Motor Vehicle Insurance Information Infographic

What Types of Insurance Do I Need?

IN VIRGINIA, DRIVERS MAY EITHER:
- Purchase car insurance privately, or
- Pay the state to drive uninsured
PAYING A $500 FEE TO THE STATE ALLOWS A VEHICLE TO OPERATE WITHOUT INSURANCE
- But it does not cover the driver against financial in the case of an accident
Minimal coverage includes:
- $25,000 for injuries per person from an accident
- $50,000 for all injuries from an accident
- $20,000 for all property damage from an accident

LIABILITY
- Covers other people’s damages the driver is responsible for in an accident.
COLLISION
- Covers costs of the driver’s vehicle after an accident.
COMPREHENSIVE
- Covers non-accident vehicle damage like vandalism or flooding.
MEDICAL PAYMENTS
- Covers medical expenses for occupants of the covered vehicle.
UNINSURED AND UDNERINSURED MOTORIST (UM/UIM)
- Covers costs for the victim when the driver at fault lacks insurance or has too little insurance to cover all the accident costs. It may also apply when a hit-and-run driver is never found.

The Insurance Information Institute estimates 10 percent of Virginia drivers are driving without insurance.
Uninsured drivers may or may not be driving legally, but they have no insurance to pay for the costs associated with their accident.
If you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, you have several options to get the compensation you need:
- File an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company.
  
  Your policy should include this coverage unless you specifically opted out.
- Turn to other liable parties.
  
  Other drivers may also be at fault.
  
  The driver may have been driving for work, which means the employer could be liable.
  
  These other parties may have the coverage required to pay for your expenses.
- Take the driver to court.
  
  A successful case against the driver can allow you to get compensation through their assets.
  
  Most drivers without insurance lack the assets required to cover your bills.
Speak to a car accident lawyer.
- With a car accident lawyer, you can better investigate and pursue your options.

Insurance claims vary in speed.
In straightforward cases with limited damage and injuries, it can be very quick.
When there is a dispute between the insurance company and the injured individual, the payout can be delayed or even end up in court.

Should you need to challenge the decision of the insurance company, you will need a car accident lawyer.
It is impossible to know how much a case is worth upfront, though an attorney can determine what types of compensation you may be entitled to recover and calculate a general range for the dollar amounts.
A settlement sum will either be negotiated by your attorney and the insurance company, or your case may need to go to court for a judge or jury to decide.