car insurance in virginia: a first-timer's fact-checked guide

At a yellow light in Norfolk, my insurer app lagged and the officer waited - proof matters. I dug into the law before buying.

What the law requires

I thought minimums were 25/50/20 - small correction: as of 2025 they're 50/100/25, and Virginia is at-fault; UM/UIM matches your liability by default. The old uninsured motorist fee option is gone, so coverage or an approved alternative is mandatory. That answered my query on minimum car insurance requirements in Virginia and why skimping isn't smart.

How I decided, with receipts

• Collected six quotes to judge how much is car insurance in Virginia per month; rate spread was over 40%.
• Verified discounts and medical payments; higher deductibles saved less than data suggested.
• Checked SR-22 insurance Virginia rules - only needed after certain convictions.
• Compared names vs locals for best car insurance in Virginia and a cheap car insurance VA pick.