Virginia is a state with plenty of varied driving experiences, from rural back roads to busy highways, from beachside stretches to mountainous routes. Virginia experiences all four seasons, with fairly mild winters. However, during occasional snowfalls driving conditions can be treacherous, as many Virginia cars are not equipped with snow chains. Traffic can be very congested during rush hour in some of the more populous areas of Virginia, such as in Hampton Roads, Richmond, and the Northern Virginia area. Some areas, such as the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel on Interstate 64, can experience long back ups and delays at any time of day. Drivers in these areas need to be very alert in stop and go traffic to avoid fender benders.

Virginia has a financial responsibility law, which requires all drivers on the road to be financially responsible for the potential damage of a major accident. For this reason, all Virginia drivers must either have auto insurance from a company licensed to do business in Virginia, or must pay an Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee of $500 to the DMV. This fee does not purchase insurance, but allows you to drive without insurance. It must be paid with every registration renewal. Anyone caught driving without insurance who has not paid this fee will have their license suspended and will be responsible for substantial fines in order to have it reinstated. Virginia requires insured drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people, and $20,000 for property damage.

There are ways to safe money on a Virginia auto insurance policy. One option is to purchase a year’s worth of insurance at one time, instead of purchasing a policy that renews every six months. This strategy can keep policy increases to a minimum. Installing anti-theft or safety devices may also qualify you for a discount. Be sure to let your insurance provider know if you use your car only for pleasure driving (instead of driving to work), if you carpool to work and drive no more than 2 days a week, if you are a good student with a ‘B” grade average or above, or if you drive less than 7,500 miles a year. All these situations may qualify you for discounts on your auto insurance.

Virginia drivers have plenty of options for insurance providers. National companies such as Geico, State Farm, and Allstate can provide valid insurance, as well as many local providers. If you are having a difficult time getting approved for an insurance policy, you can ask any licensed provider for assistance in obtaining coverage through the Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan. However, this should be a last resort, as these premiums will be higher than insurance obtained through a private company.