What Every Driver Needs to Know About Virginia Car Insurance
Virginia drivers pay auto insurance premiums that are about 15% below the national average, but there are easy ways to make auto insurance costs even lower. This page will tell you what every Virginia driver needs to know about getting the coverage needed without paying too much.
Who Has to Buy Virginia Auto Insurance?
The simple answer to the question of who has to buy Virginia auto liability insurance is that every Virginia driver does. There are some exceptions to the rule but they all involve paying more than just paying for an insurance policy.
All Virginia drivers are required to buy liability insurance for their cars, or to pay an annual $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). (The State will also make arrangements with bonding companies, but these kinds of bonds usually cost thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.) The Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee does not provide any kind of insurance coverage to the driver of any vehicle. It only allows holders of UMV permits to drive Virginia roads at their own risk. If your auto liability insurance expires and you are unable to renew it, you can buy a UMV permit, but if you do not, then you must surrender both your license plates and your auto registration to the DMV.
What Can Happen If You Are Found Driving without Car Insurance in Virginia?
If you are found driving without either a UMV or proof of insurance, then you will lose both your driver’s license and your ability to register a new car, and you will have to pay another $500 fee to have your driver’s license reinstated. The Department of Motor Vehicles is automatically notified when your policy is canceled or changed.
How Can You Save Money on Car Insurance in Virginia?
There are many ways you can get discounts on your insurance premiums. Virginia drivers may get lower rates for:
- Insuring more than one car.
- Buying cars with anti-theft devices, anti-lock brakes, or automatic seat belts.
- Making sure your teenagers who drive take a driver education course.
- Making sure your teenagers who drive get good grades.
- Maintaining a good credit score.
- If you are over 55, taking a defensive driving course. And most importantly,
- Making sure you pay your premiums on time and you don’t get any tickets or get involved in any crashes
The best way you can get the lowest possible price on the coverage you need to drive your car in Virginia is to get your quotes on this site. There’s no pressure from a telephone sales agent and there’s no aggressive salesperson sitting across the desk from you pushing you to take more coverage than you need. There’s just the information you need to get your car insured today for the lowest price possible.
