Average cost of car insurance in West Virginia for 2024

How much is car insurance in West Virginia?

Navigating the landscape of car insurance rates in West Virginia can be a challenge. At Bankrate, we leverage our team’s insurance expertise and in-depth analysis of rate data from Quadrant Information Services to provide credible insurance insights. The 2023 average car insurance cost in West Virginia is  $421 per year for minimum coverage and $1,580 per year for full coverage. It's essential to remember that these figures are averages and individual premiums may vary based on various factors.

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West Virginia car insurance rates by city

Your West Virginia car insurance cost can vary based on the city you live in. Differences in crime statistics, weather events, parts and repair costs may all contribute to higher or lower rates in certain cities. The table below shows average rates in 10 of the most populated West Virginia cities. If you live in Charleston, Huntington or Parkersburg, rates are close to the state average, whereas drivers in Morgantown and Wheeling save an average of 7 and 8 percent, respectively.

Average car insurance costs by age and gender in West Virginia

As in many states, in West Virginia, age plays a significant role in determining car insurance costs. Statistically, younger drivers are associated with a higher risk of accidents due to inexperience with driving, which typically results in higher premiums. However, as drivers mature and gain more experience behind the wheel, rates tend to decrease, reflecting a lower risk level. The rates presented in the tables below pertain to drivers on their own car insurance policies.

Conversely, the figures for younger drivers (showcased further down the page) reflect the average you can expect when a young driver is added to their parents’ policy. Notably, age and gender may influence rates differently across states, for instance, age is not a determining factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts, just as gender does not affect rates in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Cost considerations for young drivers in West Virginia

Young drivers may be able to offset some of their high insurance costs by remaining insured on their parents' policy rather than purchasing their own. Note that carriers generally require drivers to live at home to be listed on their parents' policy.

How does driving record impact the cost of car insurance in West Virginia?

Car insurance rates in West Virginia by credit tier

West Virginia car insurance rates by vehicle type

Estimate your car insurance cost in West Virginia

Navigating the multitude of car insurance options and trying to anticipate your potential premium might seem like a confusing task. However, Bankrate's convenient calculator widget aims to simplify the process. By entering a few key details, our tool offers a ballpark figure of what you might pay for coverage in West Virginia. While it doesn't provide a precise quote, it does offer a glimpse at what you could expect your rate to be to help you plan your finances.

How to save on car insurance in West Virginia

Car insurance is a necessary expenditure, but that doesn’t mean it has to break the bank. While West Virginia car insurance rates can be influenced by multiple factors, there are proactive steps drivers can take to alleviate some of these costs. In addition to the  benefit of maintaining a clean driving record, there are several other strategies that could potentially lower your premium in West Virginia.

• Ask about discounts: Car insurance providers often offer discounts to eligible drivers to help them save on premiums. These can range from paperless billing to claims-free drivers, safety features in your vehicle, and more. Some may be easy to qualify for quickly, while others may take more time and intention.
• Check your mileage: If you drive less than others, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount. Alternatively, you might benefit from usage-based insurance, which determines rates partly based on how much you drive.
• Review your coverage selections: If you own an older car, you may be able to remove comprehensive and collision coverage if the cost of these coverage types is more expensive or on par with the value of the vehicle. Increasing deductibles may be another way to save, but you'll want to make sure you can pay the higher deductible or repair your car out of pocket in a pinch if you are involved in an accident. You’ll have to maintain at least the state-required minimum coverage levels.
• Shop around and compare quotes: Most auto insurance policies are renewed annually. That can be a wise time to compare your current insurer to some alternatives and potentially switch carriers. Many insurers offer free online quotes, which can be used to see which may provide you with the cheapest rates. In some cases, you may be able to save money by not renewing your current policy and instead changing to one of these new providers.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Credit-based insurance scores: Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.

Model: To determine cost by vehicle type, we evaluated our base profile with the following vehicles applied: BMW 330i, Ford F-150, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Prius and Toyota Camry (base).

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 16-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.

Gender: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.

Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 17-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents' policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy unless otherwise noted.