR-22 filing for three years.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is part of every policy at limits equal to your liability limits. Any named insured can lower it, but not below the 50/100/25 state minimum.

A lapse now has firm consequences, since DMV electronically checks insurance on Virginia-registered vehicles with insurers. If you are changing companies, start the new policy before the old one ends; our page on what a coverage gap does to your price explains why.

Pricing, credit and a mandated discount

Under Virginia Code § 38.2-1906, insurers must file their rates on or before the date the rates take effect. Virginia Code § 38.2-2234 sets rules for credit in personal auto insurance. If credit leads to a denial, a higher premium, a lost discount or a worse tier, it must send a notice giving the main reasons or telling you how to ask for them. Income, gender, address, ZIP code, race, marital status and your total available credit can't be used. Credit must be refreshed at least every three years, or sooner if you ask. An insurer may also grant exceptions for catastrophic events such as serious illness or the death of a spouse. See credit-based insurance scores.

Virginia Code § 38.2-2217 requires auto insurance rates to include an appropriate reduction for insured drivers 55 and older who complete an approved driver improvement course. The reduction lasts three years after the course, and you retake it every three years to keep it. More on course discounts.

Help for drivers insurers turn away

Virginia has a residual-market automobile insurance plan for drivers who can't buy a policy in the regular market; it is one of the state plans run through AIPSO, and an agent submits the application. With insurance now mandatory for every registered car, it matters as a last resort. The guide to assigned risk plans explains costs and limits.

Ways to bring a Virginia premium down

1. 1 Requote after your 2025 renewal. If the new 50/100/25 floor raised your price, compare two or three companies on the same limits and deductibles.
2. 2 Claim the mature driver course reduction if you are 55 or older, and ask each insurer how much it gives.
3. 3 Look at the deductible. A higher collision and comprehensive deductible lowers the premium; the deductible break-even calculator shows the break-even point.
4. 4 Take problems to the regulator. Ask the insurer to explain any credit-based increase first. If that fails, contact the State Corporation Commission, the agency Virginia DMV points drivers to for auto insurance questions.

Questions drivers ask