Virginia Auto Insurance Limits Explained

Virginia motorists must have car insurance at a minimum set by the state. The minimum coverage liability limits are 25/50/20. This means that drivers are required to carry minimum auto insurance coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 for property damage liability per accident. Additionally, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage matches these limits. Virginia operates under an at-fault system, meaning the driver found at fault for an accident is responsible for the damages. Motorists must carry proof of insurance and show it at the behest of law enforcement officials.

Minimum insurance requirements for Virginia

In Virginia, motorists must carry a minimum amount of car insurance as set by the state. Proof of this coverage must be kept in the vehicle and shown to law enforcement officials when requested. The minimum liability coverage requirements in Virginia are:

• $30,000 for bodily injury per person
• $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 for property damage per accident

These limits are the state-mandated minimums, but a lender or leasing company may require additional coverage to protect your vehicle against physical damage. This is sometimes known as full coverage.

From 2022 to 2024, the minimum liability coverage limits in Virginia are $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $20,000 for property damage per accident. These limits will change in 2025 to $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.

Virginia also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which pays for injury and lost wages if you or your passengers are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver who is at fault. The minimum coverage limits for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, with $20,000 for property damage.

It is important to note that Virginia does not require collision or comprehensive insurance as part of the minimum coverage. However, if you finance or lease a vehicle, the lender or leasing company will typically mandate both coverages to protect their investment.

Failure to comply with Virginia's insurance requirements can result in severe penalties, including fines, suspension of driving and vehicle registration privileges, and even jail time in some cases.

Proof of insurance

In Virginia, motorists are required to carry proof of insurance in their vehicles at all times and must show this to law enforcement officials when asked. This can be in the form of an insurance card or other proof of insurance.

Virginia operates an Insurance Verification Program in partnership with the insurance industry to electronically verify the automobile liability insurance of registered vehicles. This program also helps detect vehicle owners who are not in compliance with insurance requirements.

If a driver is found to be uninsured, they will be required to furnish policy information to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for verification. Failure to comply with insurance requirements can result in severe penalties, including fines, suspension of driving and vehicle registration privileges, and the requirement to file an SR-22 form.

The minimum insurance coverage limits in Virginia are:

• $30,000 for bodily injury/death per person
• $60,000 for bodily injury/death per accident
• $20,000 for property damage per accident
• $25,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 for uninsured/underinsured property damage coverage per accident

It is important to note that these limits are subject to change over time, and drivers should stay updated with the current requirements.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Underinsured motorist coverage can also be used for accidents with uninsured motorists or drivers with poor insurance. For example, some insurance policies may not cover the entire cost of damage caused by the accident, or the driver’s insurance company may have denied their claim. In this case, underinsured motorist coverage can be used to make up the difference.

Uninsured motorist coverage will also kick in to help you pay for your damages in the event of a hit-and-run accident. Being involved in a hit-and-run is stressful enough, but having sufficient uninsured motorist coverage can take some of the pressure off by providing financial protection.

In Virginia, the minimum coverage limits for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage are $25,000 for bodily injury per person, with a total maximum of $50,000 per incident, and $20,000 for property damage per accident. However, higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.

While auto insurance is not technically required in Virginia, if a driver chooses to get insurance, they must meet certain minimum limits. For uninsured motorist coverage, this includes $30,000 in bodily injury liability insurance coverage per person and $20,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident. Similar amounts of underinsured motorist coverage are also required if you choose to get auto insurance in Virginia. The minimums for underinsured motorist coverage include $30,000 per person (up to $60,000 per accident) in bodily injury liability coverage and $20,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage.

Collision and comprehensive coverage

While not required by state law, collision and comprehensive coverage are highly recommended, especially for drivers who want comprehensive protection for their assets. If you finance or lease a vehicle in Virginia, your lender or leasing company will likely mandate both collision and comprehensive coverage to protect their investment. This ensures that repairing or replacing the vehicle in the event of an accident or other damage can be done without financial loss to the lender.

When deciding whether to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage, consider the value of your car, how often you drive, and your current savings. If your car is worth more, you drive frequently, or you don't have enough savings to cover the cost of repairs or replacement, then purchasing collision and comprehensive coverage is a wise decision.

In summary, while not mandatory, collision and comprehensive coverage can provide valuable protection for your vehicle in Virginia. It is important to weigh the benefits of this additional coverage against your budget and specific needs as a driver.

Penalties for driving without insurance

Virginia requires all drivers to either carry a minimum amount of car insurance or pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle (UMV) fee. If you're caught driving without insurance, you may be convicted of a Class 3 misdemeanour and face severe penalties.

First Offence

If it is your first offence, you may be required to pay a $600 non-compliance fee and file an SR-22 certificate (proof of financial responsibility) for three years. You may also have to pay a $145 reinstatement fee to get your license back.

Repeat Offences

Repeat offenders could incur heavier fines, longer SR-22 obligations, and more severe repercussions. Additional penalties for driving without insurance include:

• Vehicle registration suspension
• License suspension
• Vehicle impoundment
• Jail time (particularly if uninsured driving results in an accident)

Avoiding Penalties

To avoid penalties, drivers can either purchase car insurance or pay the $500 UMV fee. The UMV fee allows drivers to operate their vehicles without insurance for up to 12 months.

Frequently asked questions