Looking for Norfolk car insurance quotes? Get free Norfolk car insurance quotes online by using our free tool and then continue reading to learn some ways to find the cheapest Norfolk car insurance rates.

Owning a car in the Tidewater area means you  need to be prepared for the traffic and weather conditions of the region. Drivers in Norfolk, Virginia are in a highly populated city close to Virginia Beach, the Chesapeake Bay and the Elizabeth River.

This combination of factors means we might spend part of our daily commutes stuck in traffic in the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, taking advantage of the HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane, or battling traffic on the way to the Scope for an event. This guide is meant to help you understand your need for Norfolk auto insurance coverage, the legalities and your options.

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

In Virginia, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) says that you either have to take out insurance coverage in the minimum amounts listed below, or pay a $500 fee to the department in the form of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UVM) fee. However, unless your bank account is deep, there are some dangers associated with this last option. If you are in an accident without any insurance coverage, even if you have paid the UVM fee, then you can be held responsible for the costs associated with the accident. This may include medical fees, damage to cars and property, and legal fees.

If you choose to purchase insurance instead, the DMV says you must have 25/50/20 coverage. What this means is that you have $25,000 in bodily injury protection that can cover a single person, $50,000 in bodily injury protection that can cover an entire accident, and $20,000 to take care of damage to things like vehicles and other objects.

It is entirely possible that the cost incurred in a collision will go far above these state required minimums. That is why insurance experts recommend that you carry much more. Some experts even say that 100/300/100 is ideal.

Affording Your Norfolk Car Insurance

The reality is that many Hampton Road residents do not make enough money to afford the ideal amounts. Even those with steady jobs, like the teachers at Tidewater Park Elementary or our local police officers may find themselves struggling in this economy. You may even find that it is a struggle to afford the monthly premiums on the minimums.

With just over 235,000 folks living in Norfolk, Wikipedia states that 19.4% of the population is below the poverty line, and the average median income for an entire family is only $36,891. This means, that most of us need to do everything we can to keep those Norfolk car insurance costs as affordable as possible.

Your first line of defense is to find out what options are available. Here in Norfolk there are many local branches of national insurers like All State and State Farm who want your business. If you want to support the local economy you can just walk into an office and talk to a representative of these companies. Or you can contact a local insurance broker who has the ability to get you rates from several different companies. Then you can choose the best option, with their guidance.

Comparing Norfolk Car Insurance Quotes

You can also get those Norfolk auto insurance rate quotes on your own. An online rate quote tool is similar to an insurance broker who is not tied to single company. Generally, you enter your zip code and answer some basic questions about your car, you driving history, your insurance history, where you live and the level of insurance coverage you want. The nice thing is that you only have to enter this information one time.

They the rate quote mechanism sends your data to those insurers that are available to offer you a policy. They will send you their rates. You can compare them side by side, and go from there. To start comparing Norfolk car insurance quotes online then simply enter your zip code in at the top of this page to get started.
Of course, you may be tempted to just take the lowest quote, and spend the money you saved to take the family on a field trip to Nauticus; but, this is a bit premature. That's because you may still be able to save more money. Contact your two or three top choices, and ask them if you are available for any discounts on your coverage. Chances are, they can offer you options you didn't know existed.

Types of Norfolk Car Insurance Coverage

If you are wondering what type of coverage you need, here is a break down. As mentioned above, the state requires that you carry the bodily injury and property injury coverege. It's a good idea to have Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage, especially since Virginia does allow drivers that $500 UVM fee. Plus, with college students from Old Dominion and Norfolk State driving around, chances are many of them don't have great coverage. Personal Injury Protection is also a good investment as it will help pay for your medical costs.

If you are still paying off the loan on your vehicle you will need to carry comprehensive and perhaps collision as dictated by your lender. If this is not the case, the age and value of your vehicle will tell you if collision coverage is a good investment. Comprehensive is what pays for things like vandalism, fire and water damage that can result from the floods that frequent our area. Also, find out exactly what your policy covers in this regard.

Virginia ranks on the low end of cost as the 40th most expensive of the 50 states, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Even so, your best bet is to do a little shopping around to get the best rate and coverage that is available. Then you can drive safe and secure all over the Hampton Roads.

Compare Norfolk car insurance quotes now with our FREE quote comparison tool!