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Like most states, Virginia requires drivers living within its borders to carry and maintain a mandatory minimum amount of auto insurance. Until 2024, when a previous law was repealed, Virginia allowed drivers to opt out of auto insurance if they paid an upfront fee. Now, however, all drivers must carry and maintain basic liability insurance, also known as minimum coverage. Those mandatory minimum coverage limits were also revisited and increased at the beginning of 2025. We’ll walk you through what you need to know about car insurance laws in Virginia.
Car insurance laws in Virginia
Virginia car insurance laws require drivers to carry and maintain the mandatory minimum insurance requirements to legally drive in the state. Virginia’s requirements include the following coverage types and amounts:
As in most states, drivers must carry proof of insurance on them or within their vehicle while driving. If caught driving without proof, you may be ticketed, although presenting proof of insurance at the courthouse may reduce or remove the ticket fine.
Liability insurance in Virginia
Basic liability insurance, also known as minimum coverage, is now required for all vehicles in Virginia. However, it’s important to understand how this type of auto insurance works. Liability coverage does not cover your damages or injuries or those of your passengers if you cause an accident. Instead, your liability coverage is designed to cover accident costs for the not-at-fault driver. This means that if you cause an accident, you are likely to end up paying your costs out of pocket. Not only that, basic liability coverage limits may also not be enough to cover the costs of damage to others—which means you could also end up paying out of pocket for injuries and damage to the other driver that exceeds your liability limits.
These limitations of liability auto insurance are a big part of why experts often recommend considering full coverage car insurance, which typically includes comprehensive and collision coverage as well as higher liability limits. Although this type of car insurance costs more, a small increase in your car insurance rates upfront could save you on costly expenses down the line.
Is Virginia a no-fault state?
Virginia is an at-fault state, also known as a tort state. That means that drivers who are found legally responsible for causing accidents are held financially responsible for property damage as well as injuries. Tort states require drivers to carry a certain amount of car insurance and hold drivers responsible for costs that exceed their policy limits.
What is the new Virginia car insurance law?
Virginia auto insurance laws have undergone a few changes in recent years, with the most notable change being that drivers can no longer waive the auto insurance requirement. The removal of an old law took away this option and made it legally required for all drivers to carry at least minimum coverage. The state also revisited its requirements for minimum coverage and raised them. Before those changes, which took effect in 2024 and 2025, the state enacted new laws to better protect legal drivers from uninsured drivers in the state.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Virginia
Because auto insurance is mandatory in Virginia, there are legal penalties for driving without insurance. The specific fees and penalties can vary depending on the circumstances, with one of the most important factors being how many times you have been caught driving without insurance in the last few years. First-time offenders will be charged a $600 statutory fee, may need to pay a reinstatement fee (if your license is revoked) and may be required to maintain an SR-22 form for three years.
Additional auto insurance coverage options in Virginia
Experts often recommend purchasing more than the mandatory minimum amount of auto insurance to better protect your finances. Below are some other coverage options that Virginia drivers might want to consider:
- Collision coverage: Collision insurance might cover claims related to direct impacts experienced by your vehicle, whether from another car or another object, like a fence or similar obstacle.
- Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive coverage handles a wide range of damage caused by more unusual sources. This coverage won’t help with auto collisions, but falling branches, vandalism, theft and similar risks are usually covered.
- Roadside assistance: Roadside assistance is one of the less complicated coverage additions, providing access to towing services and, often, further benefits like fuel delivery, battery jump, windshield replacement and door unlocking.
- Rental car reimbursement: This coverage helps to cover the cost of a rental vehicle if your car is out of service following a covered claim.
Frequently asked questions
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As of 2025, Virginia does require car insurance to be maintained and carried by all drivers. These policies must be sufficient to meet the state’s mandatory minimum amount of auto insurance. People caught driving without insurance will face a $600 statutory fine and possible license revocation and may need to carry an SR-22 form for three years following the incident.
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The best car insurance company for you may not be the best for your neighbor. Every driver has different needs, and multiple factors impact the cost charged by auto insurance companies. Before deciding on a carrier, consider what you want out of your coverage. For instance, if you have a collector’s car, you’ll want to consider insurance providers that offer specialized coverage and services for these vehicles. If you prefer to manage your policy digitally, you may want to look for carriers that have highly rated apps and websites. Once you have a good idea of what you want and need from your coverage, you may want to shop around among several potential carriers to find the best rates and services.
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All car insurance companies offer free car insurance quotes these days, many of them online. You’ll want to provide as much detailed information as possible (e.g. information about your driving record, your address and more) to get the most accurate quote. When comparing multiple quotes, you’ll also want to be sure to request the same coverage types and levels so you can directly compare the costs.
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As of May 2025, the average cost for car insurance in Virginia is $766 per year for minimum coverage, while full coverage is $2,162. The national average is $2,692 per year for full coverage and $808 for minimum. Typically, Virginia rates are, on average, slightly cheaper compared to the nation at large. Still, these are averages, and personal rates vary significantly. To get the lowest rates for you, consider getting quotes from some of the companies known for offering the cheapest car insurance.
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The SR-22 form is a proof of insurance certificate that some states require of drivers who have demonstrated a high risk of driving without insurance. This form is an added compliance that further verifies an individual is maintaining and carrying at least the legally required minimum amount of auto insurance coverage. These forms may also be required of drivers who demonstrated hazardous driving behavior, such as drivers convicted of a DUI. An SR-22 is generally required for three years after the initial incident.
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