What Are The Minimum Car Insurance Requirements In Virginia?

About 14% of drivers in the U.S. are uninsured. In Virginia, like in most states, all drivers are required to have at least the minimum level of car insurance set by the state. You must carry proof of this coverage when driving and be ready to show it to law enforcement if asked. The average monthly cost for Virginia’s minimum coverage is around $44.

With 9 years of experience in auto insurance, I’ve helped drivers understand their state’s minimum requirements and find the best policy to suit their needs.

What Is The Minimum Car Insurance Requirement In Virginia?

Currently, Virginia’s minimum car insurance requirements include $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $20,000 for property damage.

However, starting January 1, 2025, these limits will be raised to $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.

Is Minimum Coverage Enough?

Virginia’s car insurance minimums are similar to those in other states, but they may not offer enough protection for you or your assets. Even moderate injuries can quickly reach the liability limits, especially if multiple people are involved. Additionally, the $20,000 property damage limit is far below the cost of most new cars.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance In Virginia

In Virginia, the cost of car insurance can vary depending on factors like age and gender. As shown in the table below, younger drivers typically pay higher premiums than older drivers, whether they choose minimum or full coverage.

Virginia Car Insurance Laws

In Virginia, liability insurance is required by law. This insurance covers the cost of injuries and property damage you cause in an accident where you’re at fault. It can also pay for things like lost wages and pain and suffering for the other person involved.

Virginia recently updated its car insurance laws, especially for uninsured (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. As of July 1, 2023, the law changed how UM/UIM coverage works. Before, your UM/UIM coverage would only pay if it was higher than the at-fault driver’s liability coverage.

Now, you can “stack” your UM/UIM coverage on top of the at-fault driver’s insurance, meaning you can get more help from your own policy if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance. This is helpful in Virginia, where about 11.9% of drivers are uninsured. The new rule applies to policies starting or renewing after July 1, 2023.

Virginia does not require collision or comprehensive insurance as part of the minimum coverage. However, if you’re financing or leasing your car, the lender or leasing company will usually require these coverages to protect the vehicle in case of damage or loss.

Proof Of Insurance

In Virginia, drivers must carry proof of insurance whenever they are driving and show it to law enforcement if asked. Auto insurance companies in Virginia are also required to inform the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) whenever a car insurance policy is started or canceled for a registered vehicle.

If the DMV finds a registered vehicle without insurance, the owner will be notified and asked to provide proof of coverage. Even if you have insurance, if you can’t show proof, the state will consider you uninsured.

Registration Information

To register your car in Virginia, follow these steps:

Get Insurance: Make sure you have valid Virginia auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements.

Prepare Documents: Gather your proof of identity, vehicle ownership (title or bill of sale), proof of insurance, odometer reading (for cars less than 10 years old), and proof of Virginia residency.

Pass Inspections: Ensure your vehicle passes a safety inspection and possibly an emissions inspection (if required for your area).

Visit the DMV: Register your vehicle in person at a local DMV office or online if eligible.

• Find DMV locations: Virginia DMV Locations
• Register online: Virginia DMV Online Registration

Pay Fees: Pay the registration fees, which vary by vehicle.

• View fees: Virginia DMV Fees

Receive Plates and Registration: After registration, you’ll receive your plates and registration card.

Uninsured Drivers In Virginia

In Virginia, the uninsured motorist rate is around 12%, largely due to high insurance costs. This is driven by factors such as a significant number of car accident claims and the state’s tort-based system, which can lead to higher liability premiums.

While Virginia doesn’t have a no-fault law, the cost of insurance remains a barrier for some drivers, contributing to the uninsured rate.

Legal Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

If you’re caught driving without insurance or failing to pay the Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee in Virginia, you may face several penalties. These include a $600 fine, the potential suspension of your driver’s license and vehicle registration, and the requirement to file an SR-22 certificate for three years. Additionally, you’ll need to pay a $145 reinstatement fee to get your license and registration back.

Cancellation and Nonrenewal Notification Laws

In Virginia, car insurance companies are required to notify policyholders before canceling or choosing not to renew their insurance policy, allowing time to secure new coverage and prevent a lapse. For cancellations, insurers must provide a 45-day notice, while for cancellations due to nonpayment, the notice period is 15 days. If the company decides not to renew the policy, they must also notify the policyholder 45 days prior to the policy’s expiration.

Is Car Insurance Required In Virginia If You Don’t Own A Vehicle?

In Virginia, if you don’t own a vehicle but still drive occasionally, you are still required to have car insurance. However, if you don’t own a car, you can obtain non-owner car insurance. This type of policy provides liability coverage when you’re driving someone else’s car.

It’s important to note that while the state doesn’t require full coverage for non-owners, you must still meet Virginia’s minimum liability insurance requirements if you’re driving. If you don’t have insurance and are caught driving without it, you may face penalties.

Other Types Of Optional Coverage

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage helps pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance or none at all.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP covers your medical expenses, lost income, and funeral costs for you and your passengers, no matter who is at fault in the accident.

Roadside Assistance: This service provides help like towing, flat tire changes, and jump-starts if your car breaks down on the road.

Gap Insurance: Gap insurance covers the difference between your car’s current value and what you owe on your loan or lease if your car is totaled or stolen.

Rental Car Reimbursement: This coverage pays for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after an accident or other covered event.

Required Motor Vehicle Inspections

If you’ve bought a new car in Virginia, you need to have it inspected within a year of the purchase or the first inspection, and then annually after that.

The following fees apply for your inspection, as stated by the Virginia State Police:

• Tractor truck: $48
• Truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or more: $48
• Motorcycle: $12
• Autocycle: $12
• Trailers: $20
• Motor homes: $20
• All other vehicles: $20

For the following countries, emission inspection is required every two years:

• Alexandria
• Fairfax
• Arlington
• Manassas
• Falls Church
• Loudoun
• Prince William
• Manassas Park
• Strafford