Margaret Huntley Last Updated On: July 25, 2023

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Getting West Virginia Auto Insurance Quotes

In a place nicknamed the Mountain State, you’ll want a car to get around and see the incredible sights and gorgeous mountainscape. But car insurance goes hand-in-hand with a car, and getting behind the wheel without great car insurance is unthinkable.

Ready to get the protection you and your vehicle deserve? Read on for everything to do with West Virginia car insurance, including what to budget for and how to find deals.

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Table of Contents

West Virginia Car Insurance Minimum Requirements

Did you know that in almost all U.S. states you need car insurance in order to legally drive? West Virginia is no exception. This means that you need to keep proof of insurance on you at all times when you hit the road, and not just any amount of coverage.

The minimum car insurance requirements in West Virginia include:

  • $25,000 in bodily injury per person
  • $50,000 in total bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage liability

Bodily injury protects the other driver in the event of an accident, including their medical costs and damages if they sue you. Property damage covers damage to any property in the accident, including vehicle repairs.

You also need to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in these amounts:

  • $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident in bodily injury
  • $25,000 in property damage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage gives you even more protection in case the other driver doesn’t have car insurance or doesn’t have enough so that you’re not stuck paying out of pocket for the costs. However, for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can reject the coverage in writing in West Virginia.

These are the bare minimums, but they can easily be used up if there’s a bad accident. This is why you should always carry more than the minimum coverage for more protection. Plus, you’ll want to consider other forms of coverage to give you even greater peace of mind on the road.

Let’s explore those other types of coverage next.

Car Insurance Coverage Options in West Virginia

Aside from the minimum coverage every driver needs to have, what other options are available to you?

The answer is that you have plenty of options for car insurance coverage. Exceeding the minimum amounts of coverage is a wise idea, but so is adding in other coverage types that give you even more protection on the road.

These coverage types include:

  • Collision: This covers you if you collide with another driver, helping to cover repair or replacement costs for your vehicle. In property damage coverage, only the other driver’s vehicle is covered, so you would be left footing the bill for your own vehicle without collision.
  • Comprehensive: There’s no shortage of things that can cause damage to your car, so comprehensive helps protect from them. This includes weather-related damage, theft, vandalism, hitting an animal, and more.
  • Medical Payments: You’ll hear this referred to as MedPay, and it covers medical costs after an accident for you and your passengers. Bodily injury protection only covers the other driver, so this can help cover your own medical costs (especially if you don’t have great health insurance).
  • Roadside Assistance: Being stranded on the side of the road is no fun, which is why many drivers add roadside assistance to their coverage. It covers a tow to a nearby repair shop, as well as minor roadside help like running out of gas.
  • Classic Car: Classic cars are a delight, but they can be expensive to maintain. If you’ve got a classic or antique car, you’ll need special insurance to account for more expensive repairs and parts.
  • Rental Car Reimbursement: Many people forget that even though insurance might cover the cost of repairs to your car, you’re still left without a vehicle during those repairs—or even for the duration of an investigation into the accident. Rental car reimbursement coverage means your rental car after an accident is covered, so you don’t have to worry about getting from point A to point B.

These are just some of the coverage options available to you, but each insurance provider could offer more or fewer options. You can choose the coverage you want and leave what you don’t, customizing your car insurance plan to your needs and your budget.

And there’s the magic “B” word: cost is of course going to be a factor, so next we’ll talk about what you can expect to pay for car insurance in the great state of West Virginia.

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The Average Cost of Car Insurance in West Virginia

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to be afraid of budgeting for car insurance if you live in the state of WV. It clocks in at much lower than the national average, so you’re ahead of the game just by living in the Mountain State.

On average, you can expect to pay $421 per year for minimum coverage, and $1,580 per year for full coverage. Compare that with the national averages of $622 and $2,014, respectively.

Full coverage refers to having comprehensive, collision and liability insurance. With full coverage, pretty much all your bases are covered, from accidents to weather to theft, and more. You can find out more by clicking here.

With cheaper than average car insurance rates, West Virginia makes it easy to say yes to more coverage to beat the minimum requirements and get more peace of mind. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to save a few bucks on insurance, so keep reading for money-saving tips and tricks.

How to Save on West Virginia Car Insurance Quotes

No one turns up their nose at a good deal in West Virginia, and car insurance is no exception. If you love to save money, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best ways to find savings when getting car insurance quotes in West Virginia:

  • Compare Multiple Quotes: This is first on the list for good reason. Never take the first quote you’re offered, without getting multiple quotes to compare it to. Every insurance provider uses different factors to create your unique rates (more on that later), so shopping around can save you big right off the bat.
  • Review Your Coverage: Car insurance should never be a “set it and forget it” item. Each year, be sure to review your coverage before your policy renews to ensure you’re not paying for anything you don’t need anymore, like an added driver or too much coverage for an older vehicle. While you’re at it, it doesn’t hurt to shop around again pre-renewal just to make sure you’re still getting the best rate.
  • Increase Your Deductible: This is a great way to reduce your annual premiums. By increasing your deductible, the amount you’d have to pay to initiate a claim being covered, your premiums will drop. If you’re a safe driver and rarely if ever submit claims, this is a surefire way to save money.
  • Maintain a Clean Driving Record: If you’re seen as a high risk driver to your insurance provider, your rates are going to go up. Try your best to keep a clean driving record free of tickets and violations to keep your rates low. If you have anything on your record, it will eventually drop off and your rates will lower, as long as you don’t get any new violations. Drive safe, okay?
  • Claim Discounts: Most car insurance providers offer discounts on car insurance, which can save you anywhere from 5-30% on your premiums. Be sure to ask which discounts a provider offers and see what you could be eligible for, to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table. Common discounts include:
    • Safe driver
    • New or loyal customer
    • Multi policy
    • Vehicle safety features
    • Defensive driver course
    • Alumni/employee/association
    • And more

You can also lower your rates by driving less, since those with high mileage are more at risk for an accident. It might not be feasible if you’re outside of a city, but taking transit or using your bike can save you a nice chunk of change each year. Find more money-saving tips here.

Mileage is just one of the factors that affect your insurance rates. Keep reading for more.

And if you’re ready to think about quotes, start by getting access to free quotes fast here.

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What Factors Determine Your Car Insurance Rates

Car insurance rates are built around each person’s unique identity. The quote you receive won’t be the same quote your friend receives, because you each have different factors that make you more or less of a risk to an insurance provider. Some of these factors include:
  • Your age and gender
  • Your zip code
  • Your vehicle’s make and model
  • Your driving history
  • Your credit score
  • Your insurance and claims history
  • Your average mileage
  • Your vehicle safety features And more
Each provider takes these factors into account, but they each weigh them differently. This is why your car insurance quotes in West Virginia can vary so widely from provider to provider.

Is Car Insurance Required in West Virginia?

If you plan on getting behind the wheel, then you’d better have car insurance in place first. You need at least the minimum coverage in place to drive (more is better), and getting caught without proof of insurance can have some hefty consequences. Your license could be suspended, your vehicle registration could be suspended, and you could have to pay fines and reinstatement fees for both. These don’t include the potential legal ramifications as well.

Start By Getting West Virginia Auto Insurance Quotes Now

You don’t need to risk the law when you get behind the wheel, not when getting great car insurance is so easy. Even if you want to shop around to save money, it can be quick and painless. Simply get access to free quotes fast here, and you’ll be well on your way to finding the best car insurance in West Virginia.

The open road is waiting, let’s get to it!

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Margaret Huntley Margaret Huntley is a creative writing and philosophy student at Western University. She has been working as a freelance writer for over two years and has written about everything from insurance, to poker, to health and wellness for international businesses.

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