Here's what you need to know when driving in West Virginia
Across the Mountain State, there are 79,144 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Affordable Insurance Premiums in West Virginia
What's the cheapest car insurance in West Virginia?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hartford | $1,039 |
| 2 | Erie | $1,228 |
| 3 | State Farm | $1,292 |
| 4 | Nationwide | $1,361 |
| 5 | Westfield | $1,417 |
| 6 | Safeco | $1,785 |
| 7 | Progressive | $2,117 |
| 8 | Motorists Mutual | $2,562 |
| 9 | Allstate | $2,691 |
| 10 | Sentry | $3,996 |
Compare quotes from close to 20 insurance companies that provide coverage throughout West Virginia. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.
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Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in West Virginia
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. West Virginia drivers without a recent at-fault accident can save 34% on their car insurance premiums, on average — just a bit better than the 32% US average. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $287 | 17.19% |
| No Accidents | $723 | 34.37% |
| Good Credit | $1,049 | 43.15% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in West Virginia
Young drivers — aged between 16 and 25 — pay very high car insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teen drivers pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In West Virginia, the average teen driver pays $5,366 — approximately $400 per year more than the nationwide average and approximately three times more than an older West Virginia driver.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $5,828 | $6,342 |
| 17 | $5,608 | $5,835 |
| 18 | $5,734 | $5,169 |
| 19 | $4,909 | $3,510 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in West Virginia
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably enjoy relatively cheap car insurance rates. Conversely, a bad driving record will cause your costs to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 37% after a DUI, 34% after an at-fault accident, and 17% after a speeding ticket in West Virginia. The post-citation penalties assessed by car insurance companies in the Mountain State are similar to nationwide averages. If you have a clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $2,105 | 34.37% |
| DUI | $2,227 | 37.96% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,668 | 17.19% |
| Bad Credit | $2,430 | 43.15% |
Best Car Insurance Companies in West Virginia
Each car insurance company boasts about its low costs. But just like with any product or service, the cheapest auto insurance isn't always the best choice. Considering the financial stakes, it's worth doing the research to purchase an auto insurance policy that covers your vehicle completely in the event of an incident. Work to find a great value, rather than settling for the cheapest car insurance available.
Compare top auto insurance companies' fiscal strength and claims satisfaction levels to better predict the level of service you will receive. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and varying from "Poor" to "Superior" — assesses an insurance company's financial strength and ability to meet its policy and contractual obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Cal Casualty | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Encompass | Not Rated | Superior |
| Erie | 5 | Superior |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| Motorists Mutual | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Safeco | 3 | Excellent |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| State Auto | Not Rated | Excellent |
| The Hartford | 4 | Excellent |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
| Westfield | Not Rated | Excellent |
See insurance rates for West Virginia's best companies!
What is the Best Auto Insurance Coverage in West Virginia?
The legal auto insurance minimum in West Virginia is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $25,000 Property Damage per accident.
If you choose the minimum coverage level in West Virginia, expect to pay an average of $604 annually. This is cheaper than the nationwide average by 8%. If you choose more comprehensive coverage, you can purchase a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, protecting against damages caused by car crashes, theft, or weather incidents. It's worth noting that better insurance coverage comes at a price: in West Virginia, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,202, 99% more than basic insurance coverage. For comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 130% more than you would for basic coverage.
Compare usual expenditures for basic, better, and best car insurance levels below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| West Virginia | $604.36 | $1,202.27 | $1,390.17 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
West Virginia Auto Insurance Laws
State minimum insurance requirements in West Virginia
In West Virginia, the state minimum coverage requirement is liability, with limits of:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Optional coverage in West Virginia (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Medical Payments
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage
Check out a detailed summary of West Virginia's insurance regulations.
Driving Laws in West Virginia
West Virginia Texting and Driving Laws
- Ban on hand-held cell phones
- Ban on all cell phones for drivers <18 years old with Learner or Intermediate Licenses
- Ban on text messaging for all drivers
West Virginia DUI Laws
The DUI lookback period in West Virginia is 10 years. Multiple offenses within this timeframe subject offenders to harsher penalties. Penalties are also enhanced for DUI offenders whose BAC is 0.15% or higher, for a DUI with a minor passenger, or for DUI leading to injury or death.
First-time DUI offenses in West Virginia lead to:
- Up to six months in jail
- $100 to $500 in fines
- License revocation for 90 days
- May require the installation and use of an interlock ignition device
Ticket Impact on Auto Insurance Rates in West Virginia
If you get a ticket, your auto insurance costs may rise. How much your rates rise depends on the violation's severity, your insurer's pricing standards, and differing local insurance regulations and risks. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
See below average car insurance rates in West Virginia after some common violations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $2,510 | 77% | $1,090 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $2,494 | 76% | $1,074 |
| DUI | $2,494 | 76% | $1,074 |
| Racing | $2,427 | 71% | $1,007 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,291 | 61% | $871 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,325 | 64% | $905 |
| At-Fault Accident | $2,120 | 49% | $700 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $1,866 | 31% | $446 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,968 | 39% | $548 |
| Passing a School Bus | $2,030 | 43% | $610 |
| Improper Passing | $1,660 | 17% | $240 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,660 | 17% | $240 |
| Speeding | $1,658 | 17% | $238 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,660 | 17% | $240 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,660 | 17% | $240 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,660 | 17% | $240 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,660 | 17% | $240 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,628 | 15% | $208 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,628 | 15% | $208 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,648 | 16% | $228 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,432 | 1% | $12 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,432 | 1% | $12 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,497 | 5% | $77 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,420 | 0% | $0 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,420 | 0% | $0 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,420 | 0% | $0 |
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West Virginia Car Insurance FAQs
Why is car insurance so expensive in West Virginia?
Car insurance costs in West Virginia are actually slightly below the national average. Your individual premium might be high because of individual features related to your driving profile. Shop around and compare rates to find a more competitive price.
How much does car insurance cost in West Virginia?
On average, state minimum car insurance coverage costs $604 per year in West Virginia. Full coverage costs an average of $1,390 per year.
Do you need car insurance in West Virginia?
Yes. Car insurance is required by law in West Virginia.
How much does car insurance cost in West Virginia cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and the most expensive in Beckley, West Virginia.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beckley | $1,534 |
| 2 | Huntington | $1,493 |
| 3 | Dunbar | $1,493 |
| 4 | St. Albans | $1,493 |
| 5 | Charleston | $1,491 |
| 6 | Cross Lanes | $1,486 |
| 7 | Elkins | $1,450 |
| 8 | Princeton | $1,447 |
| 9 | Bridgeport | $1,442 |
| 10 | Bluefield | $1,428 |
| 11 | Vienna | $1,420 |
| 12 | Morgantown | $1,417 |
| 13 | Fairmont | $1,404 |
| 14 | Clarksburg | $1,404 |
| 15 | Weirton | $1,395 |
| 16 | Moundsville | $1,381 |
| 17 | Martinsburg | $1,307 |
Recent West Virginia Car Insurance Questions and Answers
If I buy a vehicle privately will my current auto policy cover this vehicle while driving it home?
My motorcycle wasn't covered in a non-fault accident
At-fault driver lied about having insurance
How long into getting a new policy can I file a claim?
