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Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.
Updated November 20, 2024
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Table of contents
West Virginia’s overall average monthly car insurance cost is $114 — lower than the national average rate of $154. The Mountain State’s comparatively small population could help account for its low insurance rates. Another potential reason is that West Virginia is home to some of the safest drivers in the nation, according to an Insurify study.
Even though drivers in West Virginia experience some of the cheapest rates in the country, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from various companies to secure the best deal on the coverage you need.
State Farm, USAA, and Erie are the three cheapest insurers for West Virginia drivers, Insurify data shows.
The state’s capital, Charleston, has some of the highest insurance rates in the state, averaging $121 per month.
West Virginia has one of the lowest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation. Just 9.2% of West Virginia drivers don’t have auto insurance, according to the Insurance Research Council.
What’s the average cost of car insurance in West Virginia?
West Virginians pay an average premium of $153 per month for full coverage and $76 per month for liability coverage.
The state requires all drivers to have a minimum amount of liability coverage, including bodily injury, property damage, and uninsured motorist coverage. While liability insurance may be the cheapest option, if you want additional protection from comprehensive and collision insurance, you may want to consider purchasing a full-coverage policy.
In an accident, collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle regardless of fault. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from theft, vandalism, severe weather, or other non-collision events.
You may also consider adding medical payments coverage, or MedPay, to cover medical expenses for you and your passengers in an at-fault accident.
Mountain State drivers experience cheaper rates than most of the U.S. But premiums will still vary depending on your ZIP code, age, gender, driving record, marital status, and credit history.
The table below shows liability and full-coverage rates for good drivers from popular car insurance companies in West Virginia.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $56 | $33 |
USAA | $67 | $39 |
Erie | $68 | $40 |
GEICO | $101 | $60 |
Progressive | $120 | $71 |
Nationwide | $126 | $74 |
Root | $130 | $79 |
National General | $140 | $67 |
Allstate | $141 | $83 |
Clearcover | $165 | $80 |
Direct Auto | $173 | $78 |
CSAA | $180 | $95 |
Liberty Mutual | $206 | $111 |
Foremost | $226 | $98 |
Dairyland | $253 | $93 |
Average West Virginia car insurance rates by city
Car insurance rates differ from city to city, even within the same state. This is because driving in different areas carries varying risk levels. For example, due to its lower population, drivers in Parkersburg may have lower rates than drivers in Charleston.
Drivers in more populated areas see higher rates than drivers in more rural areas due to a higher risk of car accidents and crime.[1]
The table below shows the average monthly liability and full-coverage car insurance in various cities in West Virginia.
City ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Charleston | $153 | $88 |
Huntington | $161 | $89 |
Martinsburg | $142 | $76 |
Morgantown | $141 | $74 |
Parkersburg | $148 | $82 |
Average West Virginia car insurance rates by age
Your age influences your car insurance rates significantly. As newer drivers, teens and young drivers are more likely to engage in risky driving behavior and get into an accident. Younger drivers tend to pay the highest rates.[1]
Rates begin to drop at 25 as drivers gain more experience. But seniors may start to see their premiums increase around age 70 as age-related conditions, such as a decline in hearing, sight, and motor functions, affect their responsiveness and reaction time.
The table below illustrates the average monthly premium for drivers of different age groups.
Average Monthly Quote by Driver Age
How gender affects car insurance rates in West Virginia
Insurance companies evaluate your gender and age when determining your risk level. Research shows that male drivers engage in risky behaviors more frequently than female drivers, including not wearing a seatbelt and speeding.[2] Younger male drivers get into fatal accidents more than younger female drivers.
As shown in the table below, younger men see the highest rates for a car insurance policy.
These are the average monthly car insurance costs for men and women across various age brackets.
Age ▲▼ | Male ▲▼ | Female ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
16 | $388 | $314 |
35 | $178 | $162 |
50 | $131 | $125 |
How your driving record affects car insurance rates in West Virginia
Insurance companies use driving history to determine car insurance rates, too. While drivers with a clean driving history generally get the lowest premiums, drivers with incidents on their records will see higher premiums and are considered high-risk. Incidents insurers look for include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI).
West Virginia doesn’t require drivers to file an SR-22 after an incident, but it does use a point system to track incidents. Drivers who reach 12 points on their record face suspension of their license. Additionally, drivers convicted of a DUI in the state must complete 18 hours of DUI education.[3]
West Virginia drivers with an incident on their record can expect higher rates than people with a clean driving history. Below is the average monthly cost of liability-only and full-coverage car insurance policies for high-risk drivers with an incident on their record.
Driver Record ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Clean record | $153 | $76 |
With accident | $249 | $123 |
With speeding ticket | $255 | $127 |
With DUI | $279 | $139 |
Average West Virginia car insurance rates by marital status
Your marital status can affect your insurance rates in West Virginia. Married drivers pay slightly lower rates than single drivers because they can split the insurance cost and take advantage of discounts such as a multi-car discount. With this discount, you can insure two or more cars at a reduced rate rather than buying individual policies for each vehicle.
Here’s a look at the average car insurance quote for a single driver and married drivers.
Marital Status ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Single | $178 | $74 |
Married | $177 | $73 |
Cheapest recent rates in West Virginia
Recent West Virginia car insurance prices for Ford, Honda, Chevrolet , and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
Average West Virginia car insurance rates by credit tier
In West Virginia, insurers can use credit-based insurance scores to determine your likelihood of filing a claim. Studies show that drivers with poor credit history are more likely to file a claim, which results in higher insurance rates.[4] Drivers with good and excellent credit history are less likely to file a claim and see lower insurance rates.
Below is the monthly average cost of liability-only and full-coverage policies across various credit profiles.
Credit Tier ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Excellent | $133 | $55 |
Good | $151 | $53 |
Fair | $185 | $76 |
Poor | $200 | $83 |
West Virginia car insurance FAQs
If you’re a West Virginia driver in the market for car insurance, this additional information may help with your search.
How much is car insurance in West Virginia per month?
The average cost of a liability-only policy in West Virginia is $76 per month, and the cost of a full-coverage policy is $153 per month. But your auto insurance rates will vary depending on various factors, such as your insurance company, coverage needs, and risk profile.
What is the minimum car insurance required in West Virginia?
According to West Virginia law, the minimum coverage requirements for auto insurance are $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, and $25,000 in property damage liability insurance. Drivers must also maintain the minimum requirement of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage in underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.[5]
How much is car insurance for 18-year-olds in West Virginia?
The average monthly cost of liability-only insurance for teens in West Virginia is $155 per month. On average, the cost of full-coverage insurance for teens is $311 per month.
Teen drivers can save money by staying on their parents’ insurance, taking advantage of good student discounts, and maintaining a clean driving record.
What is the cheapest car insurance in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, the cheapest car insurance company is State Farm, at $33 per month for a liability-only policy. The other cheapest companies are USAA and Erie, with rates of $39 and $40 per month, respectively.
What are the best auto insurance companies in West Virginia?
State Farm, Erie, and USAA are the best car insurance companies in West Virginia. All three companies have competitive rates, many different types of discounts, and high J.D. Power scores.[6] These companies also have strong Insurify Quality (IQ) Scores, with State Farm and Erie having a 9.3 and 9.0 out of 5, and USAA having a 9.4.
But the best auto insurance company for you depends on individual needs and situations. Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies can help you secure a policy that meets your needs and budget.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Sources
- III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Argionis Law. "Do Men or Women Get in More Accidents?."
- West Virginia DMV. "Impaired Driving."
- Experian. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores vs. Credit Scores."
- WEST VIRGINIA Offices of the Insurance Commissioner. "Automobile Mandatory Limits."
- Jdpower.com. "2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study."
Alani Asis is a personal finance freelance writer with nearly three years of experience in content creation. She has landed bylines with leading publications and brands like Insider, Fortune, LendingTree, and more. Alani aims to make personal finance approachable through fun, relatable, and digestible content.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.