It’s safe to conclude that car insurance companies want to keep you from comparing rates. Consumers who shop for lower prices will, in all likelihood, switch companies because they have good chances of finding a policy with more affordable rates. A survey found that people who did price comparisons regularly saved $860 a year compared to those who never shopped around.
If finding the lowest price for car insurance in Virginia Beach is your objective, knowing how to get price quotes and compare insurance premiums can make shopping around easier.
Truthfully, the best way to find low-cost prices for car insurance rates is to compare prices once a year from insurers who can sell car insurance in Virginia Beach.
- Try to learn about what coverages are included in your policy and the steps you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that cause rate increases such as inattentive driving and poor credit can be improved by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes. This article gives instructions to help prevent high rates and find discounts that may have been missed.
- Obtain price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can provide rates from a single company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can provide prices for a wide range of insurance providers.
- Compare the new quotes to the premium of your current policy and determine if there is any savings. If you find a better price and buy the policy, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
One key aspect when comparing rates is that you’ll want to compare the same coverage limits and deductibles on every price quote and and to get rate quotes from as many different insurance providers as possible. Doing this ensures a level playing field and a complete selection of prices.
Locating the best rates in Virginia Beach is quite easy if you know the best way to do it. If you are already insured, you will definitely be able to find better prices using these techniques. But Virginia vehicle owners must know how companies determine how much to charge because rates are impacted by many factors.
When comparison shopping, there are several ways of comparing rate quotes from local Virginia Beach insurance companies. By far the easiest way to compare rates consists of shopping online.
When comparison shopping, quoting more helps improve the odds of finding more affordable rates.
The companies shown below can provide price comparisons in Virginia Beach, VA. To locate the best auto insurance in Virginia, it’s highly recommended you visit several of them to get a more complete price comparison.
Cheaper rates by getting these five discounts
Some insurance providers don’t always list every policy discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we took the time to find both well-publicized and also the lesser-known credits available to lower your premiums when you buy Virginia Beach auto insurance online.
- Defensive Driver – Passing a course that instructs on driving safety is a good idea and can lower rates depending on where you live.
- Distant College Student Discount – Children who are enrolled in higher education away from home and leave their car at home can be insured at a reduced rate.
- Discounts for Cautious Drivers – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can pay as much as 50% less than drivers with accident claims.
- Professional Memberships – Having an affiliation with certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break on your next insurance statement.
- Discount for Low Mileage – Low mileage vehicles can earn lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
One thing to note about discounts is that some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. A few only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. If you do the math and it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you aren’t that lucky.
The chart below illustrates the comparison of Volvo V50 auto insurance rates with and without some available policy discounts. The data assumes a female driver, no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, Virginia state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, multi-car, and safe-driver discounts applied.
Some of the larger companies who might offer some of the above discounts possibly include:
If you need affordable Virginia Beach auto insurance quotes, ask each company or agent which discounts you may be entitled to. Some discounts might not apply in Virginia Beach. To locate insurance companies that offer discounts in Virginia, click this link.
Rate information and statistics
The premium table displayed next highlights detailed analysis of insurance costs for Volvo V50 models. Learning as much as possible about how insurance policy rates are calculated can help customers make smart choices when comparing insurance quotes.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V50 2.4I | $142 | $270 | $248 | $14 | $74 | $748 | $62 |
| V50 AWD T5 R-Design | $142 | $312 | $248 | $14 | $74 | $790 | $66 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data rating is based on married male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Virginia minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Rate quotes do not factor in garaging location in Virginia Beach which can influence premiums noticeably.
How high should deductibles be?
When buying auto insurance, a common question is which deductible level should you buy. The rates below sum up the price difference when you select higher and lower physical damage coverage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second rate table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V50 2.4I | $250 | $472 | $258 | $16 | $78 | $1,099 | $92 |
| V50 AWD T5 R-Design | $250 | $542 | $258 | $16 | $78 | $1,169 | $97 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V50 2.4I | $138 | $248 | $258 | $16 | $78 | $738 | $62 |
| V50 AWD T5 R-Design | $138 | $286 | $258 | $16 | $78 | $776 | $65 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Virginia minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-vehicle. Information does not factor in specific zip code location which can change premiums significantly.
We can derive from the above data that using a $100 deductible costs an average of $31 more each month or $372 for a full year than opting for the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $900 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to have at a minimum 29 months between claim filings, you would most likely save money if you choose a higher deductible. The table below shows an example of how you can decide this on your own policy.
| Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $95 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $64 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $31 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $100): | $900 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $900 / $31 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 29 months |
Impact of age and gender on auto insurance rates
The example below visualizes the comparison of Volvo V50 premium costs for male and female drivers. The data is based on no accidents or driving violations, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied.
Full coverage or liability only
The diagram below illustrates the comparison of Volvo V50 car insurance rates when comparing full coverage to liability only. The information is based on no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Guidelines for eliminating full coverage
There is no set rule to delete physical damage insurance, but there is a general convention. If the yearly cost of full coverage is 10% or more of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s say your Volvo V50 replacement value is $4,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $3,000 after paying your deductible. If premiums are more than $300 a year for your policy with full coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are some scenarios where dropping physical damage coverage is not financially feasible. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest in the vehicle. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not eliminate full coverage.
Insurance agencies can help
A small number of people would rather have an agent’s advice and often times that is recommended The biggest benefit of comparing auto insurance online is the fact that drivers can get better rates and still have an agent to talk to.
To find an agent, once you fill out this short form, the quote information is immediately sent to local insurance agents that provide free Virginia Beach auto insurance quotes for your insurance coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to drive around because quoted prices will be sent directly to you. You’ll get the best rates and a licensed agent to talk to. If you have a need to compare rates from a specific auto insurance provider, you can always search and find their rate quote page and submit a quote form there.
Picking the best insurance company requires more thought than just the premium amount. Some important questions to ask are:
- Does the agency have a current Errors and Omissions policy?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
- How will an accident affect your rates?
- Are they able to provide referrals?
- How many companies do they write for?
- Will the quote change when the policy is issued?
- How would your car be valued if totaled?
- Do they have designations such as AIC, CPCU, or CIC?
The following is a short list of auto insurance companies in Virginia Beach that are able to give price quotes for Volvo V50 insurance in Virginia Beach.
- The Coelho insurance agency
800 Seahawk Cir #142 – Virginia Beach, VA 23452 – (757) 437-9647 – View Map - Nationwide Insurance: Guzman Insurance Agency Inc
1920 Centerville Turnpike Ste 97 – Virginia Beach, VA 23464 – (757) 479-0551 – View Map - Brett Cambron – State Farm Insurance Agent
1485 General Booth Blvd ste. 114 – Virginia Beach, VA 23454 – (757) 499-0559 – View Map - Matt Abbott – State Farm Insurance Agent
4646 Princess Anne Rd #103 – Virginia Beach, VA 23462 – (757) 497-1999 – View Map
Which policy gives me the best coverage?
When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Each situation is unique.
For instance, these questions could help you determine if your insurance needs might need professional guidance.
- Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
- How high should deductibles be on a Volvo V50?
- Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
- Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Virginia Beach?
- Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
- Is my son or daughter covered when driving my car?
- Do I need rental car coverage?
If you can’t answer these questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.
Three main reasons to buy car insurance
Even though Virginia Beach V50 insurance rates can get expensive, car insurance is required for several reasons.
- Just about all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means the state requires a specific minimum amount of liability insurance in order to drive the car. In Virginia these limits are 25/50/20 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $20,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you have a lien on your vehicle, it’s most likely the lender will require you to buy insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank may buy a policy for your Volvo at a much higher premium rate and require you to pay a much higher amount than you were paying before.
- Insurance protects both your Volvo V50 and your personal assets. It will also provide coverage for hospital and medical expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, also covers legal expenses if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If you have damage to your Volvo as the result of the weather or an accident, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of buying car insurance more than offset the price you pay, particularly if you ever have a claim. According to a 2015 survey, the average American driver overpays more than $865 each year so compare quotes from several companies every year to make sure the price is not too high.
Auto insurance coverage breakdown
Learning about specific coverages of your auto insurance policy can help you determine the best coverages for your vehicles. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for bills such as dental work, surgery, X-ray expenses, EMT expenses and doctor visits. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since many Virginia drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (Virginia limits are 25/50/20), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.
Collision insurance
Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your V50 resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision insurance covers claims such as backing into a parked car, damaging your car on a curb, rolling your car, sideswiping another vehicle and scraping a guard rail. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible on your V50 to save money on collision insurance.
Liability car insurance
Liability insurance protects you from damage that occurs to other people or property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show liability limits of 25/50/20 which stand for a limit of $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $20,000.
Liability insurance covers things like repair bills for other people’s vehicles, loss of income and medical services. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford. Virginia state law requires minimum liability limits of 25/50/20 but drivers should carry more coverage.
The chart below shows why low liability limits may not be enough coverage.
Comprehensive insurance
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like rock chips in glass, damage from getting keyed, theft and falling objects. The maximum payout your auto insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.
Best car insurance in Virginia Beach
Insuring your vehicle with the top car insurance provider can be a challenge considering how many different companies insure vehicles in Virginia Beach. The company rank data displayed below may help you choose which companies to look at comparing rate quotes with.
Top 10 Virginia Beach Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Service
- USAA
- Travelers
- Mercury Insurance
- AAA Insurance
- Nationwide
- Safeco Insurance
- Progressive
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- The General
Top 10 Virginia Beach Car Insurance Companies Overall
- Travelers
- USAA
- Mercury Insurance
- AAA Insurance
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- Safeco Insurance
- Progressive
In Summary
When shopping online for insurance, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where someone dropped collision coverage only to regret they didn’t have enough coverage. Your objective should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best cost.
You just read some good ideas how to reduce Volvo V50 insurance car insurance rates online in Virginia Beach. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding cheaper Virginia Beach auto insurance quotes. Drivers may even discover the lowest priced insurance comes from a lesser-known regional company.
Insureds who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as poor customer service, delays in responding to claim requests, policy non-renewal or denial of a claim. Regardless of your reason, finding a new company is actually quite simple.
Additional detailed information can be read in the articles below:
- A Tree Fell on Your Car: Now What? (Allstate)
- How Much are Car Insurance Rates for Drivers Requiring a SR22 in Virginia Beach? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Virginia Beach Car Insurance Rates for Low Credit Scores? (FAQ)
- Event Data Recorders FAQ (iihs.org)
- Auto Insurance Learning Center (State Farm)
- Five Mistakes to Avoid (Insurance Information Institute)
- Medical Payments Coverage (Liberty Mutual)