If you’ve never insured a car outside your home state, you might not know that each state has its own laws and regulations for auto insurance coverage. This means that West Virginia has a unique set of standards and rules to follow before you can hit the road.
Read on to learn more about what you’ll need to get insured in West Virginia, plus details on the average cost of car insurance in the Mountain State, DUI laws and penalties, who’s at fault in a car accident and more.
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West Virginia came in slightly above the $1,300 national average for auto insurance costs compared to other states in 2017, with most drivers paying about $1,350 annually. Drivers in the most expensive state in the country — Michigan — tend to pay more than $2,300 a year for the same level of coverage.
While a state average is a good guideline for what you’ll pay, your costs also depend on where you live, your age and driving record, among other things. The more risk you present to the insurer, the higher you’ll pay for your premium.
No matter what state you’re in, use our general tips to lower your premiums and get a better value out of your coverage with our comprehensive guide to car insurance. We explore the different types of insurance coverage out there, tricks for saving on your rates, what to look for when comparing insurers and more.
To legally drive in West Virginia, you’ll need insurance that includes at least:
In addition to liability coverage, you must carry the same minimums for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
In West Virginia, you can get the same policy extras you would expect in most states. However, it’s worth noting that not all insurers offer all coverage options in every part of the country.
About 10% of all drivers in this state were uninsured in 2015, according to estimates from the Insurance Research Council. That’s slightly lower than the 13% national average, and way lower than Florida’s whopping estimate of 26.7%.
Unlike many states, West Virginia doesn’t offer any alternative to carrying auto insurance — not even depositing large sums of money with the state treasury. To get behind the wheel in this state, you’ll have to find some kind of insurance policy that meets the minimum requirements.
Yes, you can get temporary insurance in West Virginia. You might need this type of coverage if you plan on renting a car on and off for a few months and don’t want to pay the high insurance costs that rental companies offer, or if you bought a car and plan on reselling it in a few months. Not all providers offer temporary car insurance policies, so you’ll likely have to do some digging to find an insurer that will meet your needs.
If you’re caught driving without proper coverage in this state, you can face fines and penalties that include suspending your car’s registration, confiscation of your license plate and driver’s license. you can pay up to $200 to get all of that reinstated. Each offense will result in a longer suspension period.
Most states adhere to a fairly common set of traffic laws, but West Virginia has a few that are unique to this state.
Like all states in the US, West Virginia enforces a blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of 0.08% and a 0.04% limit for commercial drivers. Additionally, drivers younger than 21 are held to the stricter BAC limit of 0.02%. If you’re pulled over and convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in West Virginia, you’ll likely face penalties similar to the ones listed below.
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail | Up to 6 months | 6–12 months | 1–3 years |
| Fines and penalties | $100–$1,000 | $1,000–$3,000 | $3,000–$5,000 |
| License suspension | 15–45 days | 1 year | 1 year |
| IID required | Possibly | Yes | Yes |
Yes, you might need to file an SR-22 insurance with the DMV if you’ve gotten a DUI or if you’ve been caught driving without car insurance. An SR-22 is a document your insurance company files with the state that proves you have the minimum car insurance coverage required to legally drive.
When you’re involved in a car accident, the steps you take at the scene can help you settle any claims quickly and efficiently.
When you discuss the accident with anyone involved, don’t admit to guilt. If you suggest to anybody that you caused the crash, your car insurance provider could refuse to pay your claim.
West Virginia is a tort or at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the crash — and their insurer — will be held responsible to pay for damages and injuries, up to the driver’s policy limits. In a no-fault state, each driver in a crash would be covered by their own insurance policy.
You must report a car accident in this state if anyone was injured or killed, or if it resulted in property damages over $500. Failure to report a serious accident could result in having your license suspended.
Many car accidents might not even require a lawyer. But if you’re facing any of these situations after a crash, it may be a good idea to seek professional legal advice:
The right car insurance policy can help protect you, your vehicle and other motorists on the road. And in the state of West Virginia, you’re legally required to maintain coverage if you want to drive.
To learn more about these topics, including the laws in different states and how you can find the best values on your coverage, visit our comprehensive guide to car insurance.
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