Updated: May 20, 2024
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Research and compare your options if you want to save money on your car insurance. The severity and quantity of violations will influence how auto insurance providers see your level of risk. Keep in mind that premiums vary from driver to driver.
In Virginia, you are likely to find top-quality high-risk car insurance at competitive rates with Progressive at around $741 per year.
Best & CheapestAuto InsuranceHigh-RiskBest Companies for High-Risk Drivers in 2023
A high-risk driver may have a history of at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, violations or a DUI. Being a teen driver and not having insurance puts you in the same high-risk category.
In Virginia, high-risk drivers can receive car insurance for as much as $1,068 on average. On the other hand, drivers with clean records can get coverage for about $743. Your level of risk increases the cost of insurance, so it’s important to shop around and find a company that fits your policy needs and budget.
A high-risk driver is someone who has a poor driving record. Teen drivers are also considered high-risk because of their inexperience. High-risk drivers generally have higher premiums than the average driver because insurers anticipate having to pay more for claims. Examples of high-risk drivers are:
High-risk drivers in Virginia can rely on Progressive for affordable car insurance. An average annual premium from this company starts at $741. Even though it is the more affordable provider, it still offers unique features such as custom parts and equipment coverage.
Progressive offers discounts and has above-average scores for complaints, financial stability and customer satisfaction. MoneyGeek’s Progressive auto insurance review provides an in-depth look at its service, pros, cons and pricing.
| Progressive | $741 |
| State Farm | $833 |
| Erie | $885 |
| Nationwide | $1,038 |
| GEICO | $1,112 |
| Travelers | $1,260 |
| Mercury | $1,321 |
| Allstate | $1,358 |
In Virginia, if you are convicted of a driving offense, such as driving without insurance, you must obtain SR-22 insurance from your provider. The SR-22 form is submitted to the state and provides proof that you meet your state's minimum liability coverage requirements.
With a MoneyGeek rating of 91 out of 100, Progressive is the best car insurance provider for high-risk drivers. Discounts are available to its members, especially those who have maintained a clean driving record and paid their premiums on time. The second-best car insurance in Virginia is State Farm, scoring 86 out of 100.
State Farm shines as one of the top choices in auto insurance for high-risk drivers in Virginia, as evaluated by MoneyGeek. The average annual premium from State Farm is around $833. This is 11% higher than the average rate for a driver with a clean record. State Farm offers various car insurance coverage options.
State Farm provides discounts to help consumers afford its policies, including rideshare employees. Buyers can select from coverage options, including roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement. These are valuable coverages for people who frequently travel, whether for work or vacation.
Progressive has options that can help high-risk drivers afford a more expensive premium than drivers with clean records. A policy from this insurer averages $741, which is 33% more expensive than a policy for a driver with a clean record. The provider offers different discounts that are loyalty-based and driver-based.
Progressive has great discounts and features, such as custom parts and equipment that can help protect your vehicle’s non-standard elements and aftermarket accessories (if applicable). Other add-on coverages include rideshare insurance, roadside assistance, gap insurance and rental car reimbursement. However, it does not offer discounts for anti-theft systems.
More coverage translates to higher premiums, but they may be worth the investment in scenarios where the loss would be considerable if an accident occurred. Those looking for low-income automobile insurance in Virginia may consider state minimum coverage or a pay-per-mile insurance plan.
Serious driving offenses like driving under the influence come with severe markups on your record and inflated premiums. Progressive offers affordable policies averaging $699 per year for those with a DUI.
If you or a family member is in the military, check out USAA, as it offers affordable car insurance for insurance buyers who qualify. Learn more about the provider in MoneyGeek’s USAA review.
| Progressive | $699 |
| State Farm | $809 |
| Erie | $1,065 |
| Mercury | $1,180 |
| Nationwide | $1,206 |
| Allstate | $1,346 |
| Travelers | $1,364 |
| GEICO | $1,678 |
The amount of time that elapses before a driving offense is removed from an individual’s record is called the look-back period. This varies depending on state law. In Virginia, this period lasts ten years. Look-back periods are usually long to accommodate the criminal sentencing of repeat offenders.
Teen drivers are costly to insure. Nationwide is the cheapest high-risk auto insurance company for young drivers in Utah, offering policies at around $2,975 per year on average.
There are different ways to cut costs with Nationwide as your insurer. Some of the more common discounts include those for bundling, insuring multiple cars, being a good student or safe driver, having an anti-theft system, agreeing to autopayments and having defensive driving education.
Nationwide also encourages better driving habits among young drivers. Find out more in MoneyGeek’s Nationwide review.
| Nationwide | $2,975 |
| GEICO | $2,993 |
| State Farm | $3,065 |
| Allstate | $3,687 |
| Progressive | $3,901 |
Although car insurance for young drivers can be expensive, MoneyGeek recommends getting full coverage auto insurance. Full coverage generally saves you more than having state minimum coverage in the long run. Researching your options can help you find the best full coverage car insurance for student drivers at an affordable price.
GEICO is well known for having cheap insurance for drivers of all types. For drivers with bad credit in Virginia, the annual premium averages $769.
MoneyGeek’s GEICO review offers more insights. While your credit score might be low today, remember that you can increase your rating by paying off loans and keeping balances low. Having a safety net to plan for unexpected costs can help you improve your credit score and remain financially healthy.
| GEICO | 769 | 15% |
It is possible to get car insurance even with bad credit. However, you should know that drivers with poor credit can expect to pay higher auto insurance premiums in Virginia. If you have bad credit and you’re looking to save, MoneyGeek can help. Take a look at our bad credit car insurance guide.
Virginia insurance companies that consider driver profiles and histories charge about 30% more to insure a high-risk driver than a low-risk driver. High-risk drivers pay an average of $1,068, while the latter only pays about $743.
Low-Risk Driver
$743High-Risk Driver
$1,068This is 44% more expensive.
By entering a few key details into MoneyGeek's Virginia car insurance calculator, you can get an idea of how much you'll pay for a policy. Our tool can also help you identify ways to save money based on your individual needs.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Nov 20, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Since auto insurance is a voluntary market, some car insurance companies might refuse high-risk drivers coverage. However, the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO) is a not-for-profit corporation that has provided residual market coverage to high-risk drivers for nearly 50 years. It’s a good alternative.
In Virginia, the residual plan is called the Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan (VAIP). It was created in 1972 to ensure that applicants struggling to obtain insurance through the voluntary market have access to coverage.
Virginia consumers who possess a valid driver's license and a vehicle registered in Virginia may be eligible to apply through the VAIP. For more information, consult an insurance agent or broker.
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. EST
vaip@aipso.com
Phone
(888) 820-0170
Fax
(800) 516-1923
Mailing Address
Mid-Atlantic Region, P.O. Box 6530, Providence, RI 02940-6530
In Virginia, obtaining affordable and comprehensive auto insurance as a high-risk driver can be challenging. MoneyGeek has compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you find the right fit.
Progressive ranked as the top car insurance company in Virginia for high-risk drivers, with an overall MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100. It's also the most affordable option in the state at $741 per year.
Rates for high-risk drivers in Virginia, as evaluated by MoneyGeek, are:
Drivers with traffic violations, speeding tickets or a DUI on their record are deemed high-risk. Teens and those ticketed for driving without insurance are also included in this category.
If you have trouble finding coverage in Virginia, you may apply for the Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan (VAIP). You may contact this company Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, by phone at (888) 820-0170 or by email at vaip@aipso.com.
MoneyGeek calculated average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance and comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Minimum coverage car insurance policy rates were calculated based on each state’s minimum car insurance requirement.
To calculate rates for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek averaged the premiums insurance companies charge for three of the most common driving violations: speeding, at-fault accident and DUI.
To determine the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek scored companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction and complaints — obtained from J.D. Power surveys and NAIC complaint scores — and financial strength ratings as calculated by AM Best. Affordability received the greatest weighting in our calculations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
