Virginia

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Rachel Bodine

Insurance Feature Writer

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All...

Insurance Feature Writer

Eric Stauffer

Licensed Insurance Agent

Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Mar 9, 2024

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Virginia
Virginia Statistic Summary
Road Miles 75,061
Registered Vehicles 6.96 million
State Population 8,517,685
Percentage of
Uninsured Motorists
9.90%
Driving Deaths Speeding: 2,031 Drunk Driving: 2316
Average Premiums Annually
Liability: $425.61 Collision: $280.52 Comprehensive: $136.54
Cheapest Provider: USAA & Nationwide

Virginia car insurance has liability requirements for drivers seeking car insurance. In Virginia, all vehicles must have what insurance is needed. The minimum requirement is 25/50/20. In 2015, Virginia residents paid $842.67 (average) for car insurance. Our goal is to assist you with finding cheap Virginia auto insurance.

From the warm, sandy beaches of Virginia Beach to the colonial home of Thomas Jefferson nestled near the magnificent grandeur of the Shenandoah Valley, the Commonwealth of Virginia has a lot to offer.

If you’re exploring this great state by car, there may be something you haven’t considered lately: “Am I paying too much for car insurance?”

Consumers in Virginia paid an average of $842.67 for car insurance in 2015.

Wondering how much car insurance you need isn’t something you want to spend a lot of time on, so that’s why we’ve compiled this comprehensive car insurance guide about cheap car insurance in Virginia. We’ve done the work for you so that you can get on with life.

Enter your ZIP code to get started and find the best auto insurance in Virginia.

Table of Contents

How to get Virginia car insurance coverage and rates

The median household income in Virginia in 2017 was over $71,535, and drivers, on average, paid over $843 for car insurance. There’s certainly nothing to love about that. Were you one of them?

Next, we’re going to show you what coverage you have to have in Virginia, and other options, so you can choose the best car insurance in Virginia for your needs.

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What are Virginia minimum coverage requirements?

Below, we have provided information and helpful advice so you can choose the best coverage options for your needs.

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Insurance RequiredMINIMUM LIMITS: 25/50/20
Bodily Injury Liability
$25,000 per person
$50,000 per accident
Property Injury Liability$25,000 per person
$50,000 per accident

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We hope you never have to deal with, or end up in, one of these dire situations, but if you do, the basic coverage requirements in Virginia which all motorists must have for liability insurance are:

  • $25,000 to cover the death or injury of one person
  • $50,000 to cover the death or injury of more than one person
  • $20,000 to cover property damage

Liability insurance pays all individuals — drivers, passengers, pedestrians, etc. — who are owed compensation for property damage and injuries resulting from a car accident that you or anyone under your policy causes. If you cause an accident, liability insurance pays everyone affected by the crash.

If you choose not to have these coverages, you will have to pay the $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee every year. You will still be held liable in auto accidents, and you drive at your own risk.

What’s Virginia’s car culture like?

Virginia has miles of roadways and depending on where you live, and you could spend a lot of time stuck in traffic. Virginians spend an average of 28 minutes in their car on an average commute, but drivers who live and commute into D.C. may spend an hour or more each way.

Commuters who do commute to the D.C. area have the option of taking alternate transportation via the Virginia Railway Express, which offers daily rail service to the downtown area.

What is considered a form of financial responsibility?

What is financial responsibility? Financial responsibility is proof that you have Virginia’s minimum liability coverage. State laws require every driver and owner of a vehicle to have evidence of financial stability at all times. Here are a few acceptable forms of proof of financial stability in Virginia:

  • Valid Insurance Card
  • Electronic evidence on a smartphone
  • Proof that you paid the UMV fee

According to the Virginia DMV:

The $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee, which is paid to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), does not provide any insurance; it only allows you to drive an uninsured vehicle at your own risk.

It expires with your registration and must be paid at renewal. If you are driving an uninsured vehicle and are involved in an accident, the other driver may notify DMV that your vehicle is uninsured as part of reporting the accident to DMV.

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What percentage of income are insurance premiums?

In Virginia, the per capita disposable income is $43,904. Regarding the average car insurance cost in Virginia, residents spend $843 a year. To put this amount in perspective, the nationwide annual average for car insurance is $981. This means people in Virginia pay less than the countrywide average and less than neighboring states, New York and Pennsylvania, who pay yearly amounts of $1,328 and $953, respectively.

What are the average monthly car insurance rates in VA (liability, collision, comprehensive coverage)?

The main concern of almost every Virginian motorist is the rising cost of car insurance. The table below shows data based on the state’s minimum requirements provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which is an agency dedicated to keeping up with the changing costs of car insurance. As the data reflects, Virginians pay $150 less than the countrywide average of $1,009.

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Coverage TypeAnnual Costs
Liability$425.61
Collision$280.52
Comprehensive$136.54
Combined$842.67

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If you’ve wondered about the best insurance group 14 for 17 year-old, up next, we take a look at loss ratios and what they mean to a company’s bottom line.

Is there an additional liability?

To assess the financial health of insurance companies, you should look at its loss ratios. Loss ratios are the money insurance companies pay out on claims compared to the money they take in on premiums.

For example, if an auto insurer collects $100,000 of premiums in a given year and pays out $55,000 in claims, the company’s loss ratio is 55 percent ($55,000 incurred losses/$100,000 earned premiums).

Check out the loss ratio for these two types of additional coverage in Virginia.

Additional Liability Coverage in Virginia - Loss Ratios201320142015
Medical Pay (Med Pay) 76.96%69.13%67.12%
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage69.58%72.95%74.89%

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MedPay’s loss ratios have dipped over this timespan and are below the countrywide average of 75 percent. As for the uninsured/underinsured loss ratios, they have risen to match the countrywide average (which is about 74 percent).

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Are there any add-ons, endorsements, & riders?

No one wants to have an accident, but if you do, will you have enough protection for you and your family? Have you considered adding extra coverages to your policy? Choosing from a list of options can be daunting, and we know you want the best options for your family at affordable prices. To help you decide, we’ve made a list of affordable options to add to your policy. Check out the selections below:

What are the average monthly car insurance rates by age & gender in VA?

Inc.com wrote an article that says women pay $100,000 more for the same products as men do. In fact, gender discrimination in car insurance rates is such a problem that California and other states banned gender discrimination and created gender-neutral insurance plans.

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Up next, we partnered with Quadrant Information Services to show you rates that various folks in Virginia pay for car insurance.

CompanySingle 17-year old female annual rateSingle 17-year old male annual rateSingle 25-year old female annual rateSingle 25-year old male annual rateMarried 35-year old female annual rateMarried 35-year old male annual rateMarried 60-year old female annual rateMarried 60-year old male annual rate
Allstate P&C$6,396.46$7,347.87$2,657.43$2,658.75$2,042.71$1,927.39$2,031.96$2,031.96
Geico General$3,138.15$4,204.21$1,714.05$1,694.63$1,474.02$1,470.60$1,398.20$1,398.20
Nationwide P&C$3,416.59$4,404.98$1,582.01$1,722.41$1,434.40$1,443.10$1,272.72$1,307.89
Progressive Advanced$5,745.36$6,458.02$1,518.75$1,551.92$1,253.97$1,191.17$1,132.78$1,136.43
State Farm Mutual Auto$4,201.32$5,274.60$1,572.89$1,810.26$1,391.16$1,391.16$1,254.98$1,254.98
USAA$3,443.74$4,098.09$1,436.42$1,578.62$1,116.18$1,099.39$1,043.95$1,050.74

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As you see from the table, in some cases, teen drivers pay thousands more than older drivers do for car insurance. Unfortunately, for parents, those insurance rates are thousands higher than what they pay.

What are the cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code?

In addition to gender and age, where you live can affect your Virginia auto insurance rates. We’ve collected data on the least and most expensive ZIP codes, so search to see where your ZIP code lands on the lists below.

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Cheapest ZIP Codes in Virginia CityAverage Annual Rate by ZIP CodesMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Annual Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive Annual RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Annual Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Annual Rate
24450LEXINGTON$2,018.13Allstate$3,002.04Progressive$2,054.03USAA$1,638.89Nationwide$1,646.95
22802HARRISONBURG$2,031.22Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$1,930.39USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,805.27
24401STAUNTON$2,033.51Allstate$3,046.63Geico$1,921.33USAA$1,639.53Nationwide$1,845.67
22815BROADWAY$2,034.01Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,048.27USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,704.15
24060BLACKSBURG$2,035.11Allstate$3,021.92Progressive$2,161.26USAA$1,568.22Geico$1,665.52
22840MC GAHEYSVILLE$2,036.30Allstate$2,998.27Progressive$1,964.11USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,821.75
22834LINVILLE$2,037.09Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,103.54USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,667.35
22853TIMBERVILLE$2,038.95Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,131.25USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,650.81
24416BUENA VISTA$2,039.40Allstate$3,002.04Progressive$2,080.60USAA$1,638.89Nationwide$1,646.95
22833LACEY SPRING$2,041.03Allstate$2,998.27Progressive$2,007.60USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,806.66
24073CHRISTIANSBURG$2,042.79Allstate$3,021.92State Farm$2,045.19Geico$1,665.52USAA$1,681.92
22812BRIDGEWATER$2,043.31Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$1,993.75USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,785.82
22801HARRISONBURG$2,044.17Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$1,953.86USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,830.88
22939FISHERSVILLE$2,044.69Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$2,027.19USAA$1,623.59State Farm$1,803.71
24471PORT REPUBLIC$2,046.56Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$1,992.42USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,806.66
22821DAYTON$2,046.69Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$1,993.64USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,806.25
22841MOUNT CRAWFORD$2,048.17Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$1,957.50USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,851.24
22830FULKS RUN$2,048.95Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,081.09USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,760.97
22848PLEASANT VALLEY$2,049.22Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,037.02USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,806.66
22803HARRISONBURG$2,050.19Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,029.09USAA$1,638.73State Farm$1,806.66
24141RADFORD$2,050.57Allstate$3,071.64Progressive$2,108.49Geico$1,665.52USAA$1,681.92
22811BERGTON$2,050.97Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,086.55USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,767.64
24435FAIRFIELD$2,053.78Allstate$3,002.04Progressive$2,250.94USAA$1,638.89Nationwide$1,646.95
24486WEYERS CAVE$2,055.76Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$2,023.71USAA$1,639.53Nationwide$1,845.67
22824EDINBURG$2,056.80Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$1,984.59USAA$1,629.62State Farm$1,826.20

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The next table shows the most expensive ZIP codes.

Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Virginia CityAverage Annual Rate by ZIP CodeMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Annual Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive Annual RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Annual Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Annual Rate
22312ALEXANDRIA$2,871.02Allstate$4,305.77Progressive$2,992.08USAA$2,205.48Geico$2,352.28
22041FALLS CHURCH$2,857.11Allstate$4,305.77State Farm$3,156.56Geico$2,141.17USAA$2,206.52
22151SPRINGFIELD$2,855.79Allstate$4,388.84Progressive$2,953.33USAA$2,169.90Geico$2,352.28
22311ALEXANDRIA$2,838.20Allstate$4,184.46State Farm$3,141.18Geico$2,141.17USAA$2,206.52
22003ANNANDALE$2,834.25Allstate$4,397.33Progressive$2,945.54Geico$2,141.17USAA$2,178.61
22150SPRINGFIELD$2,816.60Allstate$4,305.77Progressive$2,910.33USAA$2,055.48Geico$2,351.37
22309ALEXANDRIA$2,806.21Allstate$4,184.46State Farm$2,940.41USAA$2,251.53Geico$2,351.37
23222RICHMOND$2,800.69Allstate$3,544.83State Farm$3,154.85USAA$2,137.93Nationwide$2,628.11
22153SPRINGFIELD$2,797.16Allstate$4,231.92State Farm$2,879.87USAA$2,060.19Geico$2,351.37
22060FORT BELVOIR$2,794.01Allstate$4,184.46State Farm$2,917.93USAA$2,057.33Geico$2,351.37
22306ALEXANDRIA$2,788.85Allstate$4,184.46Progressive$2,840.81USAA$2,131.22Geico$2,351.37
22079LORTON$2,786.19Allstate$4,348.02State Farm$2,857.77USAA$2,121.40Geico$2,351.37
22044FALLS CHURCH$2,777.26Allstate$4,077.51State Farm$2,967.14Geico$2,141.17USAA$2,208.46
22081MERRIFIELD$2,776.35Allstate$4,348.02Progressive$2,975.48Geico$2,017.21USAA$2,121.40
22015BURKE$2,773.79Allstate$4,220.49Progressive$2,890.07Geico$2,141.17USAA$2,159.44
22103WEST MCLEAN$2,771.74Allstate$4,110.52Progressive$2,848.04USAA$2,170.66Geico$2,403.36
22304ALEXANDRIA$2,762.26Allstate$4,184.46State Farm$2,835.49USAA$2,155.94Geico$2,352.28
22152SPRINGFIELD$2,751.29Allstate$4,220.49Progressive$2,867.72Geico$2,141.17USAA$2,145.81
22310ALEXANDRIA$2,751.15Allstate$4,184.46Progressive$2,860.28USAA$2,083.13Geico$2,175.74
23223RICHMOND$2,748.67Allstate$3,590.82State Farm$3,024.32USAA$2,150.45Geico$2,450.18
23224RICHMOND$2,747.43Allstate$3,411.84State Farm$2,883.68USAA$2,103.14Nationwide$2,628.11
22039FAIRFAX STATION$2,744.30Allstate$4,023.95State Farm$2,931.58Geico$2,098.38USAA$2,114.40
22191WOODBRIDGE$2,741.58Allstate$4,042.10State Farm$2,784.49USAA$2,135.48Nationwide$2,235.10
22204ARLINGTON$2,741.36Allstate$4,184.46State Farm$2,721.45USAA$2,138.14Geico$2,352.28
22026DUMFRIES$2,739.74Allstate$3,998.75Progressive$2,915.52USAA$2,098.46Nationwide$2,235.10

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Large cities like Alexandria and Richmond have the highest rates, although some ZIP codes in smaller cities have high rates, as well.

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What are the cheapest car insurance rates by city?

We’ve also collected data on car insurance rates by city. Below are lists of the least expensive and most expensive cities for car insurance.

Cheapest Cities in Virginia Average by CityMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
East Lexington$2,018.13Allstate$3,002.04Progressive$2,054.03USAA$1,638.89Nationwide$1,646.95
Broadway$2,034.01Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,048.27USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,704.15
Blacksburg$2,035.11Allstate$3,021.92Progressive$2,161.26USAA$1,568.22Geico$1,665.52
Massanutten$2,036.30Allstate$2,998.27Progressive$1,964.11USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,821.75
Linville$2,037.09Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,103.54USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,667.35
Timberville$2,038.95Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,131.25USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,650.81
Fishersville$2,039.10Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$1,949.82USAA$1,631.56State Farm$1,839.59
Buena Vista$2,039.40Allstate$3,002.04Progressive$2,080.60USAA$1,638.89Nationwide$1,646.95
Lacey Spring$2,041.03Allstate$2,998.27Progressive$2,007.60USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,806.66
Christiansburg$2,042.79Allstate$3,021.92State Farm$2,045.19Geico$1,665.52USAA$1,681.92
Bridgewater$2,043.31Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$1,993.75USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,785.82
Port Republic$2,046.56Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$1,992.42USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,806.66
Dayton$2,046.69Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$1,993.64USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,806.25
Mount Crawford$2,048.17Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$1,957.50USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,851.24
Fulks Run$2,048.95Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,081.09USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,760.97
Pleasant Valley$2,049.22Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,037.02USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,806.66
Belview$2,050.57Allstate$3,071.64Progressive$2,108.49Geico$1,665.52USAA$1,681.92
Bergton$2,050.97Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,086.55USAA$1,624.96State Farm$1,767.64
Harrisonburg$2,053.51Allstate$3,078.46Progressive$1,989.72USAA$1,631.85State Farm$1,812.37
Fairfield$2,053.78Allstate$3,002.04Progressive$2,250.94USAA$1,638.89Nationwide$1,646.95
Weyers Cave$2,055.76Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$2,023.71USAA$1,639.53Nationwide$1,845.67
Edinburg$2,056.80Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$1,984.59USAA$1,629.62State Farm$1,826.20
Mount Sidney$2,057.62Allstate$3,046.63Progressive$2,040.34USAA$1,639.53Nationwide$1,845.67
Woodstock$2,057.97Allstate$3,017.99Progressive$2,008.08USAA$1,629.62State Farm$1,809.79
Stuarts Draft$2,058.53Allstate$2,998.27Progressive$2,130.48USAA$1,623.59State Farm$1,831.82

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As you see from the tables, where you live can impact your wallet when purchasing a Virginia automobile insurance plan. Folks in rural areas pay hundreds less than those in a major city like Alexandria.

Most Expensive Cities in Virginia Average Annual Rate by CityMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Annual Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive Annual RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Annual Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Annual Rate
Bailey's Crossroads$2,857.10Allstate$4,305.77State Farm$3,156.56Geico$2,141.17USAA$2,206.52
Kings Park$2,855.78Allstate$4,388.84Progressive$2,953.33USAA$2,169.90Geico$2,352.28
Springfield$2,816.60Allstate$4,305.77Progressive$2,910.33USAA$2,055.48Geico$2,351.37
Mount Vernon$2,806.21Allstate$4,184.46State Farm$2,940.41USAA$2,251.53Geico$2,351.37
Fort Belvoir$2,794.01Allstate$4,184.46State Farm$2,917.93USAA$2,057.33Geico$2,351.37
Annandale$2,778.14Allstate$4,274.61Progressive$2,842.69Geico$2,141.17USAA$2,187.52
Merrifield$2,776.35Allstate$4,348.02Progressive$2,975.48Geico$2,017.21USAA$2,121.40
East Highland Park$2,774.68Allstate$3,567.82State Farm$3,089.59USAA$2,144.19Geico$2,550.75
Burke$2,774.08Allstate$4,224.30Progressive$2,867.75USAA$2,121.81Geico$2,211.23
West Mclean$2,771.74Allstate$4,110.52Progressive$2,848.04USAA$2,170.66Geico$2,403.36
Crosspointe$2,765.25Allstate$4,185.98State Farm$2,894.67USAA$2,117.90Geico$2,224.88
Cherry Hill$2,740.66Allstate$4,020.42Progressive$2,847.16USAA$2,116.97Nationwide$2,235.10
Franconia$2,739.44Allstate$4,184.46Progressive$2,824.75USAA$2,079.92Geico$2,175.74
Fleet$2,738.46Allstate$3,615.05Progressive$3,106.78Nationwide$2,203.40USAA$2,357.54
Dumfries$2,733.77Allstate$3,998.75Progressive$2,827.43USAA$2,162.78Nationwide$2,235.10
Dale City$2,730.84Allstate$4,082.65State Farm$2,867.49USAA$2,121.54Nationwide$2,235.10
Huntington$2,730.54Allstate$4,184.46State Farm$2,786.50USAA$2,109.02Geico$2,175.74
Triangle$2,705.49Allstate$4,092.12State Farm$2,704.39USAA$2,137.00Nationwide$2,235.10
Alexandria$2,696.83Allstate$4,218.44State Farm$2,683.58Geico$2,097.78USAA$2,132.32
Fort Hunt$2,695.93Allstate$4,184.46State Farm$2,731.27Geico$2,005.71USAA$2,243.43
County Center$2,689.81Allstate$4,042.10State Farm$2,635.19USAA$2,162.77Nationwide$2,235.10
Fairfax$2,689.31Allstate$4,095.59Progressive$2,883.13USAA$2,061.59Geico$2,141.54
Great Falls$2,686.17Allstate$4,061.45Progressive$2,571.77USAA$2,188.17Nationwide$2,327.14
Fair Lakes$2,680.83Allstate$4,079.29Progressive$2,709.26Geico$2,098.38USAA$2,107.08
Greenway$2,677.88Allstate$4,061.45State Farm$2,570.86Geico$2,167.21USAA$2,170.66

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What are the best Virginia car insurance companies?

If you own a vehicle, there’s a good chance you are paying too much for your insurance. But it isn’t just cost that should be considered when shopping for car insurance.

Who wants to spend time looking for the lowest price? That’s why we’ve done all the work for you and researched the best insurance carriers in Virginia so you can make the best choice for your situation. We’ve looked at companies’ financial ratings, A.M.’s best ratings, and which Virginia auto insurance companies have the most complaints.

These companies can have multiple locations that you can contact. For example, Erie Insurance has quite a few (Erie Insurance Richlands, VA, Erie Insurance Weber City, VA, Erie Insurance Pennington Gap, VA, Erie Insurance Hillsville, VA, and Erie Insurance Big Stone Gap, Virginia).

Keep reading to learn about Virginia’s auto insurance providers.

What is the financial rating of the largest companies?

Loss ratios play a large part in how secure an auto insurance company is doing financially. That’s why we want to include A.M. Best ratings, which look at loss ratios to determine if a company has solid financial stability.

So to see how the 10 largest companies in Virginia are doing, we’ve included the A.M. Best ratings for each.

Leading Insurance ProvidersA.M. Best Ratings
GeicoA++
State Farm GroupA++
USAA GroupA++
Allstate Insurance GroupA+
Progressive GroupA+
Nationwide Corp GroupA+
Erie Insurance GroupA+
Liberty Mutual GroupA
Travelers GroupA++
Virginia Farm Bureau GroupA-

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Which companies have the best ratings?

Virginia drivers who want greater insight into customer satisfaction can turn to J.D. Power. For years, the company has surveyed consumers and analyzed their feedback. J.D. Power delves into whether drivers are happy with their insurance company.

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Through its 2019 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, auto insurance companies are ranked by region and measured in five areas (in order of importance):

  • Interaction
  • Policy offerings
  • Price
  • Billing process and policy information
  • Claims

J.D. Power additionally assigns “Power Circle Ratings” to each insurer. They are:

  • Five out of Five Circles, also known as “Among the Best”
  • Four out of Five Circles/“Better than Most”
  • Three out of Five Circles/“About Average”
  • Two out of Five Circles/“The Rest”

Here’s a look at how insurers fared in the study’s Mid-Atlantic region. We placed them in order of their customer satisfaction index rating, from highest to lowest:

Insurance ProviderCustomer Satisfaction
Index Rating
(out of 1,000)
JDPower.com
Power Circle Ratings
Erie Insurance8545/5
Geico8484/5
The Hartford8393/5
Mid-Atlantic Region8383/5
Allstate8373/5
Plymouth Rock Assurance8353/5
Progressive8353/5
State Farm8262/5
Nationwide8232/5
Travelers8202/5
CSAA Insurance Group8162/5
Farmers8142/5
Liberty Mutual8012/5
USAA8965/5
NJM Insurance Co.8645/5

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Of the larger providers, Geico leads the way with an overall satisfaction score of 848. However, Liberty Mutual is at the bottom of the list when it comes to customer satisfaction, with a score of 801. Additional top providers like Progressive, State Farm, and Nationwide are only separated by 12 points when it comes to customer satisfaction.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning USAA’s status on this list. Though the insurer is part of the study, it is not ranked. This is because USAA is only open to U.S. military service personnel and their families, and therefore, is not included in J.D. Power’s overall rankings.

Next, let’s check out their record of official complaints.

Which companies have the most complaints in Virginia?

One thing to keep in mind is that a high complaint index doesn’t necessarily mean you should avoid a company. You should also look at a company’s customer satisfaction ratings, because how a company deals with complaints is also important.

Leading Insurance ProvidersComplaint Numbers
Geico333
State Farm Group1482
USAA Group296
Allstate Insurance Group163
Progressive Group120
Nationwide Corp Group25
Erie Insurance Group22
Liberty Mutual Group222
Travelers Group2
Virginia Farm Bureau Group1

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If you want more details of the complaints or to check out other insurers, the data is provided in the Consumer Insurance Search section on the website of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

What are the cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia?

Nobody likes to be considered cheap, except when it comes to finding cheaper car insurance. To save money, you should shop around to see what’s available. The table below displays the top carriers in Virginia’s average rate for all drivers and compares it to the state average of all companies.

Insurance ProvidersAverage Annual PremiumsCompared to State Average (+/-)Percentage Change (+/-)
Allstate P&C$3,386.82$1,028.9530.38%
Geico General$2,061.51-$296.36-14.38%
Nationwide P&C$2,073.01-$284.86-13.74%
Progressive Advanced$2,498.55$140.685.63%
State Farm Mutual Auto$2,268.92-$88.94-3.92%
USAA$1,858.39-$499.47-26.88%

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Looking at different providers can save a lot of money. For example, Geico is $300 below the state average, which, over time, could add up to thousands of dollars saved.

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What are the commute rates by companies?

At some companies, how far you drive each day influences your insurance rates. Beyond age, gender, location, marital status, and carrier, other factors that affect your Virginia auto insurance quotes from each carrier are those specific to your situation, such as how much coverage you want, credit history, and driving record.

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The tables below compare such factors based on each carrier.

Insurance Providers10 miles commute/ 6,000 annual mileage25 miles commute/ 12,000 annual mileage
Allstate$3,283.86$3,489.78
Geico$2,022.99$2,100.03
Nationwide$2,073.01$2,073.01
Progressive$2,498.55$2,498.55
State Farm$2,213.23$2,324.61
USAA$1,789.83$1,926.95

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Most company rates don’t change when the drive shortens to a 10-mile commute, except for State Farm, who offers rate reductions of over $200.

What are the coverage level rates by companies?

Do you need better coverage, but don’t want to spend any more money? You might be surprised some companies offer more coverage with only small increases in auto insurance rates.

Insurance ProvidersLowMediumHigh
Allstate$3,285.84$3,387.52$3,487.10
Geico$1,982.21$2,059.38$2,142.93
Nationwide$2,173.17$2,052.92$1,992.94
Progressive$2,389.08$2,470.69$2,635.87
State Farm$2,135.49$2,265.45$2,405.83
USAA$1,783.22$1,861.89$1,930.06

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For example, the data above shows State Farm and Nationwide have less than $300 increases from low to high coverage.

What are the credit history rates by companies?

The quality of your credit score impacts your insurance rates. In Virginia, the average credit score is 680, which is slightly above the nationwide average of 675. This means motorists may have a better chance at getting great rates because of their above-average credit scores.

The table below shows what you can expect to pay yearly on car insurance based on your credit history.

Insurance ProvidersGoodFairPoor
Allstate$2,728.56$3,306.90$4,125.00
Geico$1,947.09$1,947.09$2,290.34
Nationwide$1,791.14$1,972.48$2,455.42
Progressive$2,274.08$2,435.06$2,786.51
State Farm$1,579.95$2,000.23$3,226.59
USAA$1,397.64$1,693.24$2,484.29

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If you have coverage through Allstate and have poor credit, you can expect to pay nearly $1,400 more for car insurance than someone with good credit.

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What are the driving record rates by companies?

A clean driving record is the easiest way to keep rates down. As you can see from the information below, at Nationwide, just one speeding violation can raise your rate by over $250.

Insurance ProvidersClean recordWith 1 speeding violationWith 1 accidentWith 1 DUI
Allstate$2,532.44$3,264.59$4,044.27$3,705.98
Geico$1,565.25$1,565.25$2,032.40$3,083.13
Nationwide$1,802.52$2,045.46$1,802.52$2,641.55
Progressive$2,134.65$2,484.88$2,827.50$2,547.17
State Farm$2,071.20$2,268.92$2,466.65$2,268.92
USAA$1,439.41$1,656.09$1,869.24$2,468.83

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A better record equals better rates. We encourage you to obey posted speed limit signs and NOT drink and drive.

Who are the largest car insurance companies in Virginia?

Here’s a list of the largest car insurance companies in Virginia.

Leading Car Insurance ProvidersDirect Written PremiumsLoss RatioMarket Share
Geico$979,95071.20%18.04%
State Farm Group$923,98966.23%17.01%
USAA Group$717,32574.59%13.21%
Allstate Insurance Group$523,32554.37%9.64%
Progressive Group$492,05264.82%9.06%
Nationwide Corp Group$426,05259.34%7.85%
Erie Insurance Group$205,96469.19%3.79%
Liberty Mutual Group$154,40555.65%2.84%
Travelers Group$120,56560.00%2.22%
Virginia Farm Bureau Group$115,61259.08%2.13%

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Who are the largest auto insurance companies in VA?

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What is the number of insurers by Virginia?

Domestic insurance means a company is formed under Virginia’s state laws, whereby a foreign provider is formed under the laws of any state in the country.

  • Domestic Insurers: 19
  • Foreign Insurers: 908

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What are the Virginia Laws?

Insurance companies are subject to specific rules and regulations. Let’s look at some of the specific Virginia car insurance laws.

How Virginia Laws for insurance are determined

Every state is required to follow a regulation mechanism to implement new rates, and the options include determined by Commissioner, prior approval, modified prior approval, flex rating, file and use, use and file, and no file.

When it comes to tort laws, Virginia follows the at-fault system for determining liability in an accident. If you’re the at-fault driver in an accident, you would be required to pay the damages sustained by the third party.

Financial responsibility laws that require motorists to buy minimum liability coverage, such as the limit of 25/50/25 in Virginia, are also determined by the state laws.

How to get windshield coverage

Has something bounced off the road and fractured your windshield? In Virginia, if the crack meets any of the standards below, it must be repaired.

  • A scratch greater than six inches by 1/4 inch in the area cleared by windshield wipers
  • A crack above the bottom three inches of the windshield that is larger than 1 by 1/2 inches in diameter
  • Multiple cracks in the same area if any crack is longer than one to 1/2 inches long
  • Numerous cracks in the same area if above bottom three inches of the windshield

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How to get high-risk insurance

What happens with motorists who consistently accumulate points on their driving record? Initially, insurance providers raise their rates, but at times, it gets riskier to insure such motorists. When a motorist becomes high-risk, they can be denied coverage by insurance providers.

High-risk drivers in Virginia can knock on the doors of Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan to get coverage if they are denied insurance by more than two providers in a period of 60 days, albeit at a much higher rate.

The Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan (VAIP) was established by the State Corporation Commission in 1945 to provide coverage to those motorists unable to obtain insurance in the voluntary market.

In this plan, high-risk drivers are distributed equitably among insurers who are licensed to write insurance in the market of Virginia in proportion to their market share. This practice enables a fair risk-sharing between all insurance providers.

A motorist denied coverage is eligible to apply to VAIP, provided they have a valid Virginia driver’s license and a vehicle registered in the state.

If you want more information about the program, you can write to [email protected] or connect with a local insurance agent.

Is there an automobile insurance fraud in Virginia?

What is automobile insurance fraud? Creating a claim for damages or injuries that never occurred (such as faking an accident) or adding “extra” costs onto a legitimate claim are examples of fraud.

In 2018, the Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Program created a report on insurance fraud in Virginia. A total of 82 arrests were made, and below you will see the number of notifications the police department received for automobile fraud.

  1. Property Fraud – 931
  2. Injury/Casualty Fraud – 188

Committing insurance fraud can result in fines and jail time.

How can you help? If you come across anything that you’re suspicious about, you can submit a confidential tip to the Virginia State Police. Any tips that help the police in making arrests against insurance fraud are eligible for cash rewards of up to $25,000.

You also have the option to report any complaints through the fraud reporting system of NAIC.

What’s the statute of limitations?

If you are in a car accident in Virginia, there is a statute of limitations if you want to file a claim.

Below, you will see Virginia’s statute of limitations.

VIRGINIA STATUTE OF LIMITATIONSYEARS
Personal Injury2 Years
Property Damage5 Years

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What are the Virginia specific laws?

Unlike other states, in Virginia, it is against the law to have any device designed to prevent or evade detection by the police. Radar detectors must be completely inaccessible to drivers (such as stored in the trunk of a car), and police officers can fine you even if it’s turned off or broken.

Another law unique to Virginia is an unfair claim settlement law, which means insurers are legally required to disclose all information on auto insurance policies. This ensures that insurers don’t “forget” benefits when you file a claim. This law also prevents insurers from ignoring your claim or refusing to pay reasonable claims. While insurers are ethically required to follow these practices anyway, the law places extra emphasis on these guidelines.

What are the vehicle licensing laws?

Virginia, just like every other state, has mandatory licensing laws in addition to the statute of limitations and car insurance laws we previously covered.

What is considered a REAL ID?

Virginia is in full compliance with the REAL ID Act passed by Congress and enforced by Homeland Security. This means that a driver’s license or state ID issued by the Old Dominion State is an acceptable form of identification at federal facilities, airports, and nuclear power plants.

As of October 1, 2020, anyone wishing to fly on a commercial flight or enter a federal facility must have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.

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What are the penalties for driving without insurance?

Drivers may drive while uninsured if they have paid the yearly UMV fee for driving uninsured. If you have not paid the UMV fee and do not have the minimum liability car insurance, you will receive an intent-to-suspend-car registration letter.

Proof of financial responsibility must be shown any time you are pulled over in a traffic stop, register a vehicle, or are in an accident. A valid insurance ID card or proof that you paid the UMV fee are acceptable forms of proof of financial responsibility.

The state of Virginia also has an electronic verification system that authorities use to check the status of vehicles.

When the DMV finds out a vehicle is uninsured, they will suspend any driver’s licenses, registration certification, and license plates associated with the uninsured vehicle. The suspension is revoked only when the auto owner complies with the following:

  • Pays the statutory uninsured motorist fee of $500
  • Files the form SR-22 which ensures financial responsibility for three years
  • May need to pay the reinstatement fee

During these three years, insurance providers are required to notify the DMV if the vehicle owner cancels the insurance coverage.

What are the teen driver laws?

To begin driving in Virginia, teens must be 15 and a half to apply for a learner’s license. Before teens can apply for a regular license or a restricted license, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) specifies that teens must meet the requirements below.

License or Restricted License RequirementsDetails
Mandatory Holding Period 9 months
Minimum Supervised Driving Time 45 hours (15 of which must be at night)
Minimum Age 16 years and 3 months

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What are the license renewal procedures for older drivers?

Older drivers in Virginia have different license renewal procedures than the general population. Drivers 75 and older must follow the requirements listed below.

  • License Renewal Cycle — Every five years
  • Proof of Adequate Vision — Required at every renewal
  • Mail or Online Renewal — Not permitted

Older drivers must visit in person every five years and provide proof of adequate vision at every license renewal.

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What is the procedure for new residents?

Are you moving to Virginia? You need to make sure your insurance is updated to meet Virginia’s minimum liability insurance. To do so, new residents will need to contact their current insurance provider to provide updated address information.

Providers will make sure new residents have the proper coverage in the amounts below, as well as providing updated insurance ID cards.

  • Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
  • Property Damage Coverage: $20,000 per accident
  • Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
  • Uninsured Motorist Property Damage: $20,000 per accident with a $200 deductible for hit-and-run accidents

New residents may choose to decline coverage but will need to pay the $500 UMV fee. This option is riskier because motorists will still be held liable for any accident costs and will have to cover all the bills themselves.

What are the license renewal procedures?

For the general population, license renewal procedures are fairly basic. Generally, the DMV will notify drivers well before their licenses expire, so that drivers have time to plan a trip to the DMV and prepare the necessary paperwork.

  • License Renewal Cycle — Every eight years
  • Proof of Adequate Vision — Required when renewing in person
  • Mail or Online Renewal — Both permitted, every other renewal

Virginia’s licensing system means that drivers can go 16 years without an in-person trip to the DMV. This term is longer than most states. Just make sure to have proof of adequate vision ready when renewing in person.

What is considered a negligent operator treatment system (NOTS)?

Virginia is one of the few states that still observes contributory negligence laws. Contributory negligence only allows damages if one party wasn’t any way responsible for the accident. Comparative negligence allows both parties to be found at fault, and any compensation awarded is determined based on the degree of fault.

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What are the rules of the road?

We all should obey the rules, but if you’re new to the state, there may be laws you’re unfamiliar with. That’s why we’ve assembled a list of several relevant laws to help keep you in good standing and on the road.

Is Virginia at fault or no-fault state?

Virginia is a fault-based state, which means if you are the cause of a car accident, you are responsible for any damage caused.

What are the seat belt & car seat laws?

Seat belts can considerably reduce the risk of serious injury in a crash, and the laws of Virginia require all front-seat passengers to wear a seat belt when the car is in motion. The driver of any vehicle must ensure that passengers below the age of 18 are secured by a seat belt or a child safety seat. Children under the age of 8 should be in a booster or child safety seat.

Laws in Virginia recommend motorists use a child restraint system that’s suitable for the age, height, and weight of your child. If your child isn’t safely restrained in a car seat, it is a $50 fine for the first violation. Any subsequent violations can lead to a fine of $500.

Currently, passengers 16 and under are not allowed to ride in the cargo areas of pickup trucks.

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What are the keep right & move over laws?

Virginia traffic laws mandate that you must keep right when traveling slower than the average speed of traffic around you. Generally, the left lane is for faster traffic and passing.

What’s the speed limit?

Maximum posted speed limits are 70 mph on rural interstates, 70 mph on urban interstates, 65 mph on limited-access roads, and 55 mph on all other roads.

How does ridesharing work?

Virginia signed a ridesharing law quite early in 2015 that mandates background checks for drivers and minimum insurance requirements. The law specifically intended to make sure that drivers are vetted thoroughly before being allowed to drive.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft stress that all drivers carry personal car insurance that meets the minimum car insurance requirements. However, if drivers wish to purchase a commercial insurance policy, these are the companies that provide auto insurance coverage.

  • Allstate
  • Erie
  • Geico
  • Liberty Mutual

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Is there an automation on the road?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “Automation is the use of a machine or technology to perform a task or function that was previously carried out by a human. In driving, automation involves using radar, camera, and other sensors to gather information about a vehicle’s surroundings, which is then used by computer programs to perform parts or all of the driving task on a sustained basis.”

In 2015, the state announced the development of Virginia Automated Corridors that would offer the necessary infrastructure to test automated vehicles.

What are the safety laws?

Up next, we take a closer look at the safety laws in Virginia so that you can arrive alive. Please don’t drink and drive.

What are the DUI laws?

Driving while impaired has disastrous results for everyone involved, and that’s why strict laws are in place to prevent such tragedies. In Virginia alone, drunk driving caused 246 deaths in 2017. Each state differs in how they address drunk driving and therefore have different penalties.

The table below shows detail on what a driver will face if they are charged and convicted of DUI.

BAC Limit High BAC Limit Criminal Status by Offense Formal Name for Offense Look Back/Washout Period
0.080.15; 0.21st-2nd class 1 misdemeanors
3rd+ in 10 years class 6 felony
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)10 years

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The penalties get worse with each subsequent offense.

Offense License Suspension Fine Jail Time IID Lock Other
1st 1 year (restricted permit possible)$250 mandatory minimumUp to 1 year
Mandatory 5 days if BAC 0.15-0.19
Mandatory 20 days if BAC .20+
Required if BAC 0.15+VA Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) required
2nd 3 years (restricted permit possible)$500 mandatory minimumUp to 1 year
Within 5 years 1st offense, mandatory 20 day minimum
Within 10 years 1st offense, mandatory 10 additional days
If BAC .20+ mandatory 20 additional days
Required VASAP required
3rdIndefinite (but can petition court after 5 years) $1,000 mandatory minimum1-5 years
Within 5 years of 1st offense, 6 month mandatory minimum
Within 10 years of 1st offense, 90 day mandatory minimum
RequiredVASAP required. Possible vehicle seizure

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What are the distracted driving laws?

Distracted driving can be just as life-threatening as impaired driving. Virginia has regulated the use of cellphones in cars, so drivers pay more attention to the road. All it takes is a single second of distraction to cause a lifetime of complications.

The following table shows what restrictions Virginia lawmakers have implemented to combat distracted driving in the state.

Hand-Held Ban Young Drivers all Cellphone Ban Texting Ban Enforcement
Drivers in highway work zones Drivers younger than 18All drivers Primary; secondary for drivers younger than 18

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What’s driving in Virginia like?

Now that you have a good understanding of Virginia state laws let’s dive into some facts that you might not know. While insurance is essential, it’s also crucial to know what to keep your eyes out for on the road.

Is there a vehicle theft in Virginia?

No one wants to have their car stolen. In 2016, over 4,428 cars were stolen in Virginia. When considering your next car purchase, one thing to consider is that certain vehicles are stolen more frequently, and thus, may have higher insurance rates.

The following shows a list of the top 10 stolen vehicles in Virginia.

Vehicle Make and Model Vehicle Year Total Thefts
Honda Accord2002266
Ford Pickup (Full Size)2004205
Honda Civic2013200
Toyota Camry2014181
Nissan Altima2015162
Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)2003144
Toyota Corolla2013140
Ford Explorer2002119
Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee2001107
Chevrolet Impala2006105

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As is common in many states, the Honda Accord and Ford Pickup lead the way as the most stolen vehicles in the state.

Where you live also plays a role in the number of vehicle thefts. The FBI created a report on Virginia’s vehicle thefts by cities, which are listed below.

CityMotor
Vehicle
Theft
Richmond938
Norfolk767
Virginia Beach445
Newport News344
Alexandria291
Chesapeake280
Hampton226
Portsmouth205
Roanoke180
Suffolk102
Lynchburg87
Petersburg87
Danville84
Charlottesville53
Hopewell49
Manassas49
Harrisonburg35
Waynesboro34
Winchester33
Fredericksburg32
Martinsville27
Salem27
Front Royal25
Fairfax City23
Bristol20
Culpeper20
Colonial Heights18
Staunton17
Abingdon15
Blacksburg15
Christiansburg14
Leesburg14
Manassas Park14
Bedford12
Franklin12
Ashland11
Colonial Beach11
Dumfries11
Radford11
South Boston10
Smithfield9
Herndon8
Williamsburg8
Falls Church7
Hillsville7
Marion7
Pulaski7
Big Stone Gap6
Vinton6
Wytheville6
Dublin5
Luray5
Clifton Forge4
Emporia4
Galax4
Lebanon4
Norton4
Poquoson4
Richlands4
Rocky Mount4
Coeburn3
Elkton3
Farmville3
Orange3
Stephens City3
Tazewell3
Vienna3
Wise3
Amherst2
Chilhowie2
Clarksville2
Covington2
Crewe2
Exmore2
Gate City2
Lawrenceville2
Lexington2
Pearisburg2
Pound2
South Hill2
Stanley2
Warrenton2
West Point2
Woodstock2
Appalachia1
Berryville1
Blackstone1
Boykins1
Bridgewater1
Buena Vista1
Burkeville1
Cape Charles1
Chincoteague1
Clintwood1
Glen Lyn1
Gordonsville1
Gretna1
Grundy1
Louisa1
Middletown1
New Market1
Onley1
Quantico1
St. Paul1
Tappahannock1
Warsaw1
Waverly1
Weber City1
Windsor1
Altavista0
Bloxom0
Bowling Green0
Broadway0
Brookneal0
Chase City0
Chatham0
Damascus0
Dayton0
Edinburg0
Glasgow0
Grottoes0
Halifax0
Haymarket0
Haysi0
Honaker0
Hurt0
Independence0
Jonesville0
Kenbridge0
Kilmarnock0
La Crosse0
Middleburg0
Mount Jackson0
Narrows0
Occoquan0
Onancock0
Parksley0
Pembroke0
Pennington Gap0
Pocahontas0
Purcellville0
Rich Creek0
Rural Retreat0
Saltville0
Shenandoah0
Strasburg0
Timberville0
Victoria0
White Stone0

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What is the number of road fatalities in Virginia?

Accidents happen, and next, we’re going to show you statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for different kinds of accidents in Virginia.

What is the number of most fatal highway in Virginia?

Route US-460 is the deadliest highway in Virginia, which registers around 19 crashes every year.

What is the number of fatal crashes by weather condition & light condition?

Since states have different weather conditions to watch out for, we want to take a look at Virginia’s fatalities during different types of weather conditions. The following table shows how many crashes occurred when weather and light conditions are a factor.

Weather ConditionDaylightDark, but LightedDarkDawn or DuskOther / UnknownTotal
Normal000000
Rain2715254172
Snow/Sleet102003
Other212207
Unknown39483196280701
TOTAL42499225341783

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As you can see, most accidents occur during daylight hours.

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What’s the number of fatalities (all crashes) by county?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has collected extensive data on crashes in Virginia. One of the first statistics we want to look at is how fatalities vary from county to county. The following table shows how many crashes occurred by county in the state of Virginia

County 20132014201520162017
Chesterfield County2619282534
Fairfax County4033313434
Virginia Beach City2729161925
Henrico County2418182124
Frederick County119131022
Prince William County1823113022
Loudoun County1312111221
Richmond City129131621
Norfolk City2521151819
Augusta County17991918
Chesapeake City119181918
Suffolk City141215718
Bedford County9761417
Newport News City1011151716
James City County858415
Pittsylvania County816191414
Hanover County131715813
Henry County1013161313
Montgomery County946513
Portsmouth City355813
Sussex County043813
Albemarle County111615912
Franklin County8771612
Roanoke City674912
Rockingham County1218101212
Spotsylvania County1111111412
Mecklenburg County1196810
Wythe County4414610
Dinwiddie County831099
Fauquier County6919159
Halifax County389129
King George County811569
Pulaski County49229
Stafford County851599
Campbell County497118
Carroll County114768
Hampton City910888
Orange County86668
Roanoke County941058
Rockbridge County29798
Russell County41968
Washington County68968
Amelia County41357
Buckingham County111287
Caroline County14110127
Gloucester County34557
Louisa County1236107
Prince Edward County64757
Buchanan County73636
Fluvanna County63706
Patrick County64416
Prince George County1061336
Warren County58476
Arlington County28515
Brunswick County119675
Culpeper County99655
Giles County59415
Goochland County53925
Lunenburg County33135
Tazewell County64535
York County45595
Alexandria City30444
Amherst County48654
Botetourt County45844
Cumberland County41114
Danville City62344
Isle Of Wight County79244
King And Queen County12324
Nelson County42704
Powhatan County75414
Scott County33324
Shenandoah County74764
Southampton County94524
Accomack County810683
Clarke County01733
Essex County15333
Greene County23103
King William County33133
Lancaster County41243
Lee County42753
Madison County11313
New Kent County48853
Northampton County13393
Nottoway County34553
Page County12343
Rappahannock County00003
Smyth County54433
Alleghany County45342
Appomattox County24132
Bland County11112
Fredericksburg City20212
Greensville County27252
Lynchburg City13212
Manassas City00002
Mathews County61122
Middlesex County12212
Petersburg City23062
Radford City01102
Salem City10102
Westmoreland County03502
Bath County11011
Colonial Heights City00151
Dickenson County22311
Floyd County43311
Harrisonburg City10141
Northumberland County22121
Richmond County01141
Surry County11231
Waynesboro City21111
Wise County85461
Bedford City00000
Bristol City21000
Buena Vista City00000
Charles City County03340
Charlotte County32760
Charlottesville City10020
Clifton Forge City00000
Covington City11000
Craig County40200
Emporia City11000
Fairfax City20040
Falls Church City00000
Franklin City00020
Galax City00100
Grayson County13330
Highland County01010
Hopewell City12100
Lexington City20000
Manassas Park City00000
Martinsville City10000
Norton City10000
Poquoson City00200
South Boston City (No Longer A County Equivalent)00000
Staunton City10110
Williamsburg City00000
Winchester City00110

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In evaluating fatalities by county, the following five have the highest totals for 2017:

  • Fairfax County – 34
  • Chesterfield County – 34
  • Virginia Beach City County – 25
  • Henrico County – 24
  • Prince William County – 22

What is the number of traffic fatalities?

Car insurance companies, law enforcement, and the DMV consider all data collected over the years. To accurately report fatality data per year, these organizations separate the data by rural and urban categories.

In the table below, traffic fatality numbers for rural and urban areas are listed.

Road Type 2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
Rural479421308405500473448484477519
Urban343334234279259260247269281319
Unknown33198801778121
Total 825758740764776740703754760839

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In our 10 year lookback period, more fatal accidents occurred on rural roads than in urban areas.

What is the number of fatalities by person type?

The type of car driven can sometimes show trends in fatalities, and car occupants aren’t the only ones at risk in a crash. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists die every year from vehicle accidents. In the table below, we examine fatalities by person type.

Person Type 20132014201520162017
Total740703754760839
Passenger Car331299323308320
Total Motorcyclists79907979117
Light Truck - Pickup878610382111
Light Truck - Utility996810388111
Pedestrian758877122111
Light Truck - Van3223243032
Large Truck2422192518
Bicyclist and Other Cyclist812151012
Other/Unknown Occupants110885
Other/Unknown Nonoccupants34222
Light Truck - Other00160
Bus11000

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As the data reflects, most fatalities occurred in passenger cars, followed by light pickups.

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What is the number of fatalities by crash type?

Between 2013 to 2017, the greatest number of fatalities occurred in single-vehicle crashes, followed by roadway departures. Fatalities involving speeding decreased from 2016 to 2017. In the table below, we examine fatalities by crash type.

Crash Type20132014201520162017
- (1) Single Vehicle461436474476493
- (2) Involving a Large Truck8990719198
- (3) Involving Speeding13299105257219
- (4) Involving a Rollover188146194163186
- (5) Involving a Roadway Departure498443492444511
- (6) Involving an Intersection (or Intersection Related)138164170177189
Total Fatalities (All Crashes)740703754760839

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Sadly, driving alone and single-vehicle crashes are the leading cause of fatalities in Virginia.

Five-year trend for the top 10 counties

When comparing the 10 largest counties in the state, Chesterfield and Fairfax Counties have the highest number of fatalities in 2017. In 2017, Prince William County saw a significant decline in fatalities, dropping from 30 to 22 from 2016 to 2017. In the table below, we show data for the rest of the counties.

County 20132014201520162017
All Counties Total 740703754759839
All Other Counties522493559541599
Chesterfield County2619282534
Fairfax County4033313434
Virginia Beach City2729161925
Henrico County2418182124
Frederick County119131022
Prince William County1823113022
Loudoun County1312111221
Richmond City129131621
Norfolk City2521151819
Augusta County17991918

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What is the number of fatalities involving speeding by county?

Speed limits are implemented to not only save on the cost of gasoline but to help keep you safe. The table below shows the fatalities involving speeding listed by county.

County20132014201520162017
Fairfax County9781214
Loudoun County322510
Prince William County462149
Chesterfield County238148
Sussex County01157
Bedford County20086
Chesapeake City20256
Henry County02246
Newport News City13576
Virginia Beach City76286
Amelia County11035
Augusta County33355
King George County02035
Montgomery County11205
Spotsylvania County40345
Campbell County03154
Frederick County20214
Hanover County20154
Pittsylvania County21144
Prince Edward County00024
Rockingham County55254
Carroll County21003
Cumberland County01003
Dinwiddie County20123
Franklin County00043
James City County10013
Louisa County31073
Mecklenburg County20123
Roanoke City20423
Stafford County11223
Accomack County10132
Albemarle County20122
Alexandria City00112
Brunswick County12022
Buchanan County31412
Caroline County10072
Fauquier County11262
Halifax County01032
Hampton City23312
King And Queen County01002
Lancaster County00012
Nottoway County00032
Page County00032
Richmond City20152
Roanoke County31022
Shenandoah County10022
Warren County00012
Wythe County02122
Amherst County11121
Buckingham County13061
Clarke County00011
Danville City10001
Dickenson County21101
Gloucester County00211
Greensville County00021
Harrisonburg City00001
Isle Of Wight County22001
King William County00021
Lunenburg County11021
Lynchburg City00001
Madison County00001
Nelson County00201
Northampton County00101
Portsmouth City02041
Powhatan County10001
Prince George County00001
Pulaski County10001
Rappahannock County00001
Richmond County00011
Rockbridge County02031
Russell County10211
Salem City00001
Suffolk City62121
Surry County00011
Tazewell County10321
Wise County02031
York County13021
Alleghany County01210
Appomattox County00010
Arlington County01200
Bath County00000
Bedford City00000
Bland County10000
Botetourt County00020
Bristol City10000
Buena Vista City00000
Charles City County00120
Charlotte County10020
Charlottesville City00010
Clifton Forge City00000
Colonial Heights City00010
Covington City00000
Craig County00000
Culpeper County10010
Emporia City10000
Essex County01010
Fairfax City00010
Falls Church City00000
Floyd County00000
Fluvanna County00200
Franklin City00000
Fredericksburg City00010
Galax City00000
Giles County11100
Goochland County00500
Grayson County00010
Greene County11000
Henrico County31160
Highland County00000
Hopewell City00000
Lee County12120
Lexington City00000
Manassas City00000
Manassas Park City00000
Martinsville City10000
Mathews County00000
Middlesex County01000
New Kent County40130
Norfolk City75320
Northumberland County00010
Norton City00000
Orange County11020
Patrick County00100
Petersburg City10020
Poquoson City00000
Radford City00000
Scott County01000
Smyth County00000
South Boston City (No Longer A County Equivalent)00000
Southampton County21000
Staunton City00000
Washington County51140
Waynesboro City10000
Westmoreland County00200
Williamsburg City00000
Winchester City00000

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Fairfax County leads the way with 14 reported speeding fatalities. We encourage you to obey posted speed limit signs.

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What is the number of fatalities in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver by county?

Check out the table below to see fatalities in crashes that involved an alcohol-impaired driver with a BAC over .08.

County 20132014201520162017
Fairfax County16104911
Loudoun County444211
James City County32219
Spotsylvania County26358
Virginia Beach City1113748
Chesterfield County1188117
Frederick County41317
Albemarle County55436
Bedford County32476
Chesapeake City42656
Norfolk City910536
Pittsylvania County54766
Sussex County02016
Newport News City43655
Portsmouth City11135
Prince William County35195
Augusta County53574
Campbell County12164
Henrico County108474
Louisa County71164
Mecklenburg County30044
Montgomery County32204
Roanoke City14444
Rockingham County66134
Russell County10314
Stafford County41314
Amelia County10123
Franklin County14213
Gloucester County11313
Hanover County35533
Henry County52433
Lunenburg County21103
Orange County51223
Pulaski County13003
Richmond City55563
Suffolk City44303
Alleghany County11222
Buckingham County16262
Caroline County40232
Carroll County22112
Cumberland County10002
Essex County02022
Giles County02002
Goochland County32402
Halifax County22332
Hampton City45322
Isle Of Wight County33122
King And Queen County10002
Roanoke County21232
Rockbridge County13212
Wythe County01512
Accomack County43131
Alexandria City10211
Amherst County00121
Arlington County12201
Botetourt County41201
Buchanan County41121
Culpeper County41121
Dickenson County20001
Dinwiddie County41231
Fauquier County23441
Floyd County30101
Fredericksburg City00011
Greene County10001
Greensville County02011
King George County13141
King William County10011
Lancaster County21021
Lynchburg City00101
Nelson County01301
Page County01111
Patrick County30201
Powhatan County41101
Prince Edward County22231
Prince George County31311
Rappahannock County00001
Smyth County01201
Southampton County14201
Warren County33221
Westmoreland County00201
York County24121
Appomattox County10020
Bath County00000
Bedford City00000
Bland County10100
Bristol City10000
Brunswick County14100
Buena Vista City00000
Charles City County02120
Charlotte County10130
Charlottesville City00010
Clarke County00100
Clifton Forge City00000
Colonial Heights City00130
Covington City00000
Craig County30200
Danville City10100
Emporia City10000
Fairfax City00010
Falls Church City00000
Fluvanna County42100
Franklin City00000
Galax City00000
Grayson County01030
Harrisonburg City00000
Highland County01000
Hopewell City10100
Lee County30220
Lexington City00000
Madison County00110
Manassas City00000
Manassas Park City00000
Martinsville City00000
Mathews County10000
Middlesex County11100
New Kent County22210
Northampton County00100
Northumberland County11010
Norton City00000
Nottoway County11110
Petersburg City12030
Poquoson City00100
Radford City00000
Richmond County00010
Salem City00000
Scott County01120
Shenandoah County10100
South Boston City (No Longer A County Equivalent)00000
Staunton City00000
Surry County00110
Tazewell County11210
Washington County21110
Waynesboro City10000
Williamsburg City00000
Winchester City00000
Wise County22010

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Eleven people were killed in Fairfax County in 2017 when alcohol was involved. We encourage you never to drink and drive so you can arrive safely.

What are the teen drinking & driving laws?

In 2016, Virginia law enforcement officers arrested 97 teenagers (under the age of 18) for drunk driving.

This number places Virginia as the 38th-worst state in the U.S. for underage drinking and driving.

Below are the facts concerning underage (under 21 years old) drinking-related fatalities:

  • 1.1 fatalities per 100,000 people in Virginia
  • 1.2 fatalities per 100,000 people national average

 

The table below shows the data about fatalities involving underage drinking in Virginia.

DUI Arrests (under 18-years-old)DUI Arrests (under 18-years-old) Total Per Million People Rank
9751.8738

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What’s the EMS response time?

If you or someone you know is in an accident, you want help to arrive as fast as possible. Check out the table below for response times for emergency personnel in rural and urban areas.

Location of IncidentTime of Crash to EMS NotificationEMS Notification to EMS ArrivalEMS Arrival at Scene to Hospital ArrivalTime of Crash to Hospital ArrivalTotal Fatalities in Crashes
Rural8.44 min12.70 min43.09 min60.04 min447
Urban5.69 min7.93 min29.76 min39.96 min273

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Living in a rural area certainly has its benefits, but it could be dangerous if time is of the essence when you or someone you love is in an accident.

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What’s transportation in Virginia like?

When you drive through your neighborhood, do you ever notice how many cars are sitting in your neighbors’ driveways? Usually, we can tell if someone is visiting by that extra car parked outside the house.

The following data was sourced from the Census Bureau via DataUSA.io.

What is the percentage of car ownership?

Just like the national average, the average household in Virginia has two cars. If you do have two (or more) vehicles, it’s always a good idea to talk to your insurance provider to determine if you qualify for multiple vehicle insurance discounts on your auto premium. It could save you hundreds of dollars.

What’s the average commute time?

The average commute time in the U.S. is 25.3 minutes. Unfortunately, Virginia’s average commute time is slightly above this at 27 minutes. The video below describes one man’s commute:

However long your commute is, we encourage you to obey posted speed limit signs so you can arrive safely.

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What is the preferred commuter transportation?

In every state, driving alone is the most common commute option, though people are beginning to turn to other commute options like carpooling and working from home.

Mode Of TransportationDrove Alone CarpooledWorked At HomePublic TransitWalked Bicycle TaxiMotorcycle
Percentage77.4%8.66%5.39%4.18%2.59%0.411%0.26%0.13%

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Virginia is no exception, as 77.4 percent of commuters drove alone.

Is there a traffic congestion?

While Virginia residents spend a few minutes more commuting than other states, the good news is that only one of Virginia’s cities made it onto Inrix’s global traffic scorecard. In the table below, we see drivers in Norfolk City spend 56 hours yearly sitting in congestion.

City Hours Lost in Congestion Year over Year Change Cost of Congestion Per Driver Inner City Travel Time (Minutes)Inner City Last Mile Speed (mph)
Norfolk City 566%$781415

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That time sitting in Norfolk City traffic costs the average resident $781 a year.

Now that you’ve read through this comprehensive guide and know everything there is to know about buying car insurance and knowing that in Virginia all vehicles must have what insurance is necessary, it’s time to hit the road. Before you go, though, we’d like to know, did we miss anything in this guide? Which section was most helpful to you?

Enter your ZIP code below to get a FREE quote comparison and find affordable Virginia auto insurance today.

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State Minimum Car Insurance Rates Nationwide
Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by State
Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in Virginia
Monthly Virginia Car Insurance Rates by ZIP Code
Virginia Car Insurance Rates by Company vs. State Average
Factors Affecting Car Insurance Rates in Virginia
Virginia Car Insurers by Market Share %
State Minimum Car Insurance Rates Nationwide
Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by State
Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in Virginia
Monthly Virginia Car Insurance Rates by ZIP Code
Virginia Car Insurance Rates by Company vs. State Average
Factors Affecting Car Insurance Rates in Virginia
Virginia Car Insurers by Market Share %