Since West Virginia has some of the highest insurance costs in the country, you may want to learn some ways to get the best possible rates. Like most states, West Virginia requires some types of insurance with others being optional. The state has set the following minimum liability limits:
Two other types of auto insurance you should consider purchasing are collision and comprehensive insurance. Collision covers damage to your car and to the other vehicle(s) damaged in the crash. Comprehensive coverage will pay out if your car is damagd by wind, hail storms, floods, vandalism, theft and if you hit an animal such as a deer.
| Auto Insurance Costs by County: | Sedan: | SUV: | Coupe: | Truck: | Hybrid: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | $791 | $565 | $783 | $664 | $731 |
| Asotin | $823 | $590 | $783 | $699 | $756 |
| Benton | $766 | $551 | $841 | $649 | $706 |
| Chelan | $789 | $566 | $808 | $670 | $726 |
| Clallam | $815 | $591 | $868 | $698 | $749 |
| Clark | $855 | $621 | $938 | $738 | $784 |
| Columbia | $823 | $590 | $783 | $699 | $756 |
| Cowlitz | $854 | $619 | $923 | $736 | $782 |
| Douglas | $771 | $552 | $808 | $650 | $711 |
| Ferry | $851 | $605 | $900 | $705 | $790 |
There is no shortage of insurance companies stretching from Wheeling to Princeton. Each of them claims to have great rates and fabulous service. Smart West Virginians take the time to compare quotes and read online reviews before buying any insurance.
The best place to begin looking is the West Virginia Department of Transportation. There, you’ll find information on driver’s licenses, insurance and car registration. Also check out the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner’s consumer services pages.
As soon as you arrive in The Mountain State, one of the first things you need to do is get everything set up with your driver’s license, title, registration and insurance. For the driver’s license, you need:
Take all of the above along with your current vehicle title, registration and proof of insurance to any regional office to complete the process.
West Virginia has a driver violation point system similar to many other states. However, each state assigns a different number of points to each incident and the expiration of the points differs. The state can suspend your driver’s license if you accumulate 12 or more points at the same time.
Regarding alcohol consumption, West Virginia uses the 0.08 percent benchmark for those who are 21 or older like most other states. It is important to note the limit drops to 0.02 percent for those younger than 21 and 0.04 percent for commercial drivers.
Even though West Virginia car insurance is more expensive than most other states, there are ways to make sure you get the coverage you need without breaking the bank.
Here are some of the questions that often come up in any discussion of West Virginia car insurance:
Yes, even if the payment is only one day late. Most companies put your policy back into force once you have made payment.
The state does not require collision or comprehensive insurance. However, if you have financed your car with a commercial lender or a bank, the lender generally does require both. If you have paid off your car, you can choose not to cover physical damage.
No, but it is in your best interest to shop around for the best pricing since the insurer sets a limit on how much it pays for parts and labor for most accidents.
Finding an auto insurance quote can seem overwhelming – but insuranceQuotes.com helps you find the best car insurance policy at the best price. Every year, we match 15 million consumers to the nation’s biggest auto insurance companies, including State Farm, Allstate and Liberty Mutual.
insuranceQuotes.com connects you with local and national insurance companies that give you free car insurance estimates by phone or email within minutes. By comparing multiple quotes, you can be sure that you’re getting the best price for car insurance.
Need more than just West Virginia car insurance quotes? Find out more about driving in West Virginia at the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner.
Rates are based on one vehicle and one driver who has state minimum coverage with $500 deductibles. The hypothetical driver is 35 years old, female or male, employed, a college graduate, and has good credit. She has no traffic violations, claims, or lapse in coverage. The vehicle is assumed to be a sedan that is garaged on premises, used primarily for commuting, and driven 16,000 miles per year. Rates include commonly available carrier discounts and are estimates and not guaranteed.
