Auto Insurance Coverage In Virginia: What's Standard?

Virginia requires drivers to have a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage for all registered vehicles. The minimum amount of Virginia auto insurance coverage is $25,000 per person for bodily injury, with a total maximum of $50,000 per incident, and $20,000 for damage to another person's property. This basic coverage is designed to protect drivers financially in the event of accidents where they are at fault or involved with uninsured motorists. While this minimum coverage is legally required, it might not offer enough protection in the event of a serious accident.

Bodily injury liability

In the state of Virginia, drivers are legally required to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage, including bodily injury liability. This type of insurance coverage protects you in the event that you are found legally responsible for a covered accident that results in bodily harm to another person.

The minimum amount of bodily injury liability coverage required in Virginia is $25,000 per person, with a total maximum of $50,000 per incident. This means that if you are at fault in an accident and someone else is injured, your insurance will cover their medical expenses up to $25,000 per person, with a maximum of $50,000 total if multiple people are injured. This coverage can also help protect your assets if you are sued as a result of the accident.

While the minimum coverage limits are set by the state, it is important to consider your own financial situation when deciding how much bodily injury liability insurance to purchase. If you own a home, have a high income, or have significant assets, you may want to purchase more than the minimum required coverage. This is because if you are sued for an amount greater than your policy limits, you will be responsible for paying the difference out of pocket.

In addition to the minimum bodily injury liability coverage, Virginia drivers are also required to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage protects you if you are hit by a driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the cost of your injuries. The minimum limits for this coverage are the same as for bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

It is important to note that bodily injury liability coverage only applies to injuries sustained by others in an accident you cause. It does not cover your own medical expenses or those of your passengers. If you want coverage for your own injuries, you will need to purchase additional medical expense coverage.

Property damage liability

It is important to note that property damage liability insurance does not cover damage to your own vehicle. If you want your own car to be protected, you would need to add separate coverage, such as collision or comprehensive insurance.

In addition to property damage liability insurance, Virginia law also requires drivers to carry bodily injury liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. Bodily injury liability insurance covers the medical bills and associated legal fees of the other driver if you cause an accident. Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance covers your medical payments if you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover your expenses.

The minimum coverage requirements in Virginia are intended to protect drivers financially in the event of an accident. However, it is recommended that drivers consider purchasing additional coverage or increasing their current limits to ensure they have adequate protection. The cost of repairing or replacing a vehicle can be significant, and the minimum property damage liability limit of $20,000 may not be sufficient to cover all expenses.

Virginia allows drivers to purchase higher limits of property damage liability insurance, with some insurers offering coverage of up to $500,000. It is important for drivers to carefully consider their insurance needs and choose a policy that provides adequate protection.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Understanding Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to protect you if you're involved in an accident with a driver who doesn't have auto insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage, often offered alongside uninsured coverage, comes into play when the at-fault driver doesn't have sufficient insurance to cover the damages or injuries they caused. These coverages are crucial because, without them, you might have to pay for medical bills or vehicle repairs out of pocket, even if you weren't at fault.

Virginia's Requirements for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

In Virginia, the minimum coverage limits for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Additionally, there is a requirement for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage of $20,000. These limits match the state's liability coverage requirements, ensuring that you have protection in case of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Uninsured motorist coverage also extends to hit-and-run accidents. If your vehicle is damaged by a driver who flees the scene, you can file a claim against your uninsured motorist coverage. However, it's important to note that in some states, including Virginia, there is a deductible for uninsured motorist property damage coverage in hit-and-run incidents. Alternatively, collision coverage can also provide protection in these situations.

Importance of Adequate Coverage

While Virginia sets minimum requirements for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, it's worth considering higher limits. By matching your liability coverage limits or choosing higher ones, you can ensure that you have sufficient protection in case of a serious accident. This is especially important if you have passengers in your vehicle who might not have their own health insurance or if your health insurance has a high deductible.

In summary, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is a vital component of auto insurance in Virginia, offering financial protection in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. By understanding the requirements and the importance of adequate coverage, you can make informed decisions about your auto insurance policy.

Collision coverage

In Virginia, collision coverage is available for most vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles, boats, and RVs. It covers single-vehicle accidents, such as hitting a guardrail or telephone pole, as well as collisions with other vehicles. It also covers collisions while your vehicle is parked, including hit-and-run incidents.

When deciding whether to purchase collision coverage, consider the value of your vehicle. If it is brand new or still worth a significant amount, collision coverage can help with expensive repairs or replacement costs. Additionally, if you cannot afford to pay for repairs or a replacement vehicle out of pocket, collision coverage can provide peace of mind.

However, if your vehicle is in storage for an extended period, such as a boat or RV, collision coverage may not be necessary during that time.

The cost of collision coverage varies depending on personal factors such as age, gender, marital status, and driving record, as well as details about the vehicle and location within the state. In neighbouring Texas, the average cost of collision coverage is $344.85 per year, with ranges from under $200 to over $500.

Medical expense and income loss benefits

Medical Expense Benefits Coverage pays all reasonable and necessary medical and funeral expenses for you or others injured or killed in an accident while riding or driving your car. This includes hospital, surgical, rehabilitative, chiropractic, x-ray, dental, professional nursing, prosthetic, and funeral expenses. It will also cover you or members of your family if you are struck by a car while walking or riding in another car. This coverage will pay for medical and funeral expenses even if you cause the accident. Usually, only expenses incurred within three years after the accident are included. This coverage will provide benefits to anyone, such as a carpool mate, a friend, or a neighbour's child, injured in your car.

Loss of Income Benefits Coverage pays you, your family, or others in your car for loss of income up to $100 per week for a period not exceeding 52 weeks. If the injured person is usually engaged in a remunerative occupation, the coverage will pay an amount equal to the loss of income incurred after the accident, up to $100 per week, starting from the first workday missed due to the accident up to the date the person can return to their usual occupation. However, this period cannot exceed one year from the accident date.

Frequently asked questions