If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in West Virginia, you probably already know that finding the best deal can be quite a challenge. Insurance costs vary depending on your age and gender, where you live, your driving record and other factors. And costs can vary wildly from one company to the next for seemingly no reason at all, which is why shopping for the best deal is worth your while.
To help you find the cheapest car insurance in the Mountain State, NerdWallet researched the two least expensive options for each of the following:
Cheapest for responsible drivers
For drivers with no at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations
PRICE
- $95/month
PRICE
- $97/month
For drivers in West Virginia, whether their record is clean or marred by accidents, Erie and Westfield are frequently the cheapest options. For safe drivers, the two charge almost the same monthly premium. Erie is slightly cheaper and offers a larger selection of discounts to make its price even more manageable. It also rated highest for customer satisfaction among 24 companies surveyed by the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study. However, some drivers might prefer Westfield’s specialty coverage options, including electronic equipment coverage.
Cheapest for young drivers
For drivers younger than 25
PRICE
- $183/month
PRICE
- $204/month
Young drivers in West Virginia pay a hefty premium for their inexperience. For them, the two least expensive options are typically Safeco and Geico. Safeco’s premiums are about $20 cheaper per month than Geico’s. Safeco also has slightly better customer-service ratings, according to a 2015 J.D. Power and Associates survey. It also has discounts that some young drivers can take advantage of, regardless of their academic performance. On the other hand, Geico has a wide network of affinity discounts that families may be able to use, and both offer roadside assistance — a must for those new to the road.
Cheapest for high-mileage drivers
For drivers who drive more than 40 miles a day
PRICE
- $103/month
PRICE
- $109/month
West Virginia drivers who spend a lot of time on the road will find the cheapest coverage, again, with Westfield and Erie. Westfield’s coverage is about $5 less per month than Erie’s, and it provides options like replacement-cost coverage, which may be useful to those who depend on their vehicles. Still, Erie provides better service and claims processing, according to J.D. Power, and its discounts will likely offset its slightly higher price. Its transportation expenses plan may also help those stranded on the road, in need of a car repair. Both companies offer roadside assistance endorsements.
Cheapest for drivers with imperfect records
For drivers who have had at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations
PRICE
- $112/month
PRICE
- $122/month
Erie beats Westfield’s price by about $10 a month when it comes to accident-prone drivers. But Westfield’s options to add loan/lease or replacement-cost coverage may come in handy for those with a few marks on their driving record. Potential customers should decide whether the selection of specialty options is worth risking the company with lower ratings for service.
Minimum car insurance requirements in West Virginia
West Virginia law requires that drivers carry motor vehicle liability insurance coverage. The state requires these minimum insurance coverages:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage
Remember, it’s usually wise to get more than the bare minimum when it comes to car insurance. An at-fault crash could easily result in injury or repair bills higher than the amounts listed above. When deciding about insurance coverage, consider the assets you need to protect from claims that may exceed the minimum coverage amounts. You may also want to consider collision and comprehensive insurance, especially if you have a late-model car.
Visit NerdWallet’s guide to state car insurance requirements for more details on optional coverages and limits you might want for your West Virginia policy.
Alternative car insurance in West Virginia
High-risk drivers in West Virginia who are unable to buy car insurance through the open market may qualify for coverage through the West Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan. Because these drivers tend to be in more accidents and make more claims, they will pay significantly higher than open-market rates.
For help searching for the cheapest car insurance in West Virginia, use NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool to review estimates side by side and learn how discounts and violations affect your premium.
METHODOLOGY
NerdWallet ran rates from the largest insurers in West Virginia across several ZIP codes. We tested for drivers with no accidents or violations, drivers younger than 25, drivers who travel more than 40 miles per day, and drivers with violations or accidents on their record. We used as our sample vehicle the Ford F-150, the most popular car in West Virginia. These are sample rates; your own rates will be different.
Juan Castillo is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: jcastillo@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @JCastilloNerd.
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