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The average cost of basic liability car insurance in West Virginia is $1,803 per year. Opting for full-coverage car insurance in West Virginia will leave you with an average cost of $4,339 per year. In comparison, the national average is $1,627 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,297 per year to buy full-coverage car insurance.
The average cost of basic liability car insurance in West Virginia is $1,803 per year. Opting for full-coverage car insurance in West Virginia will leave you with an average cost of $4,339 per year. In comparison, the national average is $1,627 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,297 per year to buy full-coverage car insurance.
Compare best car insurance quotes in West Virginia
Insurance quotes are like snowflakes—every one is different! Because so many factors go into setting your car insurance premiums, from your credit score and ZIP code to your age group, driving record, and insurance history, it’s important to compare lots of quotes to find the best rate.
Here are real quotes found by Jerry users in West Virginia:
| Quote Date | Car | Before Jerry | After Jerry | City | Name | Age | Insurance Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 6, 2023 | Hyundai Elantra GLS | $180/mo. | $123/mo. | Wheeling | Winnie S. | 42 | Progressive |
| October 28, 2022 | Jeep Renegade Sport | $134/mo. | $91/mo. | Welch | Harriet B. | 47 | Safeco |
| September 24, 2022 | Nissan Rogue S | $534/mo. | $369/mo. | Charleston | Norman N. | 22 | Progressive |
| December 16, 2021 | Mitsubishi Mirage ES | $600/mo. | $377/mo. | Martinsburg | Steven D. | 55 | Progressive |
| October 9, 2020 | Hyundai Elantra SEL | $167/mo. | $152/mo. | Keyser | Callie C. | 37 | State Auto |
Best car insurance companies in West Virginia
Out of the 1.4k insurers serving West Virginia, which are the best and cheapest car insurance companies?
The answer’s a little different for everybody. Most drivers have a good chance of finding affordable quotes from big-name insurance providers like State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive, but they’re not the only ones with good rates. Military members and their families can find low rates with USAA, while families with teen drivers often get the best rates from Nationwide.
And “best” doesn't always mean cheapest. You’ll also want to look at policy options and customer service. That’s where companies like Allstate and Erie, some of the most popular insurers in West Virginia, shine.
| Insurance Company | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National General | $3,822 | $1,503 | |
| Clearcover | $2,645 | $991 | |
| Progressive | $2,736 | $910 | |
| Safeco | $2,564 | $867 | |
| State Auto | $2,574 | $857 | |
| Allstate | $2,686 | $847 | |
| Nationwide | $2,234 | $796 | |
| Dairyland | $2,600 | $667 | |
| Kemper | $2,220 | $665 | |
| Compare Prices | |||
West Virginia car insurance FAQs
Is car insurance high in West Virginia?
On average, West Virginia’s car insurance rates are about 3% lower than the national average, making the Mountain State one of the most affordable places to buy car insurance.
Do you pay taxes on cars in West Virginia?
Residents of West Virginia must pay a 6% titling sales tax for vehicles with a purchase price of over $500. For less expensive vehicles, the tax is a flat $30 fee.
How much does auto insurance cost in West Virginia?
West Virginia’s average car insurance rates are slightly below the national average—but when you consider how low the overall cost of living is, it’s clear that car insurance makes up a bigger part of that cost than you’d expect.
High crime rates, poorly maintained roads, severe weather, and the risk of natural disasters all contribute to above-average insurance prices in parts of the state. Because those risks aren’t evenly distributed, neither is the cost of car insurance!
But finding good insurance at an affordable rate isn’t impossible—far from it. In fact, with Jerry’s help, you can find the rates you need in just about a minute!
West Virginia car insurance requirements
West Virginia drivers are legally required to carry car insurance with at least the following coverage levels: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability, $25,000 of property damage liability, $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, and $20,000 per accident of uninsured motorist property damage liability.
How much insurance do I need in West Virginia?
Drivers in West Virginia need a minimum of $25,000 of bodily injury coverage, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for property.
What do you need if you’re pulled over?
If you get pulled over, you are required to show your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration. Thankfully, digital insurance ID cards are accepted by police and the DMV, so you will always have your stored proof of insurance available 24/7 in the Jerry app.
Is West Virginia a no-fault state?
No, West Virginia is an at-fault state. This means the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for the not-at-fault driver’s and passengers' injuries, once the at-fault driver’s insurance company accepts liability and confirms that there is enough coverage.
That might sound like a lot—but it’s not the only insurance you might need! Collision insurance and comprehensive coverage aren’t required by law in West Virginia, but they’re recommended by most experts unless the total value of your vehicle is less than your annual premium. Added on top of basic liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage, collision and comprehensive make what’s called a “full coverage policy.”
How much does full coverage car insurance cost in West Virginia? Check out the graph below.
Cheap West Virginia auto insurance with a DUI or speeding ticket
A car accident, a speeding ticket, and a DUI are three very different events—but each one can cause your car insurance premium to increase.
West Virginia’s lookback period is 10 years. That means any violations or at-fault accidents on your record will stick with you for a full decade. And if you have enough of them on your West Virginia driving record, your insurance company will likely flag you as a high-risk driver.
It’s hard to get cheap insurance as a high-risk driver—in fact, if you’ve committed a serious offense like DUI or reckless driving, you might have trouble finding a policy.
| Driving Violation | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Record | $2,105 | $705 |
| DUI | $5,679 | $2,052 |
| Driving on Sus. License | $4,437 | $1,557 |
| Careless Driving | $4,256 | $1,399 |
| Defective Equipment | $3,241 | $1,034 |
| Illegal Turn | $2,685 | $1,025 |
| Leaving scene of an Accident/Hit and Run | $2,397 | $971 |
| Failure to Obey Traffic Sign | $2,601 | $944 |
| Speeding over 15 | $2,811 | $927 |
| Speeding under 15 | $2,748 | $867 |
Insurance Cost With a DUI in West Virginia
If you get a DUI in West Virginia, you can expect your car insurance to increase by an average of $217 each month.
Insurance Cost With a Reckless Driving Citation in West Virginia
If you receive a reckless driving citation, you can expect your insurance to rise to an average of $62 per month.
Average cost of car insurance in West Virginia by age
Young drivers pay some of the highest average rates for car insurance in West Virginia. It’s not discrimination—it’s a risk calculation that auto insurance companies make when insuring inexperienced drivers.
Statistics show that teenagers and other drivers under age 25 have a higher rate of both violations and accidents than drivers with a few more years of on-road experience under their belts. To account for that, insurers charge higher average premiums when it comes to insurance for young drivers.
How can young drivers save money on car insurance in West Virginia?
- Apply for discounts
- Maintain a clean driving record,
- Apply for discounts
- Maintain a clean driving record,
West Virginia car insurance rates by city
Just like drivers of different ages present different levels of risk, West Virginia’s 703 active ZIP codes each carry a different level of risk.
Take ZIP code 25301, for example. That’s the heart of Charleston, the state capital and West Virginia’s biggest city. Charleston car insurance costs are higher than the state average due to dense traffic, inclement weather, and one of the highest crime rates in the state. You’ll see similarly high premiums in other West Virginia cities like Parkersburg and Wheeling.
But if your ZIP code is 26150, you’re looking at a very different story. That’s the ZIP code for Mineral Wells, a census-designated place at the northern edge of Wood County. Mineral Wells car insurance costs are well below the state average, thanks to the sparse population and a low rate of accidents.
Want to know where you stand? Check out the table below.
| City | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $1,935 | $641 |
| Fairmont | $1,835 | $806 |
| Harpers Ferry | $2,209 | $598 |
| Huntington | $2,011 | $722 |
| Martinsburg | $1,957 | $684 |
| Morgantown | $2,121 | $799 |
| Parkersburg | $2,077 | $730 |
| Princeton | $1,941 | $681 |
| Weirton | $1,965 | $711 |
| Wheeling | $1,827 | $700 |
Least Expensive Cities in West Virginia
Keyser is the least expensive city in West Virginia for car insurance. Annual car insurance costs in Sheridan will cost you an average of $772.
City with Highest Rates of Accidents in West Virginia
Charleston has the highest accident rates in West Virginia with 8.30% of drivers having a prior no-fault accident already on their record. More accidents means higher policy rates.
Cities with the Longest Commute Times in West Virginia
Shannondale has the longest commute time in West Virginia with drivers seeing an average commute of 47.4 minutes. Frequent traffic jams in the area may impact insurance rates.
West Virginia auto insurance rates by vehicle type
What you drive also plays a big role in determining your car insurance rate. If, like plenty of West Virginians, you drive a relatively inexpensive car, you can expect to pay lower insurance premiums—especially if you’ve got good credit and a clean driving record.
For example, Ford F-150 insurance costs are among the lowest for any vehicle. The same goes for family cars like the ever-popular Honda Accord, though it’s usually cheapest to insure a sturdy SUV or pickup truck.
Cheaper cars are cheaper to insure because repairs cost less—which is why you’ll pay more, on average, to insure a luxury car or a car with a hybrid or electric powertrain. Lexus NX 300 insurance costs, for instance, are quite high compared with other compact SUVs.
Get a sense of how your vehicle could affect your insurance rates with the features below.
| Car | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Journey SXT | $2,712 | $1,097 |
| Nissan Rogue S | $2,152 | $708 |
| Chevrolet Trax LS | $2,087 | $677 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES | $2,208 | $590 |
| Ford Focus SE | $1,569 | $560 |
Most Popular Car in West Virginia
The most popular vehicle in West Virginia is the Chevrolet Silverado. The average Chevrolet Silverado driver pays $1,500 a year in car insurance. Jerry can help bring insurance rates down in a matter of seconds.
Do you need more than the minimum coverage in West Virginia?
All drivers in West Virginia must carry proof of insurance that meets the state minimum liability limits—but do you need to buy additional coverage?
The short answer: yes, especially if you have a new or financed car.
The longer answer: if you can afford it, it’s best to purchase more liability insurance than required by law and add collision and comprehensive to your car insurance policy. West Virginia’s minimum requirements stop at a $25,000 per-person liability limit for bodily injury coverage—but the average cost of a hospital stay following a car accident is $60,000.
That means you could be faced with steep out-of-pocket financial responsibility if you injure someone in an accident. And without collision or comprehensive coverage, you’ll have no way to file a claim for damage to your own vehicle.
If you don’t have an accident in your driving history, it might be tempting to think “I don’t really need that extra coverage; I’m a good driver!” But the reality is that most drivers will get in about three car accidents in their lifetime—and it can happen for all kinds of reasons.
Even the safest and most responsible drivers can hit black ice, so check out the features below to see the types of additional coverage that West Virginians should consider.
West Virginia is ranked 20th for least traffic which isn’t too bad. Make sure your commute is as stress-free as possible with proper collision coverage.
In 2020, West Virginia ranked 10th for the state you’re least likely to have a vehicle stolen in, with only 2,271 residents reporting stolen cars. In the event of a theft, having the proper insurance can help lessen the blow.
9.20% of drivers in West Virginia are underinsured or uninsured. Be responsible against irresponsible drivers by having uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
West Virginia residents rate the state a 6.5/10 for road quality. Don’t let a stray pothole ruin your drive. Make sure to have roadside assistance available.
How to save money on car insurance in West Virginia
No matter where you live in West Virginia or what your driving history looks like, there are some steps you can take to lower the cost of your car insurance without skimping on coverage.
Shop around for quotes
The best way to find savings on your car insurance is to compare quotes from several insurance companies—at least three. Insurance experts also recommend looking for new quotes every six months to make sure you're not overpaying for your current coverage.
Look for discounts
Never underestimate a good discount!
If you want to find cheap car insurance quotes, be sure to take advantage of any car insurance discounts that are provided by insurance companies in West Virginia. Here are some to keep an eye out for:
Clean Driving Record Discounts
Clean Driving Record Discounts
Safe drivers are less likely to file claims, which saves carriers money. If you can prove you’re a safe driver by keeping a clean driving record, you can score a nice discount.
Bundling Discounts
Bundling Discounts
Drivers who bundle home, auto, and/or renters insurance will qualify for a discount at most carriers.
Defensive Driving Discount
Defensive Driving Discount
Drivers ages 55+ are eligible for defensive driving discounts in Montana if they complete a state-approved defensive driving course.Drivers ages 55+ are eligible for defensive driving discounts in Montana if they complete a state-approved defensive driving course.
Increase your deductible
When you file a collision or comprehensive insurance claim, the deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before your car insurance kicks in to cover the remaining balance.
If you increase your deductible, this could lower your premium—but be aware that this means you’ll incur higher initial out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim.
By R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear, Director of Content.
Compare best car insurance quotes in West Virginia
Best car insurance companies in West Virginia
West Virginia car insurance FAQs
How much does auto insurance cost in West Virginia?
West Virginia car insurance requirements
Cheap West Virginia auto insurance with a DUI or speeding ticket
Average cost of car insurance in West Virginia by age
West Virginia car insurance rates by city
West Virginia auto insurance rates by vehicle type
Do you need more than the minimum coverage in West Virginia?
How to save money on car insurance in West Virginia
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