At the time of registration, the owner of the motor vehicle must certify whether the vehicle is insured or not. Under Virginia auto insurance laws, auto policies must also include coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists, with limits equal to the policy's liability limits. Penalties for driving without insurance in Virginia can be high, so you should take out insurance right away and have proof of coverage at all times. If you obtain or recover your license while the car is insured, you must notify your insurance company and provide your new license number before you are legally insured in the policy.
Brooke worked for five years in private practice at a law firm specializing in insurance defense litigation before becoming the litigator for Allstate Insurance Company in the greater Richmond area. If you decide not to take out car insurance, Virginia's car insurance laws state that you must pay an additional fee each year, along with the registration of your vehicle. So, if you have an old car in your backyard and you'll never drive again, you don't have to pay for insurance. To get unlicensed car insurance, you must exclude yourself as a driver in the policy and include a licensed family member, friend, or caregiver as the primary driver.
Without comprehensive car insurance, you would have to pay for the repair or even replacement of your car out of your own pocket. However, keep in mind that if Florida is your secondary state, your insurance policy, regardless of where you buy it, must include Florida's minimum mandatory insurance coverage. Most states allow members of the armed forces to keep their car registration and insurance in the state where they are legally resident. In some states, insurance companies report directly to the DMV when their insurance expires, so your registration will be suspended almost immediately.
While you can drive legally without car insurance in Virginia, you run a significant risk of legal and financial liability if you cause a car accident. If you are injured in a car accident that wasn't your fault, the biggest concern will be whether the at-fault party has car insurance.
