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The average annual cost of car insurance in Virginia is $1,490, compared to the national average of $1,582. The low insurance costs plus the beautiful scenery of the Appalachian mountains, Chesapeake Bay, and coastline make exploring the Old Dominion state by car worth your time.
- Key takeaways
- Best car insurance companies in Virginia
- USAA: Highest customer satisfaction
- Erie: Most affordable coverage
- State Farm: Best for new drivers
- Nationwide: Best for multi-driver discounts
- Progressive: Best for lowest deductible
- Virginia auto insurance requirements
- How to choose a car insurance provider in Virginia
- How much does car insurance cost in Virginia?
- Virginia car insurance rates by city
- Methodology
- FAQs about car insurance costs in Virginia
Key takeaways
- The best car insurance in Virginia is USAA, which costs an average of $795 per year for comprehensive coverage.
- In Virginia, drivers with a clean driving record pay a monthly average of $124.
- High-risk drivers will pay an average of $1,729 yearly.
Best car insurance companies in Virginia
Drivers in Virginia will likely find the best pricing with USAA, but only some qualify for their coverage. Regional carrier Erie Insurance offers reasonable prices and has earned high customer satisfaction.
| Provider | J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating | Estimated annual full coverage | Estimated annual minimum liability coverage |
| USAA | 877/1,000 | $795/year | $313/year |
| Erie | 863/1,000 | $850/year | $350/year |
| State Farm | 843/1,000 | $936/year | $361/year |
| Nationwide | 820/1,000 | $1,039/year | $398/year |
| GEICO | 818/1,000 | $989/year | $329/year |
| Progressive | 814/1,000 | $996/year | $348/year |
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USAA: Highest customer satisfaction
USAA earned the highest customer satisfaction score in Virginia and is also the most affordable insurance provider. Although it gets high marks in all categories, its policies are only available to current and former military members and their families. USAA offers most standard coverage options and a few specialty policies if you qualify.
- USAA has the lowest insurance rates in Virginia
- It has some specialty programs, like SafePilot, that can help you save up to 30%
- USAA policies are not available to the general public
- Some competitors have more coverage and discount options
Erie: Most affordable coverage
The only regional carrier on our list, Erie Insurance, is the most affordable coverage after USAA and is available to all drivers in Virginia. Erie also earned high marks in customer satisfaction and has multiple coverage options and specialty coverages available. Its coverages include pet insurance after an accident, up to $500 per pet, and personal item replacement.
- Erie has the lowest rates available to everyone in Virginia
- It has multiple coverage options, including glass repair and personal item coverage
- Erie doesn’t have as many discounts as some competitors
- You may find cheaper minimum insurance coverage with a competitor.
State Farm: Best for new drivers
Young drivers in Virginia pay an average of $2,901 a year for car insurance. Although State Farm was more expensive than some competitors on our list of best car insurance in Virginia, it has a high customer satisfaction rating. It also offers policies and discounts specifically for new drivers.
- State Farm has standard and specialty policies, including rental and rideshare options
- Multiple State Farm offices throughout Virginia
- Doesn’t have some specialty coverages like gap insurance
- State Farm’s minimum coverage is one of the most expensive in Virginia
Get a quote now | State Farm review
Nationwide: Best for multi-driver discounts
Nationwide has some of the most expensive coverage in Virginia. It costs $1,039 yearly for full coverage and $398 for minimum coverage. Although Nationwide may be more costly than others on our list, it offers multiple policy options, including rental car and gap insurance, and some great loyalty perks like key fob replacement and fender bender forgiveness.
- Nationwide has popular coverage options, including accident forgiveness and vanishing deductibles
- Offers perks to drivers, including pet insurance and key fob replacement
- Nationwide had the highest full and minimum costs in Virginia
- It had one of the lowest customer satisfaction ratings in the state
Get a quote now | Nationwide review
Progressive: Best for lowest deductible
Although high-risk drivers in Virginia won’t pay as much as in some parts of the country, they are likely to pay an average of $1,729 for full coverage. Progressive may help you save money if you have a DUI conviction, speeding tickets, or other high-risk convictions and can help you file SR22 forms with the required state office.
- Progressive had one of Virginia’s lowest minimum coverage insurance rates
- It offers multiple specialty policies, including its disappearing deductible program
- Progressive’s full coverage in Virginia is more expensive than several competitors
- It has the lowest customer satisfaction rating in Virginia
Get a quote now | Progressive review
Virginia auto insurance requirements
Like most states, drivers in Virginia are required to meet certain minimum coverages, which are:
- $30,000 in bodily liability for the injury or death of one person
- $60,000 in bodily liability for the injury or death of two or more people
- $20,000 in property damage liability
Unlike other states, Virginia drivers can forego insurance coverage and pay a yearly $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee. This fee does not provide insurance coverage, and you assume all financial responsibility and risk if you are in an accident.
The average cost of minimum car insurance in Virginia is $445 a year, so it generally makes financial sense to carry insurance instead of paying the UMV fee.
How to choose a car insurance provider in Virginia
Finding the right insurance coverage depends on finding the right insurance provider. When looking for a new carrier, consider the following:
- Check financial stability: Before signing up with any insurance company, check its overall financial stability on a website like Standard & Poor’s or AM Best. It’s also wise to check with the Virginia State Corporation Commission to confirm a company is licensed.
- Ask for reviews: Ask friends and family for recommendations and read online reviews to get a feel for how a company handles claims. Check with the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot to see what existing customers say.
- Check pricing and discounts: Get quotes from at least three companies to compare pricing and discount structures. Ensure the policy amounts and coverage options are similar for the best comparison.
How much does car insurance cost in Virginia?
The average cost of car insurance in Virginia is relatively low, just $1,490 per year for full coverage and $445 a year for minimum coverage. However, where you live can significantly impact your cost.
Drivers in Norfolk pay an average of $1,643 a year for full coverage, while those in Chesapeake pay only $1,469 a year, just slightly under the state average.
Virginia car insurance rates by city
Car insurance costs can go up dramatically based on the crime rate of the city you live in. Drivers in Norfolk, which ranks 11th in highest crime per capita in Virginia according to Data Commons, pay more for car insurance than people in Chesapeake, which ranks 34th, even though the two cities are only about six miles apart.
| City | Avg. annual full-coverage premium |
| Norfolk | $1,643/year |
| Richmond | $1,567/year |
| Alexandria | $1,565/year |
| Hampton | $1,514/year |
| Virginia Beach | $1,471/year |
| Chesapeake | $1,469/year |
Methodology
Our analysis was conducted using six different auto insurance marketplaces to determine the best auto insurance in each state. The data we analyzed included coverage premiums from up to 10 different insurance providers. We looked at rates by city, driver profile, and credit score, as well as factored in the impact of driving violations. This data is for comparative purposes only. Your actual quote may be different.
FAQs about car insurance costs in Virginia
What are the minimum car insurance coverage requirements in Virginia?
Virginia’s minimum car insurance coverage requirements are $30,000 in bodily liability for the injury or death of one person and $60,000 in bodily liability for the injury or death of two or more people. Drivers are also required to carry $20,000 in property damage liability.
Instead of carrying car insurance, Virginia drivers can pay a yearly $500 UMV fee to the Virginia DMV. They must assume all financial risk and responsibility if in an accident.
How much does car insurance cost in Virginia?
Car insurance in Virginia costs a yearly average of $1,490 for full coverage and $445 for minimum car insurance.
Which car insurance companies cover Virginia?
Many car insurance companies, including national carriers like Progressive, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA, cover Virginia. Regional provider Erie Insurance is also available in Virginia.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Virginia?
USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in Virginia, costing a yearly average of $795, but it is not available to people outside the military. Erie is the lowest insurance available to everyone, costing an average of $850 annually.
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