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Kristine Lee

Insurance Analyst

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 4+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer. Before joining The Zebra, she was a…

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Renata Balasco

Senior Content Strategist

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as licensed insurance professional and content strategist.…

If you're seeking flexible car insurance, you could be interested in a temporary car insurance policy. In truth, short-term car insurance agreements are hard to come by for a few reasons.

Many major insurance companies won't offer policy terms shorter than six months. As car insurance is legally required in most places in the US, it can be risky to hop between policies. You also risk having gaps in your record if you swap policies often, which could lead to higher rates in the future.

Fortunately, car insurance agreements commonly run just a half-year. This relatively brief duration allows auto insurance companies to re-rate — or re-price — your premiums using your updated driving record and demographic info.

The six-month mark also serves as the perfect chance for you to improve your policy by getting quotes from other companies. Shopping quotes via The Zebra is quick and complimentary, and there’s no penalty for swapping auto insurance companies between policies — or even mid-term, as long as you never let your insurance lapse.

Car insurance's flexible nature means it's easy to purchase on short notice. If you need an insurance policy to drive your car off of the lot, attempting to get a policy for a relatively long-term rental or seeking coverage on a car you don't own but do drive regularly, think about purchasing a six-month policy and removing coverage as needed.

 

Temporary auto insurance in West Virginia

Below are typical auto insurance prices in West Virginia, ordered by the top insurers and the most populous cities. If your bills exceed the rates below, consider making a change.

 
TEMPORARY AUTO INSURANCE RATES IN WEST VIRGINIA — BY INSURANCE COMPANY
Insurance Company Average 6-Month Rate Average Monthly Rate
West Virginia State Average — All Companies $768 $128
Erie $614 $102
USAA $624 $104
State Farm $646 $108
Nationwide $681 $113
Westfield $709 $118
 

The cheapest option for temporary car insurance in West Virginia is Erie, which can save you $2 each month, compared to the second-cheapest choice, USAA. In West Virginia, the average monthly cost of car insurance is $128, or $768 over a six-month contract.

Where you live has as great an effect on your car insurance rates as the insurance company you choose. Auto insurers take into account the frequency of claims in a given area when drafting prices by ZIP. View insurance premiums in West Virginia's most populous cities and compare against what you’re paying.

 
SHORT-TERM AUTO INSURANCE RATES IN WEST VIRGINIA — BY CITY
City Average 6-Month Rate Average Monthly Rate
Charleston $745 $124
Huntington $747 $124
Parkersburg $944 $157
Morgantown $708 $113
Wheeling $863 $144
 

Because of the myriad factors involved in setting insurance rates, your quotes may not match the totals displayed above. If your current costs don’t align with those listed above, consider taking a moment to compare quotes. The short-term timetable of an auto insurance contract increases the importance of remaining in-the-know and ready to shop.

Learn more about temporary auto insurance or use The Zebra's comparison tool to view quotes for free online.

 

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About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.