Virginia doesn’t require car insurance, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it.
In Virginia, car insurance is not mandatory – you can either carry coverage or choose to pay an uninsured motor vehicle fee. However, this doesn’t mean that driving without insurance in the Old Dominion doesn’t have consequences.
If you want to make sure you’re financially protected in the event of an accident, we can help you find the best car insurance in Virginia.
Our review team has researched the best car insurance companies in the country, looking at factors like cost, coverage, customer satisfaction, and more. Here, we apply those same criteria to Virginia providers. Read on to learn about leading Virginia insurance options, or start comparing free quotes immediately by using the tool below or calling (844) 246-8209.
In this article:
- Top Car Insurance Companies In Virginia
- Virginia Car Insurance Requirements
- Cost Of Virginia Auto Insurance
- What To Know About Driving In Virginia
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ: Virginia Car Insurance
Top Car Insurance Companies In Virginia
The chart below shows our five top picks for Virginia car insurance. To narrow down the best providers, we considered not only national reputation, but also local satisfaction surveys and average state rates.
Each provider scored well in the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction StudySM for the Mid-Atlantic region (which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia) or is known to offer some of the lowest rates in the state. Some providers meet both criteria.
| Best Virginia Car Insurance | Motor1 Rating | Customer Service | Affordability | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. State Farm Auto Insurance | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| 2. USAA Auto Insurance | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| 3. Erie Car Insurance | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| 4. Geico Auto Insurance | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| 5. Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
*You may notice that some car insurance companies are listed above those with higher star ratings. This is because our star ratings take into account nationwide factors, while our ranking looks specifically at what insurance providers are best for car insurance in Virginia.
#1 State Farm: Best For Students
State Farm ranked first in the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study for the Mid-Atlantic region, with a total score of 855 out of 1,000 possible points. The company’s extensive discount opportunities make State Farm a low-cost option for Virginia car insurance. These include:
- Accident-free discount
- Defensive driving course discount
- Driver training discount
- Good driving discounts
- Good student discount
- Multiple automobiles discount
- Multiple line discount
- Passive restraint discount
- Student away at school discount
- Vehicle safety discount
State Farm also has a usage-based program called Drive Safe & SaveTM that offers discounts on Virginia car insurance for safe driving habits.
Comprehensive coverage offerings and a strong national reputation make State Farm an industry leader. It holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best. In our State Farm auto insurance review, we rated the insurer 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. Read the full review to learn more.
| State Farm Pros | State Farm Cons |
|---|---|
| Largest auto insurer in the country | Reported errors with autopay |
| Many discounts for teens and students | Not taking new customers in Massachusetts or Rhode Island |
| Available in 48 states | Higher rates than some competitors |
| Easy online quotes process and positive customer reviews | |
| Superior financial strength rating and A+ rating from the BBB |
#2 USAA: Best For Military
USAA, a benefits program for military members and their families, was founded in 1922 and has since grown to include over 12.8 million members. For those who qualify for Virginia car insurance from USAA, this provider is a great choice.
USAA has a strong customer service reputation. In the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study, USAA scored highest in the Mid-Atlantic region, earning 890 out of 1,000 possible points. However, it was not eligible for formal ranking because it is not available to all drivers.
The insurer gets similarly high marks from industry experts. It has an A- rating from the BBB and an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best. In our USAA auto insurance review, we gave the provider a perfect score of 5.0 stars.
USAA auto insurance policies are very affordable for members and may be the cheapest option for Virginia car insurance. The provider offers special money-saving opportunities geared toward active-duty military, such as a discount for garaging your vehicle on a military base.
| USAA Pros | USAA Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable rates and numerous discounts | Only available for military and their families |
| Affordable rates and numerous discounts | |
| Superior financial strength rating and A- rating from the BBB |
#3 Erie Insurance: Superior Local Service In Virginia
Erie Insurance is a regional provider only available in a handful of states, including Virginia. Among Virginia drivers, Erie has a good reputation for customer service. The insurer scored 850 out of 1,000 on the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study for the Mid-Atlantic region, placing second overall.
It addition to standard Virginia car insurance policies, Erie offers customers coverage options such as:
- Pet coverage
- Personal item coverage
- Auto glass repair
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Locksmith coverage
Erie has an A+ rating from the BBB and an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best. It offers highly customizable coverage and scored 4.0 out of 5.0 stars in our independent Erie insurance review.
| Erie Insurance Pros | Erie Insurance Cons |
|---|---|
| A+ rating from the BBB and A+ rating in financial strength from AM Best |
Mixed customer service reviews during claims process |
| High customer satisfaction | |
| Comprehensive coverage options | |
| Variety of auto insurance discounts available |
#4 Geico: Best Overall In The Nation
Geico is one of the biggest car insurance companies in the United States and wrote over $34 billion in claims in 2019. It is a well-regarded auto insurer with high industry ratings, including an A+ BBB rating and an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best.
We rated Geico 4.5 out of 5.0 stars overall for its excellent coverage, strong customer service reputation, and low-cost policy options. Drivers in Virginia seem to appreciate Geico as well. The company ranked fourth in the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study for the Mid-Atlantic region (with 841 out of 1,000 points).
Bundling Geico home and auto insurance or policies for things like boats or motorcycles can save drivers hundreds in premiums. Drivers can also save by taking advantage of Geico’s numerous discounts, such as:
- Good student discount
- Good driver discount
- Defensive driver discount
- Safety features discount
- Anti-theft device discount
- Multiple policy discount
- Multiple vehicle discount
- Military discount
- Federal employee discount
Learn more about Geico by reading our full Geico auto insurance review.
| Geico Pros | Geico Cons |
|---|---|
| A+ rating from the BBB and A++ financial strength rating from AM Best |
Average quotes experience |
| Many choices for coverage available in 50 states | Usage-based app not available in all states |
| High level of customer satisfaction |
#5 Virginia Farm Bureau: Low-Cost Virginia Car Insurance
Virginia Farm Bureau is a choice any Virginia driver should consider. As its name implies, it provides coverage specifically for drivers in the Old Dominion, and as such, is well-versed in Virginia car insurance requirements. This means its insurance agents are able to give superior advice on which policies drivers should choose.
Signing up for Virginia Farm Bureau insurance requires a Farm Bureau membership, but the fee to sign up is cheap, and membership includes discounts at restaurants and partner businesses. Additionally, membership fees support Virginia farmers, but you do not need to be a farmer yourself to join.
In addition to offering all standard types of auto insurance, Virginia Farm Bureau has a high number of policy benefits and add-ons available to customers, such as roadside assistance, rideshare coverage, accident forgiveness protection, pet coverage, and more.
Those looking for Virginia car insurance will find Virginia Farm Bureau offers some of the most competitive auto insurance rates in the state. The company also has an A+ rating from the BBB and an A rating for financial strength from AM Best.
| Virginia Farm Bureau Pros | Virginia Farm Bureau Cons |
|---|---|
| Local agents help customize coverage | Requires Virginia Farm Bureau membership |
| Wide range of policy add-ons available | |
| A+ rating from the BBB and ‘A’ financial strength rating from AM Best |
Use the tool below or call (844) 246-8209 to get free, personalized car insurance quotes from leading providers.
Virginia Car Insurance Requirements
As with all states, Virginia car insurance requirements are set by the local insurance commissioner. You can opt not to drive without car insurance in Virginia, but to do so you must pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee at a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. If you choose to purchase insurance instead, you’ll be required to carry the following auto insurance coverage limits:
- $25,000 per person bodily injury liability
- $50,000 per accident bodily injury liability
- $20,000 per accident property damage liability
Those caught driving without the minimum-required Virginia car insurance or without registering their vehicle as uninsured may have their registration revoked until a $600 non-compliance fee is paid.
Cost Of Virginia Auto Insurance
Car insurance in Virginia is slightly less expensive than the national average. The table below shows what drivers paid for Virginia car insurance in 2017. This data was collected and published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
| Type of Coverage | Average Annual Expenditure in Virginia | Average Annual Expenditure (All States) |
|---|---|---|
| Liability coverage | $468.79 | $611.12 |
| Collision coverage | $305.61 | $363.08 |
| Comprehensive coverage | $146.00 | $159.72 |
| Total cost* | $819.77 | $1,004.58 |
*Most drivers carry liability coverage but not necessarily other types of auto insurance. Total average annual expenditure measures what drivers in Virginia and across the U.S. actually spent on auto insurance in 2017.
What To Know About Driving In Virginia
One important thing to keep in mind when driving in Virginia is that speeding can carry a hefty penalty relative to other states. In Virginia, it is considered a misdemeanor to drive 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, and it’s also a misdemeanor to drive over 80 mph on any road. If you’re caught driving at these speeds, you could receive a citation for reckless driving – a potentially jailable offense that includes a fine up to $2,500.
In 2018, Virginians drove an average of 14,393 miles per licensed driver. In that same year, there were 820 auto deaths, according to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The per capita auto death rate in Virginia was 9.6 deaths per 100,000 people, which was lower than the national average of 11.2.
Virginia drivers seem to be safer than average, but car accidents can still occur. Be sure to obey traffic laws and wear a seatbelt at all times.
Final Thoughts
If you’re trying to find cheap and reliable Virginia car insurance, there are a number of strong providers in the state. We recommend considering State Farm, USAA, Erie, Geico, and Virginia Farm Bureau.
Car insurance rates are different for every driver, and there is no single best provider for everyone. When looking for the lowest-priced insurance, the best thing to do is shop around and compare quotes. You can get started comparing free car insurance quotes from the best Virginia auto insurance companies using the tool below or by calling (844) 246-8209.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-first business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
- Availability: We consider availability by state as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Cost and Discounts: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of drivers in every state. Companies with lower prices and many car insurance discount opportunities receive the best scores.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and consumer feedback studies from experts like J.D. Power.
- Technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.
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