Car insurance in Virginia costs between $90 and $173 per month on average, slightly above the national average. Minimum liability coverage starts around $90 per month, while full coverage averages $107 to $173 per month. Virginia is one of only a small number of states where all registered vehicles are legally required to carry insurance, a law that took effect July 1, 2024. Rates vary based on your age, driving history, credit score, coverage level, and city.
Virginia drivers face a unique insurance landscape: the state recently overhauled its laws to require all drivers to carry coverage, raised its minimum liability limits in 2025, and remains one of only two states nationwide to require FR-44 filing (instead of SR-22) for DUI offenders. According to Insurify’s 2026 data, Virginia drivers could see an average annual cost of $2,325 for full coverage by the end of 2026, a 1.1% projected increase. Understanding your options is the best way to make sure you’re covered and not overpaying.
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The average cost of car insurance in Virginia depends on the level of coverage you choose, your driving record, age, location, and vehicle type. Virginia car insurance rates are generally close to the national average, although premiums can vary considerably between urban and rural areas. The table below shows the typical monthly and annual cost ranges for minimum and full coverage policies in Virginia.
| Coverage Type | Monthly Rate Range | Annual Rate Range |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum / Liability Only | $90 – $110/mo | $1,080 – $1,320/yr |
| Full Coverage | $107 – $173/mo | $1,284 – $2,076/yr |
Source: insurify.com
Note: Rates are based on averages and may not reflect your specific profile.
Virginia car insurance rates vary widely across the state. Drivers in Northern Virginia cities such as Arlington and Alexandria often pay higher premiums due to heavier traffic and a greater likelihood of claims, while drivers in Roanoke, Harrisonburg, and other rural areas typically pay less than the state average. Understanding the average cost of car insurance in Virginia can help drivers estimate how much coverage may cost and compare policies more effectively when shopping for auto insurance.
Effective January 1, 2025, Virginia raised its minimum liability coverage requirements. Additionally, as of July 1, 2024, all Virginia drivers must carry insurance, the previous option to pay a $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee is no longer available.
| Coverage Type | Minimum Requirement (Effective 2025) |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability (per person) | $50,000 |
| Bodily Injury Liability (per accident) | $100,000 |
| Property Damage Liability | $25,000 |
| Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Uninsured Motorist Property Damage | $20,000 per accident |
Source: insurify.com
Note: Rates are based on averages and may not reflect your specific profile.
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Virginia is one of only two states in the U.S. (alongside Florida) that requires an FR-44 certificate, not an SR-22, for drivers convicted of a DUI or DWI. This is an important distinction that many drivers are unaware of.
| Feature | SR-22 | FR-44 (Virginia DUI) |
|---|---|---|
| Who Needs It | Drivers with serious violations, lapsed coverage, license suspension | DUI/DWI offenders in Virginia specifically |
| Coverage Required | Standard state minimum limits | Double the state minimum limits ($100K/$200K bodily injury; $50K property damage) |
| Filing Duration | Typically 3 years | Typically 3 years |
| Filed By | Your insurance company | Your insurance company |
| Cost Impact | Moderate rate increase | Significant rate increase — DUI raises VA rates by 86–92% |
Source: insurify.com
Note: Rates are based on averages and may not reflect your specific profile.
Important: If you have a DUI in Virginia and your insurer files an SR-22 instead of an FR-44, it does not satisfy Virginia’s legal requirement. Confirm with your insurer that they are filing the correct form to avoid license or registration suspension.
Car insurance rates by city in Virginia can vary significantly based on local risk factors. Coastal cities like Virginia Beach and Norfolk often have higher premiums due to storm and flood risks, while Northern Virginia areas typically see higher rates because of traffic congestion and accident frequency.
| City | Avg. Monthly Range (Full Coverage) | vs. State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington / NoVA | $155 – $210/mo | Above Average |
| Alexandria | $145 – $200/mo | Above Average |
| Norfolk | $155 – $210/mo | Above Average |
| Virginia Beach | $140 – $190/mo | Near to Above Average |
| Chesapeake | $130 – $180/mo | Near Average |
| Richmond | $130 – $175/mo | Near Average |
| Roanoke | $100 – $140/mo | Below Average |
| Harrisonburg | $90 – $130/mo | Below Average |
Source: insurify.com
Note: Rates are based on averages and may not reflect your specific profile.
Car insurance rates in Virginia vary significantly based on your individual profile. The table below shows how key factors compare to the statewide baseline for a driver with a clean record.
| Driver Profile | Avg. Monthly Range | Avg. Annual Range | vs. Clean Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teen Driver (16–19) | $200 – $350/mo | $2,400 – $4,200/yr | 2–3x higher |
| Young Adult (20–25) | $145 – $210/mo | $1,740 – $2,520/yr | 1.3x higher |
| Adult Driver (30–55) | $107 – $173/mo | $1,284 – $2,076/yr | Baseline |
| Senior Driver (65+) | $120 – $185/mo | $1,440 – $2,220/yr | Slightly higher |
| After 1 At-Fault Accident | $155 – $230/mo | $1,860 – $2,760/yr | +26–68% |
| After a DUI / DWI | $200 – $280/mo | $2,400 – $3,360/yr | +86–92% |
| After a Speeding Ticket | $135 – $200/mo | $1,620 – $2,400/yr | +26–31% |
| Poor Credit Score | $175 – $270/mo | $2,100 – $3,240/yr | +87–195% |
Source: insurify.com
Note: Rates are based on averages and may not reflect your specific profile.
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Several Virginia-specific factors influence what drivers pay:
Virginia is the lover’s state. If you love driving, sightseeing, or exploring, it’s in your best interest to find the right car insurance at an affordable rate! The first step to unlocking car insurance savings is knowing what you want: are you satisfied with state minimums, or do you want bumper-to-bumper protection with collision and comprehensive car insurance?
But for those drivers that know what they want, the next step is shopping around for car insurance. Since insurance companies use different factors based on your personal profile (e.g., zip code and age) and your coverage choice to set rates, the only way to find cheap car insurance in Virginia is by collecting a few quotes.
Once you’ve got a few car insurance quotes, you can easily identify which is the best auto insurance in Virginia. So, get started by getting access to free quotes now!
Finally, Virginia is in the process of upping their car insurance minimums by 2025, so when you’re shopping for insurance, please note rates will increase with the higher state minimums. Another thing to remember is that the $500 downpayment to avoid having traditional car insurance for the year is under review. If you’ve relied on this insurance option in the past, you may wish to explore other insurance coverages if they repeal this Virginian law.
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Virginia car insurance costs between $90 and $110 per month for minimum coverage and $107 to $173 per month for full coverage, based on 2026 Insurify data. Virginia rates are near the national average, though drivers in Northern Virginia and coastal cities like Virginia Beach and Norfolk typically pay more.
Effective January 1, 2025, Virginia requires: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability; $25,000 in property damage liability; $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage; and $20,000 in uninsured motorist property damage coverage.
Yes, as of July 1, 2024, all Virginia drivers must carry car insurance. The previous option to pay a $500 annual Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee instead of purchasing insurance has been eliminated. Driving without insurance is now a Class 3 misdemeanor in Virginia.
An FR-44 is a certificate of financial responsibility required in Virginia (and Florida) for drivers convicted of a DUI or DWI. Unlike an SR-22, an FR-44 requires you to carry double the standard minimum liability limits, $100,000 per person / $200,000 per accident in bodily injury, and $50,000 in property damage. Your insurer files the FR-44 on your behalf, and the requirement typically lasts three years.
Based on 2026 data, Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance, Auto-Owners, and State Farm are among the most affordable companies for Virginia drivers. Virginia Farm Bureau is particularly competitive for full coverage, with annual rates as low as $1,240. Note that Virginia Farm Bureau requires a membership to purchase a policy. Comparing multiple quotes is the best way to find your lowest rate.
A DUI in Virginia raises car insurance rates by an average of 86–92%, based on 2026 data. Full coverage premiums can increase by $90–$130 per month after a DUI conviction. Virginia also requires FR-44 filing after a DUI, which mandates double the standard minimum liability limits and further increases rates. Most rate increases from a DUI last three to five years.
Yes. Virginia permits insurers to use credit-based insurance scores when setting premiums. Drivers with poor credit may pay 87–195% more than drivers with good credit for the same coverage. This is one of the largest credit-to-insurance rate differentials in the country. Improving your credit score is one of the most effective long-term strategies for reducing your car insurance costs in Virginia.
Northern Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria, Woodbridge) drivers pay above-average premiums due to the region’s extreme traffic density along I-495, I-66, and I-95. Higher accident frequency, greater vehicle theft rates, and the proximity to Washington D.C. all contribute to premiums that can run $155–$210 per month for full coverage, well above the statewide average.
Driving without insurance in Virginia is now illegal as of July 1, 2024. Penalties include a $600 non-compliance fee, a Class 3 misdemeanor charge, and suspension of your driver’s license, registration, and license plates. To reinstate a suspended license, you must pay a $145 reinstatement fee and provide proof of active insurance coverage to the Virginia DMV.
Explore state-by-state car insurance trends to understand where drivers pay less on average.
Paige Cerulli Paige Cerulli is a freelance content writer and journalist who specializes in personal finance topics. She graduated from Westfield State University and brings more than a decade of professional writing experience to the ConsumerCoverage team. Paige’s work has appeared in outlets including USA Today, Business Insider, and more.
