Living in Virginia Beach means you get to enjoy miles of Atlantic coastline, a vibrant resort community, and the energy of one of Virginia's largest independent cities. But here's what that also means for your insurance: you're dealing with coastal storm risks, higher-than-average premiums, and some unique coverage requirements that inland Virginia residents don't have to think about. Whether you're protecting a beachfront property, navigating the busy roads near Naval Air Station Oceana, or just trying to understand Virginia's new 2025 insurance requirements, this guide breaks down everything you need to know.
Auto Insurance in Virginia Beach: New 2025 Requirements
As of January 1, 2025, Virginia bumped up its minimum auto insurance requirements across the board. The new minimums are $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage—commonly called 50/100/25 coverage. That's up from the old 30/60/20 limits. You'll also need uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in those same amounts, which protects you if someone without adequate insurance hits you.
Here's the bigger change: Virginia eliminated the $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee option in 2024. That means you can no longer pay a fee to skip insurance—everyone on the road must carry coverage now. If your policy was purchased before January 2025, it's still valid until renewal, but when it renews, it must meet the new minimums.
Now, should you stick with the minimum? Probably not if you can avoid it. Virginia Beach is a busy city—home to over 450,000 residents, a major tourism economy, and Naval Air Station Oceana. Traffic around the Oceanfront, Town Center, and Virginia Beach Boulevard can get intense, especially during summer. If you cause an accident and someone's medical bills exceed $50,000 (which is easier than you'd think with hospital costs), you're personally liable for the difference. Consider bumping up to 100/300/100 coverage if your budget allows it. The extra premium is usually modest compared to the financial risk.
Homeowners Insurance: Coastal Property Comes at a Premium
If you own a home in Virginia Beach, you're paying more for insurance than almost anywhere else in Virginia. The average homeowners policy here runs about $2,460 to $3,249 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, depending on your property's location and risk profile. Compare that to the Virginia state average of around $1,536 annually—Virginia Beach residents pay 60% more. Why? You're on the Atlantic coast. Hurricanes, nor'easters, tropical storms, and coastal flooding are real risks here. Virginia Beach has a higher natural hazard risk index than 95% of other Virginia counties.
Your standard homeowners policy will typically cover wind damage from hurricanes, fire, theft, and liability if someone gets hurt on your property. But here's the critical gap: it does not cover flooding. Not coastal flooding, not storm surge, not heavy rain flooding. None of it. And flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S. One inch of water in your home can cause $25,000 in damage. Yet only 3% of Virginians carry flood insurance.
Flood Insurance: It's Not Optional Here
Virginia Beach participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is run by FEMA. If you have a mortgage on a property in a high-risk flood zone, your lender will require you to carry flood insurance. But even if you're not required to have it, you should seriously consider it. The city is at the highest risk for flooding, tropical storms, and sea level rise in Virginia. Over the next 30 years, flood vulnerability in Virginia Beach could increase by 60%.
The average NFIP flood policy in Virginia costs about $739 per year as of July 2025, but that can vary widely based on your flood zone designation. Properties in high-risk zones (like those near the Oceanfront, Sandbridge, or low-lying areas) will pay more. Keep in mind that flood insurance takes 30 days to become effective—you can't wait until a storm is on the radar and then buy coverage. Plan ahead.
The good news: Virginia Beach has floodplain management programs that can help reduce your flood insurance premiums. The city's participation in NFIP's Community Rating System (CRS) can lower premiums for residents. Ask your insurance agent whether your property qualifies for any discounts based on elevation, flood mitigation measures, or the city's CRS rating.
Working with Local Insurance Agents in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach has four locally-based insurance agencies that understand the unique risks of coastal living. Why does that matter? Because a local independent agent can explain which carriers are willing to write policies in high-risk flood zones, how to bundle auto and home coverage to save money, and what endorsements you might need for things like windstorm deductibles or equipment breakdown coverage. They can also help you navigate NFIP flood policies and private flood insurance options if you need higher coverage limits than NFIP provides.
Independent agents represent multiple insurance companies, so they can shop your coverage across different carriers to find you the best combination of price and protection. That's especially valuable in a coastal market where some national carriers have pulled back or increased rates significantly. If you're buying a home near the Oceanfront, Sandbridge, or even in neighborhoods prone to tidal flooding, having an agent who knows the local market can save you thousands.
Renters Insurance: Don't Skip It
If you rent an apartment or house in Virginia Beach, your landlord's insurance doesn't cover your personal belongings or protect you from liability claims. That's where renters insurance comes in. It's incredibly affordable—often $15 to $30 per month—and it covers your furniture, electronics, clothes, and other personal property if they're damaged by fire, theft, or covered perils. More importantly, it includes liability coverage if someone is injured in your rental unit and decides to sue you.
Renters insurance also typically covers additional living expenses if your rental becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event—say, a fire or storm damage. Given Virginia Beach's storm exposure, that's a real benefit. And just like homeowners insurance, renters policies don't cover flood damage, so if you're renting on the ground floor in a flood-prone area, consider adding a renter's flood insurance policy through the NFIP.
How to Get Started with Insurance in Virginia Beach
Start by assessing what you need. If you own a car, make sure your policy meets the new 2025 minimum requirements—and consider increasing those limits if you have assets to protect. If you own a home, get quotes from multiple carriers and ask about flood insurance at the same time. If you rent, get a renters policy before you move in. And if you're buying property, check the flood zone designation and factor flood insurance costs into your budget before you close.
Talk to a local independent insurance agent who can explain your options, bundle policies to save you money, and help you understand the trade-offs between different coverage levels and deductibles. Living on the coast is amazing—but it comes with risks. The right insurance gives you peace of mind so you can enjoy everything Virginia Beach has to offer without worrying about what happens when the next storm rolls in.
