Auto Insurance Va
To purchase license plates or decals, you must certify that the vehicle is covered by the minimum insurance requirements or pay the Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee. Insurance requirements also apply to antique motor vehicles. Your insurance carrier must be authorized to conduct business in Virginia.
auto insurance va
Insurance companies may factor in their policy premium the driving record of any individual of driving age that resides within an insured's household. If you have any questions regarding the potential impact a newly licensed driver may have on your policy, you may wish to contact your insurance agent.
The $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee, which is paid to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), does not provide any insurance; it only allows you to drive an uninsured vehicle at your own risk. It expires with your registration and must be paid at renewal. If you are driving an uninsured vehicle and are involved in an accident, the other driver may notify DMV that your vehicle is uninsured as part of reporting the accident to DMV.
In partnership with the insurance industry, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)administers a program to electronically verify the automobile liability insurance on Virginia registered vehicles. If no no insurance is found for a particular motor vehicle, the owner is required to furnish policy information to DMV for verification. For more information, refer to Verification of Insurance Coverage.
Severe penalties are imposed for not complying with insurance requirements. If liability insurance coverage on a vehicle terminates or cancels during the registration period, you must reinsure the vehicle, pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee, temporarily deactivate your license plates, or permanently surrender the license plates to DMV.
Since 1955, ERIE has been providing drivers in Virginia with auto insurance coverage that has dozens of extra auto policy features (many at no additional cost to you) and flexibility that lets you customize your auto policy to best fit your needs.
Amelia Buckley is an insurance editor, covering auto, home and life insurance. She emphasizes creating informative, engaging and nuanced content to support readers in making personalized insurance decisions.
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Based on our analysis, the top five carriers offering auto insurance in Virginia include Geico, State Farm, Travelers, Nationwide and Erie. The table below provides the scores for each company and compares the annual full coverage premium of $1,439 and annual minimum coverage premium of $494.
Why Geico made our list: Geico is the second-largest U.S. auto insurer and stood out for its digital tools which allow for easy claims filing, policy management and customer support access through the carrier's app or website. Although Geico received a J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating that is slightly below the regional average, it carries the highest possible financial strength rating from AM Best. Plus, Geico customers may enjoy lower premiums on average compared to other insurers in Virginia. Policyholders may see even lower rates with potential discounts for safe driving, being a federal employee, military service and more.
Who State Farm may be good for: State Farm insurance could be a good choice for policyholders who prefer the one-on-one experience with a local agent. If you like having all your financial products in one place, State Farm may be a good option, as it also offers many other insurance, banking and investment products.
Why Travelers made our list: Travelers has a wide variety of endorsement options for auto insurance including gap insurance, new car replacement and roadside assistance. Thanks to a variety of available discounts, you may be able to save on your Travelers premium by bundling your policies, owning a home, or buying a new car, an electric car or a hybrid vehicle.
Why Nationwide made our list: Nationwide offers some of the lowest average rates for Virginia drivers on our list, especially for full coverage. Despite receiving a below-industry-average score from J.D Power for customer satisfaction, the company was rated A+ (Superior) for financial strength from AM Best. Nationwide does offer a few options for customization, including roadside assistance and gap insurance, but may not offer as many endorsements as some of its competitors.
Why Erie made our list: With coverage in just 12 states and a host of local independent agents, Erie is a super-regional insurance company with the highest ranking for customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power annual study for the Mid-Atlantic region. Although its premiums are already competitive, Erie offers several potential discounts to help customers lower their rate, including potential savings for safety features, bundling and remaining claims-free.
The best car insurance company may look different for every driver based on their coverage needs and priorities. This is why Bankrate took a holistic approach to evaluating carriers when choosing our best car insurance companies in Virginia. In addition to average premium data from Quadrant Information Services, Bankrate also looked at customer satisfaction, financial strength, coverage options, digital tools and more to assign each carrier a Bankrate Score out of five points. We hope this Score will help provide an overview of each carrier's offerings and indicate which companies could best fit your needs.
The best car insurance for one driver is not always the best for another, some tips and tricks may help you narrow down the best company for your needs. Comparing quotes may help you find the cheapest carriers in Virginia, while the strategies below could help ensure that the carrier you choose meets your coverage and customer service needs.
Before deciding how much coverage you might want or need, you may want to know how much the state requires. Virginia laws require all drivers to maintain at least minimum amounts of bodily injury liability and property damage liability, unless vehicle owners pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee to drive without insurance for a year. Drivers may want to note that a bill has been proposed in Virginia that would eliminate this option, making insurance required for all drivers.
Virginia car insurance laws make it possible to opt out of car insurance altogether by paying a $500 uninsured motorist fee. However, a bill is on the table to eliminate this option, and most insurance professionals recommend that you purchase a policy for financial protection. Be aware that even if you pay the uninsured fee, you may still be responsible financially for any accident you cause. When determining how much coverage to buy, considering the total value of your vehicle in case of total loss may be an important step. Before you purchase your policy, you can ask your insurance provider or agent about any additional coverage that may benefit your needs.
All vehicle insurance policies must be issued for this state by a company licensed to sell insurance in West Virginia. The Compulsory Insurance law is designed to protect you and all motorists who operate a vehicle in the state of West Virginia.
For more information on the state's mandatory insurance laws, visit the WV Legislature website under WV Code 17A, 17D, or visit the WV Secretary of State website under Title 91, Series 13; Compulsory Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance.
The DMV's electronic insurance verification program called West Virginia Online Verification (WVOLV) is designed specifically for the purposes of real-time online verification of motor vehicle insurance. The program enables instant verification of insurance by the DMV at the time of vehicle registration, citations, crashes, and for monthly verification of all registered vehicles.
A National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) number is used to identify your insurance company. Your insurance company lists it on your Certificate of Insurance (WV-1). You are required to provide this number for any vehicle registration transactions with the DMV.
All motor vehicles registered in WV are required to carry a West Virginia policy issued by insurance companies that are licensed to sell in WV. To verify whether or not a company is licensed in WV, to check your NAIC number, or to obtain a consumer complaint form, contact the West Virginia Insurance Commission.
Keep proof of insurance in your vehicle. Motorists are required to carry proof of insurance in their vehicles at all times. Law enforcement officers will request this information during any traffic stop or vehicle crash investigation.
If your vehicle is seasonally used, or is used for only part of the year, it is required to be insured for the time it is used. You will be required to show proof of valid insurance for the time the vehicle is used. Prior to storing the vehicle and removing the insurance, you must complete the DMV form Seasonal Statement of Insurance (WV-4B) and submit it to the DMV. This form will require you to provide the dates through which the vehicle will be in storage. During the listed storage dates, the DMV will not electronically verify coverage for the vehicle. 041b061a72