USVI Car Insurance

USVI requires every registered vehicle to carry minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage. The minimum is 25/50/10 liability plus 25/50 uninsured motorist bodily injury — slightly higher than the U.S. mainland average for UM but standard for liability. USVI is a traditional at-fault insurance jurisdiction.

Minimum liability — 25/50/10

The USVI statutory minimum is $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 property damage. These limits are mid-pack nationally for liability. Drivers are generally advised to carry well above the statutory minimum: a single accident with hospitalization can easily exceed the 25/50/10 limits, leaving the at-fault driver personally exposed for the difference.

Uninsured motorist — 25/50

USVI requires $25,000/$50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, separate from the liability minimum. The territory has a higher-than-average uninsured driver rate (estimates above 15%), making UM coverage particularly important. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is also recommended at the same or higher limits.

Optional coverages

• Collision — covers your own vehicle in a crash, regardless of fault. Required by lenders on financed vehicles.
• Comprehensive — covers theft, vandalism, weather damage, hurricane damage, and animal collisions. Particularly important in USVI given the territory's exposure to hurricanes (Maria and Irma in 2017 produced substantial total-loss claims).
• Medical payments (MedPay) — covers your own and passengers' medical bills regardless of fault.
• Roadside and rental — useful for daily commuters, particularly inter-island ferry users.

Hurricane considerations

USVI insurance carriers structure comprehensive coverage with specific hurricane provisions. Some carriers exclude wind damage above a certain threshold; others include it but with a separate hurricane deductible (often a percentage of vehicle value rather than a flat amount). After Hurricanes Maria and Irma, carriers tightened underwriting and raised premiums; the market has stabilized but rates remain higher than they were pre-2017. Drivers buying comprehensive coverage should specifically verify hurricane coverage and the deductible structure.

Proof of insurance

USVI drivers must carry proof of insurance in the vehicle at all times. Acceptable forms:

• The insurer's printed insurance card.
• A digital insurance card on a smartphone (accepted on the islands).
• A binder or declaration page during the first 60 days of a new policy.

Proof is required at registration renewal, at any traffic stop, and after any reportable accident.

Penalties for driving uninsured

Driving without insurance in USVI is a serious offense. Penalties:

• First offense: fine up to $1,000, possible 6-month license suspension, and an SR-22 requirement to reinstate.
• Second offense: higher fine, mandatory license suspension, and 3-year SR-22.
• Third offense: extended fines and possible jail.

Reinstatement requires paying the BMV reinstatement fee, filing SR-22, and providing proof of current coverage. See suspended license.

SR-22 financial responsibility

An SR-22 is a state-filed certificate from your auto insurer attesting that you carry at least the USVI minimum coverage. The BMV requires SR-22 for:

• DUI convictions — see USVI DUI laws.
• Implied-consent refusals.
• Driving uninsured.
• Reinstatement after a major-violation suspension.
• Points-based suspensions ordered by the BMV.

The SR-22 must remain on file for 3 years from the reinstatement date. A lapse in the underlying policy triggers automatic re-suspension. Insurers charge a small SR-22 filing fee on top of the higher premium that follows a major violation.

How rates are set in USVI

USVI auto insurance rates are typically 10% to 25% above the U.S. mainland average, driven by hurricane exposure, the territory's higher uninsured-driver rate, and the small-market size that limits competition. Individual rates vary based on:

• Driver age and experience (under-25 drivers pay materially more).
• Driving record — see USVI driving records.
• Vehicle make, model, age, and theft frequency.
• Annual mileage and primary use.
• Garaging address — St. Thomas town vs. rural St. Croix can produce 15% to 30% rate differences.

After a claim or accident

USVI requires reporting any accident with injury, death, or property damage over $500 to the USVI Police Department. After reporting:

• Notify your insurer within the policy's reporting window (typically 24 to 72 hours).
• Exchange information with other drivers — name, address, license number, insurance carrier and policy number.
• Photograph the scene and any damage.
• File the territorial crash report if requested by the responding officer.

An at-fault accident typically affects the renewal premium for 3 years. See the point system page for how moving-violation convictions intersect with insurance scoring.