Reviews Report
- Nationwide has full coverage annual premiums in West Virginia as low as $993 per year.
- Car insurance rates in West Virginia are slightly more expensive than the national average
West Virginia drivers have a number of options when it comes to car insurance. That can make it challenging to find the right car insurance in West Virginia for each driver’s particular needs. We did the research to find the best car insurance in West Virginia based on average premiums, policy options, discounts, customer service, and third-party ratings. The companies we recommend for best West Virginia car insurance are USAA, State Farm, Nationwide, and Erie.
The 4 Best Auto Insurance Companies in West Virginia
- USAA: Best Auto Insurance for Military-Centric Options
- State Farm: Best Auto Insurance for Customer Service
- Nationwide: Best for Auto Insurance Discounts
- Erie: Best for Local Service
Compare the Best Car Insurance Companies in West Virginia
| Provider | Full Coverage Annual Premium* | State Minimum Annual Premium* | AM Best | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction** |
| USAA | $1,185 | $316 | A++ | 896** |
| State Farm | $1,195 | $411 | A++ | 851 |
| Nationwide | $993 | $288 | A+ | 823 |
| Erie | $1,222 | $316 | A+ | 856 |
Information accurate as of March 2021
*Data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power’s 2021 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study for the Mid-Atlantic region. Based on a 1,000-point scale. USAA not officially ranked due to eligibility restrictions.
Best for Military-Centric Options
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Personalized customer service
- Affordable policies
- Many discounts
Cons
- Only available to active and retired military members
- Very few branch locations
- Coverage is somewhat limited
Types of Coverage Offered
- Personal injury protection
- Extended benefits coverage
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Accident forgiveness
Discounts Available
- Safe driver
- New vehicle
- Annual mileage
- And more
More USAA Insurance Reviews
Best for Customer Service
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Impressive financial strength
- High claims satisfaction ratings
- More than a dozen discounts
Cons
- Fewer add-on coverages than competitors
Types of Coverage Offered
- Rental car and travel expenses coverage
- Roadside assistance coverage
- Rideshare driver coverage
Discounts Available
- Policy bundling
- Accident-free
- Defensive driving course
- And more
More State Farm Insurance Reviews
Best for Discounts
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Variety of discounts available
- Several endorsements for customizable coverage
- 24/7 claims support
Cons
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Types of Coverage Offered
- Accident forgiveness
- Gap insurance
- Towing and labor coverage
- Total loss deductive waiver
- Roadside assistance
Discounts Available
- Vanishing deductible
- Anti-theft system
- Safe driver
- And more
More Nationwide Insurance Reviews
Best for Local Service
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Strong customer service ratings
- Add-on coverages for customizable policies
- Variety of discounts
Cons
- Limited availability
- Average mobile app ratings
Types of Coverage Offered
- Locksmith coverage
- Erie Rate Lock program
- First accident forgiveness
- Diminishing deductible program
- Rideshare coverage
- Non-owners insurance
Discounts Available
- Safe driving
- Car safety features
- Multi-vehicle
- And More
More Erie Insurance Reviews
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
**J.D. Power’s 2021 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study for the Mid-Atlantic region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in West Virginia
According to Bankrate.com’s 2021 premium data, in West Virginia, the average cost of car insurance is $1,499 per year for a full coverage policy and $458 per year for a minimum coverage policy. The average premium in West Virginia is slightly less expensive than the U.S. national average annual rate, which is $1,674 for full coverage insurance and $565 for minimum coverage.
West Virginia faces certain weather and environmental risks, like floods and wildfires, that cause car insurance quotes to be slightly above average. Keep in mind that drivers might pay more or less than the statewide average rate based on personal factors, like ZIP code, age, credit score, and claims history.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in West Virginia
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Nationwide | $993 |
| USAA | $1,185 |
| State Farm | $1,195 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in West Virginia
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Westfield | $2,003 |
| Progressive | $1,661 |
| Allstate | $1,549 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
Top 3 Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in West Virginia
| City | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Falling Waters | $1,272 |
| Gerrardstown | $1,275 |
| Martinsburg | $1,277 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
Top 3 Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance in West Virginia
| City | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Kermit | $1,933 |
| Breeden | $1,911 |
| Gilbert | $1,898 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
West Virginia Car Insurance: What You Need to Know
Having a comprehensive car insurance policy in West Virginia will protect your legal and financial responsibilities if you hit another driver or cause property damage. Consider this data before you purchase a car insurance policy:
- Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of young adult deaths in the state
- There were 313 motor vehicle deaths in West Virginia in 2010
- More than 10% of West Virginia drivers do not carry car insurance
Additional Car Insurance Coverage in West Virginia
In addition to the minimum required coverage, drivers in West Virginia can benefit from purchasing add-on policies that offer more protection. Here are some additional coverage options to consider based on common risks in the state:
- Collision insurance: Collision insurance pays for a driver’s vehicle repairs after an accident. It also applies to accidents with stationary objects and rollovers.
- Comprehensive insurance: Comprehensive insurance pays for a vehicle’s repairs after a non-collision incident, like a flood, fire, theft, vandalism, falling objects, and hail storms.
- Uninsured/Underinsured motorist: Since more than 10% of West Virginia drivers do not have auto insurance, UI/UM insurance coverage will step in when a driver hits you but does not have insurance or high enough limits to cover the damage to you, passengers, or the vehicle.
- Roadside assistance: Roadside assistance covers the cost of battery replacement, fuel delivery, extrication, locksmith services, tire changing, and towing (within a certain mileage) if the vehicle breaks down.
- Gap insurance: If you lease or finance your vehicle, gap insurance comes in handy. If your car gets totaled in a covered incident, gap insurance pays the difference between your car’s diminished value and the remaining loan balance.
West Virginia Minimum Insurance Requirements
Car insurance is legally required in West Virginia if you own a registered vehicle. Drivers must carry personal liability and uninsured motorist liability coverage, with minimum limits of 25/50/25. Every state requires drivers to carry different amounts of car insurance.
Minimum liability required in the state of West Virginia is divided as follows:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 property damage coverage per accident
West Virginia’s At-Fault Law
West Virginia is an at-fault state. That means after an accident, the driver who caused the crash is responsible for compensating the other driver for property damage and medical expenses, if they are injured. In a no-fault state, a driver’s insurance company automatically pays for their medical costs after an accident, regardless of which driver caused the crash.
West Virginia No Proof of Insurance Penalties
West Virginia law states that drivers must carry proof of insurance in their vehicle at all times, and provide proof of insurance when requested by law enforcement. If a driver is caught driving without proof of insurance, penalties occur, including registration and license plate suspension, and loss of driving privileges. In order to get a license and plates reinstated, drivers have to pay a fee of up to $200.
West Virginia Car Insurance FAQ
Methodology
Reviews.com reviews products, services and companies based on five criteria to help readers understand how companies compare based on similar metrics. For the best car insurance companies, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores and online resources from each company to determine top providers.
As for average pricing, we used Bankrate.com’s data of car insurance in West Virginia, based on the profiles of a 40-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
About the Authors
Elizabeth Rivelli is an insurance writer for Reviews.com. Over the last year, she has covered insurance providers, best policies, industry trends and more. Elizabeth has been featured in The Simple Dollar, Bankrate and Coverage.com, among others. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. The Best Term Life Insurance Companies is Elizabeth’s favorite review on Reviews.com.
