Making the most of auto insurance in Virginia requires that you choose the right auto insurance company. You will need to ensure that your auto insurance company is able to handle your claims efficiently, fairly and quickly. You may want to check a database of national claims for any complaints on a company. Another strategy is to check with your state's insurance department for the number of consumer complaints on a company compared to the number of policies it sold.

You should also feel comfortable with your method of purchasing automotive insurance in Virginia. You can buy insurance from a local agent, directly from the company or online. Auto insurance consists of the following types of coverage:

1. Liability coverage for personal injury and property damage; car insurance companies in Virginia should provide the minimum coverage that the state requires;
2. Property coverage; this pays for damages and theft of your vehicle;
3. Medical coverage that pays for treating injuries and rehabilitation; this may also cover funeral expenses and lost wages.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out more about laws on Virginia auto insurance coverage

Each state has its own laws regarding auto insurance. These laws cover such issues as the minimum liability coverage, acceptable proof of financial responsibility and the procedure for obtaining license plates in Virginia.

I recommend: Edgar Snyder & Associates provides the coverage requirements for auto insurance in Virginia. AutoInsuranceSavings.com provides specific information on car insurance in Virginia and also provides links to articles on car insurance.

Get quotes on Virginia auto insurance rates

There are many websites that provide insurance quotes online based on specific information about your vehicle. These websites may also provide other information on car insurance.

I recommend: VirginiaInsuranceQuotes.net provides quotes on auto insurance in Virginia by zip code. Auto Insurance Finder offers quotes for auto insurance and also has a blog on auto insurance in Virginia.

Find more information on auto insurance from auto insurance companies in Virginia

Car insurance companies in Virginia frequently may be more familiar with local insurance regulations than national competitors. They may also offer articles on car insurance in Virginia.

I recommend: Insurance Doctor has multiple locations in Virginia and offers insurance rates by zip code. Brambleton Agency sells car insurance in Virginia and also has an insurance resource center.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get price quotes from at least three different auto insurance companies in Virginia. You may also be able to get a comparison of prices charged by major providers of car insurance. Virginia premiums will also be partially based on your vehicle's sticker price, repair costs, safety record and likelihood of theft.
• •  Join a state assigned risk pool if you have difficulty finding auto insurance in Virginia. Each insurer in a state assigned risk pool must accept the drivers that are assigned to it and keep the profit or pay the loss associated with that customer.

Car insurance in Virginia, like gas or rent, is expensive yet necessary. It doesn't just protect your car from dents; it protects you and other drivers from both bodily harm and financial ruin. For that reason, Virginia car insurance coverage isn't just something that drivers in the "Old Dominion State" should have; it's something they must have.

Virginia auto insurance coverage doesn’t have to break the bank. You may be able to save by shopping around, declining unnecessary coverage and trading high deductibles for lower premiums. Indeed, you can cut costs, but you can't cut corners. If you drive in Virginia, you need auto insurance in Virginia. Here's what kind and how much, according to Virginia state law:

1. When buying auto insurance in Virginia, drivers must purchase bodily injury liability (BIL), property damage liability (PDL) and uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) coverage; collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured property damage coverage are recommended, but not required.
2. Auto insurance in Virginia must include BIL coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for costs associated with the injury or death of others in a wreck.
3. Auto insurance in Virginia must include PDL coverage of at least $20,000 for damage to another person's property in an accident.
4. In Virginia, car insurance must include at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) coverage in the event that you’re in an accident with an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Browse Virginia auto insurance rates online

If you need Virginia auto insurance, online quotes are a good starting point. Available from all major auto insurance companies in Virginia, they offer a fast and convenient way to research and compare premiums.

I recommend: Get comprehensive online quotes from Virginia car insurance providers at websites like InsWeb, Insurance.com, InsuranceUSA and InsuranceFinder, or from companies like Progressive and Esurance, which quote both their own and competitors' rates.

Solicit Virginia car insurance quotes from national providers

Most major car insurance carriers offer auto insurance in Virginia and all provide competitive Virginia auto insurance rates.

I recommend: Among the largest and most popular car insurance companies in Virginia are AIG, Allstate, Chubb, Farmers, GEICO, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. National associations like AAA and AARP are also good sources for affordable auto insurance in Virginia.

Get car insurance in Virginia from local and regional companies

In Virginia, auto insurance rates can vary dramatically; for some of the most affordable, consider locally based providers.

I recommend: For automotive insurance in Virginia, try Virginia-based companies like Eisert Insurance Service, Rockingham Group and Northern Neck Insurance Company. Also consider local programs, like the Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan, which exists for drivers who can't easily find auto insurance in Virginia.

Use an independent agent to find Virginia car insurance bargains

Buying car insurance in Virginia via an independent insurance agent can expose you to new resources, practical advice and special rates.

I recommend: To find an independent agent who can sell you car insurance in Virginia, use the “find an independent agent” feature at the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia.

Choose Virginia auto insurance companies that you can trust

Before doing business with Virginia car insurance providers, review their records with consumers to make sure they are reliable, reputable and responsible.

I recommend: If you subscribe to Consumer Reports, you can check up on car insurance companies in Virginia. Other good resources are the Virginia Bureau of Insurance, which licenses auto insurance companies in Virginia, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which compiles statistics on complaints against them.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider buying more coverage than is required by state law; minimum Virginia car insurance might not be enough to cover car repairs or medical bills after an accident.
• •  Penalties for drivers who don't have Virginia car insurance include driver's license and license plate suspension, as well as cash fines.
• •  If you're leasing or financing your car, dealerships might require you to have more and better Virginia auto insurance than is required by state law.
• •  Higher deductibles typically mean lower premiums and more monthly savings on auto insurance in Virginia.
• •  Drivers should know that in place of Virginia auto insurance, they can pay an uninsured motorist fee of $500 that allows them to drive an uninsured vehicle at their own risk. If you don't have proper Virginia car insurance, your home, wages or other assets may be seized in order to pay valid claims against you.

Auto insurance in Virginia education and training will teach you how to evaluate multiple auto insurance policies and recommend the best one to benefit your customer. You may also need to know about the insurance business in general.

The requirements needed to work for car insurance companies in Virginia are determined by the state and also depend on the type of auto insurance coverage being issued. There are three general categories of car insurance coverage:

1. Collision car insurance in Virginia covers damage to the car due to a collision with some object. The cause of collision damage is typically another car but may also be a falling rock or branch. If the insured driver is at fault, collision coverage will generally cover the repair cost up to the coverage limit after the deductible has been paid.
2. Complete insurance covers damage to the insured driver’s vehicle caused by something other than collision. Non-collision damage typically includes damage due to burglary, fire and corrosive liquids.
3. Liability covers damages to other persons or other property that is the fault of the insured driver. It typically includes damage to other vehicles, medical bills of other people and legal expenses.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete the courses needed to work for Virginia auto insurance companies

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students the various aspects of Virginia auto insurance rates. These courses should be updated frequently to reflect changes in federal and Virginia insurance law.

I recommend: Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia offers pre-licensing courses that meet the state requirements for insurance agents in Virginia. Professional Insurance Agents Association of Virginia and DC provides pre-licensing and continuing education for insurance agents in Virginia.

Learn the laws regarding automotive insurance in Virginia

Auto insurance brokers and agents in Virginia will need to be familiar with the state laws about their profession. The required coverage limits on auto insurance vary widely by state.

I recommend: AutoInsuranceSavings.com summarizes the insurance laws in Virginia, including coverage limits. Advantage Auto Insurance Quotes provides educational information about auto insurance rules and coverage in Virginia.

Obtain the license required by Virginia car insurance providers

Virginia has seven different types of insurance licenses: life & annuities, health, property and casualty, personal lines, title, life and health consultant, and property and casualty consultant. Get licensing information necessary for a career in VA auto insurance.

I recommend: The Virginia State Corporation Commission Bureau of Insurance offers a chart detailing the licensing requirements for insurance agents in Virginia. Noble Continuing Education provides the state requirements for a Virginia insurance license and information on how to get a license.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Virginia car insurance providers should set themselves apart by becoming a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). This designation is respected throughout the insurance industry and identifies the holder as a dedicated and knowledgeable professional. A variety of insurance professionals may become CPCUs such as agents, brokers, claim adjusters and risk managers. Many attorneys, consultants and educators may also hold the CPCU designation.