Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Virginia

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Virginia for a bad driving record?

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?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In Virginia, high-risk car insurance costs $2,388 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $1,845 annually from Travelers.

Many things can make you a high-risk driver, but some affect your rates more than others. For example, having multiple speeding tickets or a ticket for speeding in a school zone will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

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 a high-risk driver 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.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Virginia after a DUI?

Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, State Farm offers the most affordable rate at $1,590 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in Virginia for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

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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What is the cheapest car insurance in Virginia with multiple tickets?

Erie Insurance is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with an average rate of $1,450 a year or $121 a month.

While one traffic ticket can affect car insurance rates, multiple tickets can significantly increase those rates. Failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws leads insurers to believe they will eventually have to pay claims due to risky driving.

This table shows Virginia drivers how much multiple tickets increase 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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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Virginia?

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

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.

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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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Virginia?

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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What company has the cheapest car insurance in Virginia after an accident?

Travelers has the lowest average rates after an accident at $1,714 a year. State Farm also offers affordable rates, averaging $1,719 per year.

Drivers with accidents on their record typically pay higher insurance rates than those with a clean record. While car insurance rates may increase after one accident, multiple accidents can increase rates even more.

This table shows rates for drivers with a clean record, one 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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Key insight

Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Virginia?

In Virginia, the lowest car insurance rates are found in Staunton, averaging $2,035 annually. On the other hand, Alexandria has the highest rates at $2,600 a year.

Where you live in Virginia matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

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 can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Virginia?

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.

Are Virginia's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in Virginia, you might need to file an SR-22. This is a form that your car insurance company sends in to show you have the required minimum insurance coverage. The court will let you know how long you need to keep the SR-22.

An SR-22 isn't a type of insurance; it's just a form. You don't need special coverage, but your rates might be higher because you're considered high-risk. Also, not all insurance companies offer coverage for high-risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

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: