Best Car Insurance In West Virginia

Key Points:

• USAA, Erie Insurance, and Nationwide offer some of the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in West Virginia.
• USAA and Erie Insurance offer the most affordable minimum liability car insurance for West Virginia residents.
• State Farm is the best option for high-risk drivers in West Virginia due to their lower rates for those with violations and various discount opportunities for young motorists.

In this article, we’ll talk about what car insurance looks like in the Mountain State and why you want to have it. We’ll also look at the five best West Virginia car insurance providers. Some of these providers are featured on our rankings of the best car insurance companies in the U.S. We’ll also cover the insurance requirements in West Virginia.

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What Is The Best Car Insurance Company In West Virginia?

In our industry-wide review that examined over 130 insurance providers, our team found that Erie Insurance offers the best auto coverage in West Virginia. State Farm, USAA, Geico, and Nationwide round out our top five picks for the Mountain State.

West Virginia Car Insurance Company Comparison

Below you can compare our top-ranked auto insurance companies, their ratings, and which drivers they’re best for in the state:

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5 Best Car Insurance Companies In West Virginia

In the following sections, we’ll break down our top five picks for West Virginia car insurance. We’ll explain what makes them stand out and share some pros and cons for each provider.

#1 Erie Insurance: Best For High-Risk Drivers

Full-Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,136 per year or $95 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $325 per year or $27 per month
West Virginia Customer Service Rating: 863/1,000
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 902/1,000

Erie Insurance was established in 1925 and today is a well-known Fortune 500 company. While it is only available in select states, West Virginia happens to be one of them.

Customers who are able to sign up for West Virginia car insurance policies from Erie give the company high satisfaction marks. Erie Insurance topped the Mid-Atlantic region of the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠ with 863 out of 1,000 possible points. The company placed second overall in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠ with 902 out of 1,000 points.

Erie has low-cost policies and valuable benefits. The Erie Auto Plus program is a useful add-on to any West Virginia car insurance policy. It includes:

• $10,000 death benefit
• Diminishing deductible
• Waived deductible in some cases
• Additional transportation expense coverage
• Increased coverage limits for locksmith costs, personal items, and non-owned trailers

Drivers can also earn gift cards and other perks by using the Erie YourTurn mobile app, a telematics program that tracks driving behavior and rewards customers for safe driving.

In our Erie auto insurance review, we rated the provider 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. Erie also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an A+ rating for financial strength from AM Best.

#2 State Farm: Best Overall Provider

Full-Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,158 per year or $97 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $349 per year or $29 per month
West Virginia Customer Service Rating: 843/1,000
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 891/1,000

State Farm is another of our highest-rated West Virginia car insurance providers, scoring 4.7 out of 5.0 stars in our State Farm auto insurance review. The insurer earned high marks based on its coverage offerings, high number of discount opportunities, and strong industry reputation. It is rated A++ in financial strength by AM Best.

Founded in 1922, State Farm has grown to be the largest auto insurer in the United States. West Virginia residents seem particularly pleased with State Farm, as it ranked second in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study for the region, with 843 out of 1,000 points.

State Farm’s money-saving opportunities vary based on where you live, but the company’s West Virginia car insurance discounts include:

• Accident-free discount
• Defensive driving course discount
• Driver training discount
• Good driving discount
• Good student discount
• Multiple automobiles discount
• Multiple line discount
• Passive restraint discount
• Student away at school discount
• Vehicle safety discount

#3 USAA: Best For Military Members

Full-Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $872 per year or $73 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $238 per year or $20 per month
West Virginia Customer Service Rating: 877/1,000
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 900/1,000

USAA actually scored the highest in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study for the Mid-Atlantic region, with 877 points. It was not eligible for ranking, however, because it is not available to all drivers. To qualify for a USAA policy, drivers must be members of the military or have a parent or spouse with a USAA membership.

USAA’s West Virginia car insurance coverage is very affordable and can be the cheapest available option for many drivers. If you qualify for a policy, USAA should be a top choice for comparing rates and coverage.

With more than 13 million members, USAA has an outstanding customer service reputation. We rated the company 4.5 out of 5.0 stars in our USAA auto insurance review and named it the Best for Military Members.

In addition to high-quality auto insurance, USAA provides its members with banking and loan services. It has an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best and can easily meet customer claim obligations.

#4 Geico: Best For Basic Coverage

Full-Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,898 per year or $158 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $657 per year or $55 per month
West Virginia Customer Service Rating: 818/1,000
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 871/1,000

We named Geico the Best For Basic Coverage, and we think it’s a good choice in West Virginia, specifically. In 2022, Geico wrote over $38 billion in direct premiums. It is rated A+ by the BBB and A++ in financial strength by AM Best. Similar to its excellent auto insurance coverage, Geico’s motorcycle insurance is also rated highly. The company also offers:

• Homeowners insurance
• Renters insurance
• Commercial car insurance
• All-terrain vehicle (ATV) insurance
• Recreational vehicle (RV) insurance
• Boat insurance

In the Mountain State, drivers can get cheap West Virginia car insurance from Geico. For this reason as well as Geico’s excellent customer service ratings, you should keep the insurer on your radar and consider reaching out for a quote.

#5 Nationwide: Best For Recreational Vehicles

Full-Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $935 per year or $78 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $376 per year or $31 per month
West Virginia Customer Service Rating: 820/1,000
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 875/1,000

Nationwide made our list of the top 12 providers in the U.S., and it maintains a high level of quality in the Mountain State. In fact, many drivers may find Nationwide to offer the lowest West Virginia car insurance rates. In our Nationwide car insurance review, we gave the company 4.4 out of 5.0 stars because of its strong industry standing and wide range of coverage options.

Though Nationwide can run on the expensive side in some places, our research indicates that it offers low-cost West Virginia insurance policies. Drivers who can take advantage of Nationwide discounts may find the insurer is worth the consideration. Nationwide discounts include:

• Accident-free discounts
• Defensive driver discount
• Good student discount
• Multi-policy discount
• Prepay discount
• Safe driver discount
• Usage-based policy discounts

Drivers may also consider Nationwide if they have other vehicles to insure. In addition to the standard types of auto insurance, you can find options for Nationwide motorcycle insurance, boat insurance, golf cart insurance, snowmobile insurance, mobile home insurance, RV insurance, ATV insurance, and more.

Nationwide has an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best and is also rated A+ by the BBB. It has easy-to-use online quotes and claims tools, too, which may be a perk for West Virginia drivers.

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West Virginia Car Insurance Requirements

Minimum West Virginia car insurance requirements are set by the state. By law, West Virginia drivers are required to carry liability coverage and uninsured motorist insurance policies with the following minimum-coverage limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

Those caught driving without the state-minimum car insurance may face the following penalties:

• First offense: License is suspended for 30 days and until a $50 reinstatement fee is paid
• Subsequent offenses within five years: License suspended for 90 days and registration revoked until proof of insurance is provided and a $100 reinstatement fee is paid

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What To Know About Driving In West Virginia

West Virginia is one of the more dangerous states to drive in. According to information collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 280 auto deaths in the state in 2021. This comes out to 15.7 deaths per 100,000 people, above the national average of 12.9.

One reason West Virginia is more dangerous than average is that it has many windy rural roads that receive little maintenance and do not have guard rails. U.S. Route 33 and Interstate 81 in West Virginia are known to be particularly hazardous.

When driving in West Virginia, pay attention to changing road conditions as well as posted speed limits. Be aware that speed limits in West Virginia can change frequently along the same road.

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Best Car Insurance In West Virginia: Our Take

Driving through the Mountain State can be beautiful, but take special caution when driving on rural roads. While you’ll need to carry at least the minimum West Virginia car insurance, we recommend choosing a full-coverage policy to make sure you’re protected in case an accident occurs.

Our top choices for West Virginia car insurance are Erie, State Farm, USAA, Geico, and Nationwide, though there are other strong providers in the area.

If you’re trying to find cheap car insurance in West Virginia, the best thing to do is compare multiple car insurance quotes from different providers. You can enter your ZIP code into the tool below to start getting free car insurance quotes right away.

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West Virginia Car Insurance: FAQ

Below are a few frequently asked questions about car insurance in West Virginia.

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How We Rate Auto Insurers

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
• Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
• Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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