Cheapest car insurance in Virginia for a bad driving record

Travelers, Erie Insurance, State Farm offers affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers with bad driving record in Virginia.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

How much is high-risk car insurance in Virginia?

A bad driving record or low credit score can significantly increase rates. While high-risk car insurance averages $2,388 in Virginia, you can find rates as low as $1,845 from Travelers.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Keep reading as we break down high-risk car insurance factors and rates.

Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.

Virginia
State
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington, D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
*Please select from the list
At-fault bodily injury accident
Risk Factor
1 At-fault property damage accident over 2K1 At-fault property damage accident under 2K1 comprehensive claim for over 2k1 comprehensive claim for under 2k2 At-fault property damage accident over 2k2 comprehensive claims for over 2k2 speeding tickets 11 mph or overAt-fault bodily injury accidentCareless drivingDUI/DWI first offenseDUI/DWI second offenseDistracted driving ticketDriving without a license or permitDriving without insuranceFailure to stopFailure to yieldFair creditFollowing too closelyHit and run - injuryHit and run - property damageImproper turnImproper/illegal passLapse of coverage for 7 daysLapse of coverage for 7 to 30 daysLapse of coverage for over 30 daysOperating a vehicle in a race (highway racing)Passing stopped school busPoor creditReckless drivingSR22 Filing OnlySR22 with 1 DUISeatbelt infractionSingle vehicle accident (so the drivers car only)Speeding 30+ over limitSpeeding ticket 1-10 MPH over limitSpeeding ticket 11-29 MPH over limitTalking on cellphone ticketTexting ticket
*Please select from the list
Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Virginia, VA is $2,428
Show Graph View
CompanyAnnual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
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 has the lowest rate at $1,590.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in Virginia.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Virginia with multiple tickets

Erie Insurance is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with rates averaging $1,450 or $121.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your risky driving.

This table shows Virginia drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Virginia with a reckless driving conviction

Drivers with reckless driving conviction can get the cheapest rates from State Farm at $1,590.

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.

The table below compares car insurance rates for drivers with a clean driving record and a reckless driving conviction.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Virginia with bad credit

Travelers offers the cheapest rates for drivers with poor credit at $2,088 or $174. However,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.

CompanyAnnual premium for good creditAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Virginia

Travelers has the lowest rates after an accident at $1,714. State Farm also has affordable rates at $1,719.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for one at-fault accidentAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Virginia by city

Staunton has the cheapest car insurance rates in Virginia at $2,035. But the most expensive city is Alexandria with rates of $2,600.

Your location in Virginia also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance of claims.

CityAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

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're seen as a high-risk driver in Virginia depends on the rules of your insurance company. The state decides how long a violation stays on your driving record, but your insurance company decides how long they'll charge you for it.

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.

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