car insurance:
protect your drive
protect your future
For youth in foster care or transitioning out of care, car insurance is an important step toward independence. You may be added to a foster parent’s policy or purchase your own coverage once independent. Having insurance helps you drive legally, maintain reliable transportation for work and school, and begin building a safe driving record.
WHAT IS CAR INSURANCE?
Car insurance is a monthly agreement between you and an insurance company. You pay a premium, and in return, the company helps pay for damage or injuries if an accident happens. Insurance is a safety net that protects your money, your future, and your ability to drive legally.
WHY IT MATTERS
Car insurance protects you financially when something goes wrong on the road. If you cause an accident, insurance helps pay for: Medical bills, Car repairs, and Damage to someone else’s property. Without insurance, you pay every dollar yourself. With insurance, your policy helps cover the costs.
INSURANCE IS MANDATORY
As of July 2024, Virginia no longer allows drivers to pay a fee instead of buying insurance. Every vehicle in Virginia must carry the required insurance. Insurance is mandatory.
virgina law
requirements
Every vehicle in Virginia must carry liability insurance at the following minimum levels (also known as 50/100/25 coverage):
$50,000
Bodily Injury
(per person)
Virginia also requires Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage at the same limits.
$100,000
Bodily Injury
(per accident)
$25,000
Property Damage
$600+ fines
Suspended license and registration
SR‑22 filing (high-risk driver status)
Full financial responsibility for all accident costs
CONSEQUENCES OF DRIVING WITHOUT INSURANCE:
Driving uninsured in Virginia can lead to:
Driving without insurance can impact employment, transportation, and long-term financial stability.
$4,700+ Average property-damage crash
$100,000+ Serious injury crash
$0 What insurance costs you when you need it most
THE REAL COST OF AN ACCIDENT
Driving uninsured in Virginia can lead to:
Insurance protects you from debt, lawsuits, and long-term financial hardship.
TYPES OF COVERAGE
Liability Coverage (Required)
Pays for the other person’s injuries or property damage when you are at fault.
Uninsured/
Underinsured Motorist
Protects you if the other driver has no insurance or not enough.
Collision
Coverage
Pays to repair your car after a crash, regardless of fault.
Comprehensive
Coverage
Covers non-crash damage such as theft, weather, vandalism, or animal strikes.
Medical Payments Coverage
Help pay medical bills for you and your passengers.
You have options and support is available.
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Ask your caseworker early about insurance options
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Keep a clean driving record to lower costs
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Compare rates across multiple companies
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Ask about discounts (good student, defensive driving, safe-driving apps)
INSURANCE + FOSTER YOUTH
Ask about being added to a foster parent’s policy
Learn basic insurance terms (premium, deductible, coverage)
Practice safe driving with a responsible adult
Keep their learner’s permit with them at all times
Good Student Discount May Be Available:
Many companies offer 10–20% savings for strong grades.
YOUTH AGES 15–17
Youth learning to drive should:
Safe-Driving Programs May Offer Savings:
Many companies offer savings for safe driving through mobile apps.
AGES 18+ (AGING OUT)
When obtaining your own policy:
Ask about first-time driver discounts
Request low-income payment plans
Keep important documents secure (ID, SS card, car title)
Build credit slowly — it affects insurance rates
SMART DRIVING TIPS
Wear your seatbelt
Silence your phone
Keep your insurance card accessible
Check your tires and fuel level
Before You Drive
Stay calm
Move to a safe location
Call 911 if needed
Exchange insurance information
Take photos
Notify your caseworker or guardian
If You’re in a Minor Accident
Keep your hands visible
Be respectful
Provide license, registration, and insurance
Ask questions calmly
If You’re Pulled Over
DID YOU KNOW?
Teen drivers have a three times higher crash rate than adults.
Insurance companies offer discounts for safe-driving apps.
In Virginia, even 1% fault can make you responsible for damages.
Adding a teen to a foster parent’s policy is often cheaper than buying a solo teen policy.
AND ONE MORE THING
Every person applying for registration of a motor vehicle and declaring it to be an insured vehicle faces penalties if the motor vehicle is later found to be uninsured. In this case, the DMV suspends all driver’s licenses and registration certificates and license plates issued to the owner of the motor vehicle. These items are suspended until the person does the following:
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Pays a $600 statutory fee (collected by DMV )
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Furnishes and maintains proof of financial responsibility (form SR-22) for three years
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Pays a reinstatement fee, if applicable
What is an SR-22?
An SR-22 (a “certificate of financial responsibility”) is proof, filed directly with the DMV by your insurance company, that you have at least Virginia's minimum liability insurance (50/100/25). The DMV typically requires an SR-22 when you are trying to get a suspended license back or after certain violations. It is not a type of insurance policy, and it does not add any coverage.
How an SR-22 works:
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A violation or court/DMV order triggers the requirement.
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You buy a policy from an insurance company that offers SR-22 filings. Not every insurance company does.
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The insurance company files the SR-22 with the DMV for you, usually for a one-time fee of about $15–$50.
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You keep continuous coverage, typically for 3 years. If the policy lapses or is cancelled, the insurance company notifies the DMV (using an “SR-26”) and your license can be suspended again.
No car? A non-owner policy can satisfy the filing, which may matter for a young driver who doesn't own a vehicle.
Why should foster youth avoid needing an SR-22?
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It can cost them more money. They may face higher insurance costs, depending on their driving history and insurance company.
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They could lose their driving privileges. Virginia can suspend their license and vehicle registration for failing to maintain required insurance.
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Foster youth could face a $600 penalty. Virginia DMV requires a $600 noncompliance fee for certain uninsured-vehicle violations, plus a reinstatement fee when applicable.
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It can follow the foster youth for years. An SR-22 filing for an uninsured-vehicle violation is generally required for three years.