What Used Cars Are the Cheapest to Insure in Virginia?
Want to know the cheapest pre-owned vehicle to insure in Virginia? We researched insurance quotes in the state to save you the effort!
This article covers insurance basics for the state of Virginia and tips to save money on premiums. We also found the best insurance companies and answered frequently asked questions!
Virginia Cheapest Used Cars to Insure
We reviewed 45 vehicles from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK+ list. Using a basic driver profile, we generated an insurance quote for each 2021 vehicle and determined that the following vehicles are the cheapest to insure in Virginia.
1. 2021 Outback by Subaru
The 2021 Subaru Outback is the cheapest used vehicle to insure in Virginia. It’s a midsize four-door SUV that seats five. A full-coverage policy for the 2021 Subaru Outback costs $70, cheaper than the state average of $120 a month. A liability-only policy costs $35.
The 2021 Subaru Outback can get up to 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway and has a combined rating of 29 mpg. The IIHS gives the 2021 Subaru Outback good marks for its headlights, front crash prevention, and easy-to-use LATCH system.
2. 2021 XC40 by Volvo
The 2021 Volvo XC40 is the second cheapest used vehicle to insure in Virginia. It’s a small four-door SUV with seating for five. A full-coverage policy for the 2021 Volvo XC40 costs $71, less than the state average of $120 a month. A liability-only policy costs $38.
The 2021 Volvo XC40 gets up to 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, with a combined rating of 25 mpg. The IIHS gives the 2021 Volvo XC40 good ratings for its crash worthiness, headlights, and front crash prevention.
3. 2021 Forester by Subaru
The 2021 Subaru Forester is the third cheapest used vehicle to insure in Virginia. It’s a small four-door SUV that seats five. A full-coverage policy for the 2021 Subaru Forester costs $72, lower than the state average of $120 a month. A liability-only policy costs $34.
The 2021 Subaru Forester gets up to 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and a combined 29 mpg. The IIHS gives the 2021 Subaru Forester high marks for its headlights, front crash prevention, and seat belt reminders.
The 45 Cheapest Used Vehicles to Insure in Virginia
We used an insurance quote generator and a basic driver profile to get insurance quotes for 45 vehicles on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK+ list. The vehicles are listed in ascending order below based on the cost of a full-coverage policy.
| Year | Make | Model | Full Coverage | Liability Only |
| 2021 | Subaru | Outback | $70 | $35 |
| 2021 | Volvo | XC40 | $71 | $38 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Forester | $72 | $34 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-30 | $73 | $39 |
| 2021 | Ford | Bronco Sport | $75 | $35 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-3 | $75 | $42 |
| 2022 | Hyundai | Tucson | $76 | $38 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Legacy | $77 | $38 |
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Trailblazer | $78 | $39 |
| 2021 | Acura | RDX | $78 | $40 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-9 | $79 | $37 |
| 2022 | Honda | Civic | $80 | $37 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Ascent | $81 | $42 |
| 2021 | Toyota | Camry | $81 | $38 |
| 2021 | Honda | Insight | $82 | $42 |
| 2021 | Honda | Accord | $83 | $38 |
| 2022 | Hyundai | Santa Fe | $85 | $42 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Murano | $85 | $42 |
| 2021 | Toyota | Highlander | $86 | $42 |
| 2021 | Mazda | 3 | $86 | $42 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-5 | $89 | $39 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Altima | $93 | $42 |
| 2021 | Audi | Q5 | $93 | $35 |
| 2021 | Kia | K5 | $94 | $43 |
| 2021 | Volkswagen | ID.4 | $95 | $37 |
| 2022 | Mitsubishi | Outlander | $99 | $47 |
| 2021 | Volvo | V60 | $99 | $47 |
| 2021 | Acura | TLX | $101 | $49 |
| 2021 | Cadillac | XT6 | $102 | $45 |
| 2021 | Volvo | S60 | $102 | $41 |
| 2022 | Kia | Stinger | $108 | $47 |
| 2021 | Audi | A6 | $108 | $46 |
| 2021 | Volvo | S90 | $109 | $39 |
| 2021 | Genesis | G70 | $109 | $50 |
| 2021 | Genesis | GV80 | $110 | $44 |
| 2022 | Genesis | G70 | $112 | $49 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Maxima | $119 | $47 |
| 2021 | Lexus | ES 350 | $119 | $42 |
| 2022 | Lexus | ES 350 | $123 | $41 |
| 2021 | Volvo | V90 | $125 | $38 |
| 2021 | Audi | A6 Allroad | $128 | $40 |
| 2021 | Audi | A7 | $132 | $42 |
| 2021 | Genesis | G80 | $139 | $45 |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model 3 | $147 | $43 |
| 2021 | Genesis | G90 | $149 | $42 |
Full Coverage vs. Liability Insurance Costs
Liability-only insurance is cheaper than full coverage. Liability insurance only covers the other driver’s expenses, not your car or medical expenses, if you’re responsible for an accident.
Below are the average annual costs for full coverage and liability-only coverage in Virginia:
| Full-coverage policy | Liability-only policy |
|---|---|
| $1,439 | $494 |
The Best Virginia Car Insurance Companies
The three best automobile insurance companies in Virginia are Erie Insurance, State Farm, and Liberty Mutual.
To identify the best insurance companies in Virginia, we looked at which companies have the largest market share in the state according to Everquote. Then we determined the complaint index for each company according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The average complaint index is 1, meaning that any company with an index over 1 has had more consumers complain about the company than expected in the industry. Companies with lower complaint indexes indicate fewer complaints and happier claimants. You can see all of the rankings below.
| Insurance Company | Market Share | Percent of Total Complaints | Complaint Index* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie Insurance | 3.93% | N/A | 0.57 |
| State Farm | 15.96% | N/A | 1 |
| Liberty Mutual | 2.61% | N/A | 1.12 |
| Progressive | 10.14% | N/A | 1.41 |
| Allstate | 9.41% | N/A | 1.50 |
| Nationwide | 7.15% | N/A | 1.76 |
| Berkshire Hathaway | 18.94% | N/A | 2 |
*Complaint Index data are national numbers from the NAIC.
Tips to Lower Insurance Premiums in Virginia
Drivers in Virginia can follow these tips to maximize discounts and minimize insurance premiums:
- See if your provider offers a telematics program that tracks your driving habits and reduces your premium based on how safely you drive.
- Consider bundling your automotive policy with your renters or homeowners policy.
- Ask your provider if they offer discounts on your military status or profession.
- If you have a teen driver on your policy, see if they qualify for student discounts.
Research Methodology
We used an in-state address to help drivers in Virginia identify the cheapest used vehicles to insure. Focusing on Virginia data allows us to provide more relevant information for Virginia policyholders than national averages.
We applied the Virginia address and a basic driver profile and entered them into an insurance quote generator to generate quotes for the 45 aforementioned vehicles.
Basic Driver Profile
- 35-year-old male with a bachelor’s degree
- Single and employed full time
- Homeowner but did not bundle policies
- Owns the vehicle rather than leases or finances it
- Has been with the current insurance carrier for five or more years
We used vehicles on the IIHS 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK+ list. The IIHS is an independent, nonprofit organization that collects safety data for cars on the market.
We used the following limits for liability-only quotes:
- $100,000/$300,000 liability limits
- $100,000 property damage limits
- $10,000 personal injury protection
For the full-coverage quotes, we included the following coverages with the liability selections:
- $1,000 deductible on collision coverage
- $1,000 deductible for comprehensive coverage
- $50/$1,500 rental reimbursement
- $100 roadside assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest SUV to insure in Virginia?
The cheapest SUV to insure in Virginia is the 2021 Subaru Outback. A full-coverage policy costs $70.
Are older cars cheaper to insure?
Yes, older cars are cheaper to insure because they don’t cost as much to repair or replace. Lower repair costs make older cars less of a financial risk for insurance companies.
How much liability insurance is required in Virginia?
Virginia requires drivers to carry $30,000 bodily injury liability per person per accident, $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 property damage per accident.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Virginia?
Penalties for first-time and subsequent offenses include a $600 noncompliance fee, license and license plate suspension, and a Class 3 misdemeanor conviction. To reinstate your license and plate, you’ll have to purchase car insurance, maintain SR-22 insurance for three years, and pay a $145 fee.
What is the basic insurance for a car?
The basic insurance for a car is liability insurance, which covers the other driver’s vehicle repair and medical expenses if you’re responsible for an accident. Your leasing or finance company may require you to carry additional insurance, such as comprehensive collision insurance.
What car has the highest insurance rates?
Sports cars, luxury vehicles, and rare automobiles yield the highest insurance rates because they’re more expensive to repair and replace.
References
- (2021.) 2021 TOP SAFETY PICKs. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks/2021?tspPlusOnly#award-winners
- (2023.) Average Cost of Car Insurance in Virginia for 2023. Bankrate. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/average-cost-of-car-insurance-in-virginia/
- (2020.) 2021 Subaru Outback Getting Started Guide. Subaru Car Corporation. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://techinfo.subaru.com/stis/doc/ownerManual/MSA5B2104A_STIS_2nd.pdf
- (2020.) 2021 Volvo XC40 Owners Manual. Volvo Car Corporation. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://volvornt.harte-hanks.com/manuals/2021/XC40_OwnersManual_MY21_en-US_TP32898.pdf
- (2020.) 2021 Subaru Forester Getting Started Guide. Subaru of America. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://techinfo.subaru.com/stis/doc/ownerManual/4491805-2021_FORESTER_GSG_2nd.pdf
- (2019.) Largest Auto Insurance Companies in Virginia. Everquote. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://www.everquote.com/blog/car-insurance/largest-companies-virginia/
- (2023.) Consumer Insurance Search Results. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm
- (2023.) Insurance Requirements. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#insurance.asp
- (2022.) Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Virginia. ValuePenguin. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://www.valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/virginia/penalties-driving-without-insurance
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
