Best Car Insurance in Virginia

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

Virginia car insurance is often cheaper than the national average, but “cheap” depends on your ZIP code, your driving history, and how much coverage you carry. Drivers in Northern Virginia (NOVA) and other high-traffic areas typically pay more than drivers in rural parts of the state.

One thing that’s not optional anymore: Virginia now requires auto insurance for registered vehicles. The state also increased minimum liability limits for policies effective on or after January 1, 2025. (More on both below.)

1. Virginia Requires Auto Insurance: As of July 1, 2024, Virginia no longer allows drivers to opt out by paying the uninsured motor vehicle fee—registered vehicles must be insured.
2. Minimum Limits Increased in 2025: For policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, Virginia’s minimum liability limits are 50/100/25, and your lender may require full coverage if you finance or lease.
3. “Best” Insurer Depends on Your Profile: USAA (if eligible), Erie, and Virginia Farm Bureau are strong starting points, but comparing quotes is the only way to find the best price for your ZIP code and record.
4. Avoid Lapses to Prevent DMV Issues and Higher Rates: A gap in coverage can trigger registration problems and expensive filings (like SR-22/FR-44), so keep continuous insurance whenever your plates are active.

Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in Virginia

There’s no single “best” insurer for everyone. The best car insurance company in Virginia is the one that offers the right coverage, a smooth claims process, and a competitive price for your driver profile. Start with the companies below, then compare quotes side-by-side using the same coverage limits and deductibles.

1. USAA

If USAA membership is available to you, it’s often one of the strongest choices in Virginia for both price and satisfaction. Membership is generally available to active-duty military, veterans, and qualifying family members.

USAA consistently earns top ratings for claims handling and customer service. Given the high concentration of military families in areas like Norfolk, Hampton Roads, and Northern Virginia, they have a massive footprint in the state and understand the specific needs of service members, including deployment storage options.

2. Erie Insurance

Erie is a great fit for drivers who want a strong local/regional presence and a reputation for customer service. It can also be a smart pick if you’re discount-focused—especially if you qualify for multiple Erie insurance discounts.

One of Erie’s standout features is its “Rate Lock” option, which can keep your premium stable year-over-year unless you make changes to your policy (like adding a vehicle or driver) or move. For Virginia drivers tired of unpredictable renewal hikes, this stability—combined with a strong local agent network—makes Erie a top contender.

3. Virginia Farm Bureau

For many Virginians, Virginia Farm Bureau is a high-value option—especially if you prefer a Virginia-based organization and want straightforward coverage. It may also be competitive for drivers shopping for minimum coverage car insurance, although you should still compare it against major national brands.

While you do need to pay a small annual membership fee to join the Farm Bureau, the potential savings on auto premiums often outweigh the cost. They are particularly strong in rural and suburban parts of the state, offering personalized service that national carriers sometimes struggle to match.

4. Nationwide

Nationwide can be a strong match if you want a big insurer with plenty of coverage options and the ability to earn discounts through usage-based programs. If you’re comfortable with telematics, it’s worth reading about the SmartRide program before you buy.

Nationwide also offers “SmartMiles” for low-mileage drivers, which can be a money-saver for Northern Virginia commuters who take the Metro or work remotely. Their “On Your Side” reviews help ensure members aren’t underinsured, which is critical now that Virginia’s minimum limits have increased.

5. State Farm

State Farm is a popular choice across Virginia thanks to its broad agent network and strong coverage menu. It’s especially worth a quote if you’re stacking multiple savings opportunities through State Farm discounts.

As the largest auto insurer in the U.S., State Farm has the resources to handle claims quickly, even after major weather events. Their “Drive Safe & Save” telematics program offers significant discounts for good driving behavior, making them a solid option for safe drivers looking to lower their monthly bill.

6. GEICO

GEICO is frequently competitive in Virginia, especially for drivers with clean records who like an online-first experience. If you’re comparing carriers, it helps to understand how GEICO markets savings—and whether you can really save 15% by switching to GEICO.

With its headquarters nearby in the DC metro area, GEICO has a massive presence in Virginia. They are known for their easy-to-use mobile app and 24/7 service. While they have fewer local agents than State Farm or Erie, their digital tools make managing a policy very efficient for tech-savvy drivers.

7. Travelers

Travelers can be a smart option for drivers who want solid coverage selections and a carrier that plays well with multi-policy bundling. It’s also worth a quote if you’ve had prior claims and want to compare how different insurers price risk.

They offer excellent gap insurance options and a “Premier Responsible Driver Plan” that can forgive minor accidents and violations. For homeowners in Virginia, bundling auto with a Travelers home policy is often one of the most effective ways to drop the overall price.

8. Progressive

Progressive is often a top contender for drivers who like flexibility and comparison tools. If you want to set a target budget and see what coverage fits, learn how Progressive’s Name Your Price tool works before you lock in a policy.

Progressive is also known for being more lenient with high-risk drivers compared to some other major carriers. If you have a DUI, speeding tickets, or a history of accidents in Virginia, Progressive is often one of the most competitive options for getting back on the road with an SR-22 or FR-44 filing.

9. Allstate

Allstate is worth considering if you want a big-brand insurer with lots of add-ons and a wide service footprint. It may be more competitive for some profiles than others, so it’s best treated as a “must-quote” company—especially if you bundle home and auto.

Their “Milewise” pay-per-mile program is available in Virginia and can be a great fit for low-mileage drivers. Additionally, features like “accident forgiveness” and “safe driving bonuses” can help keep rates steady over time, preventing a single mistake from spiking your premiums.

10. Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual is another national insurer with a broad coverage lineup and plenty of discount paths. It’s not always the cheapest, but it can be competitive depending on your vehicle, mileage, and bundling situation.

One of Liberty Mutual’s strengths is its partnerships with hundreds of alumni associations and professional groups. Many Virginia college grads or employees of certain companies may qualify for exclusive affinity discounts, making Liberty Mutual significantly cheaper than the standard sticker price suggests.

Virginia Car Insurance Requirements

Virginia now requires drivers to carry auto insurance for registered vehicles. As of July 1, 2024, drivers can no longer choose to go uninsured by paying the old uninsured motor vehicle fee. You can confirm the current rules through the Virginia DMV here: Insurance Requirements (Virginia DMV) and Virginia’s July 1, 2024 insurance update.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Virginia

For policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, Virginia’s minimum liability limits are:

• $50,000 bodily injury or death liability per person
• $100,000 bodily injury or death liability per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Virginia policies also typically include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. By default, those limits generally match your liability limits unless you request a lower amount (down to the state minimum) in writing. (For the legal language, see Va. Code § 38.2-2206.)

If you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender will almost always require full coverage car insurance (liability + comprehensive + collision) until the loan or lease is paid off.

Driving Without Insurance in Virginia

Virginia is no longer in the same category as New Hampshire. Starting July 1, 2024, Virginia requires insurance for registered vehicles, and letting coverage lapse can trigger serious DMV consequences—even if you aren’t driving much.

This is one reason people still ask whether auto insurance is required in Virginia: the rules used to be different. Today, the safest approach is simple—keep continuous coverage for as long as your plates/registration are active.

If the DMV determines a vehicle is uninsured, the owner can face uninsured vehicle penalties such as a statutory fee, reinstatement requirements, and a requirement to maintain proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) for a set period.

If you cancel a policy, make sure your next policy starts immediately (no gap), and make sure your DMV paperwork stays clean. An insurance lapse can lead to registration suspension, which can snowball into higher costs and headaches.

Also, remember that “no proof of insurance” and “no insurance” aren’t always the same thing. If you’re stopped and can’t show a valid card (paper or digital), you may still face penalties—even if you were insured. Here’s what to know about tickets for no proof of insurance.

Finally, DMV compliance issues can pop up when your paperwork is out of sync. If you’re worried about how registration status interacts with coverage and claims, read more on whether expired registration voids car insurance.

Car Insurance in Virginia After a DUI

A DUI conviction can dramatically increase premiums, and some carriers may non-renew or restrict coverage options. It’s common to see major increases after a DUI—learn what to expect in this guide on how much insurance goes up after a DUI.

If you have a DUI in Virginia, prioritize insurers that are comfortable underwriting higher-risk drivers, and consider these best practices:

• Compare quotes from at least 3–5 carriers (pricing varies wildly by company).
• Ask whether an FR-44 filing is required for your situation (more on FR-44 below).
• Avoid coverage gaps—continuous insurance is one of the best ways to prevent rates from climbing even higher.

Drivers in this category are often considered high-risk drivers, so discounts and shopping around matter even more than usual.

Car Insurance in Virginia with At-Fault Accidents

At-fault accidents usually raise rates at renewal, and the size of the increase depends on the severity of the claim, your prior history, and the insurer’s pricing model. If you’re trying to understand the mechanics, start with what happens with insurance after an at-fault accident.

When you’re shopping after an accident, it also helps to understand the broader pricing triggers that can raise premiums—see the top causes of car insurance rate increases.

If you have multiple incidents on your record, you may need to broaden your quote list and adjust expectations. This guide on car insurance quotes for drivers with bad driving records can help you plan your next steps.

Car Insurance in Virginia with Speeding Tickets

One minor speeding ticket may not move the needle much, but multiple tickets—or a serious speed conviction—can push premiums higher. If you’re shopping with a ticket on your record, use these tactics to keep prices down: how to find cheap auto insurance quotes with a speeding ticket.

Car Insurance in Virginia for Young Drivers

Young drivers typically pay more because insurers price based on risk and limited driving history. The good news is that family policies, good-student discounts, and telematics programs can sometimes soften the blow. If you’re comparing options, start here: cheapest car insurance for young drivers.

Car Insurance in Virginia with Poor Credit

Virginia insurers can use credit-based insurance scores in pricing, and the difference between excellent and poor credit can be significant. If you’re trying to understand how it works (and what you can do about it), read: does credit score affect car insurance rates?

SR-22 and FR-44 Insurance in Virginia

Virginia may require certain drivers to file proof of financial responsibility after serious violations or a coverage lapse. An SR-22 or FR-44 is not an insurance policy by itself—it’s a filing that your insurer submits to the DMV to prove you carry the required coverage.

In many situations, the filing period is three years, but the exact requirement depends on your case. If you’re unsure how long you’ll need it, see how long an SR-22 lasts.

Virginia also uses FR-44 filings for certain DUI-related situations. If you’re dealing with a DUI requirement, start here: what an FR-44 policy is. In Virginia, FR-44 coverage limits are typically double the state’s minimum liability limits (so with today’s minimums, that often means 100/200/50).

FAQs on Car Insurance in Virginia

Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in Virginia

The “best” car insurance in Virginia depends on your profile—clean-record drivers, young drivers, and high-risk drivers often get the best deal from completely different insurers. The fastest way to save is to compare quotes using identical coverage limits, ask about discounts, and avoid coverage lapses.

Start with the top providers above, then shop around at least once per year (or any time your life changes—new car, new address, new driver, or a ticket/accident).