Auto Insurance

Buying your first car can be very exciting. When you have your own vehicle, you will have the freedom to come and go as you please and won't need to rely on other people to get around. After purchasing your new car, you will need to purchase an auto insurance plan. Before you purchase a policy, you should understand the auto insurance laws in Virginia.

Two Options

In the state of Virginia, you have two options when it comes to auto insurance. To drive legally, you need to choose one.

• Minimum coverage: Virginia requires you to have minimum insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, minimum coverage will pay to repair the other driver's vehicle, and the cost of any injuries the other driver or their passengers suffered.
• Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee: The uninsured motor vehicle fee is $500, payable to the DMV when you register your car. This will allow you to drive without insurance legally, at your own risk. If you cause an accident, you can be sued by the other driver for all damages and injuries. You would need to pay the $500 fee each time you are required to re-register your vehicle.

Additional Coverage

If you want your vehicle and passengers to be covered if you cause an injury, you can purchase full coverage. This would cover you and the other driver. If you are making payments on your vehicle or if it is a lease, the lender will likely require you to have full coverage.

Penalties For Driving Without Insurance

The state of Virginia takes it very seriously if you are not compliant regarding your auto insurance. If you are caught driving without minimum coverage or proof that you paid the uninsured motor vehicle fee, the penalties are stiff.

For the first offense, your driver's license and registration will be suspended. To have them reinstated, you would need to pay a $600 non-compliance fee. You would also be required to file a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate, also known as SR-22, with the Department of Motor Vehicle for three years after the offense.

Before you can drive your new car, contact Cannon Associates Insurance to buy an auto insurance policy. Our agents can help you choose the best policy based on the protection that you require. To get your policy started, give us a call or stop by the office today.