If you're driving in Virginia Beach, you're navigating more than just I-264 traffic and oceanfront tourists. You're in an independent city with unique insurance considerations—from military base access roads to coastal weather risks. And as of January 2025, Virginia increased its minimum coverage requirements, which means your old policy might not cut it anymore.
Here's what you need to know about auto insurance in Virginia Beach, from understanding the state's contributory negligence rules to getting the coverage that actually protects you on Hampton Roads highways.
Virginia's New Minimum Coverage Requirements
Virginia used to let drivers carry 30/60/20 coverage—$30,000 per person for injuries, $60,000 per accident, and $20,000 for property damage. But medical costs aren't what they were a decade ago. A single emergency room visit after a car accident can easily exceed $30,000, which meant drivers with minimum coverage were personally liable for the difference.
As of January 1, 2025, Virginia raised its minimums to 50/100/25. That means you need at least $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 total per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. You also need matching uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at the same limits. If your policy was issued before 2025, you'll need to meet these new requirements when it renews.
Virginia also eliminated the $500 uninsured motorist fee option as of July 2024, which means insurance is now mandatory. No more paying a fee to skip coverage—you have to carry a policy.
What Virginia Beach Drivers Actually Pay
Good news: Virginia Beach drivers pay less than the state average. Full coverage in Virginia Beach runs about $190 per month, or roughly $2,274 per year. That's below what drivers in Richmond or Northern Virginia pay, largely because Virginia Beach has lower theft rates and less dense traffic than other major metro areas.
But rates have been climbing. Between 2023 and 2025, Virginia Beach saw a 25% increase in average premiums—about $367 more per year. That tracks with national trends as insurers adjust for higher repair costs, medical inflation, and increased claim frequency.
Your actual rate depends on your driving record, age, vehicle, credit score (yes, that matters), and where you live within Virginia Beach. Drivers in oceanfront neighborhoods with higher theft and vandalism rates will pay more than those in suburban areas near Chesapeake Bay.
High-Risk Roads and Traffic Patterns
Virginia Beach isn't huge, but its roads see serious traffic. State Route 225 near I-264 is consistently one of the most dangerous corridors in the city. The intersection of SR-225 and I-264 alone had nearly 250 accidents in 2024. Expand that to include Virginia Beach Boulevard, and that stretch saw close to 600 crashes in a single year.
Most accidents happen during midday and late afternoon when commuters are rushing between the base, downtown offices, and residential areas. I-264 and I-64 are the main arteries through Virginia Beach, and both see frequent multi-vehicle crashes, especially near Witchduck Road, Military Highway, and Newtown Road exits.
If you commute on these roads, insurers know it. Your zip code and daily driving patterns influence your rates because actuaries track accident data down to the intersection level. Living or working near high-crash areas can nudge your premium higher, even if you've never filed a claim.
Military Discounts and Naval Base Considerations
Virginia Beach is home to Naval Air Station Oceana and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. Just across the city line is Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world. If you're active-duty military, a veteran, or a family member of someone who served, you may qualify for insurance discounts.
Insurers like USAA, Navy Federal, and others offer significant discounts to service members. Some companies also reduce rates for drivers who live on base, reasoning that gated access and lower theft risk justify lower premiums. If you're stationed in Virginia Beach, ask your insurer specifically about military discounts—they're not always applied automatically.
Coastal Weather and Comprehensive Coverage
Virginia Beach sits right on the Atlantic Ocean, which means hurricanes, nor'easters, and coastal flooding are real risks. Hurricane Isabel hit Virginia Beach in 2003 as a Category 1 storm and caused over $1.5 billion in personal insurance claims. Trees came down, roofs blew off, and vehicles flooded throughout the city.
Your auto insurance liability and collision coverage won't help if your car is parked and gets hit by wind-blown debris or a fallen tree. That's where comprehensive coverage comes in. Comprehensive covers non-collision damage—storm damage, flooding (up to a point), theft, vandalism, and animal strikes.
One caveat: auto comprehensive coverage typically doesn't cover flooding if your car is fully submerged or if floodwaters cause engine damage. If you live in a designated flood zone (AE or VE zones in Virginia Beach), consider whether your vehicle is at risk during heavy storms. Parking in a garage or on higher ground can reduce that risk and potentially lower your premium.
Understanding Virginia's Contributory Negligence Rules
Virginia follows contributory negligence, one of the strictest liability systems in the country. If you're even 1% at fault in an accident, you can't recover damages from the other driver. That's right—1%. Most states use comparative negligence, where you can recover damages proportional to the other driver's fault. Virginia doesn't.
This makes higher liability limits and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage critical. If you cause an accident, you're on the hook for all damages up to your policy limits. If someone else hits you and you're partially at fault—even slightly—you're relying entirely on your own insurance to cover your injuries and repairs.
This is why many Virginia Beach drivers carry 100/300/100 coverage or higher instead of just the state minimum. The extra protection isn't just about protecting others—it's about protecting yourself in a state where fault disputes can leave you with zero recovery.
How to Get the Right Coverage for Virginia Beach
Start by meeting Virginia's minimum requirements—50/100/25 liability plus matching uninsured motorist coverage. But don't stop there. Consider your actual risk. Do you drive I-264 during rush hour? Do you live near the oceanfront? Do you have significant assets to protect if you're sued after an accident?
Most drivers in Virginia Beach benefit from adding comprehensive and collision coverage, especially if they have a newer vehicle or live in areas prone to storm damage. Raising your liability limits to 100/300/100 or higher is smart if you have assets, own a home, or want to avoid personal financial risk in a serious accident.
Shop around. Virginia Beach has competitive rates, but premiums vary widely between insurers. Get quotes from at least three companies, ask about military discounts if applicable, and review your coverage every year. Your risk profile changes—make sure your insurance keeps up.
