Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Virginia

In Virginia, drivers must carry minimum auto liability coverage of 30/60/20. Virginia allows an uninsured motor vehicle fee instead of insurance, though this is not recommended. The average auto insurance rate in Virginia runs about $1,504 per year, and where uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage fits into that depends on your coverage level and profile.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and sometimes vehicle damage when you're in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance or whose coverage isn't sufficient to pay your expenses. About 1 in 8 drivers on U.S. roads is uninsured, making this coverage more important than many people realize.

UM/UIM is split into two components: uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) protects you and your passengers, while uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) covers your vehicle. Some states require one or both, while others make it optional but strongly recommended.

This coverage also typically applies to hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver flees the scene. Without UM/UIM, you'd be left paying your own medical bills and repair costs out of pocket — even though the accident wasn't your fault.

Virginia also faces elevated hurricane and tropical-storm wind exposure, which affects how carriers price coverage here. That risk profile is worth weighing when you decide how much uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to carry in Virginia — comparing carriers through Truvo helps you balance protection against price.