Last updated: August 2023
There’s nothing quite like cruising along the Chesapeake Bay to the beach for a few hours of surf, sand, and fun in the sun. On your way through America’s First Region, ensure you’re equipped to deal with anything that comes your way with auto insurance in Virginia Beach, VA, from Direct Auto. Since 1991, we’ve helped people find the right coverage to match their needs, no matter what their credit or insurance histories look like. If you’re looking for great cheap car insurance in Virginia Beach, VA, call Direct Auto.
Virginia Beach, VA Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Virginia auto insurance policies must at least meet the state’s minimum liability coverage limits, typically expressed as three numbers (representing thousands of dollars) separated by slashes. For example, the liability limits in Virginia are 30/60/20 and help pay for bodily injury and property damage claims after an accident you cause. Drivers who purchase an auto policy in Virginia are also required to carry uninsured motorist (UM)/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage equal to their liability limits.
Still a little confused? Check out the chart below find out which coverages are mandatory and which ones are optional.
Coverages |
Is It Required by Law? |
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It helps pay for their medical expenses and your legal services (if necessary). |
Yes. $30,000 bodily injury per person/$60,000 bodily injury per accident. |
Property Damage Liability Coverage helps pay to repair or replace other people’s property that is damaged in an accident you cause. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox, and more. |
Yes. $20,000 property damage per accident. |
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has no coverage (UM), insufficient coverage (UIM), or can’t be identified due to hit and run. In some states, UM/UIM can also help pay for property damage. |
Yes. $30,000 UM/UIM bodily injury per person. $60,000 UM/UIM bodily injury per accident. $20,000 UM/UIM property damage per accident. |
Medical Expense & Loss of Income Coverage helps pay for your medical and related expenses stemming from an accident, regardless of fault. |
Not required. |
Collision Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail, or another object, regardless of fault. |
Not required.1 |
Comprehensive Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism, or contact with an animal. |
Not required.1 |
1Your lender may require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.
Please Note: Virginia’s minimum insurance requirements increased to their current level at the beginning of 2022 and will increase again in 2025. In 2025, policies will have new liability limits of 50/100/25.
Virginia Beach, VA Proof of Financial Responsibility & Penalties
Under Virginia law, you are required to provide documentation of Financial Responsibility at the request of a law enforcement officer at the time of an accident or traffic stop.
The penalty for failure to comply with Virginia's financial responsibility requirements:
Every person applying for registration of a motor vehicle and declaring it to be an insured vehicle faces stiff penalties if the motor vehicle is subsequently found to be uninsured. The Virginia DMV may suspend the driver's license and registration certificates and license plates issued to the owner of the motor vehicle. These items are suspended until the person pays a $600 statutory fee, furnishes, and maintains proof of financial responsibility (form SR-22) for three years and pays a reinstatement fee, if applicable [Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-706].
SR-22 Insurance in Virginia Beach, VA
There’s not actually a thing called SR-22 insurance. However, an SR22 is a certificate your insurance company files with the Virginia DMV, usually electronically, that verifies you have current insurance coverage that satisfies the state's minimum liability requirements. There are several types of convictions that require drivers to file an SR22 financial responsibility certification, including failure to provide proof of insurance associated with Virginia's Insurance Verification Program.
If you need an SR22 filed to demonstrate financial responsibility compliance or have questions about the penalties for non-compliance, we’d be happy to help. Direct Auto specializes in helping people find affordable car insurance coverage, regardless of their history. Give us a call today for a free quote.
FR-44 Insurance in Virginia Beach, VA
An FR44 is similar to an SR22. It’s not actually a type of coverage, but it also certifies financial responsibility. However, in Virginia, an FR-44 financial responsibility certification is required for drivers who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI, driving with a suspended license, or other serious infractions.
Virginia FR-44 liability limits are double the state's SR-22 liability limits. These limits recently increased along with the state’s minimum insurance requirements:
- $60,000 bodily injury liability coverage to pay for injury or death to any one person per accident
- $120,000 bodily injury liability coverage to pay for injury or death to any two or more persons per accident
- $40,000 property damage liability coverage to pay for property damages per accident
Virginia Regional Auto Insurance
Direct Auto offers affordable Virginia auto insurance throughout the entire state! If you are looking for more information across the state of Virginia, more material can be found below:
Arlington, VA, Auto Insurance
Chesapeake, VA, Auto Insurance
Norfolk, VA, Auto Insurance
Richmond, VA, Auto Insurance
Other Virginia Auto Insurance Resources
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
- State Corporation Commission
- Virginia Department of Transportation
- Official Commonwealth of Virginia Website
Get Covered with Direct Auto Insurance!
Have a question for us at Direct Auto? Need to start a policy? Just want to talk? Call us at 1-877-GO-DIRECT or visit one of our nearby locations. For common questions, you can also consult our FAQs page.
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