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. Below, learn how much auto insurance costs in West Virginia based on the most common rating factors. Or, let The Zebra help you shop for cheap insurance via our quote comparison tool.
Affordable insurance companies 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 |
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Cheap auto 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 auto 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 auto 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% |
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Top rated 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 option 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.
Use the table below to better understand the quality of service you'll receive. You'll see reviews for popular auto insurers' financial strength, claims satisfaction, and customer satisfaction including an internal satisfaction score from The Zebra's customers.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) | Customer Satisfaction (The Zebra) |
| Allstate | Above average | Average | Superior | 4.3 / 5 |
| Cal Casualty | N/A | N/A | Good | N/A |
| Erie | Above average | Above average | Superior | 4.5 / 5 |
| GEICO | Average | Average | Superior | 4.4 / 5 |
| Motorists Mutual | N/A | N/A | Excellent | N/A |
| Nationwide | Above average | Poor | Superior | 4.3 / 5 |
| Progressive | Below average | Below average | Excellent | 4.3 / 5 |
| Safeco | Average | Average | Excellent | N/A |
| State Farm | Above average | Above average | Superior | 4.5 / 5 |
| The Hartford | Excellent | Above average | Excellent | N/A |
West Virginia auto insurance laws
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
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.
Check out a detailed summary of West Virginia's insurance regulations.
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How tickets change 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.
West Virginia car insurance FAQs
How much is car insurance in West Virginia?
Auto insurance premiums in West Virginia change based on your driving record and your coverage level. For a 30-year-old driver with no accidents, a six-month full coverage policy costs $695. A liability-only policy costs $302.
What is the cheapest car insurance in West Virginia?
Our data suggest Erie ($519) and The Hartford ($614) offer the cheapest rates for auto insurance in West Virginia.
Does West Virginia require car insurance?
Yes, West Virginia requires every driver to carry at least the minimum liability coverage.
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 | Charleston | $1,491 |
| 5 | Elkins | $1,450 |
| 6 | Vienna | $1,420 |
| 7 | Fairmont | $1,404 |
| 8 | Clarksburg | $1,404 |
| 9 | Weirton | $1,395 |
| 10 | Martinsburg | $1,307 |
