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The Best Cheap West Virginia Car Insurance for 2024

Published April 17, 2023
David Chang, ChFC®, CLU®
By: David Chang, ChFC®, CLU®
David Chang, ChFC®, CLU®
David Chang, ChFC®, CLU®
Writer, Consultant

David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® is an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, author, and consultant. He has over two decades of experience in the wealth management space and has been featured in dozens of news, radio, and podcast programs nationwide. He currently works as Head of IoT for the West Region of a Fortune 200 company. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the California Army National Guard. He is an East-West Graduate Degree Fellow and has an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

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Our Insurance Expert

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

West Virginia law requires that all drivers carry auto insurance. Finding the best car insurance in West Virginia -- that offers the best affordable coverage -- is not easy. This guide will explain how to find the right West Virginia auto insurance for every driver.

  • Cheapest for typical drivers: USAA
  • Cheapest for young drivers: State Farm
  • Cheapest for drivers with prior accidents: State Farm
  • Cheapest for drivers with prior speeding tickets: USAA
  • Cheapest for minimum coverage: Erie Insurance

Cheapest for typical drivers

The cheapest car insurance in West Virginia for the typical driver is provided by USAA. This insurer charges average annual car insurance premiums of $809. This is based on an average of premium quotes for male and female drivers, aged 35, with no accidents and who drive their vehicles for personal use.

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Best for military members and their familiesUSAA
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However, USAA is only available for military members, veterans, and immediate family members. The cheapest for all other drivers is Erie Insurance, with an average annual premium of $892.

Other West Virginia insurers offering cheap policies for drivers with the same profile include:

  • State Farm, which charges annual premiums of $926
  • Geico, which charges annual premiums of $945

Cheapest for young drivers

State Farm is the cheapest West Virginia auto insurance for young drivers. Policies are typically costlier for new motorists -- the accident risk is higher due to their lack of experience. Average annual premiums for young drivers come in at $1,742 with State Farm. This is based on an 18-year-old new driver.

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Best for bundling coverageState Farm
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Other West Virginia car insurers offering cheap coverage for young drivers include:

  • Geico, which charges annual premiums of $1,789
  • Erie Insurance, which charges annual premiums of $1,947

Cheapest for drivers with prior accidents

The cheapest car insurance in West Virginia for drivers with prior accidents is provided by State Farm. Average premiums for a driver with one prior accident are $1,056. Costs are higher for drivers with an accident history, due to added risk.

Other West Virginia insurers offering cheap coverage for drivers with an accident history include:

  • Erie Insurance, which charges annual premiums of $1,114
  • USAA, which charges annual premiums of $1,168

Cheapest for drivers with prior speeding tickets

USAA provides the cheapest car insurance in West Virginia for drivers with prior speeding tickets. Average annual premiums for a driver with one speeding ticket at USAA come in at $934. The cheapest for all other drivers is Erie Insurance, with an average annual premium of $951.

Other West Virginia auto insurance companies offering cheap car insurance policies for drivers with a ticket history include:

  • State Farm, which charges average annual premiums of $984
  • Geico, which charges average annual premiums of $1,213

Cheapest for drivers looking for minimum coverage

How much is car insurance in West Virginia? The cost depends on how much protection drivers want. For drivers who want cheap liability car insurance in West Virginia, the lowest-cost insurer is Erie Insurance, which offers average premiums costing $213 for liability-only protection.

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Best for predictable pricing year over yearErie Auto Insurance
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Some of the other best car insurance companies in West Virginia for drivers looking for minimum coverage include:

  • USAA, which has average premiums of $236
  • State Farm, which has average premiums of $278

Buying liability-only protection keeps West Virginia auto insurance costs down. But it is risky to have only liability coverage. Liability car insurance policies only pay for damages the covered driver causes to other motorists. If a driver has liability-only coverage, no personal losses are covered by the insurer. That means insurance provides no repair coverage for a car after an accident the driver causes. It also won't pay for car theft or other damage, such as from hailstorms.

Average car insurance cost in West Virginia compared to the national average

The cost of West Virginia auto insurance is slightly higher than the national average. In West Virginia, the average car insurance premium is $3,075. That is the overall average for motorists of various ages and driving records. By comparison, the national average annual car insurance premium is $3,017.

Average Rate Category West Virginia National Average
Overall $3,075 $3,017
Young drivers $6,638 $6,291
1 accident on driving record $3,311 $3,370
1 speeding ticket on driving record $2,902 $3,032
Data source: Quadrant Information Services data

West Virginia auto insurance laws

West Virginia law requires all registered vehicles to be insured and proof of insurance be carried in the vehicle at all times. Law enforcement officers will request this information during any traffic stop or vehicle crash investigation.

If you fail to show proof of West Virginia liability insurance during a notice for an insurance violation, your driving privilege is subject to suspension. For the first offense, the driver's license will be suspended for 30 days. The penalty is a 90-day suspension for a second or any subsequent insurance violation within a five-year period. The driver's vehicle registration will also be suspended for second or subsequent insurance violations.

The reinstatement fee is $100.00, plus proof of insurance for all vehicles currently registered. After the suspension period ends, the driver will be required to pay a $50.00 reinstatement fee and provide current proof of West Virginia liability insurance on the active vehicle registration.

West Virginia minimum coverage requirements

State law requires that a motor vehicle operated on public roads be insured by a liability insurance policy that meets the following West Virginia minimum car insurance coverage limits:

  • $25,000 for one crash, one injury
  • $50,000 for one crash, two or more injuries
  • $25,000 for property damage

How to get cheap auto insurance in West Virginia

Auto insurance is an important purchase, but finding cheap car insurance in West Virginia isn't easy. The best way to find low-cost car insurance is to shop around with multiple insurers, and maintain a good driving record. Prices vary between companies, so drivers looking for affordable car insurance in West Virginia should get quotes from several of the best car insurance companies.

Getting multiple car insurance quotes in West Virginia isn't the only way to save money, though. Drivers should also ask about discounts when shopping for cheap auto insurance. Many insurers provide savings based on bundling different types of insurance policies with one company. Some also provide discounts based on group memberships.

Other things to consider when looking for car insurance in West Virginia

The West Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan (WVAIP) helps cover drivers who are unable to obtain auto insurance in the open market. It is a state-supervised insurance plan for high-risk drivers. It is typically used as a last resort, since the cost is usually higher than the regular market. The WVAIP is not an insurance company, but assigns drivers in the plan to different insurance companies.