In our research for West Virginia the overall cheapest carriers are Progressive, Farmers, and GEICO.
Depending on your age and location each carrier can offer quotes from 28% to 44% lower than the median rate.
Other insurers you want to put on your bucket list to get quotes are Erie, Westfield, and State Farm.
If you have good driving history you should be able to get quotes from 18% to 35% lower than drivers of similar age and profile.
In this article we are going to cover the minimum requirements in West Virginia, the least expensive insurance carriers, and a few saving strategies to help you lower your premium.
If you would like skip to a certain part of the article we have provided a table of contents down a little and to the right.
Note: The average premium rate for a 25 year old driver in West Virginia is over $2,000 per year. We found Progressive, GEICO, and Farmers more than 22% cheaper than the average. For more detailed information please see rate table below.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements for West Virginia
Table of Contents
- 1 Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements for West Virginia
- 1.1 Uninsured Motorist Protection
- 1.2 Bodily Injury Liability
- 1.3 Property Damage Liability
- 1.4 Least Expensive Insurers by Rate & Age
- 1.5 Comprehensive & Collision
- 1.6 Average Coverage per Driver
- 1.7 Best Insurers by Complaints, Rate Change, and Consumer Rating
- 1.8 Fines and penalties for driving without insurance
- 1.9 Average Rate by City
| Coverage | West Virginia Minimum Liability Coverage | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Protection | $20,000 / $40,000 | $100,000 / $300,000 |
| Property Damage | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| Uninsured Motorist Coverage BIL* | $20,000 / $40,000 | $20,000 / $40,000 |
| Uninsured Motorist Coverage PD** | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury*** | $20,000 / $40,000 | $20,000 / $40,000 |
| Medical Payments | Optional | $5,000 limit |
| Comprehensive Coverage | Optional | $100 deductible |
| Collision Coverage | Optional | $500 deductible |
*Bodily Injury Liability
**Property Damage
***Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage can be rejected in writing.
Uninsured Motorist Protection
Since there is a significant amount of uninsured motorists in West Virginia the state has required all drivers to carry Uninsured Motorist Protection (UM) with the minimum amount of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per multiple passengers per vehicle.
UM is going to compensate you for your financial and non-financial losses which may have been incurred during the auto accident.
You would have a legal claim as a result of the other driver’s negligence or if you are involved in an accident from a hit-and-run driver.
Note: As illustrated, we found 5 insurers less than $1,250 per year for a 30 year old driver in WV. Progressive is the cheapest at $1,032. For more details please see rate table below.
Bodily Injury Liability
The minimum quantity of bodily injury liability cover that must be maintained is $20,000 for any medical expenses of a single person with up to $40,000 for all passengers in the car resulting from an auto accident.
Note: The lowest rates for a 35 year old are found with Progressive, GEICO, and Farmers. All three are under $1,000 per year or approximately 23% cheaper.
Property Damage Liability
This mandatory cover is for damages to buildings, signs, places of business, and the other person’s vehicle.
The insurance firm will cover up to $10,000 if you get minimum coverage.
In insurance terms you would see the numbers like this: 20/40/10 which represents thousands.
Although these are the minimum amount of coverage for West Virginia you may want to consider other coverage when comparing cheap car insurance quotes.
Note: As illustrated, for the lowest rates start with Progressive, GEICO, and Farmers. Each clustering between $802 and $900 per year for a 40 year old driver.
Least Expensive Insurers by Rate & Age
Below is a list of 12 insurance companies and the quote for drivers from 25 to 55 years of age.
Depending on your location and driving history, Progressive is able to offer the lowest quotes across the board for young and senior drivers.
Quotes can vary from 28% to 44% cheaper than the median rate.
Other companies equally competitive are GEICO and Farmers.
Again, depending on your location and driving history, we found each insurer can offer quotes from 26% to 38% lower than the “mean” quote for similar age and profile drivers.
Other insurance companies offering competitive quotes are Erie, Westfield, and State Farm.
All three offer quotes from 18% to 35% lower than the median rate.
In some locations Erie and Westfield are able to offer rates cheaper than Progressive or GEICO.
If you want to find the most savings you should put Allstate on your list of quotes.
Allstate is able to offer quotes from 12% to 22% lower on average.
In some locations the quotes are can be 25% lower.
With the 7 carriers you have a blend of regional and national companies to help you find the lowest premium while maintaining good coverage.
| West Virginia Company | Average Annual Rate 25 Y/O Driver | 30 Y/O Driver | 35 Y/O Driver | 40 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver | 55 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,532 | $1,032 | $899 | $802 | $678 | $590 |
| GEICO | $1,654 | $1,143 | $986 | $887 | $754 | $600 |
| Farmers | $1,678 | $1,176 | $999 | $900 | $788 | $611 |
| Erie | $1,721 | $1,210 | $1,045 | $905 | $790 | $612 |
| Westfield | $1,723 | $1,216 | $1,067 | $954 | $799 | $634 |
| State Farm | $1,734 | $1,248 | $1,088 | $955 | $800 | $643 |
| Allstate | $1,756 | $1,343 | $1,109 | $976 | $821 | $667 |
| Motorist Mutual | $1,843 | $1,365 | $1,132 | $980 | $856 | $678 |
| Nationwide | $1,876 | $1,387 | $1,167 | $990 | $866 | $690 |
| MetLife | $1,908 | $1,432 | $1,187 | $1,008 | $878 | $698 |
| Sentry | $1,965 | $1,439 | $1,202 | $999 | $887 | $723 |
| Travelers | $2,008 | $1,548 | $1,226 | $1,012 | $899 | $741 |
Note: As illustrated, all 5 insurers are under $800 per year for a 45 year old driver. Progressive being the lowest at $678 per year.
Comprehensive & Collision
If you have an expensive vehicle then comprehensive or collision cover would be a necessary cover since it would be protected from theft or a broken window.
Collision cover would be necessary if you hit an animal or accidentally ran into a tree, for example.
There is other coverage you may want to consider depending on your situation.
Be sure to get proper coverage for your vehicular needs since it is more of a hassle to deal with an accident when you are not insured then when you are.
Note: A 55 year old driver can find quotes clustering near $600. The cheapest is Progressive at $590 per year. GEICO is as competitive with quotes at $600. Farmers and Erie are slightly higher with quotes at $611 and $612 respectfully. Westfield is approximately 9% higher than the cheapest (Progressive) with a quote at $634.
Average Coverage per Driver
-
Bodily Injury Liability – $100,000/$300,000
-
Property Damage Liability – $50,000
-
Uninsured Motorist Protection – $20,000/$40,000
-
Medical Payments Cover – $5,000
-
Comprehensive Cover – $100 deductible
-
Collision Cover – $500 deductible
Best Insurers by Complaints, Rate Change, and Consumer Rating
In the table below is a list of the best insurance companies by written premiums, rate change over 12 to 18 months, complaints, and consumer rating.
The average rate change is approximately 2.2% which is normal.
If you have a change of circumstances or a traffic violation your premium can rise substantially.
None of carriers have an abnormal amount of complaints.
Typically the national companies, such as Allstate or State Farm, may have more complaints. This is normal.
The consumer rating data is compiled from reputable online sources.
Any other data is from III.org, JD Power & Associates, and AM Best.
| West Virginia Company | Premiums | Rate Change < 18 Months | # of Complaints | Consumer Rating out of 5 Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $299,268,000 | +1.8% | 1 | 4.6 |
| GEICO | $84,754,000 | +1.9% | 0 | 4.5 |
| Farmers | $37,765,000 | +2.8% | 2 | 4.4 |
| Erie | $88,202,000 | +2.6% | 5 | 4.4 |
| Westfield | $51,373,000 | +2.0% | 7 | 4.3 |
| State Farm | $54,873,000 | +2.0% | 16 | 4.3 |
| Allstate | $42,947,000 | +1.8% | 7 | 4.2 |
| Motorist Mutual | $29,765,000 | +2.3% | 5 | 4.2 |
| Nationwide | $142,976,000 | +1.9% | 8 | 4.2 |
| MetLife | $38,487,000 | +2.5% | 9 | 4.0 |
| Sentry | $18,769,000 | +2.6% | 6 | 4.0 |
| Travelers | $31,620,000 | +2.4% | 2 | 4.0 |
Fines and penalties for driving without insurance
-
-
Registration of vehicle suspended. The reinstatement fee is minimum $100, plus proof of insurance. If the police pick up your license plate; an additional $50 fee.
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Suspension of your driver’s license for thirty days – first offense.
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Suspension of your driver’s license for ninety days – second offense
-
If convicted in a court of law, points will be added to your license and your insurance rates will go up drastically.
-
Average Rate by City
Below is a list of 24 moderately populated cities in West Virginia with the average premium for all drivers.
Compared to the national average the premium price is significantly higher in the state of West Virginia.
Location is a factor for insurers when determining your monthly or yearly premium.
The cost of a yearly premium ranges from $1,731 to $2,100 per year.
This is over a 20% variance and should be considered when you are shopping for quotes.
If you find your quotes are significantly higher you may either be a young driver or have poor driving history.
You can inquire from the carrier as to why.
If you would like a detailed comparison of quotes for more populated cities in West Virginia please read further below.
| City | Average Rate | Population | City | Average Rate | Population | City | Average Rate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley | $1,865 | 17,238 | Elkins | $1,988 | 7,286 | Parsons | $1,743 | 1,423 |
| Bluefield | $1,911 | 10,448 | Fairmont | $2,043 | 18,740 | Petersburg | $1,732 | 2,573 |
| Bridgeport | $2,008 | 8,358 | Harrisville | $2,055 | 1,750 | Princeton | $1,962 | 6,359 |
| Buckhannon | $1,769 | 5,679 | Logan | $2,100 | 1,600 | St. Albans | $1,876 | 10,835 |
| Chester | $1,976 | 2,474 | Martinsburg | $2,084 | 17,743 | Summersville | $1,632 | 3,434 |
| Clarksburg | $1,975 | 50,404 | Montgomery | $1,902 | 1,577 | Vienna | $1,689 | 10,562 |
| Charles Town | $1,759 | 5,706 | Moundsville | $1,875 | 8,891 | Weirton | $1,784 | 19,362 |
| Dunbar | $1,731 | 7,749 | Oak Hill | $1,811 | 8,175 | Weston | $1,832 | 4,044 |
Charleston, WV
The average auto insurance rate in Charleston is nearly $2,000 per year.
We queried 7 insurers and found Progressive the cheapest at $1,065, followed by GEICO at $1,165, then Farmers at $1,238 for a 30 year old driver.
All more than 32% lower than the citywide “mean” rate.
A 45 year old driver can find rates over 35% lower with Progressive ($732), GEICO ($841) and Farmers ($876).
Erie and Westfield are over 30% lower at $907 and $965 respectfully.
A 55 year old driver can find rates under $700 with Progressive and GEICO each at $633 and $676 respectfully.
Farmers, Erie, Westfield, and State Farm clustered between $710 and $790.
Out of the 7 queried the most expensive is Allstate at $1,589 for a 30 year old, $1,043 for a 45 year old, and $811 for a 55 year old driver.
Or 15% lower than the “mean” rate in Charleston.
| Charleston Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,065 | $732 |
| GEICO | $1,165 | $841 |
| Farmers | $1,238 | $876 |
| Erie | $1,279 | $907 |
| Westfield | $1,365 | $965 |
| State Farm | $1,576 | $1,037 |
| Allstate | $1,589 | $1,043 |
Charleston, WV is the largest city and the capital of the state with 50,000 residents.
The city is one of the largest salt produces in the world.
The economy during the 20th century prospered primarily due to coal and gas and the expansion of the railroad in the area.
Chemical, steel, timber, glass and other types of industries moved to the city primarily due to the vast amount of natural resources that were available.
Charleston is home to numerous annual events and fairs that take place throughout the city, from the banks of the Kanawha River to the capitol grounds.
Some of the more notable festivals include, West Virginia Dance Festival, Vandalia Gathering, FestivALL, and the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta.
Huntington, WV
Finding inexpensive insurance is fairly easy in Huntington if you get quotes from Progressive, GEICO, and Farmers.
We queried each at $1,008, $1,065, and $1,109 respectfully for a 30 year old driver.
Over 40% lower than the whopping “mean” rate of $2,055 per year.
A 45 year old driver can find rates lower than $700 with Progressive at $699.
GEICO is slightly higher at $756, and Farmers nearly $80 more at $830.
It would be smart to get quotes from all insurers in the graph and table to find the most savings.
The cheapest rates for a 55 year old are with Progressive and GEICO.
Each queried at $587 and $590 respectfully for a 55 year old.
Out of 7 insurers queried Allstate is the most expensive $1,380 for a 30 year old, $990 for a 45 year old, and $749 for a 55 year old.
The 30 year old quote by Allstate is more than 38% lower than the citywide average.
| Huntington Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,008 | $699 |
| GEICO | $1,065 | $756 |
| Farmers | $1,109 | $830 |
| Erie | $1,165 | $883 |
| Westfield | $1,231 | $907 |
| State Farm | $1,365 | $987 |
| Allstate | $1,380 | $990 |
Huntington is the second largest city in the state with nearly 50,000 residents.
The city was formerly known as Holderby’s Landing.
The town took its name in tribute to Collis P. Huntington who established the town in 1870.
It served as the western terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and contained a significant railroad maintenance facility.
The region was earlier part of the French and Indian War Veteran’s Savage Grant.
Huntington was a major center for passenger train service during the early portion of the 20th Century.
During the 1950’s its population experienced significant growth, primarily due to the thriving coal and chemical industries.
Morgantown, WV
Finding cheaper rates is easy if you get quotes from Progressive, Erie, and GEICO.
Each queried at $987, $1,045, and $1,134 for a 30 year old driver.
Or about 39% lower than the average rate of $1,902 per year.
For a 45 year old driver the cheapest insurer is Progressive at $786, followed by Erie at $832, and GEICO at $879.
Westfield, Farmers, State Farm, and Allstate clustered between $900 and $989 for full coverage.
For a 55 year old we queried 3 insurers less than $700 or over 40% lower than the citywide “mean” rate.
Progressive is the cheapest at $612, followed by Erie at $649, then GEICO at $690.
| Morgantown Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $987 | $786 |
| Erie | $1,045 | $832 |
| GEICO | $1,134 | $879 |
| Westfield | $1,187 | $900 |
| Farmers | $1,208 | $922 |
| State Farm | $1,276 | $932 |
| Allstate | $1,308 | $989 |
Morgantown is the 3rd largest city in the state with nearly 31,000 residents.
Named for its founder Colonel Zackquill Morgan, Morgantown became part of the newly created state of West Virginia in 1863 when slave-free counties seceded from the state of Virginia.
Morgantown is home to West Virginia University, the largest institution of higher education in the state with an annual enrollment of more than 25,000 students.
The city is part of one of the major growth areas in the state of West Virginia.
Today, the city is the medical, commercial, and cultural focal point of the region.
Parkersburg, WV
Parkersburg is on the lower end of spectrum with an average rate of $1,732.
To get the cheapest quotes start with Progressive, Erie, and GEICO.
Each queried at $943, $1,008, and $1,097 respectfully for a 30 year old driver.
Which is more than 35% lower than the citywide “mean” rate.
Farmers is $1,239 or more than 24% lower or nearly $500 in savings.
For a 45 year old driver Progressive, Erie, and GEICO are the cheapest.
We queried each at $811, $832, and $876 respectfully for full coverage.
Nearly $1,000 in savings when matched against the average rate.
Westfield and Farmers are worth getting quotes from since we queried them at $904 and $956 respectfully.
For a 55 year old driver the lowest rates are with Progressive and Erie.
Each queried at $621 and $654 which is over 50% lower than the citywide average in Parkersburg.
For optimum coverage and maximum savings you may want to get quotes from all insurers illustrated.
| Parkersburg Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $943 | $811 |
| Erie | $1,008 | $832 |
| GEICO | $1,097 | $876 |
| Westfield | $1,165 | $904 |
| Farmers | $1,239 | $956 |
| State Farm | $1,290 | $1,007 |
| Allstate | $1,365 | $1,032 |
Parkersburg is the 4th largest city in the state with 30,000 residents.
At its peak in 1960 there were more than 44,000 residents.
There are many cultural events throughout the year which attract hundreds of visitors which include, Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival, Taste of Parkersburg, and the Downtown Throwdown.
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the surrounding parks near Parkersburg.
Some of the more notable parks include Blue Rock, Forked Run, Strouds Run, and Wolf Run state park.
Wheeling, WV
Finding cheap car insurance in Wheeling is easy if you know where to look.
Start by getting quotes from Progressive, Erie, and Westfield.
Each quoted at $933, $986, and $1,008 respectfully for a 30 year old driver.
A 45 year old can find savings by getting quotes from Progressive ($766) and Erie ($832).
Which is more than 40% lower than the citywide average of $1,832 for full coverage.
Westfield and GEICO are less than $800 coming in at $855 and $890. Still more than 35% lower than the “mean” rate.
A 55 year old can find one insurer less than $600 per year with Progressive at $598.
Erie and Westfield are approximately $70 more with quotes at $621 and $659 respectfully.
Out of the 7 insurers we queried the most expensive is Allstate at $1,156 for a 30 year old, $1,001 for a 45 year old, and $789 for a 55 year old driver.
| Wheeling Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $933 | $766 |
| Erie | $986 | $832 |
| Westfield | $1,008 | $855 |
| GEICO | $1,076 | $890 |
| Farmers | $1,103 | $904 |
| State Farm | $1,109 | $988 |
| Allstate | $1,156 | $1,001 |
Wheeling, known as the “Nail Capital of the World”, is the 5th largest city in the state with 28,000 residents.
The city was established by Colonel Ebenezer Zane in 1769.
Then recognize as town in 1795 and incorporated as city in 1836.
During the 19th century, the city was also home to thriving glass works and cigar factories.
Due to the flourishing industries and a vast working population, Wheeling was one of the wealthiest per capita cities in the country near the end of the 19th century.
The prosperity of the city during that time is conveyed in the attractive mansions which are still standing in the town.
Today, many Victorian architectural structures can be seen, one being the The Eckhart House.
Weirton, WV
Drivers in Weirton can find the least expensive premium by getting quotes from Progressive, Farmers, and Erie.
We queried each at $950, $987, and $1,030 per year for a 30 year old driver.
Which is over 40% cheaper than the median rate of $1,784.
Westfield and State Farm offer competitive rates with quotes at $1,055 and $1,165 respectfully.
A 45 year old can find a low-cost premium by getting quotes from Progressive, Farmers, and Erie.
We queried each at $732, $786, and $819 per year for full coverage.
All three carriers are over 35% lower than the median quote for drivers of similar age and profile.
Both Westfield and GEICO offer competitive rates with quotes at $858 and $900 respectfully.
| Weirton Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $950 | $732 |
| Farmers | $987 | $786 |
| Erie | $1,030 | $819 |
| Westfield | $1,055 | $858 |
| GEICO | $1,123 | $900 |
| State Farm | $1,165 | $921 |
Weirton was established in the 1700’s and up to about 1909 it was known as Holliday’s Cove.
In 1909, Ernest Weir founded a steel mill north of the village and established it as an unincorporated settlement.
In 1947, Weirton was incorporated as a city.
Today, Weirton has approximately 20,000 residents and is part of the Weirton-Steubenville metro area with 125,000 people.
Also, the city is considered part of the Greater Pittsburgh.
Fairmont, WV
Drivers in Fairmont can get cheaper rates by getting quotes from Farmers, Progressive, and Erie.
We queried each at $944, $954, and $987 per year for a 30 year old driver.
All three carriers are 50% lower than the median rate of $2,043.
Westfield and State Farm should be on your list to get quotes since both carriers are 43% lower than the median rate.
We queried each at $1,048 and $1,119 respectfully.
A 45 year old can find the cheapest rates with Farmers, Progressive, and Erie.
Each queried at $711, $736, and $778 respectfully per year for full coverage.
Which is 40% to 42% lower than the “mean” quote for similar age drivers.
If you want to find the most savings add Westfield and GEICO to your list of quotes.
Both carriers offer rates approximately 38% lower with quotes at $802 and $821 respectfully.
| Fairmont Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Farmers | $944 | $711 |
| Progressive | $954 | $736 |
| Erie | $987 | $778 |
| Westfield | $1,048 | $802 |
| GEICO | $1,080 | $821 |
| State Farm | $1,119 | $874 |
Fairmont has always been a small community.
It was first settled in 1770 by Jonathon Bozarth and his family then established in 1820 with approximately 250 residents.
Up to approximately 1843 Fairmont was known as Middletown.
Soon thereafter, the Virginia Assembly chartered it in 1843 and named it Fairmont.
Today, the city is a community of approximately 18,700 residents.
Resources & Department of Motor Vehicles Information
| Department of Insurance | Department of Transportation | Department of Motor Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 900 Pennsylvania Ave, Charleston, WV 25302 (304) 558-3386 | 700 Washington St. E. #200, Charleston, WV 25301 (304) 347-5935 | 801 Madison Ave, Huntington, WV 25704 (800) 642-9066 |
| Website | Website | Website |
Final Thoughts
If you are in hurry you can get auto insurance quotes right from your home with the tool at the top of the page.
You will get quotes from top providers to compare and the best part, there is no obligation to find out if you could save thirty or forty percent on car insurance.
You want to save money, if you could cut $40 off your monthly premium without sacrificing cover, then you would save almost $1,500 over the next three years.
Give it try you might be able to save even more with AutoInsureSavings comparison tool.
Sources
https://www.consumeraffairs.com
http://www.kiplinger.com/article/insurance/
https://www.erieinsurance.com/auto-insurance/west-virginia
