Virginia Car Insurance

There are many things to think about when shopping for car insurance in Virginia. Whether you want to switch policies, register a new car, or have just moved to Virginia, car insurance is something you will need in order to drive. You have lots of different options, so it is important do to your research before buying a VA auto insurance policy.

What Virginia Auto Insurance is Required?

Well technically, having auto insurance in Virginia is not required by law. If you choose not to purchase a policy, you will need to pay the $500 Uninsured Motorist Fee, and renew it with your registration. It does not give you any insurance or financial coverage, it only allows you to register and drive your car without penalty. In the event of an accident, however, you will be financially responsible if you caused the accident. If you cannot pay, your assets will be seized instead.

Because Virginia is a “tort” state, it holds the driver who caused the accident responsible for all financial consequences. So it is highly recommended that you do carry insurance to avoid losing your savings and possessions if you ever cause an accident. Having insurance can also guard you from other drivers who do not have a policy and only paid the Uninsured Motorist Fee.

The minimum requirements for car insurance in Virginia are 25/50/20. This is a common way of listing the limits for the kinds of basic liabilities that cover expenses for the victims of an accident you caused.

• Bodily Injury Liability – up to $25,000 per person injured or killed in an accident you caused (hospital bills, surgeries, prescriptions, therapy)
• Total Bodily Injury Liability – up to $50,000 per accident for injuries or deaths
• Property Damage Liability – up to $20,000 for harm to personal property

If you are the victim and not at fault, then the other person’s insurance would, hopefully, cover your expenses. What if the other driver was not insured and chose to pay the Uninsured Motorist Fee mentioned above? Well, if you invested in Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist insurance, you would be covered. This kind of policy protects you in the event the person at fault does not have enough (or any) coverage to pay for your injuries. The minimum is 20/50/20.

Penalty For Uninsured Drivers in Virginia

If you are caught without insurance – either at the scene of an accident or for a traffic violation – your license will be suspended and you must pay a $500 fee, file a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate, and possibly face more fees. The Department of Motor Vehicles keeps track of insurance and registration files, so it will be alerted if someone tries to register with false insurance information, or if someone with a bad track record registers a new car.

Choosing a Virginia Car Insurance Company

It can seem like a daunting task, but choosing the right insurance company for you will save you a lot of headaches in the future. You hope that you never have to use your coverage, and if you do, you want it to be easy and stress-free. Because it could be so important, you should think about the things that are essential to you in an insurance company.

• Filing a Claim – Ask a representative or look online about how to file a claim with their company. Is it loads of paperwork, an online form, a phone interview, or a combination? If you ever have to fill out a claim, you will already be so stressed that you want this process to be as easy as possible.
• Website – Browse the website and see how informative it is. If you need to contact someone after hours, can you do so through the website? Is it easy to navigate, with updated information and answers to your questions? It should be straightforward even to the less computer-savvy.
• Customer Service – This is a big pull for a lot of people, and usually it is worth the few extra dollars for a company that has great, attentive customer service. Whether the company assigns you a personal agent with whom you work exclusively, or has a line-up of representatives waiting to help, your issues should be handled respectfully and quickly.
• Rates – Of course you want the best price possible, so do your shopping. Use the company’s website, or use an online agent who will search for quotes for you. Make sure you get the coverage you want, with a company you like, for a price you can afford. Ask for special discounts, like good students or car safety features.

Finding the Cheapest Virginia Car Insurance Rates

Once you're armed with the facts your search for decent coverage at a price you can afford is a lot easier. Hopefully you have learned a bit about Virginia car insurance, and feel prepared to search. Be sure that when you request VA car insurance quotes that you compare quotes from many different companies in order to find the best deal. Use our free quote tool at the top of this page to begin right now!