Are you a resident of Virginia wondering about how to get your new car or truck insured? The state of Virginia has unique car insurance laws and requirements that you need to understand. To make sure you’re operating your vehicle within legal requirements, it’s crucial that you learn as much about the regulations as possible. Please note that this post is based on our best research into the subject matter but does not replace your own due diligence. If in doubt, contact one of the insurance agents mentioned in this post and ask your question.

Can You Register a Car in VA Without Insurance?

You can register a car in Virginia without insurance, but there are fees involved. If you don’t have typical automobile insurance, you must pay an Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee (UMV). The price is $500 regardless of the type of vehicle and applies for 12 months. DMV says the fee can also be prorated for shorter lengths of time, and payment plans are available to cover the cost.

Once you pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee, you must still pay the registration fees. Registration costs vary based on the vehicle make, model, year, and other factors.

Plus, even though you pay the uninsured vehicle fee, it doesn’t give you any coverage if you have an accident. Per the DMV, the UMV fee-only confirms that you are allowed to drive an uninsured vehicle at your own risk. You’re still liable for damages if you crash into someone and cause damage to them or their property.

Keep in mind that if you claim to have insurance and don’t—and skip out on the $500 fee—you could face penalties. For example, the DMV can suspend your license, charge you a $600 noncompliance fee, require a registration reinstatement fee, and mandate that you file proof of insurance for three years afterward.

What Are the Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Virginia?

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), minimum insurance requirements include bodily injury and property damage coverage. Even if you have an antique vehicle, you still have to pay for vehicle insurance or the uninsured motor vehicle fee.

Insurance minimums Include:

• Bodily injury/death of a single person ($25,000)
• Bodily injury/death of two or more people ($50,000)
• Property damage ($20,000)
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage ($25,000/$50,000/$20,000)

Comprehensive and collision insurance coverages are optional, but you may want to consider them when shopping for automobile insurance.

If you don’t retain insurance on your vehicle, DMV says you must reinstate the coverage, pay the UMV, or deactivate or permanently surrender your license plates. They can also charge you a $500 statutory fee, require you to file paperwork confirming your insurance for the next three years, and possibly pay a reinstatement fee on your registration.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Virginia?

Car insurance in Virginia tends to cost less than the national average—which is about $1,300 across the United States. But coverage costs depend on factors like your gender, age, whether you’re married, where you live, your credit, and your driving history.

The average premium in Virginia in just over $1,000 per year. The competitive nature of the VA insurance market means consumers have plenty of choices—and that keeps costs low. You might also receive discounts on your auto policy if you bundle it with homeowner’s insurance, for example.

Do You Have to Have Insurance on a Trailer in Virginia?

While the Virginia DMV requires that you register a trailer, there’s no section specific to trailer insurance on their website. In short, the necessary insurance for your trailer depends on the vehicle you’re towing it with.

If you have insurance on your truck or cover your SUV with a UMV payment, then you can tow your trailer with no problem. The problem is, if something goes wrong while you’re pulling the trailer, you will be on your own for repairing it if it sustains damage. Like personal autos, fifth wheels, travel trailers, and other towables can have insurance coverage that helps you afford repairs after an accident.

Is Virginia a No-Fault Auto Insurance State?

Virginia is not a no-fault auto insurance state—so when an accident occurs, the fault is assigned to one or both parties (either in full or partial). When you get into an accident and sustain an injury or damage to your car, you have three options:

• File a claim with your insurance company (if the damages are covered under your policy)
• File a third-party claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company
• File a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party

In contrast, no-fault states mean each person in an accident must file a claim with their own auto insurance company. It doesn’t matter who is at fault; the insurance carriers are responsible for covering their clients. Some no-fault states also limit a victim’s ability to sue the other party.

Does Auto Insurance in Virginia Have PIP Coverage by Default?

In states with no-fault insurance laws, drivers are required to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. If they get into an accident, the PIP coverage handles certain expenses. In most cases, PIP covers medical treatment, while in limited scenarios, it can also pay for lost wages and funeral expenses.

Since Virginia is not a no-fault state, PIP coverage is not a built-in option for vehicle insurance plans.

PIP benefits are optional for Virginia drivers, and VA is considered an “add-on” state because of the PIP benefits tack on to the tort liability dynamic. Add-on means that you can choose PIP coverage but that it’s not a requirement. It also means that there are no restrictions on lawsuits to recoup damages from the at-fault driver.

Can You Insure a Car Not in Your Name in Virginia?

Most insurance companies require that the vehicle is in your name before you can purchase an insurance policy for it. Specific conditions vary based on the company that’s offering coverage, so you might be able to buy a policy that covers a car you don’t own. It all comes down to the insurance carrier’s policies and paperwork requirements. Of course, some exceptions exist, such as if you’re insuring a vehicle in your spouse’s or child’s name but their name is on the title.

In most cases, you need information like your driver’s license and vehicle registration to prove ownership of the car before you can buy insurance. Obviously, your insurance agent will be verifying the documents against one another, and they may deny you a policy based on ownership status.

At the same time, since insurance isn’t a requirement in Virginia, you could pay the UMV fee on behalf of the registered owner of the car. This would satisfy the DMV’s minimum requirement—though it wouldn’t protect the car or driver in the event of an accident.

Virginia Auto Insurance Agencies by City

Here are a few examples of auto insurance agencies for the main cities in Virginia. This isn’t a comprehensive list, of course, as many more agencies are listed with the State Corporation Commission website.

Virginia Beach, VA Auto Insurance Agencies

1. Bill Wright Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
2. Bunn Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
3. Cheeks Insurance Agency, LLC – Website
4. Coastal Insurance Agency – Website
5. Elite Insurance Alliance LLC – Website
6. Hackney Insurance Agency – Website
7. Quality Insurance Partners LLC – Website
8. Southside Insurers, Inc. – Website
9. Towne Insurance Agency LLC – Website
10. WBR Insurance Agency LLC – Website

Norfolk, VA Car Insurance Agencies

1. Ashley & Associates Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
2. Colonial Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
3. CWP Insurance Advisors, Inc. – Website
4. Gifford Insurance Associates Agency, Inc. – Website
5. Manuel G. Nofplot III Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
6. Salzberg Insurance Agency, Inc. – Website
7. Security Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
8. Servicios Latinos, Inc. – Website

Chesapeake, VA Auto Insurance Agencies

1. Centerville Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
2. Deborah Williams Insurance Agency, Inc. – Website
3. Ferguson Insurance Service Center LLC – Website
4. Garlow Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
5. Grayson Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
6. Jenel Smith Agency LLC – Website
7. Kathy Kretz Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
8. Mary Kay Daves Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
9. McBride Group Inc. – Website
10. Suddeth Insurance Agency, Inc. – Website

Richmond, VA Car Insurance Agencies

1. Able Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
2. Allrisk Insurance Agency LLC – Website
3. Anchor Insurance Group LLC – Website
4. Ashcraft Insurance Agency of Virginia LTD – Website
5. Bacon Insurance Group – Website
6. Ball-Martin Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
7. Bergstrom Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
8. Boyette Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
9. Brown & Brown Insurance – Website
10. River City Insurance, LLC – Website

Newport News, VA Auto Insurance Agencies

1. All Peninsula Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
2. Anne Sparkman Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
3. Colony Insurance Agency LLC – Website
4. Fraley Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. – Website
5. Frank N. Causey Insurance Agency, Inc. – Website
6. H-P Insurance Center, LTD – Website
7. Irene Sisson Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
8. Patty Heath Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
9. Teagle Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
10. Wiese Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. – Website

Alexandria, VA Car Insurance Agencies

1. Alliance Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
2. Ashcraft Associates Insurance Agency – Website
3. Danaher Insurance Agency – Website
4. EZ Insurance Agency LLC – Website
5. First Choice Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
6. Golden Eagle Insurance Agency – Website
7. Holden & Co. Insurance, Inc. – Website
8. Kinneman Insurance LLC – Website
9. KSA Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
10. McEvoy Insurance & Financial Services LLC – Website

Hampton, VA Auto Insurance Agencies

1. Bill Leong Insurance Agency, Inc. – Website
2. Chandler Insurance Agency – Website
3. Clark Insurance Group – Website
4. Crump Insurance and Financial Services Inc. – Website
5. Erica Chigos-White Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
6. Griffin Insurance LLC – Website
7. JSC Insurance – Website
8. Lucas Insurance Agency – Website
9. Old Point Insurance LLC – Website
10. Priority Insurance LLC – Website

Roanoke, VA Car Insurance Agencies

1. Angela Akers Agency, Inc. – Website
2. Bailey Insurance Group – Website
3. Banks Insurance Agency – Website
4. Betsy Thomas Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
5. Beveridge Insurance Agency – Website
6. Bill Meador Insurance Agency LLC – Website
7. Brogan Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
8. Chas Lunsford Sons & Associates Inc. – Website
9. Don Hodson Insurance Associates Inc. – Website
10. Fisher Financial Services, Inc. – Website

Portsmouth, VA Auto Insurance Agencies

1. American Family Financial Services LLC – Website
2. Coppedge Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
3. Holland Insurance and Financial Services – Website
4. Taylor & Brinkley Insurance LLC – Website
5. The Young Insurance Agency Group LLC – Website

Suffolk, VA Car Insurance Agencies

1. Ken Deloach Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
2. Langkil Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
3. Nemish Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
4. Roberts Insurance & Financial Services Inc. – Website
5. SNL Insurance & Financial Services LLC – Website
6. Suffolk Insurance Corporation – Website
7. Turntine Insurance Agency Inc. – Website

Lynchburg, VA Auto Insurance Agencies

1. The Bost Company Inc. – Website
2. Chapman Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
3. Chip Harvey Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
4. Donovan Howell Insurance Agency, Inc. – Website
5. Ernest W. Adams Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
6. Forest Hill Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
7. Gardner Insurance Solutions, LLC – Website
8. George B. Taylor Inc. – Website
9. Harper Insurance Agency, LLC – Website
10. Hedges Insurance Agency LLC – Website

Harrisonburg, VA Car Insurance Agencies

1. Crossroads Insurance Agency LLC – Website
2. Dennis C. Blackwell Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
3. Echard Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
4. Edwards Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
5. Insurance Center of Harrisonburg, Inc. – Website
6. Integrity Insurance Group LLC – Website
7. Jenkins Insurance & Financial Services Inc. – Website
8. Jon Hannah Insurance Agency, Inc. – Website
9. Mark Thompson Insurance Agency LLC – Website
10. Muterspaugh Insurance Agency, Inc. – Website

Charlottesville, VA Auto Insurance Agencies

1. Albemarle Insurance Group – Website
2. Canopy Insurance LLC – Website
3. Central Virginia Insurance Agency LTD – Website
4. Craddock Insurance Services, Inc. – Website
5. DellTAX & Insurance LLC – Website
6. Towe Insurance Service Inc. – Website
7. William L. Rudd & Associates Inc. – Website
8. Trustpoint Insurance of Charlottesville LLC – Website
9. Wolfe Insurance & Financial Services Inc. – Website
10. Wyant Insurance & Financial Services Inc. – Website

Blacksburg, VA Car Insurance Agencies

1. Brandon Semones Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
2. Carper Insurance – Northpoint LLC – Website
3. Charles E. Tilson Jr. Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
4. Christian Insurance Agency – Website
5. Leonard L. Brown Agency Inc. – Website
6. Robert Gibb Insurance Associates, LLC – Website
7. Sia-Blacksburg Insurance Group Inc. – Website

Leesburg, VA Auto Insurance Agencies

1. Academy Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
2. Armfield, Harrison, and Thomas Inc. – Website
3. Dulles Insurance Services Inc. – Website
4. Fire Mark Insurance Associates Corporation – Website
5. John G. Lindsay Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
6. Loudoun Insurance Group LLC – Website
7. Moore Clemens & Company Inc. – Website
8. Sorgius Insurance Agency Inc. – Website
9. Tavakoli Insurance and Financial Services Inc. – Website
10. The HILB Group of Virginia LLC – Website