Virginia Car Insurance
In Virginia, car insurance rates change from year to year. In 2003, the average auto insurance customer in VA paid approximately $750 for coverage. At that time the average rate for car insurance in the US was just over $900. When you take the time to educate yourself about auto insurance in Virginia, you can get the coverage you need at an affordable rate.
Virginia Car Insurance: Minimum Coverage Required
Virginia is not a no-fault state when it comes to auto insurance. Instead, it is a tort state. This means that when an accident occurs, one driver is determined to be at fault. The person who is responsible and his or her insurance company are required to pay for damages sustained by anyone injured or killed in the accident.
You will be required to carry a minimum of $25,000 in Bodily Injury Liability coverage per person. This means that your insurance company will pay up to this amount for a single person injured in an accident. The maximum payable to all injured people in a single accident is $50,000. In addition, you need to arrange for a minimum of $20,000 in property damage insurance.
Drivers in Virginia also need to buy coverage for damages caused by an Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist. The minimums for this type of coverage are $25,000 per person, with a cap of $50,000 for multiple people injured in the same accident. Protect your property from damage caused by a driver who does not have insurance or who doesn’t have adequate insurance by buying $20,000 Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage coverage.
Virginia Car Insurance: How To Get Lower Rates
No one likes the idea of paying more than they have to for auto insurance. If any of the following apply to you, you may be entitled to a discount on your VA car insurance rates:
- You have an antitheft device, air bags, or seat belts installed in your vehicle.
- You don’t drive your car to and from work; lower annual mileage means lower rates.
- You live close to where you work.
- You participate in a car pool and only drive to work a couple of times each week.
- You have successfully completed a recognized Drivers’ Education Course.
- If you are a full-time student, you have maintained a B average or better.
How To Find Cheap Virginia Car Insurance
Here are some other suggestions that will help you get the cheapest Virginia auto insurance rate possible:
- Shop Around: Rates for the same type of coverage can vary from company to company. The Internet is a wonderful resource and you can find information on and get quotes from several insurance companies quickly and easily.
- Start Your Search Early: It may be tempting to renew your policy with your existing company, but you may be able to get a better deal if you switch to a different insurer. If you feel rushed, you are more likely to take the first quote you are given. A better approach is to start looking for coverage a few months before your existing policy is up for renewal.
- Ask About Multiple Policy Discounts: When you have your home and auto insurance with the same company, you may be entitled to a discount. Ask if the insurance company you are considering will offer a break on your insurance costs if you buy more than one policy.
- Increase the Amount of Your Deductible: When you decide to carry a higher deductible on your auto insurance, the amount of your premiums decreases. If you are going to take this approach, make sure that you can afford to pay the amount of your deductible, since you are responsible for this amount before your insurance company will pay anything on a claim.
Virginia Car Insurance: Making A Claim
When an accident occurs, you should take the following actions:
- Contact the Police
- Get the Name, Contact and Insurance Information of Other Drivers Involved in the Accident
- Get the Names and Contact Information of any Witnesses to the Accident
- Make a Note of the Precise Date and Time of the Accident
- Draw a Diagram that Reflects What Occurred
- Contact Your Insurance Company or Agent Right Away
Once you have reported the accident to your insurance company, you will be sent any forms you need to fill in to support your claim. If the company refuses to pay your claim outright or denies part of it, you have the right to be informed of the reasons why.
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