Auto Insurance in the US Virgin Islands

Last Updated on January 4, 2021

The United States Virgin Islands are American territory, although car insurance works differently than it does in other territories and states.

Auto Insurance in the US Virgin IslandsMaybe you’re renting a car in the US Virgin Islands. Maybe you’re moving to the USVI and concerned about car insurance.

Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about car insurance in the United States Virgin Islands, including how car insurance works, how much coverage you need, and whether or not you need additional coverage when renting a car in the USVI.

Table of Contents:

Car Insurance Requirements in the US Virgin Islands

The United States Virgin Islands, like other parts of the United States, requires drivers to have certain amounts of car insurance coverage to legally drive.

All licensed vehicles in the USVI must carry minimum liability limits to protect against damages caused to third parties in an accident.

Your car insurance policy must meet mandated minimums for you to legally drive on public roads in the USVI.

If your car insurance policy does not meet these minimum requirements, and if you are caught driving without insurance, then you could face fines and penalties.

Minimum car insurance requirements in the United States Virgin Islands include:

  • $10,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $25,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • $10,000 of property damage liability insurance

This liability insurance covers damage you cause to other people and property while driving. If you cause an accident in the USVI, then you are responsible for the damage. If you have insurance, then insurance covers this damage up to the limits of your policy.

Your insurer may express the minimum liability insurance plan above as a 10/20/10 plan.

Many USVI drivers choose to exceed these minimum limits. A 10/20/10 plan may leave you underinsured in most accidents. Your insurer covers your claim up to the limits of your policy, but you need to pay for any remaining expenses.

Commercial vehicles require slightly higher insurance limits. To legally drive a commercial vehicle in the USVI, you need a 10/25/10 policy.

Types of Car Insurance Available in the US Virgin Islands

Some drivers choose to meet the minimum insurance liability limits listed below. Other drivers choose to exceed these limits, add medical payments coverage, or protect their own vehicle with collision or comprehensive coverage.

Car insurance products available in the United States Virgin Islands include:

Bodily Injury Liability: Bodily injury liability coverage covers medical bills, lost wages, and similar expenses you cause to other drivers during an at-fault accident.

Property Damage Liability: Property damage liability covers the cost of repairing any property you damage while driving. It covers the cost of repairing another driver’s vehicle or fence, for example, after a collision.

Medical Payments Coverage: Medical payments coverage functions similar to health insurance, covering medical expenses related to injuries sustained in a car accident. While bodily injury liability covers the expenses of another person you injure, medical payments coverage can cover your own medical bills after an at-fault accident in the USVI.

Collision Coverage: Collision coverage is not required in the United States Virgin Islands or any territory or state, but it covers the cost of repairing your own vehicle after an accident.

Comprehensive Coverage: Also known as comprehensive physical damage insurance, comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle that occurs outside of an accident, including hail damage, vandalism, theft, and other events.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Many drivers have too little insurance – or no insurance whatsoever. Some drivers choose to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for added protection.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment: Also known as AD&D, accidental death and dismemberment coverage compensates the policyholder for the loss of life, eyes, or limbs after a car accident.

Insurance for Car Rentals in the US Virgin Islands

If you’re traveling to the US Virgin Islands for a vacation, then you need to check your insurance documentation before you arrive.

Many American insurance companies extend coverage to all United States territories and states – including the United States Virgin Islands. That means your ordinary policy should cover you when renting a car in the US Virgin Islands.

However, some insurers exclude coverage for the US Virgin Islands, despite the fact it’s an American territory.

Contact your insurer or check your insurance documentation to verify coverage in the United States Virgin Islands.

If your insurer does not cover you, then your credit card company might cover you. Check your credit card paperwork to verify any rental car coverage.

If you do not have insurance through your insurer or credit card, then you may need to buy from the car rental company.

Contact Your Insurer Before Visiting the USVI

Policyholders have told us that few companies extend coverage to the USVI.

Of all the major insurance companies, only USAA and State Farm extend full coverage to car rentals in the USVI.

However, reports vary between policyholders. Some customers report getting full coverage with State Farm in the USVI, while others report no coverage whatsoever.

Other insurance companies may deny your rental car insurance claim in the USVI, forcing you to pay out of pocket (or pay costly fees to the rental car company).

For all of these reasons, we recommend contacting your insurer before renting a car in the USVI. Get clarification in writing of any car insurance coverage in the USVI.

Best Car Insurance Companies in the US Virgin Islands

Your ordinary car insurance company could cover you in the United States Virgin Islands, which means you could rely on the same insurance company you use in other American territories and states.

However, the USVI are also home to several insurance companies of their own, including:

Guardian Insurance: Guardian Insurance is one of the most popular USVI car insurance companies. The company offers a range of insurance products, including insurance for residential properties, commercial properties, cars, general liability, and more. Guardian Insurance Company (GIC) was founded in St. Thomas in 1984 and is the largest local insurance company in the United States. The company has a B++ (Good) rating from A.M. Best. Guardian Insurance has four service branches in St. Thomas, two in St. Croix, and three in Puerto Rico.

Family Insurance Agency: Family Insurance Agency is an independent insurance company based in St. Thomas, USVI. The company has provided personal and business insurance to the USVI since 1989. Today, the company continues to provide a range of commercial and personal insurance products, including auto, home, life, and commercial insurance.

First Bank: First Bank was founded in Puerto Rico in 1948. In 1962, the company opened its first branch in St. Thomas (named First Bank). Today, First Bank is the leading financial institution in the USVI and has more branches than any other bank. The company also offers a range of insurance products, including life insurance, property insurance, auto insurance, commercial insurance, and more.

Annaly Insurance: Annaly Insurance is a St. Croix insurance company that offers home, condo, life, health, and auto insurance. The company has operated in the USVI for over 20 years. You can get a free quote online today through AnnalyInsurance.com.

Guardian Insurance Company, Family Insurance, First Bank, and Annaly Insurance Company are all popular insurance companies for drivers in the United States Virgin Islands.

However, some drivers are able to purchase a policy through a mainland car insurance company. As mentioned above, some drivers report getting State Farm and USAA car insurance in the United States Virgin Islands, although reports vary between policyholders.

Final Word on Auto Insurance in the United States Virgin Islands

Car insurance works differently in the United States Virgin Islands. However, drivers in the USVI still require bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage – similar to most other territories and states.

To learn more about car insurance in the United States Virgin Islands, or to compare USVI car insurance quotes online today, contact any of the USVI car insurance companies mentioned above.