Best Car Insurance in Virginia for 2026 – Forbes Advisor

Summary: Best Car Insurance Companies in Virginia

Here’s an overview of our highest-ranked companies in Virginia.

Travelers

Best Overall

Travelers

Average annual cost for good drivers

Our Expert Take

With rates 43% better than the Virginia average, Travelers is a top pick for the budget-conscious driver. Its very low complaint level and our 5-star rating suggest that it delivers on both price and customer service and is worth a look.

More: Travelers Car Insurance Review

Pros & Cons

• You can get car insurance quotes online. The quote form is good, with good explanations, and offers additional coverage options where it makes sense, such as gap insurance.
• Very low level of complaints logged against it with state insurance departments.
• Premier New Car Replacement is a coverage package that includes new car replacement coverage, gap coverage and glass deductible.

• Received only a C grade from repair specialists for its claim repair processes.
• Minor violation forgiveness is only available with the responsible driver plan or premier responsible driver plan.
• Doesn’t offer SR-22 insurance.

Average Rates for Travelers in Virginia

Mercury

Best for driver with poor credit

Mercury

Average annual cost for good drivers

Our Expert Take

Poor credit can trigger higher auto insurance rates than having a DUI or at-fault accident on your record, but you can still save by shopping around. Mercury offers rates that are 50% lower than the state average for drivers with poor credit, making it a cost-effective option.

If your credit is in good shape, Mercury may still offer affordable rates for your situation.

Pros & Cons

• Has a decent paid in full average discount of 12%.
• Good digital experience, receiving 4.4 out of 5 stars by us. Users rated its mobile out 4.8 out of 5. It’s website has a helpful search function, but lacks a live chat feature. You can get a quote and buy a policy online with Mercury. The quote form has an accessibility menu with helpful features, such as an option to read each page to you and a dyslexia-friendly mode.
• Offers SR-22 insurance.

• Doesn’t offer new car replacement.
• Its breadth of coverage is only average.
• Received a mediocre grade of C+ from collision repair experts for its claims processes.

Average Rates for Mercury in Virginia

Erie

Best for state minimum rates

Erie

Average annual cost for good drivers

Our Expert Take

Erie offers some of the most affordable rates in Virginia for state minimum auto policies. Its Virginia minimum rates policy averages $ a year. That’s [X]% lower than the average rates statewide for minimum coverage. Purchasing a state minimum policy can leave you exposed financially if you cause a major accident, so we advise buying higher limits if manageable with your budget.

Pros & Cons

• Erie’s Rate Lock freezes your premium so it stays the same year after year, even if you file a claim. Your rates will change if you make certain policy changes, such as adding a driver or car.
• Has a diminishing deductible available as part of Erie’s Auto Plus Endorsement (meaning you have to pay to add it on). For each year you don’t file a claim your collision and comprehensive deductibles will be reduced by $100, up to max of $500.
• Highest grade from CRASH survey of collision repair specialists of the companies we evaluated, A-. Shows repair shops find their claim processes superior to most other insurers.

• Only available in 12 states.
• Its average cost of gap insurance is higher than most competitors ($97 compared to an average of $48).
• Digital experience could be better. Its app received low marks from users.

Average Rates for Erie in Virginia

Best Car Insurance Companies in Virginia for Different Driver Profiles 

Here’s an overview of our top choices in Virginia for varying driver profiles.

How To Find the Best Car Insurance in Virginia 

1. Compare Rates From Multiple Insurers

Your location, driving history and even your credit score can all impact what you’ll pay for car insurance. When you’re shopping around for a new policy, it’s important to compare rates from multiple companies to ensure you’re getting the right coverage and premium for you.

Take a look at what you’ll typically pay for coverage at some of the most popular and highly rated car insurance companies in Virginia—and take note that these are averages. To get a fully personalized quote, you’ll need to contact each company.

Average Car Insurance Rates in Virginia

2. Consider What Car Insurance Coverage Extras You Need

Car insurance isn’t one size fits all. A bare-bones policy typically has only liability insurance. In many cases, it makes sense to add collision and comprehensive insurance, which will be required anyway if you have a car loan or lease.

Additional options like gap insurance or pay-per-mile insurance could be the best route for you, depending on your situation.

3. Buy Ample Car Insurance Limits

Drivers in Virginia must carry at least 50/100/25:

• $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person
• $100,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability

However, these totals may not be enough to financially protect you if you cause an accident.If you’re involved in an incident that causes property damage or injuries, you can end up liable for more than the amount your policy actually covers.Be sure to talk to an insurance agent about what kind of coverage you’ll need to be sufficiently insured.

4. Look at Complaints Against the Insurance Company

While price shopping is smart, you’ll also want to look at the complaint level of a company. A cheap policy won’t be worth much if you have trouble getting a claim paid.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners collects complaint data from insurance departments around the country. In Virginia, among the companies we evaluated, these auto insurers have the lowest national complaint levels. The industry average is 1.00, and lower numbers are better:

• Travelers (Complaint Index: 0.25)
• Mercury (Complaint Index: 0.25)
• Erie (Complaint Index: 0.93)

5. Consider State-Specific Car Insurance Factors

Each state has unique challenges that impact insurance rates and coverage needs. In Virginia, be mindful of:

• Uninsured Drivers: 13% of drivers in Virginia are uninsured, making uninsured motorist coverage essential.
• Weather Risks: Virginia sees flooding, severe storms and winter storms, which can all impact rates.
• No-Fault Laws: Virginia is not a no-fault state, which means PIP (personal injury protection) is not required.