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Best Car Insurance in West Virginia

The best auto insurance rates, discounts, and coverage options in the Mountain State

Best Cheap Auto Insurance in West Virginia
State Farm Logo

If you’re seeking the cheapest rates in West Virginia, look no further. State Farm offers the most affordable average rates and is the largest provider in the state.

Best Auto Insurance for Homeowners
Liberty Mutual Logo

West Virginia is home to the highest homeownership rate in the country. If you’re looking to save on your car insurance by bundling auto and home policies, we recommend checking out Liberty Mutual’s sizable homeowner and bundling discounts.

Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With Bad Credit
Westfield Insurance Logo

While Westfield may not be a household name, it is among the top 10 largest providers in West Virginia. It offers affordable overall rates and the cheapest average premiums for drivers with bad credit.

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In 2023, providers in West Virginia, like in much of the country, asked the state’s Insurance Commissioner’s Office to increase car insurance rates by as much as 20 percent.1 While the state probably won’t approve the 20 percent increase, there’s a good chance it will approve a smaller percentage increase. With the cost of goods increasing across the board for day-to-day needs, insurance increases can cause a significant financial strain on drivers and families across the state.

Fortunately, there are ways to keep insurance costs low, even with looming premium increases. Shopping around for the best quotes, asking your agent about your eligible discounts, taking advantage of usage-based insurance, and taking your time as you compare providers are all ways to ensure you get the best coverage at the most affordable rate.

Below you’ll find a survey of the best providers based on their discounts, average rates, coverage options, and specializations.

Average Annual Rate in West Virginia

West Virginia’s average annual rate of $1,432 is about 30 percent cheaper than the national average ($2,071). Ask your agent about what discounts or usage-based insurance programs you may be eligible for to bring your costs down even further.

Average Premiums in West Virginia’s Major Cities

Charleston, the state’s largest city and capital, has the most expensive average rates for full coverage ($1,572), while Weirton offers the cheapest rates ($1,284).

City Monthly average premium Annual average premium
Weirton $107 $1,284
Fairmont $109 $1,308
Wheeling $110 $1,320
Parkersburg $113 $1,356
Morgantown $116 $1,392
Huntington $125 $1,500
Charleston $131 $1,572

Comparison of the best auto insurance companies in West Virginia

Feature State Farm Liberty Mutual Westfield Erie Progressive
Average annual rate in West Virginia $1,296 $1,848 $1,428 $1,356 1,572
Mid-Atlantic Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking out of 1,000 (J.D. Power)2 843 807 N/A 863 814
Best for People on a budget Homeowners People with a bad credit score People who want minimum liability People with a DUI on their record
Agents in West Virginia 100+ 25+ 100+ 75+ 75+
Review State Farm review Liberty Mutual review N/A Erie review Progressive review

Summary of the best auto insurance in West Virginia

  1. 1.

    Best Cheap Auto Insurance in West Virginia: State Farm

  2. 2.

    Best Auto Insurance for Homeowners in West Virginia: Liberty Mutual

  3. 3.

    Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With Bad Credit in West Virginia: Westfield

  4. 4.

    Best Auto Insurance for Minimum Liability in West Virginia: Erie

  5. 5.

    Best Auto Insurance After a DUI in West Virginia: Progressive

Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance in West Virginia

1. Best Cheap Auto Insurance in West Virginia - State Farm

What We Like Most:

  • Multiple discounts for safe driving, including one specifically for young drivers
  • Local agents
  • Discounts for multiple cars

State Farm insures 25 percent of the providers in West Virginia, making it both the cheapest and largest provider in the state.3

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers on a budget
  • pro
    Safe drivers
  • pro
    People who want to work with a local agent
  • pro
    Teens
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People with bad credit
  • con
    People with a DUI on their record

Cheapest Provider in West Virginia

With an average annual rate of $1,296 for full coverage, State Farm is the cheapest provider in West Virginia. Allstate offers the highest average rate ($2,292 annually), with Progressive sitting right in the middle ($1,572).

Company Monthly average premium Annual average premium
State Farm $108 $1,296
Erie $113 $1,356
Westfield $119 $1,428
Progressive $131 $1,572
GEICO $148 $1,776
Liberty Mutual $154 $1,848
Allstate $191 $2,292

Several Discounts

State Farm offers state-specific discounts for every region in the U.S., and West Virginians have access to one of the longest lists of State Farm’s discounts.4

Here are a few of the ways you can save with State Farm in West Virginia:

  • Defensive driver course discount
  • Drive Safe & Safe program (up to 30 percent off)
  • Driver training discount
  • Good driving discount
  • Good student discount
  • Multi-vehicle discount
  • Multi-policy discount
  • Passive restraint discount (up to 30 percent off)
  • Steer Clear Safe Driver program (for teens)
  • Away at school discount
  • Vehicle safety discount

Usage-Based Insurance

Drive Safe & Save, State Farm’s usage-based insurance program, tracks your driving habits, generates a driver score, and sets a discount (up to 30 percent off) based on how safely you drive. It tracks things like your turn rate, brake rate, speed, driving time, and other safety-related driving metrics. The safer you drive, the more you’ll save; however, if you drive poorly, your premium could actually increase.

2. Best Auto Insurance for Homeowners in West Virginia - Liberty Mutual

What We Like Most:

  • Save up to 30 percent with driver monitoring program
  • Cheap average rates
  • Over 2,000 local agents throughout the U.S.

With bundling and homeowner discounts, Liberty Mutual offers multiple ways to save for homeowners in Virginia. It also offers unique coverage perks for teachers and different ways to save by paying digitally.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Homeowners
  • pro
    People who want to bundle auto with home/renters insurance
  • pro
    Teachers
  • pro
    Motorcycle riders
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People looking for the cheapest option
  • con
    Rideshare drivers

Discounts for Renters and Homeowners

Liberty Mutual is one of the few providers that offer a homeowner/renter bundling discount as well as a homeowner discount. You can earn up to 25 percent for bundling auto with home/renters insurance.

Several Ways to Bundle

Liberty Mutual offers one of the most flexible bundling discounts on the market. You can save by bundling your auto insurance with the following multi-policy discounts:

  • Auto + home
  • Auto + renters
  • Auto + condo
  • Motorcycle + home
  • Motorcycle + auto
  • Motorcycle + renters
  • Auto + auto (multi-vehicle)

Fun Fact:

With a 74 percent homeownership rate, West Virginia boasts the highest homeownership percentage in the country. If you’re one of the state’s many homeowners, we recommend getting the most out of your coverage with a bundling and homeowner discount.5

Specialized Coverage for Teachers

West Virginia has a 1:14 teacher-to-student ratio, which is one of the highest ratios in the country.6 If you’re one of the more than 18,000 teachers in the state, you can sign up for Liberty Mutual’s optional teacher coverage — which offers new ways to save and gain additional coverage for your vehicle/teaching materials.

Here are a few ways to get extra protection as a teacher:

Coverage option Description
Vandalism loss protection You won’t pay a deductible for the claim if your vehicle is vandalized on school property or at a school-related event.
Personal property coverage You’ll be reimbursed up to $2,500 for school materials and property that are damaged or stolen while in your vehicle.
Collision coverage You won’t have to pay a deductible if your vehicle is damaged in a collision while you’re driving it for school-related reasons.
3. Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With Bad Credit in West Virginia - Westfield
Westfield Insurance Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Cheap rates for drivers with bad credit
  • Extra coverage when you bundle policies
  • One of the top 10 largest providers in West Virginia

Founded in 1848, Westfield is one of the oldest insurance companies in the U.S. It offers the cheapest rates to drivers in West Virginia with a bad credit score and several incentives for bundlers.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People with bad credit
  • pro
    People who want to bundle their policies
  • pro
    People who want to work with a local agent
  • pro
    People who want umbrella insurance
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who want to manage insurance from their phone

Affordable Insurance for Drivers With Bad Credit

If you have bad credit in West Virginia, there’s a good chance you’ll pay more for car insurance. Westfield offers the cheapest average rate ($1,956) for drivers with bad credit, while State Farm has the steepest average cost ($3,432).

Company Monthly average premium Annual average premium
Westfield $163 $1,956
Erie $191 $2,292
GEICO $226 $2,712
Nationwide $237 $2,844
Progressive $244 $2,928
Allstate $271 $3,252
State Farm $286 $3,432

Pro Tip:

West Virginia has the eighth-lowest average credit score in the country (695). Since car insurance companies in West Virginia can use credit score as a factor when generating premiums, you should work on improving your credit score to bring car insurance costs down.7

Perks for Bundlers

When you bundle your auto and home insurance with Westfield, you’ll automatically get additional coverage through a Wespak package. Westfield’s Wespak package comes with:

  • Loan/lease coverage
  • Replacement cost coverage
  • Trip protection coverage
  • And more

Insurance for Farmers

Westfield was founded by a group of farmers looking to protect their properties and vehicles. Today, it’s expanded to auto, home, business, and more, but you can still get the insurance you need if you’re a farmer.

If you own or work on one of West Virginia’s more than 23,600 farms, you can get the following coverage through Westfield:

  • Protection for 45 different types of farms, including dairy, egg production, and wheat
  • Coverage for agriculture wholesalers
  • Farming equipment
  • Tractors and other farming vehicles
  • Process and manufacturing centers
4. Best Auto Insurance for Minimum Liability in West Virginia - Erie
Erie Insurance Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Low rates for teen drivers on a family policy
  • High claims and customer service satisfaction
  • Rate Lock options prevent premium increases, even after an accident

Erie is one of the largest and oldest providers in West Virginia, offering affordable overall rates and the best prices for drivers seeking minimum liability insurance. It has excellent customer service scores and coverage perks that automatically come with policies, ensuring your money will go that much further.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People who want minimum liability insurance
  • pro
    People on a budget
  • pro
    Someone looking to work with a local agent
  • pro
    People who travel with expensive personal belongings
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who like managing insurance from their phone
  • con
    Someone with a bad driving record

Best Rate for Minimum Liability

If you’re looking for the cheapest policy that allows you to drive legally in West Virginia, you’re going to want a minimum liability policy. With average rates as low as $36 per month, Erie is the cheapest provider for liability-only insurance.

Company Monthly average premium Annual average premium
Erie $36 $432
State Farm $37 $444
Westfield $38 $456
Nationwide $54 $648
Allstate $70 $840
GEICO $88 $1,056
Progressive $90 $1,080

FYI:

According to West Virginia, you need the following liability limits to drive legally:

  • $25,000 in bodily injury per person
  • $50,000 in bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage8

Highest J.D. Power Score

J.D. Power gave Erie a score of 863 on its customer service index, making it the second-highest-scoring insurance provider in the Mid-Atlantic region. J.D. Power ranks insurance providers based on claims satisfaction, repair times, ease of communication, and more.

Automatic Perks With All Policies

With additional coverage integrated into every policy, your money will go a lot further with Erie. When you sign up for any car insurance plan, you’ll automatically get:

  • Personal belongings coverage: Erie will give you up to $350 for personal belongings that are damaged in a covered claim.
  • Pet injury coverage: If you have a pet in the car during an accident, Erie will give $500 in the way of veterinary costs (up to $1,000 total for two pets).
  • Travel and transportation expense coverage: If your car is totaled or out of commission while you’re traveling, Erie will pay for up to 10 days of transportation, meals, and lodging costs.
5. Best Auto Insurance After a DUI in West Virginia - Progressive

What We Like Most:

  • Cheaper rates for drivers with a DUI
  • Several ways to save if your premium increases
  • Accident forgiveness automatically applies to policy in most states

Progressive is one of the largest names in the country and the fourth-largest provider in West Virginia. It offers the best rates after a DUI and several discounts that apply to a variety of drivers.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Someone with a DUI on their record
  • pro
    People who want to insure multiple vehicle types
  • pro
    Rideshare drivers
  • pro
    Students
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People looking for the cheapest option

Best Rates After a DUI

Insurance providers increase their rates by more than $1,000 on average after a DUI in West Virginia. If you’re seeking cheap coverage after a DUI, Progressive is your best bet.

With average rates as low as $168 a month, Progressive is the cheapest provider in West Virginia after a DUI.

Company Monthly average premium Annual average premium
Progressive $168 $2,016
Erie $181 $2,172
State Farm $187 $2,244
Nationwide $203 $2,436
Allstate $242 $2,904
Westfield $259 $3,108
GEICO $263 $3,156

Insure Multiple Vehicle Types

From your standard cars and motorcycles to RVs and snowmobiles, you can insure a wide variety of vehicle types with Progressive. Here are all the vehicle types you can insure with Progressive:

  • ATV/UTVs
  • Boats
  • Classic cars
  • Golf carts
  • Motorcycles
  • Personal watercrafts
  • RV & Travel Trailers
  • Segways
  • Snowmobiles

Significant Savings

If you want to grow your auto insurance savings, ask your agent about discounts you may be eligible for. You have multiple ways to save with Progressive, including the following discounts.

Discount Maximum Saving
Clean record discount 30%
Good student discount 10%
Snapshot safe driver discount Up to $146 in savings
E-signature discount 9%
Multi-policy discount 5%
Multi-vehicle discount 4%
Online quote discount 7%
Driving history discount 30%
Good student discount 10%
Homeowner discount 10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in West Virginia?

Yes, the state requires drivers to obtain $25,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to drive legally.

Which provider offers the best rates for teens in West Virginia?

Starting at around $2,500 annually for full coverage, Erie and Nationwide offer the best rates for teens.

Which provider offers the best rates for seniors in West Virginia?

Starting at around $1,500 annually for full coverage, Westfield and Encompass offer the best rates for older Americans in West Virginia.

Do I need an SR-22 in West Virginia?

West Virginia is one of the few states that does not require an SR-22. If you have a DUI or other serious violation in West Virginia, the state will not require you to file for an SR-22.

Methodology

  • Proprietary data: AutoInsurance.com has worked with customers in West Virginia for over twenty years, helping them find the best rates based on their driving profile, location, and insurance needs. We leverage that data to help us identify which providers offer the best rates/coverage to specific driver types, helping inform our recommendations and guides.
  • Third-party reviews: Third-party reviews reveal valuable insights about auto insurers’ customer service scores, claims satisfaction process, financial strength, and more. We look towards J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and others to identify the industry’s leaders in customer satisfaction, claims satisfaction, and financial strength.
  • Insider knowledge: Paul Ford, president of insurance at Centerfield—AutoInsurnace.com’s parent company—has been entrenched in the insurance world for decades. Our team is fortunate to consult with Paul, whose insider knowledge and years of experience guide us to refine our strategies and generate quality recommendations.

Citations

  1. Farmers Direct Asks for 20% Auto Rate Increase in West Virginia. Insurance Journal. (2023, Dec 15).
    https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2023/12/15/752210.htm

  2. Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2023, Jun 13).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-auto-insurance-study

  3. 2022 Market Share Reports For Property/Casualty Groups and Companies by State and Countrywide. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2023, Sep).
    https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-msr-pb-property-casualty.pdf

  4. Competitive West Virginia auto insurance discounts. State Farm. (2024).
    https://www.statefarm.com/insurance/auto/discounts/west-virginia

  5. Homeownership Will Look Much Different across States in 2040. How Does Your State Rank? Urban Institute. (2021, Apr 28).
    https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/homeownership-will-look-much-different-across-states-2040-how-does-your-state-rank

  6. Public education in West Virginia. Ballotpedia. (2015, Jun).
    https://ballotpedia.org/Public_education_in_West_Virginia

  7. Minnesota residents have the highest average credit score—here’s how other states compare. CNBC Select. (2022, May 24).
    https://www.cnbc.com/select/average-credit-score-by-state/

  8. Consumer Insurance Information. West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. (2024).
    https://transportation.wv.gov/DMV/Vehicle-Services/Insurance/Pages/Consumer.aspx