Best Car Insurance in West Virginia

Last Updated on May 10, 2021

Drivers in West Virginia pay average rates for car insurance compared to the rest of the United States. The average West Virginian pays around $1,462 per year for full coverage car insurance, while the average American pays around $1,450 per year.

However, many drivers beat the average by shopping around for car insurance. By comparing quotes and taking advantage of discounts, drivers in West Virginia can save hundreds per year on car insurance.

Best Car Insurance in West VirginiaWhat’s the best car insurance in West Virginia? Which companies offer better value on car insurance than the other guys? Keep reading to discover the best car insurance in West Virginia for your unique needs.

Table of Contents:

Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in West Virginia

If you’re shopping for car insurance in West Virginia, then you can choose nationwide providers, locally-based firms, and everything in between. Some drivers like working with independent agents based in their local communities. Other drivers want the convenience and dependability of a nationwide provider.

Here are the top 10 best car insurance companies in West Virginia, according to the rates provided to our model driver profiles:

  1. USAA: USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in West Virginia, although you can only buy USAA car insurance if you are a USAA member. USAA membership is restricted to military personnel and their families. If you qualify, then you could pay just $994 per year for full coverage car insurance with USAA in West Virginia, hundreds of dollars less than the nationwide average.
  2. Nationwide: Nationwide is one of America’s largest car insurance companies, and it’s no surprise they have a strong presence in West Virginia. Nationwide offers cheap car insurance premiums throughout West Virginia, with drivers paying as little as $1,021 per year for full coverage.
  3. State Farm: State Farm insures drivers in all corners of West Virginia, including small and large municipalities. As America’s largest car insurance company, State Farm also makes it easy to bundle policies together and take advantage of discounts. State Farm is priced at around $1,043 per year in West Virginia for full coverage car insurance.
  4. GEICO: As America’s second-largest insurer, GEICO insures thousands of drivers across West Virginia, charging rates of around $1,060 per year, according to the quotes provided to our model driver profiles. However, GEICO’s rates vary widely based on discounts, driving history, credit score, and other factors.
  5. Erie: Erie is one of the best-rated insurance companies in the eastern United States. Although not available nationwide, Erie is popular for its strong claims satisfaction and customer service ratings, frequently ranking near the top of J.D. Power’s annual rankings. In West Virginia, the average Erie customer pays around $1,089 per year for full coverage car insurance, according to our model driver profiles.
  6. Westfield: Although not as well-known as competing insurers above, Westfield maintains a strong presence in West Virginia, where it’s known for offering strong service at discount rates. Expect to pay around $1,101 per year for full coverage car insurance in West Virginia with Westfield.
  7. Progressive: Progressive is one of America’s ten largest insurance companies, and it’s no surprise to see Progressive near the top of this list. West Virginia drivers pay around $1,123 per year for full coverage car insurance with Progressive.
  8. Allstate: Allstate offers a similar experience to other major car insurance companies on this list. Allstate is one of America’s top 10 largest car insurance companies, and they charge around $1,140 per year for full coverage car insurance in West Virginia, making Allstate one of the best options in the state.
  9. Safeco: Safeco is one of the best insurance companies in West Virginia for drivers needing full coverage car insurance with strong protection and claims satisfaction. With rates of around $1,201 per year, Safeco isn’t the cheapest insurer in West Virginia, but many drivers are willing to pay a little more for added coverage.
  10. The Hartford: Like Safeco, The Hartford is known for strong customer service and claims satisfaction while charging higher prices than its rock bottom competitors. However, many drivers in West Virginia can save considerably with The Hartford. Some drivers pay less than $1,000 per year with The Hartford in West Virginia, although most drivers pay an average of around $1,213 per year.

West Virginia Insurance Requirements

West Virginia requires drivers to meet minimum insurance liability limits to legally drive. If you cannot provide proof of insurance verifying you meet these limits, then you could be charged with driving without insurance.

To meet West Virginia’s minimum insurance requirements, your policy needs to have 25/50/25 coverage, which includes:

  • $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $25,000 of property damage liability coverage

West Virginia is one of several states that also require drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage. Drivers must carry the following minimum amounts of uninsured motorist coverage to comply with state requirements:

  • $25,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 per accident
  • $25,000 of uninsured motorist property damage liability coverage

Insurance companies in West Virginia are also required to offer plans with coverage up to 100/300/50. Many drivers in West Virginia choose to exceed the minimum requirements above for added protection.

Driving Without Insurance in West Virginia

According to West Virginia Code Chapter 17D, the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law, drivers are required to carry valid car insurance at all times when driving.

You may be required to present proof of insurance after an accident or when stopped for a traffic violation. Drivers who are unable to prove they have valid coverage may face further penalties.

First Offense: $200 to $5,000 fine, 30-day license suspension, vehicle registration suspension until proof of insurance submitted, $200 alternative penalty fee (if you submit proof before the effective suspension date), $100 registration reinstatement fee, $50 license reinstatement fee, 3 years of SR-22 requirements, and 15 days to 1 year in jail (if unable to pay fines)

Second & Subsequent Offenses: Same penalties as above, with license suspension for 90 days (instead of 30 days).

If you are able to prove you had valid insurance coverage at the time of the incident, then your charges can be dismissed. If you had valid car insurance when pulled over but did not have proof of insurance (i.e. your insurance papers), then you can submit this proof at a later date to avoid all penalties.

Car Insurance in West Virginia with DUI

Getting car insurance in West Virginia with a DUI can be expensive. You are considered a high-risk driver in insure, and insurers charge higher premiums.

Fortunately, some insurers put less emphasis on DUIs than others. Other insurers charge cheap rates even with a DUI. Some of the best car insurance companies in West Virginia for drivers with a DUI include:

  1. USAA: $1,693 per year
  2. GEICO: $1,791 per year
  3. Erie: $1,813 per year
  4. Progressive: $1,910 per year
  5. State Farm: $1,997 per year

Car Insurance in West Virginia with At-Fault Accidents

If you have an at-fault accident on your driving record in West Virginia, then you’ll pay more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record. However, companies calculate premiums in different ways, and some insurers emphasize driving history less than others.

Many insurance experts recommend switching to a new insurer after an accident to ensure you’re paying the lowest possible rates. Consider requesting a quote from the following insurers in West Virginia after an at-fault accident:

  1. USAA: $1,481 per year
  2. GEICO: $1,566 per year
  3. Erie: $1,733 per year
  4. Progressive: $1,709 per year
  5. State Farm: $1,767 per year

Car Insurance in West Virginia with Speeding Tickets

Speeding tickets can be minor or serious. Some companies ignore all minor speeding tickets, while other companies raise premiums after a single speeding ticket.

If you have one or more speeding tickets on your record in West Virginia, then consider requesting a quote from any of the following insurers:

  1. USAA: $1,162 per year
  2. GEICO: $1,271 per year
  3. Erie: $1,302 per year
  4. State Farm: $1,306 per year
  5. Progressive: $1,414 per year

Car Insurance in West Virginia for Young Drivers

As a young driver, you’re the riskiest driver to insure. Young drivers in West Virginia cause more accidents – and more serious accidents – than drivers in any other age group. That means higher insurance premiums.

The best insurance companies in West Virginia for young drivers include:

  1. USAA: $1,883 per year
  2. GEICO: $1,901 per year
  3. Erie: $2,033 per year
  4. State Farm: $2,090 per year
  5. Allstate: $2,199 per year

Car Insurance in West Virginia with Poor Credit

Drivers in West Virginia with bad credit scores will pay more for car insurance. Unfortunately for drivers with bad credit, West Virginia allows insurers to use credit score to calculate premiums. Drivers with no credit score or a bad credit score could pay nearly $1,000 more per year for car insurance.

However, different insurers treat credit scores in different ways. Consider requesting a quote from any of the following insurers if you have a bad credit score or no credit score:

  1. USAA: $2,083 per year
  2. GEICO: $2,091 per year
  3. Erie: $2,103 per year
  4. State Farm: $2,121 per year
  5. Allstate: $2,415 per year

SR-22 Insurance in West Virginia

West Virginia requires drivers to carry SR-22 insurance if they have been convicted of a serious driving offense, caught driving without insurance, or engaged in other high-risk behavior on the road.

After being convicted of a DUI, for example, you may need to submit an SR-22 certificate to the West Virginia DMV. Similarly, drivers with one or more insurance lapses may require SR-22 coverage.

The SR-22 is a certificate. It’s not insurance. Your insurer submits the SR-22 certificate to the West Virginia DMV, and the DMV reinstates your license and registration. The SR-22 certificate verifies that you have valid car insurance coverage, which means you can resume driving.

Most drivers are required to carry the SR-22 certificate for three years. If you maintain a clean record for three years, then you can resume buying normal car insurance.

Most insurers can provide you with an SR-22 certificate. However, some insurers will deem you a high risk. If you have multiple serious accidents on your driving record, or if you are considered a high-risk driver for any other reason, then you may need to buy SR-22 insurance from a specialty insurer or a high-risk provider.

Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in West Virginia

West Virginia has average car insurance premiums compared to the rest of the country, but there are still plenty of opportunities to save.

By shopping around for car insurance, comparing quotes, and taking advantage of discounts, drivers in West Virginia can enjoy enormous savings on car insurance. Compare quotes online today to ensure you’re paying the best possible rates for car insurance in West Virginia.