Is Virginia a mandatory insurance state?

Asked by: Sadye Kling  |  Last update: December 23, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (6 votes)

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.

Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Virginia?

Do you need car insurance in Virginia? The answer is yes. Virginia Code § 46.2-706 mandates that all Virginia-registered motor vehicles must have a liability insurance policy from a Virginia-licensed insurer. The policy must remain active as long as the vehicle is registered, regardless of its operational status.

Can you drive without insurance in Virginia?

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 it mandatory to have health insurance in Virginia?

While individual health coverage is no longer required or penalized after 2019, it is still a smart decision to have health insurance and it may be more affordable than you think.

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.

Virginia’s New Auto Insurance Limits Explained (2023)

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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.

When did car insurance become mandatory in Virginia?

Key Takeaways

As of July 1, 2024, car insurance is required in Virginia. Until that date, drivers can still pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee instead of carrying insurance. Auto insurance coverage minimums will increase in January 2025.

What insurance coverage is required in Virginia?

Liability insurance is legally required in Virginia. Liability pays for the bodily injuries and damaged property of those that you harm in an at-fault accident. This coverage can also pay for lost wages and pain and suffering as well.

What states require you to have insurance?

Car insurance is mandatory in almost every state. State minimums and coverage types vary, but nearly all states that mandate insurance require liability coverage for property damage and bodily injury. The sole exception is Florida, which only requires liability coverage for property damage, in addition to PIP coverage.

What states is it illegal to not have health insurance?

Presently there are six states with individual mandates:
  • California.
  • D.C.
  • Massachusetts.
  • New Jersey.
  • Rhode Island.
  • Vermont (but there's currently no financial penalty attached to the mandate)

What state doesn't require car insurance?

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. Do you live in an at-fault or not-at-fault state?

What is the VA code for not having insurance?

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.

Which states is it illegal to drive without insurance?

According to The Zebra, the following states mandate license suspension for motorists who drive without minimum auto insurance:
  • Alaska.
  • Wyoming.
  • Arizona.
  • Wisconsin.
  • California.
  • West Virginia.
  • Colorado.
  • Virginia.

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.

Can you have an uninsured car in your driveway?

So as long as the vehicle is not operated on public roads and only on private property. It doesn't need to be insured. But keep in mind. If your driving on private property and you hit someone or something.

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.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance Geico?

Some states require the car owner's insurance to cover any accidental damage, so if they're not insured or don't have the right coverage, as the driver you may end up being liable.

Does the individual mandate still exist?

Technically, the individual mandate itself is still in effect, but there's no longer a penalty to enforce it. The tax penalty was eliminated after the end of 2018, under the terms of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

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.

How long can you go without insurance in Virginia?

You must provide proof that you have liability insurance within 30 days to avoid these penalties. Law enforcement officers can also ask for proof of financial responsibility during traffic stops. You may be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor if you can't provide proof.

Can my car be registered in one state and insured in another?

Registering a vehicle in one state while holding an insurance policy in another is not permitted for most drivers. This restriction is due to variations in traffic laws and minimum insurance coverage requirements. Attempting to insure a vehicle in a state where you don't live might be insurance fraud.

What insurance is mandatory in Virginia?

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 opt out of car insurance in Virginia?

As of July 1, 2024, all Virginia motorists are required to carry legally mandated minimum amounts of liability auto insurance. Drivers are no longer able to opt out of purchasing car insurance by paying the commonwealth's uninsured motorist vehicle fee.

What states do not require auto insurance?

New Hampshire and Virginia are the only two states that don't require car insurance. That said, there is no one country-wide rule when it comes to how much car insurance you have to have. Each state has a different minimum amount of car insurance that drivers must obtain in order to legally drive on public roads.