RICHMOND, Va. — There's been a growing burden on Virginians' wallets: car insurance costs. Rates are spiking for a number of people across the Commonwealth, and it's making monthly payments harder than ever.
Morgan Dean with AAA said part of the reason is the cost of fixing your car is soaring and that drivers are on average paying about 20% more for their auto insurance compared to one year ago.
"We're still dealing with some of the backups with the supply chain out there," Dean said. "Newer vehicles... lots of technology on board. If they're involved in a crash, it's much more expensive to make some of those repairs than it used to be in the past."
Dean also said accident rates, inflation, and crime like car thefts and break-ins are factors in rising insurance rates. But there are ways you can save.
"A usage-based insurance program," he suggested. "Those are the things we see with apps that track your movements and actions as a driver and reward drivers that are doing good things on the roadway. So that's a way for some people to save, but looking at other smaller ways might be a good thing too. Instead of getting a bill in the mail each month, can you save some money by getting it in an email? Can you autopay? What other things can you do?"
Additionally, a new state law took effect earlier this year that allows a driver to access their uninsured coverage, if needed, for injuries or damage in a claim. That can be on top of whatever they can access from the person at fault.
In the past, they wouldn't have been able to access that coverage.