VA

Virginia Insurance Regulations

Consumer rights and insurance laws in Virginia

Overview

Virginia Bureau of Insurance regulates the industry as one of the few remaining contributory negligence states. Uniquely, Virginia allows drivers to pay a $500 fee instead of purchasing auto insurance, though they remain personally liable for damages.

Key Insurance Regulations in Virginia

  • Contributory negligence — even 1% fault bars recovery
  • 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury; 5 years for vehicle property damage (Va. Code § 8.01-243(B))
  • Allows $500 uninsured motorist fee in lieu of insurance (unique to Virginia)
  • Mandatory auto insurance: 25/50/20 minimum liability (or pay $500 fee)

Filing an Insurance Complaint in Virginia

If you believe your insurance company has acted unfairly or violated Virginia insurance laws, you can file a complaint with the Virginia Bureau of Insurance. The department investigates consumer complaints and can take enforcement action against insurers that violate state regulations.

Before filing a complaint, make sure you have documented all communication with your insurance company, including claim numbers, dates, and the names of representatives you've spoken with. The Virginia Bureau of Insurance typically responds to complaints within 30 days.

Virginia Bureau of Insurance

Insurance Commissioner: Scott A. White

Phone: (804) 371-9741

Website: https://www.scc.virginia.gov/pages/Bureau-of-Insurance

File a Complaint: Consumer Complaint Portal

Diminished value claims in Virginia

Generally yes, against the at-fault driver's insurer, but Virginia is one of the hardest states in which to be even slightly at fault. You have five years to sue for injury to property (Virginia Code § 8.01-243(B)). Virginia still follows contributory negligence, so any negligence of yours that helped cause the crash can bar the claim entirely.

Read the Virginia diminished value guide

Insurance Claim Guides for Virginia

Browse our detailed insurance claim guides tailored specifically to Virginia laws and regulations.

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Other State Insurance Regulations

AL — AlabamaAK — AlaskaAZ — ArizonaAR — ArkansasCA — CaliforniaCO — ColoradoCT — ConnecticutDE — DelawareDC — District of ColumbiaFL — FloridaGA — GeorgiaHI — HawaiiID — IdahoIL — IllinoisIN — IndianaIA — IowaKS — KansasKY — KentuckyLA — LouisianaME — MaineMD — MarylandMA — MassachusettsMI — MichiganMN — MinnesotaMS — MississippiMO — MissouriMT — MontanaNE — NebraskaNV — NevadaNH — New HampshireNJ — New JerseyNM — New MexicoNY — New YorkNC — North CarolinaND — North DakotaOH — OhioOK — OklahomaOR — OregonPA — PennsylvaniaRI — Rhode IslandSC — South CarolinaSD — South DakotaTN — TennesseeTX — TexasUT — UtahVT — VermontWA — WashingtonWV — West VirginiaWI — WisconsinWY — Wyoming

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