Best car insurance in West Virginia for 2023

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.

Our 2023 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories. 

Like our previous Bankrate Scores, each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. This year, our 2023 scoring model provides a more comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and better highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, 2023 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

When you contact a West Virginia car insurance company for a quote, the agent will typically need to know your age, the type of car you drive, your annual mileage and information about your driving record. You will also need to provide this information for all the drivers and vehicles you’d like listed on your quote. The agent may ask for your social security number to run a credit check, and while providing this information is usually optional, your quoted premium may be more accurate if you do. Some companies might provide anonymous car insurance quotes that require very little information, but these tend to be inaccurate. 

Each carrier uses proprietary algorithms and actuarial statistics to calculate premiums. Companies also usually evaluate more than 10 rating factors when you request a quote. In West Virginia, these factors could include your ZIP code, driving history, age, gender and credit score (among others). This means that rates will vary from driver to driver, and no one carrier can claim to be the cheapest car insurance company for all drivers. The best way to find the most affordable coverage for your particular circumstances may be to shop around with multiple companies or work with an independent agent who can shop on your behalf. 

It depends. West Virginia drivers ages 16- to 17-years-old will need to be on a parent’s policy in order to be insured, because of their age. Fortunately, some insurance companies offer numerous teen driver discounts which could help offset the high rates that are typically associated with younger drivers. However, 18- and 19-year-old teens can sometimes get a better insurance rate with a standalone policy. To find out which path is right for you and your family, you may want to discuss your options with a licensed agent.