The federal government allows each individual state set their own laws and statutes regarding motor vehicle requirements, such as insurance or financial responsibility that must be carried on a car. Since each state thus has its own insurance requirements, you will need to obtain a new insurance policy if you move to another state. The insurance policy you buy in one state is specific to that state.
Beyond state laws and regulations, that will mandate that you purchase insurance from a state licensed insurance carrier for at least the minimum requirements for that specific state, your insurance provider will not usually allow you to keep insurance from your old, original state past 30 days since your car is no longer being garaged at your former residence.
If your insurance company does business in your former State as well as Virginia then you should contact your insurance agent or company to see if it is possible to change over your policy from your old state to VA so to comply with the insurance laws you are now under in Virginia.
When you register your vehicle (purchase license plates or decals), you must certify that it is insured (covered by the minimum insurance requirements) by a company licensed to do business in Virginia or pay the Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee. Virginia requires the following minimum car insurance coverage:
- Bodily injury/death of one person $25,000
- Bodily injury/death of two or more persons $50,000
- Property damage $20,000
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles the Commonwealth of VA requires new residents to title, register and acquire plates and obtain a local sticker or decal from your locality (if your area requires you to do so) within 30 days of moving to Virginia. Since your car must be insured by an insurance company licensed to offer auto insurance in Virginia in order to get the vehicle registered, you will need to acquire Virginia car insurance in 30 days or less of moving here.
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