The words “low-cost” and “insurance” really shouldn’t be used in the same sentence, in particular when trying to find the cheapest auto insurance for first-time drivers. Because of the high cost, let’s go over some things that have an effect on car insurance rates, and come up with some ideas to cut the cost of the next policy you buy.
For new drivers, one of the more important things that are looked at to help calculate auto insurance rates is your zip code in Virginia Beach. Cities with larger populations tend to pay more, whereas areas that tend to be more rural have the luxury of cheap car insurance rates.
The table below shows the most expensive cities in Virginia for first-time drivers to purchase car insurance in. Virginia Beach ranks #21 with the annual price of $910 for the average insured, which is about $76 monthly.
Rank | City | Annual Rate |
---|---|---|
1 | Burke | $1,068 |
2 | Centreville | $1,037 |
3 | Lake Ridge | $1,032 |
4 | McLean | $1,025 |
5 | Richmond | $1,015 |
6 | Arlington | $1,013 |
7 | Dale City | $1,008 |
8 | Alexandria | $1,005 |
9 | Norfolk | $1,000 |
10 | Hampton | $972 |
11 | Tuckahoe | $967 |
12 | Portsmouth | $963 |
13 | Newport News | $958 |
14 | Reston | $954 |
15 | Danville | $940 |
16 | Suffolk | $937 |
17 | Chesapeake | $935 |
18 | Leesburg | $931 |
19 | Ashburn | $929 |
20 | Charlottesville | $922 |
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Rates are estimated as specific location information can raise or lower premiums significantly.
Deciding which company quotes the best car insurance rates for first-time drivers calls for a little more effort than just comparing a company or two. Each insurance company has their own formula to set their prices, so let’s look at the rankings for the overall cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia Beach.
Best Cheap Insurance Rates for Inexperienced Drivers
Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
---|---|---|
1 | Travelers | $673 |
2 | USAA | $716 |
3 | Penn National | $718 |
4 | Cincinnati Insurance | $755 |
5 | Auto-Owners | $765 |
6 | The Hartford | $777 |
7 | Utica National | $781 |
8 | Erie | $788 |
9 | Virginia Farm Bureau | $826 |
10 | Donegal Mutual | $860 |
11 | Nationwide | $935 |
12 | Allied | $982 |
13 | ALFA | $998 |
14 | GEICO | $1,026 |
15 | State Farm | $1,099 |
16 | National Grange Mutual | $1,104 |
17 | Chubb | $1,145 |
18 | Electric | $1,216 |
19 | California Casualty | $1,239 |
20 | Progressive | $1,246 |
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Travelers offers some of the best car insurance rates in Virginia Beach at around $673 each year. This is $485 less than the average rate paid by Virginia drivers of $1,158. USAA, Penn National, Cincinnati Insurance, and Auto-Owners are also some of the most economical Virginia Beach, VA auto insurance companies.
In this example, if you are a customer of Penn National and switched to Travelers, you might see a yearly price reduction of roughly $45. Drivers with Cincinnati Insurance may save as much as $82 a year, and Auto-Owners customers might lower prices by $92 a year.
It’s important to note that these policy rates are averages across all insureds and vehicles and do not factor in a specific vehicle garaging location for first-time drivers. So the car insurance company that fits your needs best may not even be in the top 30 companies in the list above. That illustrates why you need to get car insurance quotes using your own driver data and vehicle information.
Insuring your vehicle with the right insurance provider can be a challenge considering how many companies sell insurance in Virginia. The company information listed below may help you choose which insurers you want to consider putting your business with. These ratings are only comprised of the largest companies in the United States, so smaller regional companies are not taken into consideration for these rankings.
Top 10 Major Auto Insurance Providers Overall in Virginia Beach
- Travelers
- USAA
- Mercury Insurance
- AAA Insurance
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- Safeco Insurance
- Progressive
How violations and accidents impact rates
A great way to find the cheapest car insurance rates in Virginia Beach for new drivers is to be a cautious driver and maintain a clean driving record. The illustration below shows how speeding tickets and at-fault accidents can impact car insurance costs for different age categories. The costs are based on a single female driver, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
The data in the chart shows the average cost of an auto insurance policy in Virginia per year with no violations or accidents is $1,291. Get one speeding ticket and the average cost hikes up to $1,462, an increase of $170 each year. Now throw in one accident along with the one speeding ticket and the yearly cost of car insurance for first-time drivers goes up to an average of $1,939. That’s an increase of $648, or $54 per month, just for not being attentive to the road!
Low rates can quickly become overpriced
Virginia Beach, VA car insurance rates are based on many factors that control the cost of coverage. Simply getting older, having a claim, or getting a ticket for running a stop sign can produce rate changes that can now make some companies cheaper than competitors. Not only may your situation change, but auto insurance companies change the rates they charge in Virginia multiple times each year to help ensure profitability. Heavy losses may result in increased rates, while a better claims history may result in lower-cost Virginia Beach car insurance rates.
The chart below shows a variety of companies that have the cheapest car insurance in Virginia Beach, VA for a 30-year-old male driver with no accidents, a clean driving record, and a good credit rating. If we look at prices based on his personal profile, Travelers may have the cheapest car insurance rates in Virginia Beach at $840 per year. This is $318 less than the average policy premium paid by Virginia drivers of $1,158. USAA, Penn National, Cincinnati Insurance, and Utica National round out the rest of the cheapest Virginia Beach, VA auto insurance companies.
The next chart shows rates after we give the driver in the first example a claim or two, a lower credit rating, and a few blemishes on his driving record. Since every car insurance company has a proprietary formula for setting prices, comparing quotes may now present a new list of the cheapest companies as shown below.
Virginia Farm Bureau now has the cheapest auto insurance in Virginia Beach, VA with Erie, The Hartford, Donegal Mutual, and Nationwide also being competitive. This example proves why consumers need to compare rates to get the most affordable auto insurance quotes for first-time drivers.
Insurance prices can be altered by many factors and can change substantially, so the most affordable company the last time you shopped around may now be one of the higher cost companies.
The insurance agencies below are a good start to help you decide which coverages and limits you need, since some drivers aren’t sure which coverage they need and prefer to have the advice of a professional agent when comparing insurance rates for new drivers. It can be hard to find the best policy yourself, so getting professional guidance from a licensed agent can give satisfaction knowing your policy gives you suitable coverage if you have an accident.
To locate a Virginia Beach car insurance agency in your neighborhood, click the link at the bottom.
Glandon Agency
212 87th St – Virginia Beach, VA 23451 – (757) 422-6729
Kimberly Hitchman – State Farm Insurance Agent
3101 Virginia Beach Blvd #112 – Virginia Beach, VA 23452 – (757) 463-5480
Jessica Hester – State Farm Insurance Agent
2247 W Great Neck Rd #102 – Virginia Beach, VA 23451 – (757) 481-1840