Virginia Auto Insurance

It’s important for residents searching for Virginia Auto Insurance to be familiar with the many laws the state has in place concerning auto insurance.  Fact is, it seems that Virginia has more laws than most other states, but those laws have a good balance between protecting citizens and the insurance companies.

Virginia minimums include bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 for one person; $50,000 for two or more people in one accident, and $20,000 for property damage coverage.  While most states merely recommend uninsured/underinsured coverage, Virginia actually requires it for all drivers, at the same amounts shown above.  Of course higher coverage levels are strongly recommended, because any damages above the maximum liability covered by the auto insurance policy are the personal responsibility of the car’s owner.

Drivers choosing not to purchase insurance can do so, provided they pay an annual $500 Universal Motorist Fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles.  This doesn’t provide any insurance coverage – just officially notifies the state of the decision not to carry car insurance coverage. 

The Virginia Competitive Rating Law allows each insurance company to set their own rates for auto insurance coverage, which results in competition between companies.  This means it’s extremely important to shop several insurance providers because there could be a huge difference in rates based on their experience within each zip code.

If a driver is over 55 and successfully completes a DMV-approved accident prevention course, Virginia state law requires they automatically receive a reduction in the automobile insurance premiums.

Finally, Virginia has a law about Contributory Negligence, which recognizes that an individual may be partially responsible for their injuries in an accident.  An example of this might be crossing a street against the “Don’t Walk” sign.  If this is the case, that person may actually receive less compensation from the insurance company because of failure on their part to avoid the accident as well.

So, Virginia drivers, make sure you shop around, purchase more than the minimum amounts, and never ever cross against the light!