Get the cheapest car insurance in West Virginia

West Virginia drivers pay an average of $1,096.80 per year for car insurance according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), that’s about $91.40 per month. West Virginia drivers pay about 8% less than the countrywide national average of $1,189.64.

The NAIC takes into account all car insurance policies within the state such as drivers who select only state minimum coverage, as well as policies that include various levels of comprehensive and collision coverage. Because car insurance rates are influenced by personal factors, you could find yourself paying significantly less.

West Virginia state minimum car insurance requirements

Drivers in West Virginia are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to legally drive. You may see it written as 25/50/25, but we’ll break down what that means.

In West Virginia, the driver at fault pays for damage

West Virginia is an at-fault state, which means that the driver who causes the car accident pays for the damage. Your insurance company and legal authorities will figure out who’s at fault, based on the accident details.

However, West Virginia also looks at whether both drivers are partially at fault under a modified comparative fault law, according to the legal website Nolo. Under this law, both drivers are assigned a percentage of fault. Drivers with less than 50% of fault can get reimbursed for their damages from other drivers.

For example, if you’re 80% at fault for an accident, your insurance will pay 80% of the other driver’s damages. However, since you’re more than 50% at fault, the other driver isn’t required to pay for your damages.

Cheapest rates by age in West Virginia

You’ll want a quote from Allstate if you’re a young driver under age 25 who wants to pay sub-$200 per month for car insurance.

However, the cheapest company jumps around for other ages. Get quotes from all of these insurance companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Cheapest rates by gender in West Virginia

In this sample, USAA brings the cheapest rates for men above competitors. However, women may find the best deal with Allstate, paying more for car insurance than men overall.

Sample rates in West Virginia from major car insurance companies

Shopping around is paramount to getting the best deal in West Virginia. For example, you’ll see a $45 difference between Allstate and Progressive. We base this cost information on sample quotes from Savvy.

7 factors that affect your car insurance premium in West Virginia

Car insurance companies use factors specific to you to set how much you’ll pay for car insurance. The less risk in each of your factors means you’ll pay less, whereas higher risk factors mean you’ll pay more. We break down West Virginian’s rating factors to keep in mind.

Factor	How it affects your rates
Age	Driver age is one of the top factors when determining car insurance rates. Each year you drive gives you more experience that can equal lower rates. The average annual rates for a 25-year-old man are approximately $1,450 vs. $1,100 for their 60-year-old counterpart.
Gender	Studies have shown that women statistically drive less, experience fewer and less serious accidents, and get charged fewer DUIs than men. This results in women paying less than men for their annual car insurance. For example, a 25-year old woman can expect to pay an average annual rate of around $1,390 compared to a man of the same age category, who pays around $1,450. In the 60-year-old category, women can pay approximately $1,070 annually vs. $1,100 for men.
Location	Living in less densely populated areas can account for lower insurance rates. For example, the largest city is Charleston with a population of approximately 46,500 and average car insurance rates of $1,210. In contrast, West Virginia’s smallest city of Martinsburg with around 17,400 people sees average yearly car insurance rates of $1,050.
Vehicle and mileage	Your vehicle’s make, model and trim package all affect your insurance rates. Add any aftermarket and performance-enhancing modifications, and your rates will be even higher. Considerations like the chances of your car getting stolen, your model’s safety rating and its overall cost also make a difference. Cheaper, safer vehicles score the lowest rates compared to luxury, high-powered rides. Typically, insurance companies use your mileage to help determine your car insurance rates. If you drive around 6,000 miles annually, expect an average rate of $1,180. Double that mileage to 12,000 miles a year and you’ll see your rates climb to about $1,230.
Credit score	Insurance companies use drivers’ credit scores to help calculate a car insurance rate. Low credit scores in West Virginia will set you back more than $800 annually over those with good credit. Annual rates for those with low credit average out to about $2,070 vs. those with good credit at approximately $1,230.
Coverage	Drivers in West Virginia must have coverage for the minimum liability limits. Drivers must also have the same liability coverage for uninsured drivers in the same amounts as the minimum. These limits work out to 25/50/25 for each. More coverage means more protection — and higher monthly premiums. But if you choose full coverage with collision and comprehensive, your deductible also comes into play: The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premiums will be. If full coverage is feasible, it can provide you peace of mind in the event of an accident.
Driving Record	Your driving record will reflect the level of your car insurance rates. Average rates for drivers with a clean record come out to about $1,230, and rates for drivers with one accident rank around $1,470. Contrast those prices with records that have one accident at $1,710, and one DUI at $1,870, respectively.

Coverage you may want in West Virginia

West Virginia already has decent minimum requirements for insurance. But if you want some extra coverage for yourself, we have some suggestions.

Comprehensive coverage for the unexpected

West Virginia requires you to carry $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and uninsured motorist coverage – which is all great. But what about events not involving a car accident? That’s where comprehensive coverage comes in. It can cover your vehicle in the event of a storm or water damage, falling objects, hitting an animal, fire, theft, and more.

West Virginia has a 127.2 vehicle theft rate per 100,000 inhabitants, which is low compared to the average, reported by Statista. However, if your car is stolen and never recovered and you don’t carry comprehensive insurance you’d be left to replace your vehicle on your own. Additionally, weather damage or flooding can devastate a car, as well as your wallet. Look into comprehensive coverage if you heavily rely on your vehicle day to day.

Consider comprehensive coverage if . . .

• You depend on your vehicle.
• You can’t afford expensive, unpredictable repairs out of pocket.
• You live in an area with a high theft rate.
• Your area is known for severe weather.
• Your financing and your lender requires it.

Gap insurance for high car loan amounts

Gap insurance covers the “gap” between what you owe on your car loan and your vehicle’s value. Gap stands for guaranteed asset protection. If you were to get into an accident that totals the car or it’s stolen and never recovered, regular auto insurance only pays out what your vehicle’s value was at the time of the event. If you owe more on your auto loan than what your car’s worth, then you’re not likely to get a big enough payout from your insurance company to pay off your car loan. This can be a big pain, because then you still have to pay for a loan on a vehicle you can’t drive or don’t have anymore.

For drivers that have expensive auto loans and/or brand new vehicles, gap insurance can be worth it. It’s relatively inexpensive too, often only costing $20 a year or around $2 a month. It’s also common for leasing companies to require this insurance in addition to full coverage.

Consider gap insurance if . . .

• You have a brand new car loan and haven’t paid very much yet.
• Your loan balance is high.
• You tack on the miles and lower your car’s value quickly.
• You don’t have the funds to replace or repair a vehicle out of pocket.
• Your lender or lessor requires it.

Medical payments coverage for the uninsured West Virginians

Health coverage can be pricey for many people. If you have high copays and/or deductibles, or you don’t have health insurance at all, then medical payments coverage may be worth looking into. Also called med pay, this coverage can help you pay for medical costs after a vehicle accident. It can cover things likes ambulance rides, hospital stays, and even help pay for your passenger’s medical costs.

Consider medical payments coverage if . . .

• Your health insurance has high upfront costs.
• You don’t have health insurance.
• You don’t have the available income to pay for costly medical bills out of pocket.

Top 10 auto insurance companies in USA that serve West Virginia

We’ve pulled the top 10 companies by market share that offer coverage in West Virginia according to S&P Global. Compare top companies by three major rating agencies along with our overall score.

• Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating measures how a business interacts with its customers, with the highest rating being A++.
• J.D. Power determines customers’ overall satisfaction with their car insurer’s price, billing, claims and customer support. The higher the J.D. Power score out of 1,000, the better.
• NAIC complaint index shows how a company’s number of complaints compares to similar companies of its size. Scores lower than 1.00 show the company receives less than the average number of complaints, and scores above 1.00 show more complaints than average.
• Finder’s score shows you an overall look at the company by taking into account scores from each of these agencies as well as the coverage and discounts each company offers.

Provider	BBB Rating	JD Power Rating	NAIC complaint ratio	National market share %	Finder score	Go to site
State Farm	A+	847/1000	1.93	16.2	★★★★★ 4/5	Read review
Geico	A+	832/1000	1.42	13.6	★★★★★ 4/5	Read review
Progressive	A+	830/1000	1.05	13.3	★★★★★ 4/5	Get Quotes
Allstate	A+	827/1000	2.71	10.4	★★★★★ 4/5	Read review
USAA	A+	884/1000	1.9	6.3	★★★★★ 4/5
Farmers	A-	820/1000	1.64	4.9	★★★★★ 4/5	Read review
Liberty Mutual	A+	827/1000	2.2	4.7	★★★★★ 4/5 ;	Get Quotes
Nationwide	A+	814/1000	2.08	2.3	★★★★★ 4/5	Read review
Auto Club Exchange	A+	NR	NR	1.4	★★★★★ 4/5
The Hartford	A+	833/1000	NR	0.7	★★★★★ 3.5/5

Which city has the cheapest car insurance in West Virginia?

Of West Virginia’s largest cities, Morgantown has the cheapest rates and Princeton has the most expensive car insurance rates. Princeton drivers could face rates 2 times more than Morgantown drivers.

• Wheeling
• Fairmont
• Morgantown
• Princeton
• Clarksburg

Compare car insurance providers in West Virginia

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Name	Product	Gap insurance	Homeowner discount	Telematics	Has an app?	Available states
Smartfinancial			Yes	Yes	No	All 50 states and DC	Get quotes	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Pretected		Yes	Depends on provider	No	No	All 50 states	Get your most compatible insurance options via a "smart matching" method aimed at finding you value.	Get quotes More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Liberty Mutual		Yes	Yes	RightTrack	Yes	All 50 states & DC	Earn free accident forgiveness after five years claims-free and customize your policy anytime.	Get quotes More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Quinstreet - Insure.com		Yes	Depends on provider	Depends on provider	Depends on provider	All 50 states	Get quotes	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

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. Compare the laws and requirements in your state to find the best value on your car insurance coverage.

Frequently asked questions about West Virginia car insurance

• Is there any alternative to getting a car insurance policy in West Virginia?

  No, there isn’t. Most states allow drivers to place large sums of money or cash bonds in a deposit with the state treasury, which allows qualified drivers to get a certificate of financial responsibility. But in West Virginia, it’s car insurance or bust.

• Where can I learn more about SR-22 insurance?

  You can learn more about this conditional coverage by visiting our general guide to SR-22 insurance.

• How can I get a copy of my West Virginia driving record?

  You can get a copy by visiting a local DMV office and filling out forms to request it. You can also request a copy of your record online by visiting the state government website and filling out the forms provided there.

• Will my liability insurance cover me if I'm sued after an accident?

  Yes, up to the coverage limits of your policy. However, any damages awarded beyond your coverage limits will not be covered by your insurance provider.

• Do I have to update the DMV when I move to a new address?

  Yes, you must keep the DMV up to date about where you live so they can send you necessary notifications — for example, if you’re overdue to renew your license plates or if your license is on the verge of suspension.