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The cheapest car insurance in Virginia can be found through State Farm for as low as $27 monthly for liability coverage and $98 monthly for full coverage.
Discover if you are overpaying for car insurance below.
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Key Takeaways:
Beginning July 1, 2024, all drivers in Virginia will be required to maintain a car insurance policy under a new state law. This change in legal requirements could leave many car owners in the commonwealth shopping for auto coverage for the first time.
We at the MarketWatch Guides team put together the following guide to finding cheap car insurance in Virginia. You’ll find rate estimates for drivers of different ages, risk profiles and cities in Virginia to give you a sense for what you might pay for coverage. Our team also created a brief guide to shopping for coverage to help those new to the insurance market and experienced policyholders alike find the right coverage at the best prices.
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Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
State Farm offers both the cheapest minimum liability and full coverage insurance in the state of Virginia, based on our data from Quadrant Information Services. The average rates from State Farm for a driver fitting our standardized profile are $330 for minimum liability coverage and $1,185 for a full coverage plan.
Car insurance rates in the state of Virginia (and across the country) vary due to several factors, such as your age, driving history and credit score. Ultimately, the cheapest rates will vary depending on your personal situation. Below, we list the lowest rates for each category of coverage and driver profile that we researched:
| Cheapest Car Insurance in Virginia (by category) | Company | Average Monthly Premium |
| Minimum Liability Coverage | State Farm | $28 |
| Full Coverage | State Farm | $99 |
| Young Drivers | Virginia Farm Bureau*** | $229** |
| Seniors | Nationwide | $83** |
| After a Speeding Ticket | State Farm | $105** |
| After an Accident | Erie | $111** |
| After a DUI | State Farm | $105** |
| Bad Credit | Geico | $167** |
More: Cheapest Car Insurance
In our research, we found that the five cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia are:
You can click on any of the providers above to learn more or find out more about the state’s cheapest car insurance companies by large and medium-sized providers below.
According to J.D. Power, large insurers are ones that have written $4.5 billion or more in direct premiums for personal auto.
Among the large car insurance companies, State Farm, Travelers, Geico, Progressive and Allstate are the cheapest. You’ll find the lowest rates on average from these providers in the Old Dominion.
**Our research team considers nationwide factors when scoring providers. The ranking of providers in this table is specific to car insurance in Virginia.
More: Largest Car Insurance Companies
J.D. Power defines midsize insurers as those that have written between $1 and $4.499 billion in direct premiums for personal auto. For midsize car insurance companies in Virginia, we found that Erie, Virginia Farm Bureau and Auto Owners provide the cheapest rates. You can compare their average premiums and cost ratings for each company below.
| Company | Minimum Coverage (Annual) | Full Coverage (Annual) | # of Discounts | Cost Rating (US) | Visit Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $341 | $1,200 | 11 | 9.9 | ||
|
$379 | $1,201 | 5 | 8.6 | |
| $404 | $1,350 | 12 | 8.6 |
| Company | Minimum Coverage (Annual) | Full Coverage (Annual) | # of Discounts | Cost Rating (US) | Visit Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $341 | $1,200 | 11 | 9.9 | ||
|
|
$379 | $1,201 | 5 | 8.6 | |
| $404 | $1,350 | 12 | 8.6 |
Virginia drivers have a great chance of finding affordable car insurance because the state’s average rates are cheaper than the national average, based on our rate data. However, coverage level is one of the greatest determining factors when it comes to the price of car insurance.
Below are the cheapest auto insurance options in Virginia for both liability and full coverage.
State Farm offers the cheapest liability car insurance our team could find for Virginia drivers at $28 per month.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| State Farm | $28 | $330 |
| Erie | $28 | $341 |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $32 | $379 |
| Auto Owners | $34 | $404 |
| Travelers | $35 | $415 |
| USAA* | $33 | $392 |
Read more: Cheapest Liability-Only Auto Insurance
State Farm offers the cheapest full-coverage car insurance policy on average in Virginia, costing $99 per month or $1,185 per year.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| State Farm | $99 | $1,185 |
| Erie | $100 | $1,200 |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $100 | $1,201 |
| Travelers | $102 | $1,220 |
| Geico | $110 | $1,316 |
| USAA* | $111 | $1,334 |
**These rates are based on an unmarried 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history. Your rates will vary depending on a number of factors.
Read more: Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance
Young drivers pay more for car insurance than adults on average, regardless of what state you live in. The series of tables below shows the cheapest full-coverage car insurance for young Virginia drivers aged 16 through 25, along with estimated monthly and annual costs.
Read more: Cheapest Car Insurance for Young Adults
Our research found that the Virginia Farm Bureau offers the cheapest rates on average for 16-year-old drivers in the Old Dominion at $2,758 per year or $229 per month on average.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $229 | $2,758 |
| Erie | $307 | $3,692 |
| Travelers | $324 | $3,894 |
| Auto Owners | $337 | $4,054 |
| State Farm | $348 | $4,178 |
Virginia Farm Bureau offers the cheapest car insurance on average, with estimates for 17-year-old Virginian drivers at $229 per month or $2,759 per year.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $229 | $2,759 |
| Erie | $233 | $2,798 |
| Geico | $242 | $2,915 |
| State Farm | $254 | $3,054 |
| USAA* | $254 | $3,058 |
Note: Costs were taken from 2022 information.
18-year-old drivers in Virginia can find cheap auto insurance through Erie for $202 per month or $2,425 per year, according to our research.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| Erie | $202 | $2,425 |
| Geico | $202 | $2,427 |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $215 | $2,589 |
| State Farm | $223 | $2,677 |
| USAA* | $207 | $2,489 |
Note: Costs were taken from 2022 information.
The cheapest rates for 19-year-old Virginian drivers is through Geico at an average cost of $165 per month or $1,980 per year.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| Geico | $165 | $1,980 |
| Erie | $181 | $2,175 |
| State Farm | $195 | $2,347 |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $198 | $2,381 |
| USAA* | $171 | $2,061 |
Note: Costs were taken from 2022 information.
In the Old Dominion, Geico offers the cheapest rates for 21-year-olds on average at $123 per month or $1,478 per year for a full coverage policy.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| Geico | $123 | $1,478 |
| Nationwide | $130 | $1,571 |
| Erie | $148 | $1,784 |
| State Farm | $150 | $1,801 |
| USAA* | $113 | $1,364 |
Note: Costs were taken from 2022 information.
On average, Virginia Farm Bureau provides the cheapest car insurance estimates for an annual premium for 25-year-old drivers at $1,286 per year or $107 per month.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $107 | $1,286 |
| Travelers | $109 | $1,312 |
| Geico | $117 | $1,412 |
| State Farm | $118 | $1,425 |
| Erie | $127 | $1,525 |
On average, Nationwide provides the cheapest car insurance for seniors in Virginia with average annual rates of $1,005 for a full-coverage policy. The sections below will break down costs for auto insurance in the Old Dominion for 65 and 75-year-old drivers.
Read More: Cheapest Car Insurance For Seniors
We found that Erie offers affordable rates for drivers in their mid-60s in the state of Virginia, averaging out at $75 per month or $900 per year.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| Erie | $75 | $900 |
| Nationwide | $76 | $908 |
| Geico | $80 | $970 |
| State Farm | $82 | $988 |
| USAA* | $68 | $823 |
Note: Costs were taken from 2022 information.
75-year-old drivers in Virginia can typically find affordable car insurance premiums through companies like Nationwide, which costs an average of $91 per month or $1,101 per year.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| Nationwide | $91 | $1,101 |
| State Farm | $95 | $1,146 |
| Erie | $97 | $1,173 |
| Geico | $99 | $1,193 |
| USAA* | $87 | $1,050 |
Note: Costs were taken from 2022 information.
On average, State Farm provides the cheapest overall car insurance rates for bad driving records. Geico typically offers the cheapest rates for drivers with poor credit. Below, we provide monthly and annual average full-coverage rates for drivers who fall into one of these categories.
Read More: Best Cheap Car Insurance For High-Risk Drivers
A speeding ticket can cause your rates to go up wherever you live. However, you can still find affordable rates with State Farm in the Old Dominion, averaging $105 per month or $1,269 per year for a full-coverage policy.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| State Farm | $105 | $1,269 |
| Erie | $111 | $1,341 |
| Auto Owners | $122 | $1,473 |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $128 | $1,546 |
| Geico | $133 | $1,607 |
If you’re found to be responsible for a car accident, you’ll likely see higher rates for your auto premiums. We’ve found the cheapest rates for Virginians with an accident on their record are through Erie, at an average of $111 per month or $1,341 per year.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| Erie | $111 | $1,341 |
| Auto Owners | $112 | $1,350 |
| State Farm | $113 | $1,367 |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $130 | $1,569 |
| Travelers | $140 | $1,690 |
| USAA* | $163 | $1,957 |
If you have a DUI on your record, you’ll likely face much higher premiums. State Farm offers affordable full-coverage auto insurance for Virginia drivers with a DUI at an average rate of $105 per month or $1,269 per year.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| State Farm | $105 | $1,269 |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $134 | $1,608 |
| Travelers | $150 | $1,807 |
| Erie | $160 | $1,925 |
| Auto Owners | $180 | $2,171 |
In states that allow credit as a determining factor for insurance rates, drivers with poor credit scores pay much more on average than those with higher credit scores. Geico offers an average rate for Virginia drivers of $167 per month or $2,014 per year.
| Company | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| Geico | $167 | $2,014 |
| Travelers | $176 | $2,114 |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $177 | $2,131 |
| State Farm | $199 | $2,399 |
| USAA* | $199 | $2,393 |
Below, you can get personalized cheap auto insurance quotes for your specific location in Virginia.
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The cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia include State Farm, Erie, Virginia Farm Bureau, Travelers and USAA, according to our research. Below, we dig into each company’s offerings, reputation, customer ratings and history.
According to our research, the average cost of full coverage insurance in Virginia is $1,781 per year or $148 per month, based on the profile of a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record. This is 11% cheaper than the national average of $2,008 per year or $167 per month, making Virginia an affordable states for car insurance.
The following table shows our average estimated full-coverage rates for different ages of drivers in Virginia.
| Age | Average Monthly Rate | Average Annual Rate |
| 16 | $582 | $6,984 |
| 25 | $176 | $2,117 |
| 35 | $148 | $1,781 |
| 45 | $142 | $1,699 |
| 55 | $128 | $1,539 |
Insurance rates vary between states, but they also vary within states. Companies adjust their rates based on different risk factors associated with different cities and ZIP codes. That’s why you may pay different amounts for insurance than your friends and family in other parts of Virginia, even if all other factors are the same.
The table below shows the average cost of car insurance in the 25 most-populated cities and towns in Virginia.
| City in Virginia | Estimated Monthly Cost (Full-Coverage) | Estimated Annual Cost (Full-Coverage) |
| Alexandria | $89 | $1,073 |
| Arlington | $83 | $996 |
| Bailey’s Crossroads | $98 | $1,178 |
| Charlottesville | $84 | $1,018 |
| Chesapeake | $85 | $1,027 |
| Danville | $86 | $1,036 |
| Fairfax | $86 | $1,043 |
| Fredericksburg | $85 | $1,026 |
| Hampton | $86 | $1,041 |
| Harrisonburg | $72 | $869 |
| Herndon | $82 | $986 |
| Leesburg | $83 | $996 |
| Lynchburg | $78 | $947 |
| Manassas | $86 | $1,038 |
| Newport News | $85 | $1,026 |
| Norfolk | $96 | $1,153 |
| Petersburg | $85 | $1,028 |
| Portsmouth | $91 | $1,096 |
| Richmond | $91 | $1,100 |
| Roanoke | $77 | $925 |
| Salem | $73 | $876 |
| Staunton | $75 | $905 |
| Suffolk | $85 | $1,022 |
| Virginia Beach | $85 | $1,021 |
| Winchester | $77 | $927 |
Note: Costs were taken from 2022 information.
*Average rates above apply to the top three companies in each city.
As you can see, urban areas with larger populations like Richmond get higher rates compared to more rural areas. That’s because larger cities are more likely to have car accidents or car theft reports.
Car insurance costs in Virginia and other states vary depending on a few factors about you and your vehicle. That’s why the rates you see listed in this article will likely differ from the ones you receive.
| State | Average Annual Minimum-Liability Premium | Average Annual Full-Coverage Premium |
| Alabama | $502 | $1,775 |
| Alaska | $486 | $1,685 |
| Arizona | $635 | $2,008 |
| Arkansas | $451 | $2,038 |
| California | $602 | $2,313 |
| Colorado | $566 | $2,173 |
| Connecticut | $980 | $1,919 |
| Delaware | $1,194 | $2,881 |
| Florida | $1,385 | $3,244 |
| Georgia | $680 | $1,973 |
| Hawaii | $529 | $1,656 |
| Idaho | $378 | $1,402 |
| Illinois | $441 | $1,541 |
| Indiana | $432 | $1,587 |
| Iowa | $274 | $1,563 |
| Kansas | $475 | $1,918 |
| Kentucky | $682 | $2,522 |
| Louisiana | $925 | $3,040 |
| Maine | $380 | $1,238 |
| Maryland | $901 | $1,833 |
| Massachusetts | $754 | $2,430 |
| Michigan | $1,360 | $3,643 |
| Minnesota | $481 | $1,766 |
| Mississippi | $453 | $1,658 |
| Missouri | $560 | $2,104 |
| Montana | $398 | $1,979 |
| Nebraska | $356 | $1,871 |
| Nevada | $1,283 | $2,788 |
| New Hampshire | $415 | $1,362 |
| New Jersey | $1,332 | $2,513 |
| New Mexico | $536 | $1,943 |
| New York | $870 | $2,088 |
| North Carolina | $469 | $1,627 |
| North Dakota | $445 | $1,916 |
| Ohio | $536 | $1,599 |
| Oklahoma | $516 | $2,278 |
| Oregon | $953 | $1,925 |
| Pennsylvania | $437 | $1,981 |
| Rhode Island | $1,036 | $2,357 |
| South Carolina | $701 | $1,845 |
| South Dakota | $328 | $2,291 |
| Tennessee | $404 | $1,524 |
| Texas | $683 | $2,205 |
| Utah | $732 | $1,928 |
| Vermont | $310 | $1,199 |
| Virginia | $545 | $1,781 |
| Washington | $561 | $1,616 |
| Washington D.C. | $686 | $2,218 |
| West Virginia | $604 | $2,177 |
| Wisconsin | $408 | $1,694 |
| Wyoming | $308 | $1,702 |
For many years, car owners in Virginia have had the option to pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in lieu of having liability insurance. In 2023, the state legislature appproved state bill § 46.2-706, which eliminates this option and requires all drivers to carry a minimum liability insurance policy to register a vehicle.
The new law takes effect on July 1, 2024. After this date, car owners have a 30-day grace period to purchase an auto insurance policy that meets state minimum requirements. If drivers fail to comply by the end of this period, the DMV can issue punishments that include:
If you are in a hurry to find coverage to be in compliance with the new Virginia car insurance law, you can use the tool located at the bottom of the page to get quick quotes.
Even before the new law, Virginia has had minimum coverage requirements for drivers who opt for auto insurance over the uninsured motorist fee. After July 1, all car owners will be required to carry an auto policy that includes at least the following coverages:
If you own a business, you’re required to have commercial auto insurance coverage that depends on the weight of the vehicle and its use:
For property carriers, requirements are:
Whether you’re shopping for a policy for the first time or have had coverage for years, learning more about car insurance can help you get the right policy for your needs and save money. In the following guide, our insurance team provides definitions of key terms and other important information. We also provide some tips on how to choose a policy and find the best rates available.
When researching and shopping for auto insurance, you’ll come across a few terms that are important to understand. These include:
Beginning July 1, all drivers in Virginia must have a policy that meets the state’s minimum insurance requirements outlined above. Insurers also offer other types of coverage that protect your own assets and potential expenses which you can add to your policy.
Liability insurance refers to coverage that pays out claims to other parties involved in an accident you’re found at fault for. There are four components to Virginia’s minimum liability insurance requirements, including:
The term “full coverage” refers to policies that include coverage for your own property and expenses in addition to liability insurance. In most cases, full coverage policies are recommended to help you avoid potentially-catastrophic financial losses. When insurers and agents use the term “full coverage,” they are typically talking about policies that include the following:
You’ll also find other types of coverage you can add to your policy that help protect against some of the other costs related to losses. Some of the most common include:
Car insurance providers base the premiums they offer on a variety of factors related to you and your vehicle. That’s why you may find significant differences in the quotes you get from different providers, even for the same coverage.
The factors that go into your rate calculation include:
Car insurance companies tend to offer at least a few discount opportunities. Some of the most common discounts include:
Read more: Car insurance discounts
The table below compares car insurance discounts by top providers in Virginia, which we’ll discuss in further detail below.
| Virginia Car Insurance Discounts | State Farm | Erie | Virginia Farm Bureau | Travelers | USAA |
| Multi-policy | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Multi-vehicle | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Safe driver | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Student | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Defensive driving | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Driver training | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| New vehicle | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Car safety equipment | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Loyalty | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Military | ✔ |
At an average cost of $545 per year for minimum coverage and $1,781 per year for full coverage, car insurance in Virginia is a major purchase for most people. Like most major purchases, the decision about your policy and provider is one worth some research and careful consideration. Following a few steps and shopping strategically could save you a significant amount of money on your next policy. These include:
There are some factors in your auto insurance premiums that you have no control over, such as your age and driving record. However, there are a few things you can do to try to get lower rates, including:
Read more: How to save money on car insurance
State Farm, Erie, Virginia Farm Bureau, Travelers and USAA often have the cheapest car insurance in Virginia. It’s a good idea to compare car insurance quotes from various companies so you can find the best rates possible for auto insurance policies that meet your needs.
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In this article, we reviewed the cheapest auto insurance companies, coverage and rates in the state of Virginia. We also looked at Virginia’s average cost of car insurance and coverage requirements. To find the best car insurance rates for you, we recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers.
Below are some frequently asked questions about cheap car insurance in Virginia:
State Farm tends to offer the cheapest car insurance in Virginia, with annual prices around $1,185 for full coverage. Erie Insurance and Virginia Farm Bureau also offer affordable coverage for Virginian drivers.
Full coverage car insurance in Virginia typically costs around $1,781 per year. That equals out to just over $148 per month for the average driver in the Old Dominion.
Drivers in Virginia must generally meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements. It’s possible to not carry car insurance in Virginia as long as you pay an uninsured motor vehicle fee of $500 per year.
Yes, based on rate estimates for full coverage policies, car insurance in Virginia is 11% cheaper than the national average. While the typical driver across the United States pays $2,008 per year for full-coverage car insurance, those in the Old Dominion get charged an average of $1,781 annually.
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies.
We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
Our credentials:
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.
