Every state in the United States has rules which govern the type of insurance required for owning a vehicle. Here, is some of the basic information regarding car insurance in Virginia. Keep in mind that you will have to check, per the state you are living in, and follow those regulations for car insurance and registration.
The current average car insurance premium in Virginia is $1,255.77, less than the U.S. premium of $1,671.16. However, within Virginia; two of its cities are highest of the state, Virginia Beach ($1,325.05) and Norfolk ($1,564.88). Also, if you own, or are expecting to own, the following vehicles in Virginia, look to pay even more as these happen to be the favorites of carjackers at the moment; 2005 Nissan Altima, 1999 Ford Taurus, 2009 Toyota Corolla, 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee, 1999 Ford Explorer, 1997 Ford F150 Pickup, 2009 Toyota Camry, 1996 Dodge Caravan, 1999 Honda Civic, and the 1996 Honda Accord.
Also, keep in mind that car insurance in Virginia changes rates on a monthly basis and this state does have minimum requirements for its car owners. They include, Bodily Harm Liability: $25,000/$50,000 Limit, Property Damage Liability $20,000 Limit, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Harm: $25,000/$50,000 Limit, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage: $20,000 Limit. These figures are just for liability coverage. If you choose to use more coverage, the prices will vary per insurance company.
The above requirements are a must to protect the driver and passengers as well, but the drivers have the option of increasing the dollar amount of each of the standard requirements, and the option of adding additional coverage as the driver sees fit. Regardless of the insurance company, they will all follow the standard for coverage; it is just a matter of finding the insurance company with rates that meet the financial needs of the driver.
You will need to purchase insurance before you can register your car with the state, which is also mandatory upon driving. Proof of insurance will be required, or you can pay a UMV fee of $500 annually. This fee does not protect you in case of an accident. You will be liable for any and all damage caused during an accident. You may find yourself with bills you can’t afford.
There is also a Tort system, which is a specific protocol that each state adheres to involving a vehicle accident. This is something that each state has, and each system is different. For the state of Virginia, the protocol means someone has to take responsibility for causing the mishap and that person and their insurance company is accountable for all damages.
It is important to keep these factors in mind when choosing an insurance company and also making sure that the vehicle, driver, and passengers are all covered under every aspect required in the state of Virginia. Knowing up front what you need in order to have sufficient coverage will help save a lot of time, money and effort in the long run. To save money and get a better policy, enter your zip code above for comparisons.
