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Virginia Home Insurance

From small towns and cities to beaches and mountains, Virginia offers a wide range of living environments. No matter where you decide to settle down in Virginia, your home is one of your most significant investments, and it's important to ensure it's protected with the right home insurance coverage.

Is home insurance required in Virginia?

Virginia doesn’t legally require homeowners to have insurance on their property, but if you finance your home through a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to have homeowners insurance. Even if you own your home outright without a mortgage, it's still highly advisable to be insured. Home insurance is not a one-size-fits-all product. It should be tailored to your specific situation and needs.

 

Typical Virginia homeowners insurance coverages

  • Coverage A – Dwelling:

    Coverage for your home and attached structures for damage caused by events such as fire, lightning, wind or hail.

  • Coverage B – Other structures:

    This covers damage to other structures on the property that are set apart from the dwelling, such as a fence, shed or detached garage. 

  • Coverage C – Personal property:

    Coverage for your belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics, if they’re damaged by a cause listed in your policy.

  • Coverage D – Loss of use:

    This covers your temporary living expenses when a covered loss makes your home unfit to live in.

  • Coverage E – Personal liability:

    This covers damage or injury to another person or their property that you’re liable for. It also covers legal assistance for claims made against you.

  • Coverage F – Medical payments to others:

    This coverage can pay for medical bills for people who are accidentally hurt on your property, not including members of your household.

Remember, each of these coverages is subject to a policy limit and exclusions, which are specified within your policy.

Your homeowners insurance won’t cover flood damages, so it helps to ensure you’re properly covered if there’s a flood. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowner insurance policies. Flood insurance policies are available, however, and are written through the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program. It’s common for mortgage companies to require flood insurance if your home is within or near a floodplain. Regardless, a flood can occur anywhere and it’s a good idea to buy this additional coverage. 

Additional coverages in Virginia

You may find that the general coverages afforded in a basic homeowners policy don’t cover certain losses or types of property. Amica offers home insurance options in the the form of policy endorsements that can fill in some of those gaps in coverage. Adding endorsements to your Virginia homeowners insurance policy can provide valuable additional coverage tailored to your specific needs. Here are a few endorsements Virginia homeowners might consider:

  • Special computer coverage:

    Additional protection beyond what’s included in your policy for devices against direct physical loss, like accidental damage or theft. Devices covered under special computer coverage include:

    • Desktops
    • Laptops
    • Smartphones
    • Gaming devices
    • Smart TVs

  • Identity fraud expenses:

    Identity theft is a growing concern, and this endorsement can help cover expenses associated with restoring your identity, such as legal fees, lost wages and other related costs.

  • Water backup and sump overflow:

    Unexpected and accidental water damage, like from an appliance or burst pipes, is covered by most homeowners insurance policies. But, at the same time, they also exclude coverage for backed-up sewers and drains. This endorsement provides coverage for water that backs-up through drains and sump pumps, which could be excluded under the standard policy. 

  • Scheduled personal property:

    If you have high-value items such as jewelry, fine art or collectibles, a basic homeowners policy may not provide sufficient coverage. With this endorsement, you can insure specific items to make sure they're adequately covered against loss or damage.

  • Earthquakes:

    A standard Virginia policy excludes damage caused by earth movement, including earthquakes. This endorsement would extend coverage to damage caused by an earthquake.

Understanding rate factors for Virginia home insurance

Where you’re located is an important factor that impacts home insurance premiums. A home in Harrisonburg may face different risks and insurance considerations compared to a coastal home in Virginia Beach.

Homes situated inland typically have lower insurance premiums compared to oceanfront properties, due to the reduced risk of coastal hazards. However, premiums can still vary depending on factors such as population density, historical weather patterns and building materials used.

Additionally, regularly reviewing and updating your coverage can ensure that your policy adequately reflects your current needs.

Explore home insurance discounts for more savings

There are several ways Virginia homeowners can save money on home insurance without compromising the quality of their coverage.1 We offer home insurance discounts for:

  • Alarm systems: Receive a discount when you insure a home with burglar alarms, sprinkler systems or fire alarms.
  • Automatic detection devices: Insure a home with a temperature monitoring, water leak detection or gas leak detection system installed and receive a discount.
  • New or remodeled homes: Receive a credit when you insure a new or remodeled home.
  • Claim-free: Receive a discount when you’ve had no claims in the past three years.

If these don’t apply to you, we also offer discounts for:

  • AutoPay: Receive a discount when you opt to pay your premium using automatic deductions.
  • E-discount: Receive a discount when you sign up to receive policy information and bills electronically.
  • Paid in full: Save money when you pay the entire balance of your Virginia policy premium up front.

One of the best ways to conveniently manage all of your insurance needs and save money at the same time is to bundle your insurance coverages for home and auto with the same insurance company. In fact, Virginians who bundle auto and home insurance with Amica could save up to 20% with a multiline discount.

Facts and figures about Virginia

Common claims in Virginia:

Plumbing leaks are among the most common insurance claims in Virginia. Leaks can occur due to various reasons, such as:

  • Old or corroded pipes: In older homes or those with outdated plumbing systems, pipes may become worn out, corroded or weakened over time. This can increase the likelihood of leaks occurring, especially in areas with high water pressure or hard water.
  • Clogged drains or pipes: A buildup of debris, grease or mineral deposits can cause clogs in drains or pipes, leading to pressure buildup and potential leaks. Clogged pipes can also cause backups and overflows, resulting in water damage to the home.

These leaks can lead to water damage to the structure of the home, as well as damage to personal property such as furniture, electronics and belongings. Common areas where plumbing leaks occur include bathrooms, kitchens, basements and crawl spaces.

Most standard home insurance policies cover water damage caused by leaking pipes, but it's best to review your policy to understand the extent of coverage and any limitations.

Depending on your location and specific risks, you may want to consider purchasing supplemental coverage, such as flood insurance for properties located in flood-prone areas. Flood damage is not covered under standard home insurance policies, so it's essential to assess your risk and consider additional coverage if necessary.

Fun facts about Virginia:

  • Virginia Beach is home to the Cape Henry Lighthouse, the first lighthouse officially authorized by Congress.2
  • When the Virginia Colony was first established in 1634, it was divided into shires not counties.3
  • Virginia was the most populated state until it was passed by New York in 1820.3

How to get home insurance in Virginia

We’re here to guide you through the process of personalizing your homeowners insurance in Virginia. Here’s how to secure your policy in three easy steps:

  1. Assess your coverage needs:

    An Amica representative can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate your options to find the right coverage for your needs. 

  2. Discover potential discounts:

    A representative can also assist you in exploring potential discounts or cost-saving measures available to Virginia homeowners based on your unique circumstances.

  3. Get a quote:

    Amica offers convenient options for getting a quote. You can either get a home insurance quote online or call 800-242-6422 today to speak with a representative.

With Amica, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safeguarded against the unexpected, allowing you to focus on what matters most – enjoying life in beautiful Virginia.

Get a home insurance quote

or call 833-513-3881

1 Discounts not available in all states and may vary.
2 Cape Henry Lighthouse
3 13 Things You Didn't Know About the History of Virginia
 

Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.

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