Affordable Virginia Car Insurance Rates

Keep Your Virginia Vehicle Safe. Not only does a safer vehicle cost less to insure, but it’s just makes sense to take some extra time that ultimately could you save you money on your Virginia car insurance, and perhaps save lives as well.

If You Have An Auto Alarm System…Use It!

Most Virginia car insurance companies offer a discount for having an alarm system. The discount will typically range from 2%-10%, depending on the type of system (passive or active) and where you reside. As you might assume, a higher-theft area of Virginia may generate a larger discount. Any additional anti-theft devices will also reduce your premium, such as OnStar or LoJack.

But most importantly, your vehicle is certainly much safer by installing these types of devices as they have proven to be a big deterrent of theft. And since the average theft claim is thousands of dollars in some areas, you’ll put extra money in your pocket as well. You may also want to consider engraving your VIN number in the windshield. It will help reduce the risk of theft.

Park Your Car In An Enclosed Garage (If Possible)

Of course, this will keep you safe from the elements, such as rain, snow and especially hail. And because of the reduced risk, you will pay less for your car insurance rates, especially for a newer vehicle. The savings will be reflected mostly on your “comprehensive” portion of the bill, which includes fire and theft coverage.

You’ll also notice that over time, your vehicle’s appearance will not look as “weathered” as many other vehicles. Your resale value will be higher if you choose to sell the vehicle and the trade-in value will definitely be higher if you trade for a newer car.

Don’t Forget About What’s Inside The Car

Sometimes we’re so concerned with the safety of the outside of the car, we forget about what’s inside the car. Typically, contents are covered by your homeowner’s insurance, although there may be deductibles and special limits that apply. Items such as luggage, clothes, CDs, books etc… are generally covered items and may not be subject to depreciation.

It’s important to try to keep as many of these items as possible out of sight from a passerby so there is no added temptation to steal them from your vehicle. Locking the doors is always a good idea. Also, it’s possible that your homeowner’s rate could increase because of a theft claim, so avoid those types of situations if possible.

Check The Weather

Although snow and rain are unlikely to damage your car or truck, Virginia does have its fair share of hail storms. And the resulting damage can be thousands of dollars in dents too numerous to count. And there’s nothing worse than inspecting your brand new car or truck after a hail storm. So take the time to bring your vehicle indoors if there is any threat of hail.

Consider The Vehicle You Are Buying

According to a recent report from the NCIB (National Insurance Crime Bureau), the five most stolen vehicles in Virginia are the 1996 Honda Accord, 2000 Honda Civic, 2010 Toyota Camry, 2000 Dodge Caravan, and 2003 Ford Explorer. Evidently, replacement parts in these five vehicles may be worth more than the vehicle itself!

We are not recommending that you should not buy these vehicles. Just park them in a safe place, preferably in a garage. That should be enough to deter a potential thief from stealing it.