Best Alexandria, VA Car Insurance in 2024
The average rates for car insurance in Alexandria, VA are $224.75/mo. Virginia requires 25/50/20 in minimum liability coverage. Compare quotes for free below.
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Kalyn Johnson
Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster
Kalyn grew up in an insurance family with a grandfather, aunt, and uncle leading successful careers as insurance agents. She soon found she has similar interests and followed in their footsteps. After spending about ten years working in the insurance industry as both an appraiser dispatcher and a senior property claims adjuster, she decided to combine her years of insurance experience with another...
Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster
UPDATED: Oct 24, 2024
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UPDATED: Oct 24, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Alexandria Overview Statistics
Amarillo Statistics | Details |
---|---|
Population | 160,035 |
Density | High - 10,544 people per square mile |
Average Cost of Car Insurance | $2,697 |
Cheapest Insurance Company | Geico |
Road Conditions | Poor - 30% Mediocre - 25% Fair - 17% Good - 29% |
Alexandria is a charming small city with big-city amenities as it sits on the outskirts of Washington D.C. If you’re new to the area, you’re probably trying to get settled in and figure out the ins and outs of living in this community.
There’s a lot to do besides unpacking boxes, and it can feel overwhelming. There’s one important aspect we can help you with, though, and that’s driving and insurance.
Maybe you’ve been in the area your whole life. One part of your life, if you own a car, has to be car insurance. Which one is best? How do you figure that out? This is where we’ll help you.
We’ll show you your options and examples of rates, and we’ll fill you in on the most important things you should know about driving in and around Alexandria.
The best way to get started finding the best car insurance for you is to do a rate comparison. If you enter your zip code right here, you’ll get several quotes to compare side-by-side.
What is the cost of car insurance in Alexandria, VA?
Everyone wants to get a good deal and no one wants to overpay. How do you avoid paying too much, though? How do you know what’s fair? We’ll show you some examples of rates to give you an idea of which company might be best for you.
These rates are just averages and your individual circumstances will dictate what your rates will be, but this is fantastic general knowledge for you to start with.
If you need more information about Virginia’s car insurance laws, check out our state guide.
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Male Vs Female Rates by Age
Alexandria age and gender rates
Age & Gender | Annual Rate |
---|---|
Age: 17 female | $5,111.64 |
Age: 17 male | $6,138.01 |
Age: 25 female | $1,969.07 |
Age: 25 male | $2,062.46 |
Age: 35 female | $1,632.69 |
Age: 35 male | $1,590.06 |
Age: 60 female | $1,532.84 |
Age: 60 male | $1,537.91 |
The median age in Alexandria is 36.4 years. Median age means that there are an equal number of people older and an equal number of people younger.
The overall average that men pay for insurance is $2,697, while women pay $2,562, a difference of $135 dollars a year. But keep in mind that this is an average, and it has teenage drivers in the mix. Teenagers are often newer to driving and that can come with inherent risks. The good news is there are options for car insurance for new drivers.
Once you get out of the teenage years, the price difference between genders is much closer and goes back and forth depending on the auto insurance company.
We partnered with Quadrant Data Solutions to bring you car insurance quotes in your area. We’ll get started with a comparison of what males pay and what females pay according to their age. If you’re close to the median age of 36.4, your quote will likely be closest to our 35-year-old category.
Alexandria Age Premiums
Insurance Company | Age: 17 Female | Age: 17 Male | Age: 25 Female | Age: 25 Male | Age: 35 Female | Age: 35 Male | Age: 60 Female | Age: 60 Male |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$8,066.17 | $9,205.97 | $3,283.55 | $3,266.39 | $2,528.94 | $2,377.23 | $2,509.62 | $2,509.62 | |
$3,272.20 | $4,365.55 | $1,719.77 | $1,685.68 | $1,475.60 | $1,461.81 | $1,400.81 | $1,400.81 | |
$4,049.78 | $5,203.53 | $1,819.20 | $1,973.94 | $1,642.19 | $1,647.54 | $1,455.03 | $1,490.04 | |
$6,179.00 | $6,926.31 | $1,561.23 | $1,586.86 | $1,288.66 | $1,217.19 | $1,176.01 | $1,174.54 | |
$5,087.21 | $6,370.47 | $1,811.31 | $2,090.65 | $1,596.03 | $1,596.03 | $1,458.47 | $1,458.47 | |
$4,015.49 | $4,756.20 | $1,619.33 | $1,771.21 | $1,264.73 | $1,240.55 | $1,197.07 | $1,193.97 |
As you can see, the teenage driver category has the highest rates, and the rates for males are significantly higher than for females. For more information, see why car insurance is higher for teenage boys than teenage girls.
Once you’re out of that age bracket, the costs go back and forth between the genders depending on the age and company.
There’s a huge drop between 17-year-olds and 25-year-olds. After that, the rates continue to drop as you age, but not to the degree they did in those younger years. Auto insurance companies assume that the younger you are, the less likely you are to use defensive driving tactics. Subsequently, they assume young adults are less apt to have a clean driving history and accident history.
There is one exception in the statement that rates for drivers drop as they age. Allstate charges a 60-year-old male about $130 more than a 35-year-old male.
There’s quite a bit of argument as to whether gender should be considered in rates. Some states have outlawed the practice. Insurance companies say they should consider gender since they can prove certain groups of people are more likely to file a claim.
When there are clear statistics to back it up, like there are for teenage drivers, this line of reasoning the insurance companies give makes sense.
But for all the other age groups, the insurance companies go back and forth between who pays more, which makes you wonder if there is actually any clear difference in risk.
Cheapest Zip Codes in Alexandria
Alexandria Zip Code Annual Premium
Zip Code | Annual Premium |
---|---|
22314 | $2,244.19 |
22301 | $2,254.46 |
22305 | $2,273.70 |
22331 | $2,283.31 |
22332 | $2,283.31 |
22302 | $2,301.20 |
22304 | $2,385.78 |
Between the least expensive and the most expensive zip codes in Alexandria, there’s a difference of just over $140 a year.
Just as there’s controversy over whether gender should be considered in rates, there’s controversy about zip codes being used for rates. Some argue that it unfairly targets minority populations. Insurance companies argue that the risk they take on is higher in some zip codes than others.
Wherever you stand on the debate, the fact is that your zip code does make a difference. Keeping clients in mind by making affordable insurance accessible isn’t something that you’d typically find, but you may be surprised by what you find through comparison shopping.
What’s the best car insurance company in Alexandria?
You’ve seen the rates by age and gender, and that certainly will give you a good idea of which companies have the lowest rates for you, but now we’ll show you a few more factors. Depending on how you relate to these factors, you’ll see which companies cater best to your situation.
Cheapest Car Insurance Rates by Company
Overall, here are how the companies’ rates line up. This is general, and you’ll want to look at the breakdowns with more specifics to help you make a better decision.
Alexandria average rates by company
Insurance Company | Average Rate |
---|---|
$4,218.44 | |
$2,097.78 | |
$2,410.16 | |
$2,638.73 | |
$2,683.58 | |
$2,132.32 |
Geico car insurance and USAA car insurance are neck-in-neck with the lowest costs, and Allstate is considerably higher. Don’t write Allstate car insurance off entirely, because they’re still a good company and offer a lot of perks included with their coverage. But if you’re strongly focused on price, it might not be the company for you.
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Best Car Insurance for Commute Rates
The national average for miles driven per licensed driver per year is 14,132. Virginia’s average miles per person driven is almost 100 miles lower than that at 14,038.
The more miles you drive in a year, the more miles you have a chance to get into a crash, so usually, insurance companies charge more for longer commutes. Let’s see how much difference your commute makes in Alexandria.
Alexandria Commute Rates
Insurance Company | 10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage. | 25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage. |
---|---|---|
$4,085.14 | $4,351.74 | |
$2,059.12 | $2,136.44 | |
$2,410.16 | $2,410.16 | |
$2,638.72 | $2,638.72 | |
$2,616.01 | $2,751.15 | |
$2,053.42 | $2,211.22 |
Progressive car insurance and Nationwide don’t change the rates based on the length of commute. Geico and USAA are still the cheapest options, even with longer commutes.
Best Car Insurance for Coverage Level Rates
It makes sense that you pay more for high coverage and additional protection than for low coverage. Surprisingly, Nationwide does not follow that trend. They charge progressively less for each step up in coverage. In fact, high coverage costs over $200 less than low coverage.
Alexandria Coverage Level Rates
Insurance Company | Low Coverage | Medium Coverage | High Coverage |
---|---|---|---|
$4,083.58 | $4,218.32 | $4,353.40 | |
$2,015.98 | $2,096.24 | $2,181.11 | |
$2,528.49 | $2,388.14 | $2,313.83 | |
$2,519.82 | $2,609.86 | $2,786.50 | |
$2,506.67 | $2,681.17 | $2,862.89 | |
$2,043.46 | $2,136.95 | $2,216.54 |
USAA and Geico have the lowest rates regardless of coverage level, in fact, their high level of coverage is still lower than anyone else’s low coverage.
You get a lot more protection with high coverage than low coverage and no company charges that much more for it, so it’s worth your consideration to increase your coverage amounts. Weighing your coverage options and speaking to an experienced agent is also an option!
Best Car Insurance for Credit History Rates
Here’s another controversial rate factor. Your credit history makes a big difference in your rates. Some states have banned this practice, but in Virginia, using credit rates to determine rates is alive and well. There are still a few car insurance companies with no credit check requirements.
Alexandria Credit History Rates
Insurance Company | Good | Fair | Poor |
---|---|---|---|
$3,405.13 | $4,127.44 | $5,122.74 | |
$1,981.31 | $1,981.31 | $2,330.71 | |
$2,085.81 | $2,295.06 | $2,849.60 | |
$2,416.29 | $2,577.77 | $2,922.11 | |
$1,866.73 | $2,365.02 | $3,818.99 | |
$1,606.42 | $1,944.48 | $2,846.06 |
Geico and USAA continue to have the lowest rates. Interestingly, Geico doesn’t charge different rates for good and fair credit.
The companies that are hardest on those with poor credit are State Farm and Allstate. Here’s how much poor credit will cost you over what you’d pay with good credit:
- Geico – $349
- Progressive – $506
- Nationwide – $764
- USAA – $1,240
- Allstate – $1,718
- State Farm – $1,952
There’s a myriad of situations that can cause one’s credit score to be low, but there are usually more auto insurance options available if you are willing to look. For more details, see best car insurance companies for bad credit.
Best Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates
This is one dimension of your rate formulation that no one argues with. If you have a bad driving history, you’re more of a risk to the insurance company, so they’ll charge you higher rates. It is in your best interest to have a clean driving record.
Alexandria Driving Record Rates
Insurance Company | Clean record | With one speeding violation | With one accident | With one DUI |
---|---|---|---|---|
$3,111.48 | $4,051.13 | $5,067.66 | $4,643.48 | |
$1,600.11 | $1,600.11 | $2,068.59 | $3,122.30 | |
$2,094.04 | $2,377.77 | $2,094.04 | $3,074.77 | |
$2,236.04 | $2,615.35 | $3,012.61 | $2,690.90 | |
$2,433.37 | $2,683.58 | $2,933.80 | $2,683.58 | |
$1,647.26 | $1,901.08 | $2,151.68 | $2,829.25 |
Geico is the winner if you have a speeding violation. They don’t even raise your rates. See how a speeding ticket affects your car insurance rates for more details.
Geico, Nationwide, and USAA are in a dead heat for being the cheapest for being the best for those who’ve had an accident. Nationwide doesn’t raise your rates for an accident.
Progressive and State Farm are the best for you if you’ve had a DUI, according to these statistics. For more details, see best car insurance for drivers with a DUI.
– Car Insurance Factors in Alexandria
The economy in the greater Washington D.C. area contributes to what people pay for car insurance. If people are making more money and their car insurance rates stay the same, a lesser percentage of their income will go toward insurance, which is a win for them.
Growth and Prosperity in Alexandria
Growth and prosperity are doing very well in Alexandria, according to the 2019 Brookings Metro Monitor Report.
Prosperity:
- Productivity: +1.5 percent (29th out of 100)
- Standard of living: +1.7 percent (46th out of 100)
- Average annual wage: +1.0 percent (49th out of 100)
Growth:
- Jobs: +1.2 percent (56th out of 100)
- Gross metropolitan product (GMP): +2.7 percent (40 out of 100)
- Jobs at young firms: +0.6 percent (78 out of 100)
Alexandria and the surrounding area have been staying above the U.S. average for growth and prosperity.
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Median Household Income
The median household income is $93,370 and the average cost of car insurance is $2,697.00 a year, which means that the average percentage of the median income going to car insurance is 2.89 percent. That’s not too bad. And if you are able to find coverage for less, your percentage will also be lower.
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Homeownership in Alexandria
Just over 43 percent of housing units are occupied by owners, which is considerably lower than the national average of just under 64 percent.
The total percentage of owner-occupied housing units in the greater D.C. area is 63.4 percent, so Alexandria is on the low side even compared to surrounding communities. More people are renting in Alexandria than own their own homes.
Part of that could be that the median property value is so high, at $537,900. It’s likely that more people rent because the cost of owning is so high.
Education in Alexandria
There are no large universities in Alexandria, but their three biggest colleges are as follows:
- Global Health College
- CET-Alexandria
- Centura College-Alexandria
The vast majority of students at these colleges are female. The numbers are 297 females to 36 males.
In the region, outside of Alexandria city limits, there are several Universities. Here are the colleges and universities with over 2000 students within eight miles of Alexandria:
- Strayer University-Virginia
- George Washington University
- Georgetown University
- Strayer University-Global Region
- Medtech Institute
- Marymount University
- Howard University
College students are typically in their late teens and early twenties. Their rates for car insurance are on the high side, but there are ways to save. Many companies offer a good student discount for students who receive good grades. Often, you can save by taking a driver’s ed course, as well.
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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs
The ethnicities making the highest average annual income are as follows:
- Asian – $68,169 ± $3,324
- White – $60,529 ± $977
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander – $56,661 ± $29,375
We have listed in the table below, some of the most common jobs in Alexandria and how much each race makes on average. Based on an average car insurance rate of $2,697, we also calculated what percentage of income would go to pay car insurance premiums each year.
Alexandria Wage Ethnicity Premium as percentage of income
Ethnicity | Miscellaneous Managers Salary | Premium as Percentage of Income | Elementary & Middle School Teachers | Premium as Percentage of Income | Retail Salespersons | Premium as Percentage of Income |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asian | $110,090 | 2.45% | $41,865 | 6.44% | $19,388 | 13.91% |
White | $113,126 | 2.38% | $46,722 | 5.77% | $31,066 | 8.68% |
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | $96,342 | 2.8% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Two or More Races | $107,566 | 2.51% | $42,510 | 6.34% | $22,670 | 11.9% |
Black | $79,751 | 3.38% | $42,891 | 6.29% | $21,634 | 12.47% |
American Indian | $74,380 | 3.63% | $21,329 | 12.64% | $49,526 | 5.45% |
Other | $76,984 | 3.5% | $49,332 | 5.47% | $17,463 | 15.44% |
Wage by Gender in Common Jobs
As is the case in most places across the U.S., men make more money than women. In Alexandria, on average, men make $19,000 more annually than their female counterparts. When you consider that, it’s not surprising that more women are living in poverty than men, as you’ll see next.
Poverty by Age and Gender in Alexandria
The largest demographic of people living in poverty are females between the ages of 25 and 34. There are far more women than men living in poverty in Alexandria.
When compared to the national average of those living in poverty, 13.4 percent, Alexandria is doing quite a bit better, at 10.5 percent.
The average salary for a male is $74,183, while females earn about $55,180, which is about $19,000 less than males.
That means that while men pay 3.64 percent of their annual income to car insurance premiums, women pay 4.89 percent.
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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity in Alexandira
Breaking down poverty by race and ethnicity gives us these top three groups by the number of people living in poverty:
- Black – 6,557 ± 691
- White – 6,481 ± 628
- Hispanic – 4,820 ± 605
Those living below the federal poverty level will have a harder time affording car insurance. When money is tight and every penny must be accounted for, the minimum levels of car insurance are usually the cheapest.
If you have an older car and it’s not worth very much money, you probably won’t need to spend the money on comprehensive and collision insurance. Just stick to liability.
Employment by Occupations
The most common occupations by the numbers in Alexandria are as follows:
- Management Occupations – 15,578 people
- Business & Financial Operations Occupations – 9,045 people
- Office & Administrative Support Occupations – 8,684 people
Driving in Alexandria
According to Allstate’s Best Driver Awards, drivers in Alexandria are pretty bad. In fact, they scored 192nd out of 200. With so many bad drivers around, what do you need to know to make your experience on the road as safe and calamity-free as possible? We’ll cover that next.
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Major Highways near Alexandria
There are a few major highways that pass through Alexandria, and those include the following:
- US Route 1
- I-395
- Capital Beltway (I-495)
The city is addressing their poor driver situation with an initiative called Vision Zero. They have lowered the speed limit on part of Route 1 from 25 to 35 mph.
Over 560 miles of road that the city is responsible to take care of.
Many surrounding counties have all their road upkeep done by the state-run VDOT, but since Alexandria is a city, they keep up their own city streets.
None of the highways going through the heart of Alexandria have tolls, but coming fall 2019, I-395 through Alexandria will offer an express lane. This lane may be used by vehicles carrying three or more people for free and drivers with fewer passengers can pay a toll to use the lane.
Here are some of the surrounding roadways do.
- South of Alexandria – I-95 Express lane toll
- West of Alexandria – I-495 Express lane toll
- North of Alexandria – 66 Express lane toll
These express lane tolls operate the same way as the I-395 toll explained above.
And further away, west of D.C. there is the Dulles Toll Road and the Dulles Greenway. If you travel the toll roads frequently, or even just sporadically, an E-ZPass will make the toll process faster and easier.
If you have the E-ZPass Flex transponder and you have the required number of passengers to ride in the express, or HOV, lane, make sure to switch your pass to “HOV on” so that you are not automatically charged a toll for driving in the express lane.
E-ZPass is a pre-pay system. The easiest way to make sure you always have enough funds on your account to pay your tolls (if you don’t, you’ll be in trouble) is to set up an automatic replenishment.
With automatic replenishment set up, when your balance gets to a certain point, it will automatically take money from your chosen account and put it into your E-ZPass account.
Popular Road Trip Sites near Alexandria
Virginia is a beautiful state and there is so much to do and see in the D.C. area. One of the best drives in the country is right out your back door. The Blue Ridge Parkway. The drive is beautiful every time of year, but you don’t want to miss it in the fall.
Here’s a list of more can’t miss road trips and sites:
- Shenandoah National Park
- Colonial Parkway
- Old Town Alexandria
- Appalachian Trail
- Monticello
- Mount Vernon
- Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
- Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
- The Carlyle House
- Old Town Farmer’s Market
This list is only the beginning. When you live in a place with so much history and culture, there’s something new to do every week.
And there are a plethora of attractions in Washington D.C.
Roads in Alexandria
If it weren’t for roads, we wouldn’t have cars, and if it weren’t for cars, we wouldn’t have car insurance. There’s a lot going on with Alexandria roads and we’re here to help you navigate trouble spots and make your experience driving as smooth as possible.
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Road Conditions in Alexandria
Alexandria Road Conditions
Poor Share | Mediocre Share | Fair Share | Good Share | Vehicle Operating Costs |
---|---|---|---|---|
30% | 25% | 17% | 29% | $562 |
According to Tripnet, there are more miles of poor roadway conditions than good conditions.
Thanks to rain and snow, potholes are formed. You can help the city by reporting potholes.
Red-Light Cameras in Alexandria
Since reaching a peak in 2012, the use of red-light cameras has declined sharply. The public almost universally hates them and some don’t even know what a red light camera looks like.
Cities tend to love them. Typically, a city contracts with a company that provides the cameras and does most of the work and keeps most of the profits, and then the city makes the agreed-upon percentage of revenue for very little effort.
The city of Alexandria argues strongly that red-light cameras improve safety, and that is their primary motive for using them, not revenue.
There are a total of six red-light cameras at these four intersections:
- Duke Street and West Taylor Run Parkway
- South Patrick Street and Gibbon Street (both directions of travel)
- Duke Street and South Walker Street (both directions of travel)
- South Patrick Street and Franklin Street
The penalty for being caught by a red-light camera is a maximum of a $50 civil penalty. That means it won’t be reported to insurance or the DMV.
Vehicles in Alexandria
The kind of car you have makes a difference in your car insurance rates. Besides making a difference in your car insurance premiums, your vehicle(s) will cost you varying amounts depending on the fuel efficiency and maintenance.
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Most Popular Vehicles Owned
According to Your Mechanic, the most popular vehicle in the D.C. area is the Toyota Highlander.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the Highlander their maximum five-star safety rating.
Toyota highlander gets 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. It’s about in the middle for efficiency. There are a lot of vehicles that do better, but there are some that do worse.
If you love the Highlander but want better efficiency, there’s good news. The Toyota Highlander hybrid boasts 29 mpg combined.
How many cars per household?
Forty-two and a half percent of households have just one car followed closely by 40.9 percent of households with two cars. Nationally, 21 percent of households have one car.
Households Without a Car in Alexandria
Just under six percent of households in Alexandria have no car.
Speed Traps in Alexandria
Reducing the speed limit for the purpose of catching people driving too fast is illegal. If the speed limit is lowered, it’s because the city and/or state has agreed that it needed to be for safety.
There are some areas where people are more prone to speed, and there are also areas that have a high incidence of crashes. When you’re driving through those places, you’ll need to be extra careful and vigilant. If you’re following the posted speed limit, you won’t get a speeding ticket.
- Potomac Avenue behind Potomac Yard Shopping Center – Speed limit posted is 25 mph
- S. Columbus/Gibbon Street – No right turns between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm
- Duke Street in front of Whole Foods – Watch speed
- Duke and West – No left turns between 7:00 am and 9:00 am
Vehicle Theft in Alexandria
Alexandria Crime Comparison
Type of Crime (chance of being a victim) | Alexandria | Virginia | US Median |
---|---|---|---|
Violent crime | 1 in 604 | 1 in 480 | 1 in 250 |
Property crime | 1 in 64 | 1 in 56 | 1 in 42 |
In 2017, 273 vehicles were stolen in Alexandria. The rate of vehicles stolen per 1,000 people is considerably lower than the national average and lower than the 15 states with the height vehicle theft rates. In Alexandria, 1.71 cars were stolen per 1,000 residents compared to 2.37 per 1,000 residents nationally.
Alexandria’s crime index was 40 out of 100. That means it’s safer than 40 percent of US cities. It’s not a stellar score; it’s on the low end of average.
There were 2,748 crimes committed in 2017, which puts the overall crime rate is 17.17 per 1,000 residents. In other words, 17 out of every 1,000 people will be a victim of a crime.
Traffic in Alexandria
No one enjoys traffic, but when you live in an urban area, it’s part of life. Compared to other cities in North America, Washington D.C. ranks number 11, according to TomTom. Some studies have put Washington D.C. traffic at the number one worst spot in the country.
Since Alexandria is part of the D.C. metro area, we’ll look at the data from D.C.
- Congestions Level – 28 percent
- Highways – 25 percent
- Non-highways – 29 percent
- Extra Travel Time
- Morning Peak – 46 percent (14 minutes added to a 30-minute trip)
- Evening Peak – 60 percent (18 minutes added to a 30-minute trip)
Transportation in Alexandria
With traffic being so horrible around Alexandria, it’s no surprise that the average commute time is quite a bit higher than the national average. While 58.2 percent of people drive alone to work, almost 22 percent use public transit. Another 8.35 percent carpool.
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Busiest Highways near Alexandria
There are some major roadways with a lot of lanes. Two of the urban highways with the most lanes in America are in the D.C. area.
- I-395 has 12 lanes
- I-270 has 13 lanes
The number of miles traveled on D.C. area roadways each day is staggering.
- 46,139,000 freeway miles
- 43,718,000 arterial street miles
How safe are Alexandria streets and roads?
Alexandria is an independent city and in Virginia, that means it’s not part of a county. The counties that surround this city are Fairfax County and Arlington County.
Alexandria road fatalities
Alexandria Metro Counties | Fatal Crashes 2017 | Fatalities involving an alcohol-impaired driver | Fatalities in single-vehicle crashes 2017 | Fatalities involving speeding 2017 | Fatalities involving roadway departure 2017 | Fatalities involving an intersection 2017 | Passenger car occupant fatalities 2017 | Pedestrian fatalities 2017 | Pedalcyclist fatalities 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alexandria City | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Fairfax | 34 | 11 | 19 | 14 | 19 | 6 | 17 | 9 | 0 |
Arlington | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
In the state of Virginia, there were 839 roadway fatalities in 2017.
Alexandria - Virginia fatalities by roadway type
Roadway Type | Number of Fatalities |
---|---|
Rural Insterstate | 42 |
Urban Interstate | 59 |
Freeway and Expressway | 17 |
Other Principle Arterial | 191 |
Minor Arterial | 205 |
Collector Arterial | 183 |
Local | 75 |
Unknown | 11 |
Total Fatal Crashes | 783 |
Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report
Alexandria Allstate Report
2018 Best Drivers Report Ranking | 192 |
---|---|
Average Years between Claims | 6.22 |
Relative Claim Likelihood (Compared to National Average) | +69.9% |
DriveWise Hard Braking Events per 1,000 miles. | 27.48 |
Alexandria drivers don’t rank very high compared to other cities, according to Allstate’s Best Drivers Report. The national average time between claims is 10.57 years, and drivers in Alexandria have an average of 6.2 years between claims.
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Ridesharing in Alexandria
You’d expect that in a bustling metropolitan area, every option for ridesharing services would be available, and you would be right in Alexandria. These are your rideshare options in Alexandria:
- Taxi
- Free Now
- Curb
- Lyft
- Lyft Premier
- Lyft Lux
- Uber X
- Uber Taxi
- Uber Black
- Carmel
E-star Repair Shops in Alexandria
E-star is a list of preferred repair shops that Esurance has put together. You don’t have to be a customer of Esurance to use this list to find reputable repair shops. There are several in the area:
Alexandria E-star repair shops
NAME OF ESTAR REPAIR SHOP | ADDRESS | CONTACT INFORMATION |
---|---|---|
CARSTAR RS COLLISION OF ALEXANDRIA | 620 S. PICKETT ST. ALEXANDRIA VA 22304 | email: [email protected] P: (703) 746-9212 |
ROSSLYN AUTO BODY CO. | 6015 Farrington Avenue ALEXANDRIA VA 22304 | email: [email protected] P: (703) 820-1800 |
AYT TOMMY'S AUTO BODY | 5700 KIRBY RD CLINTON MD 20735 | email: [email protected] P: (301) 449-5277 |
SPRINGFIELD AUTO BODY, INC. | 8102 ALBAN RD. SPRINGFIELD VA 22150 | email: [email protected] P: (703) 569-5055 |
GERBER - COLLEGE PARK | 5106 BRANCHVILLE RD COLLEGE PARK MD 20740 | email: [email protected] P: (301) 474-4844 |
Weather in Alexandria
Alexandria Weather
Weather Facts | Details |
---|---|
Annual High Temperature | 64.8°F |
Annual Low Temperature | 46.°F |
Average Temperature | 55.7°F |
Average Annual Precipitation Rainfall | 40.78 inches |
The climate in the Alexandria area is fairly mild. You can expect a few snowstorms, but high accumulations aren’t common.
The Washington D.C. area has a lower risk of natural disasters than the national average. Earthquakes and tornadoes are unlikely. Remnants of hurricanes can bring severe storms, but Alexandria is too far north to get a direct hit like states further south.
Public Transit in Alexandria
Alexandria and the D.C. area have public transit going for them. The rates for the Metrorail lines vary depending on which station you start and end at. Regular Metrobus fare is $2.00 and Metrobus Express fare is $4.00.
There are a number of passes available. If you commute daily using the Metro, a monthly pass is probably your best option. For someone that intends to do a lot of traveling on public transportation for a short period of time, there are several pass options that are helpful:
- Monthly Pass – Rate depends on the commute
- 1-Day Unlimited Pass – $13
- 3-Day Unlimited Pass – $28
- 7-Day Unlimited Pass – $58
- 7-Day Short Trip Unlimited Pass – $38 (covers Metrorail fares up to $3.85)
Keep in mind that although these are “unlimited” passes, they only cover the first two dollars of Metrobus Express and Airport Route fares. Also, these passes do not include the following transportation services:
- ART
- DC Circulator
- CUE
- DASH
- Fairfax Connector
- The Bus
- Ride On
Alternate Transporation in ALexandria
One mode of transportation that’s been growing in recent years is shared bike and scooter rentals. In D.C., these are your options for scooter rental:
- Bird – $1 to unlock and a preset cost per minute to ride
- Jump – Free to unlock and 15 cents per minute to ride
- Lime – $1 to unlock and 15 cents per minute to ride
- Lyft – $1 to unlock and 24 cents per minute to ride
Jump offers dockless scooters and bikes. In fact, Jump is the only company to have bikes in D.C.
In D.C.’s pilot program, dockless bikes and scooters were available for rent, but Lime is pulling out the bikes due to D.C.’s new locking requirement. Lime is keeping the scooters on the streets, though.
One is six D.C. residents have rented a scooter. They’re very popular. And Washington D.C. is experiencing the growing pains that come with anything new and popular on the streets. They’re figuring out what restrictions work and what limitations make sense.
But until everything gets figured out, a lot of people are annoyed with the traffic hazards some riders present and the congested sideways.
Like D.C., Alexandria has started a pilot program and has approved the following dockless companies:
- Lime
- Lyft
- Jump
- Bolt
- Bird
- Skip
- Spin
Parking in Metro Areas
The Old Town area of Alexandria is littered with parking garages. Many garages in Old Town offer great evening and weekend rates as low as five dollars.
There is metered parking in Old Town and Carlyle. Some meters can be paid by app only while others have a credit card or coin option. ParkMobile operates the meters and you’ll need the app if you park in an app-only payment area.
Parking time on metered streets is limited to two or three hours depending on the section. After 9:00 pm, on Sundays, and on state holidays, parking is free. Multi-space meters cost $1.75 per hour to park, and single-space meters cost $1.25 per hour.
If you have an electric vehicle, Alexandria is a friendly city! They have several popular charging stations:
- Giant Foods
- Walgreens – Alexandria, VA #10233
- Beacon Hill Apartments
- Passport Nissan – Alexandria
- Comfort Inn and Suites
In all, there are 768 charging stations and 45 percent of them are free.
Air Quality in Alexandria
The entire Northeast Corridor is packed with people. And with all those people come millions of cars. And those cars contribute to air quality. Cars are much greener than they used to be as emissions limits have been placed and enforced.
Alexandria Air Quality
Year | Days with Air Quality Index | Good Days | Moderate Days | Unhealthy Days for Sensitive Groups | Unhealthy Days |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | 366 | 176 | 174 | 16 | 0 |
2017 | 365 | 147 | 210 | 8 | 0 |
2018 | 365 | 194 | 161 | 9 | 1 |
Alexandria has about as many good air quality days as moderate ones. They do not have many unhealthy air quality days, which is good news, especially to at-risk groups.
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Military and Veterans
You may be wondering if there are any special programs or options in the Alexandria area for veterans and active duty military car insurance. We’ll show you what’s available.
The good news is, there’s a lot of car insurance companies that offer military discounts and one company specializes and only offers services to military and related individuals.
In Alexandria, there are estimated to be over 9,000 veterans.
- Gulf War (2001-) – 4,950 ± 465
- Vietnam – 2,158 ± 256
- Gulf War (1990s) – 1,864 ± 285
Virginia has a whopping 27 military bases. Fort Belvoir Army Base is located in neighboring Fairfax County. Washington D.C. has several military bases. Basically, the area is loaded with bases.
Here are some of the bases nearest Alexandria:
- Anacostia-Boiling
- Fort Belvoir
- Andrews
- Henderson Hall
- Fort Myer
- The Washington, DC Area Military
As promised, here is a list of provides who offer military discounts:
- Allstate
- Farmers
- Geico
- Liberty Mutual
- MetLife
- SafeCo
- State Farm
- USAA
USAA is the car insurance company that works exclusively with clients who are in the military, were in the military, and their families. In most places, USAA is one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest car insurance company.
As you can see, in the state of Virginia, their rates are lower than everyone else’s. If you’re eligible to become one of their customers, you should at least check them out and consider their coverage.
Alexandria USAA Rates vs Virginia Rates
Insurance Company | Annual Rate | Percentage Higher than USAA |
---|---|---|
$1,858 | 0% | |
$2,061.53 | 11% | |
$2,073.00 | 12% | |
$2,268.95 | 22% | |
Virginia State Average | $2,357.87 | 27% |
$2,498.58 | 34% | |
$3,386.80 | 82% |
Unique Alexandria Laws
There are some driving laws that are universal, like following the posted speed limit. But what about unique laws that you might not know about but you should? We’ll highlight the ones you need to know in this next section.
Recent Changes to the Law in Alexandria
There have been some recent changes to the law that you need to know about:
- Previously, if you didn’t pay court fines, your license would be suspended, but not anymore. This restoration of driving privileges helped 627,000 residents of Virginia get their licenses reinstated.
- Violators of the “move over” law will now face stiffer punishment. Previously, a first offense was a traffic infraction, now it’s a Class 1 misdemeanor.
- Children under the age of two must be secured in rear-facing car seats while riding in a vehicle unless they meet the weight standards to face forward.
- Vehicle safety inspections will now cost more. The maximum charge was $16 per vehicle, now it’s $20. The Virginia State Police used to receive 50 cents from each inspection, now they’ll receive 70 cents.
- Handheld communication devices are prohibited when traveling through a highway work zone. The fine for a violation is $250.
Food Truck Laws in Alexandria
Food trucks have to obtain a permit and they are allowed to operate on certain streets and on private property where permission has been granted. They may operate Monday through Friday from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm for up to four continuous hours at a time.
Parking Laws in Alexandria
These next laws about parking are some that you need to know about. Parking for residents in certain areas, especially those in Old Town and those near Metro stations, was getting difficult to find.
So, way back in 1979, the city came up with a plan to help the residents’ situation. Residential parking permits allow permit holders to park in their home district all day long. However, those without residential permits are only allowed to park for two or three hours (depending on the location and time of day).
In District 12, in order to eliminate out-of-city commuters from taking all the parking spots, only vehicles registered in the City of Alexandria and Vehicles displaying a Guest or Visitor permit for District 12 can park.
Keep this on in mind. No vehicles can be parked in the same spot on the street for more than 72 hours. If you’re taking a long staycation, don’t forget to get in your car and move it.
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Alexandria Car Insurance FAQs
We’ve covered a lot of material, but maybe you still have some questions. We’ll cover some of the top questions next.
Is car insurance required by law in Alexandria?
Surprisingly, no. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to go without, though. if you choose not to insure your vehicle, you must pay an Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee of $500 per year. With the receipt of that payment, you may register an uninsured vehicle.
Please keep in mind, though, that liability laws are in place and should you cause an accident, you must be financially responsible. Are you prepared to pay out of pocket to repair your car and the other party’s property damage and bodily injuries? If not, you need insurance.
Read more: What happens if I forget to get insurance for my car?
How do I obtain an accident report in Alexandria?
The Alexandria Police Department website has a form you must fill out to request a report.
Where are the Metro stations in Alexandria?
What is the minimum car insurance I have to have in Alexandria?
Many companies don’t give the option to purchase the minim requirements because, in the real world, they’re way too low to offer adequate protection. By law, though, these are the minimum requirements in Virginia. But what is the minimum care insurance required by each state?
- Bodily injury/death per person $25,000
- Total bodily injury/death per accident $50,000
- Property damage $20,000
If I’m new to the state, how much time do I have to get a Virginia driver’s license?
Within 60 days of moving to Virginia.
Where’s the nearest airport from Alexandria?
- Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is 10 minutes away
- Washington Dulles Internation Airport (IAD) is 40 minutes away
- Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) is 50 minutes away
What’s the speed limit on city streets in Alexandria?
Twenty-five miles per hour.
Now you can confidently collect quotes and find the car insurance company that’s best for your situation. Enter your zip code right here to get started. Enter your information once and you’ll receive several quotes to compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I compare car insurance options in Alexandria, VA?
To compare car insurance options in Alexandria, VA, follow these steps:
- Assess your coverage needs: Determine the types and levels of coverage required for your vehicle.
- Obtain multiple quotes: Collect quotes from different insurance providers in Alexandria, VA.
- Compare coverage and premiums: Evaluate the coverage options and premiums offered by each insurer.
- Consider additional factors: Take into account customer reviews, the financial stability of the insurance company, available discounts, and the quality of customer service.
- Make an informed decision: Choose the car insurance policy that best fits your needs and budget.
What factors should I consider when comparing car insurance in Alexandria, VA?
When comparing car insurance in Alexandria, VA, consider the following factors:
- Coverage options: Evaluate the types of coverage available, such as liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection.
- Premiums: Compare the premiums quoted by different insurers for similar coverage.
- Deductibles: Consider the deductible amounts and how they impact your premiums.
- Discounts: Inquire about available discounts, such as safe driver discounts, multi-policy discounts, or discounts for anti-theft devices.
- Customer reviews: Read reviews and ratings from other policyholders to gauge the customer service and claims handling of the insurance companies.
- Financial stability: Check the financial ratings of insurance companies from reputable sources to ensure they can meet their financial obligations.
Are there any specific car insurance requirements in Alexandria, VA?
Yes, there are specific car insurance requirements in Virginia, including Alexandria. The state requires drivers to carry liability insurance with the following minimum coverage limits:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $20,000 property damage liability coverage per accident
Can I get discounts on car insurance in Alexandria, VA?
Yes, many car insurance providers offer various discounts that can help lower your premiums in Alexandria, VA. Some common discounts include:
- Safe driver discounts: Offered to drivers with a clean driving record and no at-fault accidents.
- Multi-policy discounts: Available when you bundle multiple insurance policies, such as auto and home insurance, with the same provider.
- Good student discounts: Offered to students who maintain good grades.
- Anti-theft device discounts: Provided for vehicles equipped with anti-theft devices.
- Defensive driving course discounts: Available to drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course.
How can I lower my car insurance premiums in Alexandria, VA?
To lower your car insurance premiums in Alexandria, VA, consider the following:
- Shop around: Obtain quotes from multiple insurance providers to find the most competitive rates.
- Increase deductibles: Opting for a higher deductible can lower your premiums. However, ensure you can afford to pay the deductible in case of an accident.
- Maintain a good driving record: Avoid accidents and traffic violations, as a clean driving record often leads to lower premiums.
- Take advantage of discounts: Inquire about all available discounts and take advantage of those you qualify for.
- Bundle policies: Consider bundling your car insurance policy with other policies, such as home insurance, to receive multi-policy discounts.
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Kalyn Johnson
Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster
Kalyn grew up in an insurance family with a grandfather, aunt, and uncle leading successful careers as insurance agents. She soon found she has similar interests and followed in their footsteps. After spending about ten years working in the insurance industry as both an appraiser dispatcher and a senior property claims adjuster, she decided to combine her years of insurance experience with another...
Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster
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