Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Virginia

Cheapest car insurance in Virginia for a bad driving record

If you have a poor driving record in Virginia, Travelers, Erie Insurance, State Farm are the cheapest options. Travelers has the lowest annual rate at $1,845 per year.

Having accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, will make you pay more for insurance. Most tickets will affect your rates for three to five years. A DUI can affect your rates for up to 10 years and can stay on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Travelers	$1,169	$1,845
Erie Insurance	$1,288	$1,929
State Farm	$1,479	$2,274
GEICO	$1,382	$2,635
Allstate	$2,021	$2,850
Auto-Owners	$1,405	$2,865
Progressive	$2,120	$2,931
USAA	$1,192	$1,749

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How much is high-risk car insurance in Virginia?

In Virginia, the average cost of high-risk car insurance is $2,388 per year. However, you may secure coverage from Travelers for as low as $1,845 annually. Even with a problematic driving record or poor credit score, affordable policies are available.

Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets or getting one for speeding in a school zone will boost your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Virginia, VA is $2,428

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
State Farm	$1,479	$1,719
Travelers	$1,169	$1,728
Erie Insurance	$1,288	$1,777
USAA	$1,192	$1,793
GEICO	$1,382	$2,294
Progressive	$2,120	$3,294
Allstate	$2,021	$4,132

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered high-risk for insurance in Virginia?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

Cheapest car insurance in Virginia with a DUI

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, State Farm provides the average cheapest coverage for $1,590 annually.

A DUI is one of the most serious traffic violations to have on your record. Not only do you have to pay fines, but you'll also see vastly higher car insurance rates for up to 10 years. Multiple DUIs will cause your premiums to skyrocket.

The table below compares average car insurance rates with a clean driving record and rates after a DUI in Virginia.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
State Farm	$1,479	$1,590
Travelers	$1,169	$1,838
Erie Insurance	$1,288	$2,104
Auto-Owners	$1,405	$2,279
Progressive	$2,120	$2,695
Allstate	$2,021	$2,986
GEICO	$1,382	$3,000
USAA	$1,192	$2,260

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Cheapest car insurance in Virginia with multiple tickets

For drivers with multiple tickets, Erie Insurance offers the lowest premiums, averaging $1,450 per year or $121 per month.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

This table shows drivers in Virginia how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
Erie Insurance	$1,288	$1,450
State Farm	$1,479	$1,590
Travelers	$1,169	$1,769
Auto-Owners	$1,405	$2,279
GEICO	$1,382	$2,563
Allstate	$2,021	$2,628
Progressive	$2,120	$2,804
USAA	$1,192	$1,449

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Cheapest car insurance in Virginia with a reckless driving conviction

State Farm offers the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,590 per year.

You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
State Farm	$1,479	$1,590
Travelers	$1,169	$1,838
Erie Insurance	$1,288	$2,104
Auto-Owners	$1,405	$2,279
Allstate	$2,021	$2,986
GEICO	$1,382	$3,000
Progressive	$2,120	$3,032
USAA	$1,192	$1,591

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Cheapest car insurance in Virginia with bad credit

The cheapest Virginia insurer for bad credit is Travelers, with rates averaging $2,088 annually or $174 monthly. Fortunately, drivers with bad credit can still find affordable auto insurance.

Although unrelated to your performance behind the wheel, your credit score also impacts car insurance rates and can put you in the high-risk category. To an insurance company, high-risk means more likely to file a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistically, drivers with a low credit score fit that description.

Check out the table below to see how your credit score affects Virginia car insurance.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Travelers	$1,169	$2,088
GEICO	$1,382	$2,119
Erie Insurance	$1,288	$3,018
Allstate	$2,021	$3,246
Progressive	$2,120	$3,447
Auto-Owners	$1,405	$5,214
State Farm	$1,479	$5,690
USAA	$1,192	$2,299

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Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Virginia

Travelers offers the lowest rates after an accident, averaging $1,714 per year. State Farm is another budget-friendly option, with rates around $1,719 a year.

Drivers with accidents on their record usually pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with a clean record. A single accident can raise your rates, and multiple accidents can push them even higher.

This table shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record, a single at fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
Travelers	$1,169	$1,714	$2,953
State Farm	$1,479	$1,719	$1,719
Erie Insurance	$1,288	$1,777	$2,541
GEICO	$1,382	$2,294	$3,494
Progressive	$2,120	$3,294	$5,099
Allstate	$2,021	$4,132	$6,289
USAA	$1,192	$1,793	$3,093

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Cheapest car insurance in Virginia by city

Staunton has the cheapest car insurance rates in Virginia, averaging $2,035 a year. However, the most expensive city is Alexandria, with average insurance rates of $2,600 annually.

Where you live in Virginia also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Staunton	$1,271	$2,035
Winchester	$1,326	$2,133
Covington	$1,344	$2,144
Galax	$1,349	$2,154
Bristol	$1,350	$2,180
Lynchburg	$1,368	$2,206
Williamsburg	$1,364	$2,209
Ashburn	$1,428	$2,324
Virginia Beach	$1,457	$2,377
Arlington	$1,515	$2,478
Norfolk	$1,607	$2,595
Alexandria	$1,586	$2,600

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How to reduce car insurance rates in Virginia for a bad driving record

Finding affordable car insurance in Virginia is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Virginia?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Virginia car insurance laws for high-risk drivers

If you're considered a high-risk driver in Virginia, you may be required to file an SR-22. This form is filled out by your car insurance company, stating that you have at least the minimum required coverage. The court will let you know how long you must file an SR-22.

Although an SR-22 is typically called insurance, it is only the form. You don't need special insurance coverage, but rates are much higher for high-risk drivers and not all carriers insure such drivers.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

A 40-year-old driver
A clean record
Good credit
State minimum insurance, which includes liability coverage and may also include personal injury protection, medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage

Best company rankings use the rate data outline above, as well as:

Customer complaints ratios from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints database, where a score of 1.00 is considered the baseline and anything below is a low complaint volume while anything above is considered a high volume.
Overall customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power's U.S. Auto Insurance Study, where companies are scored out of 1,000.
AM Best financial ratings were used to indicate financial stability, where the best possible score is A++.