Car Insurance in Virginia
What is car insurance?
Driving a vehicle in Virginia carries intrinsic risks, and it is essential for drivers to be prepared for those risks. In addition to practices like seatbelt wearing and defensive driving, drivers also should have robust car insurance.
Car insurance provides important protections for drivers and their vehicles. These policies cover a wide array of incidents that could occur on and off the road.
Who in Virginia needs auto insurance?
Virginia law normally mandates that drivers maintain certain levels of auto insurance. Because the mandated amounts are fairly low and limited, it’s highly recommended to get more robust protection
The state’s minimum coverages and amounts normally are as follows: Property damage liability of $25,000 an accident, and bodily injury liability of $25,000 a person and $50,000 an accident. This is sometimes called a 25/50/25 auto policy because of the limits.
iSince the costs associated with an accident can easily surpass these coverages and limits, drivers are strongly advised to get more extensive coverages with much higher limits. Better protection is readily available and frequently quite affordable.
What kind of protections does an auto policy provide?
Auto policies can include a variety of coverage options, providing a broad spectrum of protections. These typically consist of:
- Bodily Injury Liability: May take care of injuries suffered by individuals outside the insured vehicle. These could be other drivers, passengers in other vehicles, pedestrians, or other bystanders.
- Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP): May take care of medical expenses for injuries experienced by individuals inside the insured vehicle. This normally includes the driver and any passengers they might have.
- Property Damage Liability: May take care of costs related to damage to other property. This could apply to vehicles, cargo loads, buildings, landscaping and most other kinds of property.
- Collision Coverage: May take care of damages to the insured vehicle resulting from multi-vehicle accidents. This normally applies only when at least one other moving vehicle is struck collided with.
- Comprehensive Coverage: May take care of the insured vehicle against damage resulting from non-collisions events. This could apply when hitting an animal, if a tree branch falls on the vehicle, if someone breaks into the vehicle and in similar situations.
- Gap Coverage: May take care of the financial gap between the current value of the vehicle and the amount owed on it, in case of total loss. If the coverage isn’t in place and a financed vehicle is totaled, the owner could otherwise be upside-down on their loan and without a vehicle.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: May take care of accidents caused by drivers without adequate insurance. This could be when other drivers have no insurance, or have insurance but their limits are less than the costs of an accident.
Is Virginia an at-fault or no-fault state?
Virginia is an at-fault state, which means that the driver who causes the accident is typically held financially liable for the damages or injuries that result from it. This makes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage crucial, as an at-fault driver might not have sufficient insurance.
What is SR-22 auto insurance?
An SR-22 is not a type of auto insurance, but a certificate that verifies the driver has at least the state’s minimum auto coverages. An SR-22 might be necessary if you have been caught driving without insurance, driving with a suspended license, or have a DUI conviction.
If you’re required by the court to file an SR-22, a specialized auto insurance agent can assist you in filing this form.
How can drivers reduce their insurance costs?
Leveraging discounts offered by insurers, such as a safe driver discount, multi-policy discount, and new policy discount, is an obvious way to reduce auto policy premiums.
It’s also worth comparing rates from different insurers with an independent insurance agent. An independent agent will be able to show you policy options from several insurance companies.
How can drivers get car insurance?
If you’re in need of car insurance and are in Virginia, reach out to the independent insurance agents at Hampton Roads Insurance. Our agents are committed to ensuring that both you and your vehicle are protected well.
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Open | Mon-Fri 8 am-4:30 pm
Closed | Sat-Sun & Holidays
Our location
11024 Warwick Blvd
Newport News, Virginia 23601
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Reach out to the Hampton Roads team today for any questions or insurance quotes!
