Car Insurance in Virginia
Virginia drivers spend an average of $1,114 a year on auto insurance according to the NAIC — ▼ −13% versus the national average of $1,282, ranking 26th most expensive of 51. The state requires 50/100/25 liability coverage and follows an at-fault system.
Average car insurance cost in Virginia
The NAIC average expenditure is what insured drivers actually paid on average, including people who carry only liability. For those who buy each coverage, the average premium was $627 for liability, $407 for collision and $204 for comprehensive ($1,238 combined, versus $1,439 nationally). That average expenditure is 17% higher than the NAIC's previous data year ($950).
Minimum car insurance requirements in Virginia
Virginia's minimum is written as 50/100/25: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 in property damage liability. Moving up to 100/300/100 limits would cost about $130 more a year by our estimate.
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Yes | $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident | Injuries you cause to other people |
| Property damage liability | Yes | $25,000 | Damage you cause to other vehicles and property |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | No | — Virginia does not require personal injury protection. | Your own medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault |
| Uninsured motorist (UM) | Yes | 50/100/25 Every liability policy must include uninsured motorist coverage at no less than the minimum liability limits. | Your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance |
| Underinsured motorist (UIM) | Yes | 50/100/25 Virginia's required uninsured motorist coverage also protects against underinsured drivers. | The gap when the at-fault driver’s limits are too low |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | No | — Medical expense benefits coverage is optional. | Medical bills for you and your passengers |
Every vehicle registered in Virginia must be insured; paying an uninsured motor vehicle fee instead of buying insurance is no longer allowed.
Minimums were raised recently from 30/60/20, and the uninsured motor vehicle fee option was eliminated.
Compare with another state
Is Virginia a no-fault state?
No — Virginia is an at-fault (tort) state. Virginia is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver responsible for a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and property damage. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer, use their own coverage, or sue.
Uninsured drivers in Virginia
The Insurance Research Council estimates 12.9% of Virginia drivers are uninsured — 23rd highest in the country, compared with 15.4% nationally. That's roughly one uninsured driver in every 8 on the road. Virginia requires uninsured motorist coverage, which pays your injury costs when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
SR-22 requirements in Virginia
Virginia uses the SR-22 — a certificate your insurer files with the state to prove you carry at least the minimum liability coverage. It is usually ordered after a DUI, driving uninsured, serious violations or a license suspension, and is typically kept for about 3 years. DUI convictions require the FR-44, which proves higher liability limits. Suspensions for uninsured driving require an SR-22 on file for three years; DUI-related convictions require an FR-44 with liability limits double the state minimums.
By our model, a driver in their 30s with a DUI would pay about $1,185 a year for minimum coverage in Virginia, versus $625 with a clean record. What is SR-22 insurance?
Estimate your premium in Virginia
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Car insurance by city in Virginia
We cover 13 Virginia cities. Estimates are for full coverage for a driver in their 30s with a clean record; hover a city to find it on the map. The lowest estimate is in Lynchburg ($1,340) and the highest in Alexandria ($1,665).
- Virginia BeachPop. 454,808 · Virginia Beach city$1,435+5% vs state
- ChesapeakePop. 254,997 · Chesapeake city$1,405+3% vs state
- RichmondPop. 233,655 · Richmond city$1,475+8% vs state
- NorfolkPop. 231,105 · Norfolk city$1,515+11% vs state
- Newport NewsPop. 183,056 · Newport News city$1,470+7% vs state
- AlexandriaPop. 159,102 · Alexandria city$1,665+22% vs state
- HamptonPop. 137,596 · Hampton city$1,460+7% vs state
- SuffolkPop. 103,105 · Suffolk city$1,3750% vs state
- RoanokePop. 97,912 · Roanoke city$1,400+2% vs state
- LynchburgPop. 80,301 · Lynchburg city$1,340−2% vs state
- CharlottesvillePop. 44,767 · Charlottesville city$1,415+3% vs state
- DanvillePop. 41,993 · Danville city$1,350−1% vs state
- FredericksburgPop. 29,992 · Fredericksburg city$1,575+15% vs state
Estimated cost by driver profile in Virginia
Age and driving record move premiums more than almost anything else. A teen on their own policy pays about 2.7× what a driver in their 30s pays for the same full coverage in Virginia.
| Driver | Minimum | Standard | Full coverage | Full / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $1,725 | $2,080 | $3,765 | $314 |
| Young adult (22) | $1,005 | $1,210 | $2,190 | $183 |
| Adult in their 30s | $625 | $755 | $1,370 | $114 |
| Adult in their 50s | $575 | $695 | $1,260 | $105 |
| Senior (72) | $700 | $850 | $1,535 | $128 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $910 | $1,100 | $1,985 | $165 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $1,160 | $1,400 | $2,530 | $211 |
By coverage level
| Coverage level | What it includes | Per year | Per month | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum liability | Only the liability (and PIP/UM where required) limits your state mandates. No coverage for your own car. | $625 | $52 | $515–$740 |
| Standard liability (100/300/100) | Higher liability limits plus uninsured motorist coverage. Still no coverage for damage to your own car. | $755 | $63 | $620–$895 |
| Full coverage | Standard liability plus collision and comprehensive, typically required on a financed or leased car. | $1,370 | $114 | $1,120–$1,615 |
Cheapest and most expensive cars to insure in Virginia
Full-coverage estimates for current models, using HLDI insurance-loss data where available. Vehicle choice alone can swing the premium by more than $2,800 a year here.
| Model | Segment | Est. / year |
|---|---|---|
| GMC Acadia | Midsize SUV | $890 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | Midsize SUV | $905 |
| Subaru Forester | Small SUV | $1,000 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | Small SUV | $1,005 |
| Subaru Outback | Wagon | $1,020 |
| Honda Pilot | Midsize SUV | $1,020 |
| Honda CR-V | Small SUV | $1,030 |
| MINI Cooper | Subcompact car | $1,040 |
| Acura RDX | Luxury SUV | $1,080 |
| Ford Bronco | Midsize SUV | $1,095 |
| Model | Segment | Est. / year |
|---|---|---|
| BMW M4 | Luxury sports car | $3,690 |
| BMW M3 | Luxury car | $3,635 |
| Lamborghini Urus | Luxury SUV | $3,495 |
| BMW 7 Series | Luxury car | $3,205 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Luxury car | $2,630 |
| Lucid Air | Luxury car | $2,445 |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | Luxury SUV | $2,205 |
| Audi RS 7 | Luxury car | $2,175 |
| Porsche Taycan | Luxury sports car | $2,045 |
| Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | Luxury sports car | $2,015 |
Cheap car insurance in Virginia: how to lower your rate
- Raise your deductible. Going from $500 to $1,000 on collision and comprehensive saves about $85 a year on a typical Virginia full-coverage policy.
- Match coverage to your car's value. On a 10-year-old car, dropping collision and comprehensive could cut the bill from about $1,095 to $755.
- Drive less, pay less. Low-mileage and usage-based programs can save around $95 a year if you drive under 7,500 miles.
- Protect your record. A single speeding ticket adds roughly $300 a year in our model; an at-fault accident adds much more.
- Shop at renewal. Rates for the same driver differ widely between insurers. Compare identical limits and deductibles.
- Ask about discounts — bundling home and auto, good student, safe-driver, paid-in-full and defensive-driving course discounts. See common discounts.
Complaints and help: Virginia Bureau of Insurance
The Virginia Bureau of Insurance licenses insurers and agents, reviews rates and handles consumer complaints about claims, cancellations and billing — free of charge.
- Website
- www.scc.virginia.gov
- File a complaint
- Consumer complaint page
- Consumer helpline
- 1-877-310-6560
Virginia vs. neighboring states
| State | NAIC avg. | Minimums | System | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $1,114 | 50/100/25 | At-fault (tort) | 12.9% |
| District of Columbia | $1,677 | 25/50/10 | At-fault (tort) | 23.1% |
| Kentucky | $1,046 | 25/50/25 | Choice no-fault | 14.1% |
| Maryland | $1,477 | 30/60/15 | At-fault (tort) | 16.9% |
| North Carolina | $925 | 50/100/50 | At-fault (tort) | 11.8% |
| Tennessee | $1,050 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 21.3% |
| West Virginia | $1,063 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 7.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance in Virginia?
NAIC data puts the average Virginia auto insurance expenditure at $1,114 a year, 13% less than the national average of $1,282 (rank 26 of 51, where 1 is the most expensive). Our estimate for full coverage for a driver in their 30s with a clean record is about $1,370 a year ($114 a month); state-minimum liability is about $625.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Virginia?
Virginia requires at least 50/100/25 liability coverage: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage, plus uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage.
Is Virginia a no-fault state?
No. Virginia is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver responsible for a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and property damage.
How many drivers in Virginia are uninsured?
The Insurance Research Council estimates that about 12.9% of Virginia drivers are uninsured, ranking 23rd in the nation (national estimate: 15.4%).
Does Virginia require SR-22 insurance?
Yes, Virginia uses the SR-22 certificate for drivers who must prove financial responsibility, typically for about 3 years; DUI convictions require the higher-limit FR-44. Suspensions for uninsured driving require an SR-22 on file for three years; DUI-related convictions require an FR-44 with liability limits double the state minimums.
Which Virginia city has the cheapest car insurance?
Among the 13 cities we cover, Lynchburg has the lowest full-coverage estimate at about $1,340 a year, while Alexandria is the highest at about $1,665. Differences come from population density, commute length and local weather risk.
How much does car insurance cost for a teen driver in Virginia?
An 18-year-old on their own full-coverage policy would pay roughly $3,765 a year in Virginia by our estimate, or about $1,725 for minimum coverage. Joining a parent's policy usually costs less.
How do I file a complaint against a car insurance company in Virginia?
Contact the Virginia Bureau of Insurance (consumer line 1-877-310-6560). It handles consumer complaints about claims, cancellations and rates at no cost.
How we estimate this
We start from the state's average liability, collision and comprehensive premiums published by the NAIC, then apply a location factor (population density and commute time from the Census ACS, weather hazard scores from FEMA's National Risk Index), a vehicle factor (HLDI insurance-loss data where available, otherwise vehicle segment), and a driver-profile multiplier. Results are rounded ranges for comparison, not quotes. Read the full methodology.
- Virginia DMV: Vehicle Insurance Coverage Requirements Change January 1
- Virginia DMV: Insurance Requirements
- Virginia DMV: New Laws Take Effect July 1, 2024 (UMV fee eliminated)
- Code of Virginia 38.2-2206 (uninsured motorist insurance coverage)
- Virginia DMV: Financial Responsibility Certifications (SR-22/FR-44)
- Virginia DMV: A Guide to Reinstating Your Virginia Driving Privilege
- Virginia SCC Bureau of Insurance: File a Complaint
- NAIC 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report
- NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report: Data for 2023
- Insurance Research Council uninsured motorist estimates (via Triple-I)
- IIHS Fatality Facts: state by state
- FBI Crime Data Explorer: Crime in the United States 2025 (Table 4)
- NICB 2022 Vehicle Theft Data: top 10 stolen vehicles by state
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table DL-1C (licensed drivers)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table MV-1 (registrations)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table VM-2 (vehicle-miles traveled)
- U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau: population estimates and American Community Survey
- FEMA National Risk Index