Virginia Auto Insurance Guide

The East Coast state of Virginia is a wonderful place to live offering various terrains from mountains to beachfront, forested areas and even plains. The state government, like most other states, requires that you show financial responsibility in order to legally operate a vehicle in the state. This is done by purchasing auto insurance for the owners of private passenger cars but businesses and business owners also have the option of posting bonds, sureties or self-insuring.

You can also pay an Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee in Virginia if you want to register a vehicle without purchasing insurance for it. This fee is $500 and provides no insurance protection but allows you to assume personal responsibility if you are involved in an accident and still drive your vehicle.

Virginia Car Insurance Regulations

If you drive without insurance or paying the Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee in Virginia, you will have your driver's license vehicle registration and license plates suspended. You will additionally be required to pay a $500 fee as well as other possible fees in order to get your license and registration restored to you, and be forced to keep a financial responsibility certificate (SR-22) with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Mandatory Minimum Coverage in Virginia

In Virginia, the state requirements are that you carry liability insurance for your vehicle with the following minimums:

• $25,000 - in liability insurance for the death or injury of any one person you are involved in an accident with.
• $50,000 - in liability insurance for the deaths or injuries of multiple persons you are involved in an accident with.
• $20,000 - in liability insurance for damage caused to personal or government property in an accident that you cause.

Note that these insurance requirements do not cover repairs to your vehicle or pay for your medical expenses, if any, so you will want to speak with your insurance agent about the possibility of greater coverage.

Motorcycle Coverage Requirements

The laws of Virginia require that motorcyclists carry the same type and levels of liability insurance required by automobile drivers (above). There are no discounted rates or reduced requirements as offered by a few other states.

Virginia State Car Insurance Advice

The amount of insurance required by Virginia law at a minimum is neither extensive, nor is it high enough to provide a "comfortable" margin of error if you are ever involved in an accident in which you are deemed to be at fault. In other words, if you buy just the minimum insurance and are in an accident, there is a fair chance that the damage (medical expenses) for the occupant(s) of the other vehicle will exceed the $25,000 cap of your insurance, forcing you to into personal liability for the rest. If you are a homeowner, or have other significant assets, you should speak with your insurance agent about a policy with increased protection.