Direct Auto & Life Insurance is a proud provider of personal car insurance and commercial auto insurance in Virginia, the “Old Dominion.” From Richmond to Saltville, Direct welcomes all drivers to apply for coverage—even those who may not be accepted by other Virginia auto insurance companies.
No matter your past credit score or driving history, you can get a free auto insurance quote from Direct, along with flexible plans to fit your needs and easy access to friendly agents online, over the phone, or at a Virginia Direct location near you! We’re here to help you find the car insurance coverage that fits your needs.
How do I find the cheapest car insurance in Virginia?
First, it helps to understand how your car insurance quote and premium are calculated. Virginia car insurance rates can vary depending on your driving record, the type of vehicle you drive and the amount of coverage you choose.
Even though there are many factors that could influence your car insurance rate, many drivers still believe common car insurance myths. For instance, you may have heard that red cars cost more to insure, older drivers automatically have higher premiums, and that high-risk drivers will never be able to get an affordable car insurance rate. As it turns out, the color of your car has no bearing on the rate of your premium; older drivers could be eligible for senior citizen discounts; and while high-risk drivers may have a tougher time finding insurance that fits their needs, it’s not impossible to find customized payment options that can help make auto insurance more affordable!
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Virginia?
Virginia law requires that you have liability insurance on all your registered vehicles and that you keep proof of insurance in your vehicle(s) at all times. The minimum required insurance is:
- Bodily Injury Liability coverage of at least $25,000 to cover injury or death to any one person that results from an auto accident, and $50,000 to cover injuries to or death of more than one person resulting from a single auto accident.
- Property Damage Liability coverage of at least $20,000 to cover damage to the property of others caused by an auto accident.
- Uninsured Motorist coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and coverage of $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 in property damage to cover damage coverage per accident.
Coverage Definitions
Bodily Injury Liability (BI) helps pay for medical and legal protection should you or another insured on your policy cause bodily injury to another person while operating your vehicle. The “limit” is the maximum amount your insurance company will pay for bodily injury damages.
Property Damage Liability (PD) helps pay for damage to another's property caused while operating your vehicle. This covers damage to property such as vehicles, poles, fences, etc. The “limit” is the maximum amount your insurance company will pay for property damage.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) helps pay for bodily injury and, in certain states, property damage sustained by you and other passengers in your covered vehicle in an accident for which the person legally liable does not have auto liability insurance or cannot be identified. In some states it also includes coverage for damages caused by at-fault drivers who have insufficient insurance to pay your claim.
What happens if I don’t have the minimum coverage?
If your vehicle is uninsured you will be required to pay the Virginia Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee(in addition to normal registration fees) in order to register your vehicle. This fee does not provide you with any insurance coverage and you are still personally liable in the event of an auto accident. If you are caught driving without insurance and do not pay this fee, you could face a class 3 misdemeanor and be required to pay fines of up to $500 (among other penalties), cites the Consumer Federation of America.
Who needs commercial auto insurance in Virginia?
If you’re a business owner or are self-employed and use your vehicle to conduct your business or provide services, you could qualify for a commercial auto insurance policy in Virginia. For example, drivers in the farming, food delivery, landscaping, and funeral service industry typically purchase commercial auto insurance policies.
The state requires commercial vehicles, like personal vehicles, to maintain Virginia’s minimum liability insurance requirements when purchasing insurance. Depending on the type of vehicles your business has and how they’re used, your commercial auto insurance requirements may be different.
So what can you expect when getting a quote for commercial auto insurance in Virginia? Your agent will ask you how you use the vehicles in your business, whether or not any of your employees will be driving the vehicles, and who else will be driving your company car(s). They may also ask you questions to see if you qualify for any available discounts, along with helping you understand how additional insurance coverage options (like Medical Payments Coverage) could help financially safeguard your business in the event of an auto accident.
Does Direct offer other products?
In addition to offering the minimum required coverage for Virginia drivers, Direct offers other helpful auto coverages including comprehensive and collision. For drivers looking for more peace-of-mind, Direct also offers roadside assistance, emergency protection plans, and eventerm life insurance.
Have unanswered insurance questions?
Understanding insurance requirements and definitions isn’t always easy. If you’d like to learn about other Virginia auto insurance options, such as commercial auto insurance, or get a fast and free quote for auto insurance, give us a call at 1-877-GO DIRECT (1-877-463-4732), or visit one of our Direct Auto & Life Insurance locations in Virginia.
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