Are you curious about the laws and regulations concerning car insurance in VA? If you are an automobile driver living in the state of Virginia, it is highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with these regulations and laws. After all, ignorance of the law is not a plea that will help you get out of a ticket or other serious trouble. Below are some of the mandatory auto insurance laws for the state of Virginia.
In Virginia, you must pay to keep a license plate current on your vehicle. This means you will be charged a fee annually to certify that your vehicle has the minimum requirements for insurance. You will need to visit a tag agency and provide proof of insurance when purchasing a new decal. If you do not currently have insurance then you must pay a fee of up to $500 for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. This fee, otherwise known as a UMV fee, will not afford you insurance of any kind for your automobile. It just simply permits the driver to operate an uninsured automobile at his own peril.
If you are looking for insurance, you need to be aware that the minimum requirements in the state of Virginia are $20,000 for property damage, $25,000 for death or bodily harm for one person, and $50,000 for death or bodily harm for two people. This vehicle insurance requirement also relates to operators of antique vehicles too. Having insurance is not the only obligation however. You must have proof of insurance, or proof of UMV, in your vehicle at all times while driving. Being caught driving without the proper insurance identification could cause your registration and driving privileges to be suspended. You are required pay a statutory fee of $500 to be reinstated. That is not all you will have to do though. It is also mandatory that you file a SR-22, better known as a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate, for three years with the DMV, and another reinstatement fee may be required.
Car insurance in VA is serious business. To avoid breaking any other laws, make sure that your insurance carrier is certified to conduct business in Virginia. The insurance company you choose must underwrite all their own auto insurance policies. It is advisable to check into the background of any insurance company you may choose to insure your vehicle. You need to be sure that they follow the laws and regulations for car insurance in VA.
You will need to be aware of rental insurance requirements as well. If you are in Virginia on business and need transportation, you will need to familiarize yourself with the rental requirements concerning insurance. It is illegal, in the state of Virginia, to operate any auto that is not insured. This also applies to rental cars. Just keep in mind the auto insurance policies and make sure you pay for adequate coverage on any rental cars you may be driving. It is possible that your credit card will cover this, but be sure to check with the company that issued the credit card to be positive of their coverage. If they do not cover auto rental insurance, you may want to purchase it from the rental company. To check direct comparable quotes for your car insurance in VA policy, enter your zip code in the field above to get quick results.
