Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Alexandria, VA (2024)

In Alexandria, Virginia, finding affordable car insurance depends on coverage and driver specifics. Nationwide is most cost-effective for full coverage, and Virginia Farm Bureau is cheapest for minimum coverage. Families with teens will find State Farm cheapest, while Cincinnati Insurance tops the chart for customer service and overall best value. Individual preferences and coverage needs vary.

Virginia Farm Bureau is the cheapest car insurance option in Alexandria, offering the lowest rates for drivers seeking minimum coverage.

• Virginia Farm Bureau: $420 per year
• Cincinnati Insurance: $473 per year

Kemper presents the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Alexandria, with an annual premium of $1,392. The difference — $972 more per year compared with Virginia Farm Bureau — highlights the significance of shopping around for car insurance to ensure you're getting the most affordable rates.

In Virginia, including Alexandria, car insurance coverage is dictated by state law to ensure all drivers maintain a minimum level of protection. Here are the required coverage amounts:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
  
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident
  
• $20,000 property damage liability per accident
  
• $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  
• $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  
• $20,000 uninsured/underinsured property damage coverage
  

For example, if you're at fault in an accident and the individual you injure has expenses of $30,000, your minimum coverage will pay up to $25,000 for that person. Any amount over your coverage limit — in this case, the remaining $5,000 — would be an out-of-pocket expense for you.

Nationwide offers the most affordable option for drivers in Alexandria seeking the cheapest full coverage car insurance. For those on the hunt for the best rates, consider these top two insurers:

• Nationwide: $846 per year
• Virginia Farm Bureau: $903 per year

Kemper holds the title for the most expensive full coverage policy in the city, with annual rates that are $1,515 more than Nationwide. This price difference highlights the significance of comparing car insurance prices. In particular, full coverage policies come with comprehensive and collision insurance, which can drive up costs compared with minimum coverage policies.

Complete coverage in Alexandria offers upgraded liability limits compared to basic plans, boasting coverage of up to $100,000 for individual bodily harm, $300,000 for bodily injuries per incident and $100,000 for property damage liability in each event. This coverage plan is known as a 100/300/100 policy.

Full coverage insurance policies extend beyond increased liability limits to include comprehensive and collision protection.

• Collision Coverage: This insures your vehicle against damages incurred from colliding with another vehicle or object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.
• Comprehensive Coverage: This provides for repair costs from non-collision incidents, such as theft or natural disasters. It also covers being struck by an animal like a deer.

If you're the owner of a brand-new vehicle, opting for full coverage insurance is a prudent step to protect your financial interest. If you're leasing or have a car loan, full coverage insurance is typically required.

Conversely, this additional coverage may not be cost-effective for older vehicles, considering the several hundred dollars it could add to your expense. When deciding how much car insurance you need, weigh the pros and cons. Increased coverage means higher premiums, but less coverage can risk insufficient protection in an incident.

Nationwide is the cheapest option in Alexandria for drivers with a poor record who need a full coverage policy, with variability depending on the specific traffic violation. The lowest annual premiums observed for each case are as follows:

• Speeding Ticket: Nationwide ($1,064 per year)
• At-fault accident: Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($975 per year)
• DUI: Virginia Farm Bureau ($1,172 per year)

Among the listed companies, National General has the most expensive rates across the board for speeding tickets, at-fault accidents and DUI offenses.

The severity of traffic offenses can swing car insurance rates significantly. The annual difference between Nationwide — the cheapest post-speeding ticket — and Virginia Farm Bureau — the cheapest post-DUI company, is $108.

Insurance companies in cities like Alexandria consider the severity of driving offenses when calculating rates, leading to increased premiums for more serious infractions. For instance, drivers with a DUI face an average annual premium of $2,950, markedly higher compared with $2,425 for those with a speeding ticket. Therefore, individuals with driving offenses should vigilantly compare insurance rates to secure savings because variations among providers can be substantial.

Nationwide offers the most affordable option for full coverage car insurance for male and female teens in Alexandria.

• Nationwide: $1,255 per year for female teens and $1,395 per year for male teens
• State Farm: $1,889 per year for female teens and $2,394 per year for male teens

These premiums reflect the combined cost for a policy that covers two parents and a teenage driver. By contrast, Kemper has the most expensive policy for teen drivers in Alexandria, with annual rates of $8,488 for girls and $10,576 for boys. This stark price differential underscores the crucial importance of comparing insurance quotes when adding higher-risk teen drivers to an insurance policy.

In Alexandria, teens seeking car insurance are likely to face steep premiums when opting for an individual policy, which, on average, costs $6,297 annually. This is a contrast to being added to a family plan, where the average annual premium falls to $3,656. Insurance companies charge more for individual teen policies due to the high risk associated with inexperienced drivers.

Moreover, teens may struggle to secure an individual policy due to stringent approval criteria aimed at mitigating insurer risk. It's more economical and practical for teens to leverage the lower rates available through a family policy.

Nationwide is the cheapest option for cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds in Alexandria, offering significant savings for those with a military background.

• Nationwide: $846 per year
• USAA: $874 per year

Although USAA is not the absolute cheapest, it comes in second and is noteworthy for its specialized services that cater to the needs of active duty military members. USAA's close competitive rates, coupled with its tailored services, make it an attractive option for military personnel seeking value beyond just the financials.

Comparing car insurance rates in Alexandria is a smart strategy for savings. But it demands significant time, with evaluations from each insurer taking up to 15 minutes. MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator streamlines this process, presenting instant savings by concentrating on key variables that impact car insurance costs in Alexandria. Input your age, driving record, credit score and desired coverage along with a few other details to promptly receive an accurate rate estimate.

Choosing the ideal auto insurance relies on various factors like service quality, cost, coverage and more, each weighted differently depending on your preferences. MoneyGeek's studies have evaluated insurers in Alexandria, using distinct scoring systems to determine leaders in several categories.

• Best overall: Cincinnati Insurance (MoneyGeek score 90 out of 100)
• Best for service: Cincinnati Insurance (MoneyGeek score 86 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Cincinnati Insurance (MoneyGeek score 89 out of 100)

Cincinnati Insurance stands out in Alexandria as the top pick for overall value, service excellence and affordability. With high MoneyGeek scores in all categories, customers seeking a well-balanced insurance option that does not compromise on quality or cost will find Cincinnati Insurance the best selection.

Cincinnati Insurance offers the best car insurance in Alexandria.

• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 ($943 per year)
• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100 ($951 per year)

Cincinnati Insurance rises to the top mainly because of its exceptional customer satisfaction and affordability, ensuring customers receive excellent value for their investment.

Cincinnati Insurance offers the best car insurance for customer service in Alexandria. This determination is grounded in the insurer's general satisfaction and claims handling process, not rates.

• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($943 per year)
• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($951 per year)

With the largest share of its score attributed to customer satisfaction, along with strong showings in both claims handling and coverages, it's clear why Cincinnati Insurance stands out as the best in Alexandria.

Cincinnati Insurance offers the best option for cheap car insurance in Alexandria.

• Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($473 per year)
• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($499 per year)

Cincinnati Insurance stands out particularly for its superior mix of affordable rates and high satisfaction and claims scores, reflecting a great value for customers seeking a minimum coverage policy.

In Alexandria, Virginia, the average cost of car insurance is $1,167. This figure is higher than the average car insurance cost in Virginia, which is $1,092. Compared with the national average car insurance cost of $1,720, Virginia's average is significantly lower, with residents paying $627 less than the national average.

Location greatly influences car insurance rates because it incorporates factors such as traffic density, accident rates and theft statistics, all of which vary from city to city. The city with the highest premium in Virginia is Norfolk, with a rate of $1,036. On the other hand, Virginia Beach boasts the cheapest premium at $900. Non-city areas with lower traffic density may offer even lower rates.