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With its low population density and cost of living, it's no surprise that auto insurance tends to be less expensive in West Virginia than in other states. The average cost of car insurance in West Virginia is $1,387, compared to the national average of $1,582.
However, how much you'll pay for coverage in the Mountain State depends on several factors, including your age, credit, and driving record.
- Key takeaways
- How much does car insurance cost in West Virginia?
- Average cost of car insurance in West Virginia by provider
- How does credit score affect car insurance rates in West Virginia?
- Average car insurance rates for high-risk drivers in West Virginia
- How does age affect car insurance rates in West Virginia?
- West Virginia car insurance rates by city
- WV's minimum car insurance requirements
- How to save money on car insurance in West Virginia
- Methodology
- FAQs about car insurance costs in WV
Key takeaways
- The average cost of car insurance in West Virginia is $1,387 per year for full coverage policies.
- The average cost of state-minimum liability policies per year is $515.
- Teen drivers pay an average of $3,901 per year for coverage.
How much does car insurance cost in West Virginia?
With approximately 1.8 million residents, West Virginia has a lower-than-average population. As a result of having fewer people living in the state — and therefore, fewer drivers on the road — insurance is relatively inexpensive.
The average cost of car insurance in West Virginia is $1,387 per year for full coverage policies that include liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage — while the national average is $1,582. And drivers that opt for state-minimum liability coverage pay an average of $515 per year.
| Avg. cost for full coverage | Avg. cost for minimum coverage | Cheapest insurance provider |
| $1,387/year | $515/year | State Farm |
| Avg. for young drivers | Avg. cost for seniors | Avg. for high-risk drivers |
| $3,901/year | $1,689/year | $2,001/year |
Average cost of car insurance in West Virginia by provider
Before purchasing car insurance, it's always wise to shop around and compare quotes from several companies. In West Virginia, you have several providers to choose from, ranging from national companies to smaller regional insurers.
State Farm has the lowest average premiums for full coverage policies at $1,045 per year — about 25% less than the state average. But for state-minimum liability policies, USAA is the cheapest, averaging $333 per year.
| Provider | Full coverage | Minimum liability coverage |
| Erie | $1,188/year | $374/year |
| Nationwide | $1,218/year | $500/year |
| Allstate | $1,674/year | $598/year |
| Progressive | $1,379/year | $802/year |
| GEICO | $1,158/year | $502/year |
| State Farm | $1,045/year | $381/year |
| USAA | $1,056/year | $333/year |
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How does credit score affect car insurance rates in West Virginia?
Your credit score does more than impact the rates you get on credit cards or loans; it also affects what you'll pay for car insurance. West Virginia's laws allow car insurance companies to use drivers' credit scores when deciding premiums, so a good credit score can help you save money.
We found that the average premium for those with poor credit is $2,462 per year, hundreds more than the state average.
| Credit health | Avg. annual premium |
| Poor (550-649) | $2,462/year |
| Average (650-699) | $1,926/year |
| Good (700-749) | $1,716/year |
| Excellent (750+) | $1,507/year |
Average car insurance rates for high-risk drivers in West Virginia
Driving safely doesn't only minimize damage to your property (and yourself!), but it also helps keep your car insurance premiums low. High-risk behaviors, like speeding or driving under the influence (DUI), can have significant financial repercussions.
In West Virginia, we found that premiums increase by an average of $1,700 per year after a DUI conviction. And one at-fault accident can cause premiums to increase by an average of $873 per year.
| Violation | Avg. annual premium before violation* | Avg. annual premium after violation | Avg. cost increase |
| At-fault accident | $1,387/year | $2,260/year | $873 |
| DUI | $1,387/year | $3,087/year | $1,700 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,387/year | $1,843/year | $456 |
*Assumes clean driving record with good credit
Average rate:
How does age affect car insurance rates in West Virginia?
Since teens have less experience behind the wheel, they're more likely to be involved in serious accidents than other age groups. Consequently, teens pay significantly more for car insurance than other drivers.
In West Virginia, the average premium for drivers 18 years of age is $4,330 per year, more than three times the state average. Considering that the median household income for West Virginia households is $50,884, families would have to pay 8.5% of their income to purchase a car insurance policy for a teen driver.
| Age | Avg. annual premium |
| 18 | $4,330/year |
| 25 | $1,645/year |
| 30 | $1,532/year |
| 40 | $1,533/year |
| 60 | $1,553/year |
West Virginia car insurance rates by city
Car insurance premiums often correlate with population density and crime rates. Fairmont, West Virginia, is an example of this trend, with its residents paying an average annual premium of $1,761 for coverage, significantly more than the state average.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Fairmont? According to NeighborhoodScout, the city's crime rating is higher than 89% of the state's cities and towns, so you're more likely to be the victim of auto theft or other property crimes.
| City | Avg. annual full-coverage premium |
| Fairmont | $1,761/year |
| Huntington | $1,741/year |
| Morgantown | $1,713/year |
| Martinsburg | $1,616/year |
| Wheeling | $1,623/year |
| Charleston | $1,585/year |
WV's minimum car insurance requirements
Drivers in West Virginia must have car insurance and carry proof of coverage whenever they drive. Policies must meet the following state requirements:
- $25,000 in bodily injury protection for one person
- $50,000 in bodily injury protection for two or more people
- $25,000 in property damage insurance
Those coverage minimums are relatively standard for state requirements but may not provide adequate protection. Depending on your vehicle and financial circumstances, you may want to consider higher coverage limits and adding comprehensive and collision insurance. Considering that the Insurance Research Council reported that 9.2% of drivers in West Virginia are uninsured, adding uninsured/underinsured motorist protection to your policy may be a good idea.
How to save money on car insurance in West Virginia
To save money on car insurance in West Virginia, follow these tips:
- Enroll in pay-per-mile insurance: Drivers in West Virginia typically cover more miles per year than those in other states. But if you work remotely or have a short commute and drive less often, enrolling in pay-per-mile insurance policies could help you save a significant amount of money. Many insurers give you a discount just for signing up, and you can save even more by maintaining safe driving habits. In West Virginia, several insurers offer pay-per-mile coverage, including Progressive, Root, and State Farm.
- Ask about discounts: Contact your insurance agent to find out what discount programs are available that you may not be signed up for yet. Insurers typically have multiple discounts, including good student, safe driver, claims-free, anti-theft device, and low mileage discounts.
- Shop around: As mentioned above, car insurance premiums can vary by company. To find the best car insurance rates, request quotes from several companies.
Methodology
Our analysis was conducted using six different auto insurance marketplaces to determine the average cost of auto insurance in each state. The data we analyzed included coverage premiums from up to 10 different insurance providers. We looked at rates by city, driver profile, and credit score, as well as factored in the impact of driving violations. This data is for comparative purposes only. Your actual quote may be different.
FAQs about car insurance costs in WV
Is car insurance expensive in WV?
Car insurance is relatively inexpensive in West Virginia. Full coverage premiums average $1,387 per year, while the national average is $1,582.
How much is car insurance per year in WV?
The average cost of car insurance in West Virginia is $1,387 per year for full coverage policies and $515 per year for state-minimum liability policies.
Average rate:
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