Do You Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Virginia?

If your car insurance policy was issued in Virginia, it is very likely you have uninsured motorist coverage and may not even realize it.  When we provide free consultations to people injured by someone without car insurance, we always ask, “Do you have car insurance?”  The answer is sometimes “Yes, but I don’t have full coverage, just liability.”  Full coverage, liability coverage, and uninsured motorist coverages are all different types of coverage.  Even if you only carry liability coverage, you likely have uninsured motorist coverage.

Virginia’s uninsured motorist insurance law §38.2-2206 requires all insurance companies selling insurance to Virginia drivers to pay all sums that the injured person is legally entitled to recover as damages from the an uninsured motorist.

If you have a Virginia issued car insurance policy, the only instance in which you won’t have uninsured motorist coverage is if you specifically opt out of the coverage. Insurance companies often won’t tell you about this opt-out option because they want to sell you as much insurance as possible.  As long as you have insurance on your car, you almost certainly have uninsured motorist coverage in Virginia.