INSURANCE - CAR INSURANCE

Best Car Insurance in West Virginia for 2024

Updated April 9, 2024
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Erie and State Farm generally have the best car insurance in West Virginia.

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West Virginia is full of stunning scenery. From the Waterfall Trail to the Seneca Skyway and the Cranberry Corridor, the Mountain State is well worth exploring by car. Thankfully, the cost of car insurance in West Virginia is generally lower than the national average, making hopping in the car an easy decision.

In this article

Key takeaways

  • The best car insurance in West Virginia is State Farm, which costs $1,045 yearly for comprehensive coverage.
  • Drivers with a clean driving record pay an average of $115 per month in West Virginia.
  • Fairmont drivers generally pay the most in the state, with a yearly average of $1,761.

Best car insurance companies in West Virginia

Erie and State Farm generally have the best car insurance in West Virginia. Erie offers the lowest minimum liability coverage in the state, and State Farm has the cheapest full coverage. On the other hand, Allstate had the most expensive full coverage in West Virginia, and Progressive offered the most expensive minimum liability coverage.

Provider J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating Estimated annual full coverage Estimated annual minimum liability coverage
Erie 863/1,000 $1,188/year $374/year
State Farm 843/1,000 $1,045/year $381/year
Allstate 825/1,000 $1,674/year $598/year
Nationwide 820/1,000 $1,218/year $500/year
GEICO 818/1,000 $1,158/year $502/year
Progressive 814/1,000 $1,379/year $802/year

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Erie: Highest customer satisfaction

Erie Insurance earned the highest customer satisfaction scores in West Virginia and has the best minimum coverage pricing, averaging $374 annually. While Erie has the usual traditional policies, it also offers benefits like auto glass repair and covers up to $500 of your pet’s vet bills if it is injured in a car accident.

Pros
  • Erie earned the highest customer satisfaction score in West Virginia
  • It has multiple policy options, including locksmith services and personal item coverage
Cons
  • You may find better pricing on full coverage policies with a competitor
  • Erie had fewer discounts than other insurance companies

Get a quote now | Erie review

State Farm: Most affordable coverage

State Farm’s full coverage car insurance is the most affordable in West Virginia, averaging $1,045 annually. It earned the second-highest customer satisfaction score in the state and had the second-lowest minimum coverage, averaging $381 annually. It has standard and specialty coverages with multiple discount options.

Pros
  • State Farm had the lowest cost full coverage insurance in West Virginia
  • It has agents throughout the state if you prefer to speak with someone in your area
Cons
  • State Farm does not have some specialty policies like gap insurance
  • You may find more discount options with a competitor

Get a quote now | State Farm review

Allstate: Best for new cars

Allstate is our list’s most expensive full coverage option, costing an average of $1,674 annually. While its coverage is much more expensive than several competitors, it has policies specifically for new cars, like gap insurance, which helps you cover the difference between what you owe on a loan or lease and the car’s actual cash value if the vehicle is totaled in an accident.

Pros
  • Allstate offers multiple options, including new car replacement and repair provision coverage
  • It earned relatively high customer satisfaction scores
Cons
  • Allstate had the most expensive full coverage on our list
  • You will likely find better pricing on minimum coverage with a competitor

Get a quote now | Allstate review

Nationwide: Best for multi-driver discounts

Nationwide was a more expensive option in West Virginia, costing an annual average of $1,218 for full coverage and $500 for minimum coverage. However, its multi-car insurance, the Family Plan, can help you increase the overall discount for every car you insure and lower the premiums for all named drivers.

Pros
  • Nationwide has standard and specialty policy options, including accident forgiveness
  • It offers loyalty rewards like key fob replacement and pet protection
Cons
  • Nationwide’s customer satisfaction scores were lower than those of some other carriers
  • You may find better full and minimum coverage pricing with a competitor

Get a quote now | Nationwide review

GEICO: Best for senior drivers

GEICO offers the second cheapest full coverage in West Virginia, averaging $1,158 annually, and senior drivers may be able to save even more. Drivers over 50 may qualify for the Prime Time contract, which guarantees policy renewal as long as you continue the optional coverage. GEICO also offers discounts specifically for mature drivers, like a five-year good driving discount.

Pros
  • GEICO offers multiple discounts, including up to 10% for drivers over 50 who complete a defensive driving course
  • It had better pricing on full coverage than most of its competitors
Cons
  • GEICO earned below-average customer service scores in West Virginia
  • You can likely find better pricing on the state’s minimum coverage

Get a quote now | GEICO review

West Virginia auto insurance requirements

West Virginia requires that all registered vehicles be insured with at least the state’s minimum amounts, which are:

  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability for one person in an accident
  • $50,000 in boldly injury liability for two or more people in an accident
  • $25,000 in property damage liability

How to choose a car insurance provider in West Virginia

If you’re new to an area or need a new car insurance provider, consider the following while researching:

  • Compare pricing: Get quotes from at least three companies and double check the coverages and limits match your current insurance. Request quotes online or over the phone, or consider using an insurance broker to help you gather quotes from multiple companies.
  • Verify a company’s financial health: Use a website like AM Best to confirm an insurance company can financially pay claims. Visit the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioners or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) websites to confirm a company is licensed to do business in West Virginia.
  • Read reviews: Research how a company solves problems using websites like the Better Business Bureau. If you’re new to an area, ask local friends and family members for recommendations.

How much does car insurance cost in West Virginia?

The average cost of car insurance in West Virginia is $1,387 per year for full coverage and $515 for minimum insurance.

Drivers in Fairmont tend to pay the most for car insurance, an annual average of $1,761, compared to the national average of $1,582. Residents of Charleston tend to pay the least, a yearly average of $1,585.

West Virginia car insurance rates by city

Insurance rates can be significantly influenced by the crime rate in your city, especially if the area has a higher-than-average chance of property crime, such as auto theft or vandalism.

According to the analytics website NeighborhoodScout, residents of Fairmont have a one in 65 chance of being the victim of property crime. A higher chance of crime means a greater likelihood of filing an insurance claim and potentially higher insurance rates.

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

Methodology

Our analysis was conducted using six different auto insurance marketplaces to determine the best 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 West Virginia

What are the minimum car insurance coverage requirements in West Virginia?

West Virginia law requires that all drivers have at least $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for two or more people in bodily injury liability coverage. Drivers must also have at least $25,000 in property damage insurance. 

How much does car insurance cost in West Virginia?

Car insurance in West Virginia generally costs an average of $1,387 per year for full coverage and $515 for minimum car insurance.

Which car insurance companies cover West Virginia?

Many nationally known companies cover West Virginia, including State Farm, Erie, Allstate, Nationwide, GEICO, and Progressive.

What is the cheapest car insurance company in West Virginia?

State Farm offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in West Virginia, at an average of $1,045. Erie Insurance offers the cheapest minimum car insurance at an annual average of $374.

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Author Details

Kate Daugherty Kate Daugherty is a professional writer with a passion for providing others the head start they deserve on their financial journeys. Largely self-taught, Kate relied on books, blogs, and trial-and-error to learn how to budget and save for the future, all while working to pay back about $15,000 in student loans.