If you're driving in Norfolk, Virginia, your auto insurance needs just got more expensive. As of January 1, 2025, Virginia increased its minimum coverage requirements significantly, and Norfolk drivers are dealing with some unique factors that affect their rates. Home to Naval Station Norfolk—the world's largest naval base—and positioned right in the heart of the Hampton Roads metro area, this independent city sees heavy traffic on I-64, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, and downtown corridors. Here's what you need to know about getting the right coverage without overpaying.
Virginia's New Insurance Requirements for 2025
Here's where things changed. Virginia used to require 30/60/20 coverage, but as of January 2025, the new minimums are 50/100/25. That means $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. If your policy renewed after January 1, you're already paying for these higher limits.
But there's more. Virginia also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in the same amounts as your liability limits. This protects you if you're hit by someone who doesn't have insurance or doesn't have enough to cover your damages. Given that Norfolk saw 3,847 crashes in 2022 alone, with 23 fatalities and nearly 2,000 injuries, that coverage isn't just a legal requirement—it's financial protection you actually need.
One other change: Virginia eliminated the $500 uninsured motorist fee in July 2024. You used to be able to pay that fee and drive without insurance. Not anymore. Everyone on Virginia roads must carry insurance, period.
What Auto Insurance Actually Costs in Norfolk
The average Norfolk driver pays around $176 per month for full coverage auto insurance, which works out to about $2,100 annually. If you only need liability coverage to meet the state minimums, that drops to around $139 per month. But these are averages—your actual rate depends on your age, driving record, credit score, the car you drive, and where exactly in Norfolk you live.
Some carriers are significantly cheaper than others. Auto-Owners and Virginia Farm Bureau consistently offer some of the lowest rates in Norfolk, with annual premiums starting around $1,200 to $1,300 for full coverage. Travelers and USAA (for military members) also tend to be competitive. Shopping around isn't optional if you want to save money—rates can vary by hundreds of dollars for the exact same coverage.
If you're in the military or a dependent of someone stationed at Naval Station Norfolk, you have access to discounts that most civilians don't. USAA offers rates tailored specifically to military families, and many other carriers provide discounts of 10% to 25% for active-duty and retired service members. If you store your vehicle on base or deploy and need to suspend coverage, some insurers offer special accommodations for that too.
Understanding Virginia's At-Fault Insurance System
Virginia operates under an at-fault insurance system. That means if you cause an accident, your liability insurance pays for the other person's injuries and property damage. If someone else causes the accident, their insurance pays for your damages. Sounds straightforward, but there's a catch: if you're partially at fault, Virginia's contributory negligence rule can prevent you from recovering anything.
Here's what that means in practice. Let's say you're rear-ended on I-64 near the base, but the other driver claims you brake-checked them. If an investigation finds you even 1% at fault, you could be barred from collecting damages from the other driver. This is one of the strictest fault rules in the country, and it makes having your own comprehensive and collision coverage more important than it would be in other states.
The high traffic volumes in Norfolk amplify this risk. Hampton Roads as a region saw 160 traffic deaths and nearly 10,000 injuries in 2024. Major corridors like I-64, I-264, and the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel are accident hotspots. Speeding is the leading cause of fatal crashes in Norfolk (21% of serious accidents), followed by alcohol-related incidents (18%). When accidents happen in congested areas with multiple vehicles, determining fault gets complicated fast.
Coverage You Should Actually Consider
The state minimum of 50/100/25 is just that—a minimum. It's enough to keep you legal, but it might not be enough to keep you financially safe. If you cause a serious accident and someone racks up $75,000 in medical bills, your $50,000-per-person limit leaves you personally liable for the remaining $25,000. In a city with significant military traffic and commuters crossing the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel daily, a multi-car pileup can exceed those limits quickly.
Consider increasing your liability limits to 100/300/50 or even 250/500/100 if you have significant assets to protect. The cost difference is often smaller than you'd expect—sometimes just $20 to $40 more per month. Collision and comprehensive coverage protect your own vehicle from damage, whether it's from an accident, theft, vandalism, or a flood (Norfolk is in a coastal area, after all). If you're financing or leasing your car, your lender will require these coverages anyway.
Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in Virginia, but it's worth understanding what it does. Despite the new insurance requirement, not everyone on the road is properly insured. If you're hit by an uninsured driver—or a hit-and-run driver who flees the scene—your UM coverage steps in to cover your medical bills and vehicle damage. Given Norfolk's crash statistics, this isn't a hypothetical concern.
How to Get the Best Rate in Norfolk
Getting a decent rate on auto insurance in Norfolk comes down to three things: shopping around, taking advantage of discounts, and maintaining a clean driving record. Start by getting quotes from at least three to five carriers. Don't just go with the first price you see online—rates vary wildly based on each insurer's underwriting criteria and appetite for risk in your specific area.
Ask about every available discount. Bundling your auto and renters or homeowners insurance with the same carrier typically saves 10% to 20%. If you have a clean driving record, you'll qualify for safe driver discounts. Many insurers offer discounts for paying your premium in full upfront, setting up automatic payments, going paperless, or completing a defensive driving course. For younger drivers, good student discounts can make a significant dent in otherwise high premiums.
Your driving record is the single biggest factor that determines your rate. A DUI or reckless driving conviction can double or triple your premium. Even a single at-fault accident can increase your rate by 20% to 40%. In Norfolk, where speeding and alcohol-related crashes are significant issues, keeping your record clean is the most effective way to keep your insurance costs down over the long term.
Norfolk's combination of heavy traffic, strict fault rules, and higher minimum coverage requirements means auto insurance here requires more attention than you might expect. The good news is that with the right coverage and a bit of comparison shopping, you can get solid protection without breaking the bank. Start by getting quotes from multiple carriers, ask about military and other discounts if you qualify, and make sure your liability limits are high enough to actually protect your assets. The few minutes you spend now could save you thousands later—or keep you from financial disaster if the worst happens on I-64.
