Does Virginia require car insurance?
Asked by: Cody Carter | Last update: September 5, 2025Score: 5/5 (7 votes)
Can you have no car insurance in Virginia?
Drivers in the state were previously able to pay a $500 fee and drive uninsured, but this policy was overturned by new legislation. Now, driving without insurance in Virginia is illegal.
What is the new law in Virginia about car insurance?
Virginia's new auto liability minimums
Currently, Virginia requires all policies effective between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2025, in the state to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of 30/60/20. Based on this new law, on January 1, 2025, the new minimums will now be 50/100/25.
Which US state does not require car insurance?
New Hampshire, the only state that does not require auto liability insurance, requires drivers to show that they are able to provide sufficient funds in the case of an at-fault accident (i.e., financial responsibility).
Do you need insurance to buy a car in VA?
Virginia does not require car insurance. In fact, drivers are not required to purchase auto insurance if a vehicle is registered in Virginia. However, according to Va. Code § 46.2-706, if you do not purchase auto insurance, you are required to pay an uninsured motorist fee of $500.00 per year.
What state does not require car insurance?
Does Virginia have mandatory car insurance?
Virginia Code § 46.2-706 requires all Virginia registered motor vehicles to be insured by a liability policy issued through an insurance company licensed to do business in Virginia, and it must remain insured while registered, whether or not it is operated. Penalties are severe for violation of this requirement.
Can you register a car in Virginia without insurance?
Virginia car insurance laws dictate that drivers must carry proof of insurance in their vehicle at all times. Before you can purchase license plates or register the vehicle, you must show proof that the vehicle meets the Virginia auto insurance requirements.
What state can you drive without car insurance?
New Hampshire is the only state that doesn't mandate car insurance. However, drivers who choose not to buy car insurance must prove they have sufficient funds to meet the state's financial responsibility requirements (PDF) in the event they cause an accident.
What states is it illegal to not have insurance?
New Jersey, California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia require their residents to have health insurance coverage or face penalties. Vermont recommends that residents have coverage, but there's no noncompliance penalty.
Is it illegal to have out of state car insurance?
In general, your car must be registered and insured in the same state, since both vehicle registration and auto insurance are based on your permanent residence.
Do I need insurance to drive someone else's car in Virginia?
Under Virginia law, the key to answering these questions is permission. If a driver borrowing a car has the permission of the owner, then the owner's insurance will provide coverage.
How much is car insurance in Virginia?
Virginia drivers pay an average of $2,136 per year for full coverage car insurance and $699 per year for minimum coverage.
Is Virginia a no-fault state?
The answer is no. Virginia is an at-fault insurance state, meaning you can sue the person responsible for your accident to collect damages. Proving fault is especially important because Virginia also has strict contributory negligence rules, meaning you could lose the right to recover if you were partially at fault.
What is the new law for car insurance in Virginia?
Effective July 1, 2024, Virginia joined the majority of states by requiring residents with registered vehicles to drive with and provide proof of auto insurance, leaving behind New Hampshire as the only state to allow uninsured drivers.
How long can a car be without insurance?
You cannot be without car insurance for any period of time if you have a car that is parked or driven on public property. Car insurance is mandatory in every state except New Hampshire and Virginia, and even driving off a dealership's lot without insurance is illegal.
Which two states do not require car insurance?
Although leasing or financing offices may require one or the other. New Hampshire and Virginia are the only states that do not require auto insurance. However, if you choose not to purchase car insurance in these states, you would still be held liable for any property damage or bodily injury caused by their vehicle.
What states require auto insurance?
Yes. Every state, except for Virginia and remote parts of Alaska, requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability car insurance in order to drive legally.
What is cobra insurance?
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, ...
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance Progressive?
While there are exceptions, car insurance generally follows the car and not the driver. Allowing another licensed driver to borrow your vehicle is known as "permissive use," which means you give someone, who isn't listed on your car insurance policy, permission to operate your vehicle.
What happens if I don't insure my car?
Authorities can charge you with legal offenses if an officer finds that you can't provide insurance upon their request after a speeding incident or a car accident. Stuart Winchester, CEO of the insurance shopping startup Marble, says your vehicle could be impounded, which is common in states including California.
What is the new insurance law in Virginia 2024?
As of July 1, 2024, Virginia law requires all drivers to have liability insurance. That is a significant change from years past when drivers could pay a $500 fee and register their vehicles without insurance coverage.
Can I drive without insurance in VA?
Driving without car insurance is legal in the state of Virginia, but it can come at an expensive cost. Typically, drivers are given two options: purchase insurance before operating their vehicle or pay an uninsured vehicle fee of $500 to drive without coverage.
Is Virginia dropping the uninsured motorist fee?
An end to Virginia's uninsured motorist fee program
Virginia's Senate Bill 951, passed by the Virginia General Assembly during the 2023 legislative session, repeals the option to register a car in the Commonwealth of Virginia as an uninsured motor vehicle. The law will take effect July 1.
What states is it illegal to not have car insurance?
The only state that doesn't require car insurance is New Hampshire. Instead, drivers must prove they have enough funds to cover any costs if they cause an accident. If you're found at fault and can't meet these financial obligations, you could lose your driving privileges in the state.