Virginia Car Insurance

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Overview Insurance Information SR-22 Driver Statistics Accident Facts Additional Resources

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Virginia Car Insurance Overview

When it comes to car insurance, Virginia is a fault state. In fault states, the driver responsible for the auto accident is financially liable for the medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and other accident-related bills incurred by the other driver, pedestrian or cyclist.

In Virginia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit resulting from a car accident is two years from the date of the incident. For property damage, the statute of limitations is five years. Claims brought after that date cannot go forward in court. If a person dies from the injuries sustained in an auto accident, the personal representative of the estate may file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the death date, not the accident date.

The General standing in front of Virginia with his arms crossed and a smile.

Virginia Auto Insurance Information

Bodily Injury Liability (BIL)

Under Virginia law, motorists must carry a minimum of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) insurance. This coverage pays for medical expenses for another driver, pedestrian or bicyclist when the insured is at fault.

Property Damage Liability (PDL)

Virginia also requires carrying at least $25,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance, which pays for repairs or replacement of vehicular or other property damage when the insured is responsible for the crash.

Neither BIL nor PDL insurance pays expenses related to the insured’s accident injuries or motor vehicle damage. Virginia requires drivers to carry the same BIL and PDL minimums in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, in case they are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Keep in mind these are the minimum amounts required, and it is wise to purchase additional coverage to help protect personal assets in the wake of a serious accident.

While collision and comprehensive coverage are not required by the state, lenders of leased and financed vehicles will almost certainly mandate this insurance.

Florida Auto Insurance & Accident Facts

The form required for driving without insurance and a host of other violations is the SR‑22 a “certificate of financial responsibility.” The form is filed by the insured’s insurance company with the VDMV. Besides lack of insurance or registration, motorists must file SR-22 forms if they have unsatisfied judgments against them or if drivers lose their licenses for voluntary or involuntary manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle; perjury regarding motor vehicle insurance or registration; any crime punishable as a felony under the state’s motor vehicle law or if the vehicle was used in the commission of a felony; hit-and-run drivers in accidents resulting in death or injury, and, for a second offense, operating a for-hire passenger vehicle without a license.

Virginia Driver Statistics

The Old Dominion is home to approximately 8.5 million people, of whom about 6 million have drivers’ licenses. The state’s geography is diverse, ranging from the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Many in northern Virginia commute to Washington D.C. or federal facilities in the area and traffic congestion in this part of the state is heavy during commuting hours. Major industries in Virginia include corporate services, information technology, food and beverage processing, manufacturing, life sciences, and supply chain management. The latter has evolved due to the state’s proximity to key East Coast markets, as well as the region’s third-largest port.

American history happened here. Virginia is the birthplace of several of the founding fathers, including Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, and their stately homes are open to the public. Critical Civil War battles were fought on Virginia soil, and many of them are now federal parks, including Manassas, Chancellorsville, Petersburg, and Richmond, as well as the Revolutionary battlefield at Yorktown.