West Virginia law mandates car owners purchase at least the minimum bodily injury and property damage liability coverage; however, it’s generally wiser to purchase more than this amount, especially if your vehicle is financed or leased. Many lenders also require comprehensive and collision coverage (typically written as 25/50/25); when combined together this provides full-coverage auto insurance. Unfortunately, the minimum requirements often fail to adequately protect assets in case of serious accidents; so additional policies should also be considered.
West Virginia auto insurance premiums depend on multiple factors, including coverage level, driving history and location. View our table to understand which rating factors affect premiums before using our car insurance calculator to get an estimate of how much your coverage might cost.
Age can play a large role in affecting car insurance premiums. Younger drivers tend to be involved in accidents more frequently and thus pay higher rates; as people age they tend to make less severe claims which in turn leads to lower premiums.
Credit score can have a major effect on the cost of your policy. Drivers with excellent credit can save an average of 15% in rates compared to drivers with poor credit, while those with very bad credit could see their rates soar up to 2.2x higher than drivers with good credit.
Your deductible can have an immense effect on the cost of car insurance rates. A higher deductible tends to result in lower premiums while lower ones lead to higher ones; to find your perfect deductible solution, compare quotes from multiple providers and consult an agent.
Your car’s make and model can have a dramatic effect on its insurance costs in West Virginia. For example, driving a Honda Civic that poses more of a risk will result in higher premiums being paid; expect to pay more.
Uncar accidents are costly and distressful experiences; but when another driver doesn’t carry enough auto insurance to cover your costs, the consequences can be even more detrimental. Therefore, it is vital that before accepting a settlement offer or signing any release forms from them, that their coverage be verified first. If the other driver only carries minimal or no coverage, you could end up covering medical bills, repair costs and lost wages yourself – especially if found at fault in an accident. With proper insurance in place, however, this risk can be avoided altogether. Many drivers opt to purchase uninsured motorist coverage (UM) and underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), which provides extra peace of mind in case someone without adequate insurance hits them. It is worth the additional expense for peace of mind and protection.