Car insurance costs can fluctuate widely, making it important for drivers to understand what factors impact price. MoneyGeek recently conducted research that examined West Virginia car insurance rates using data collected through rate analyses as well as analyses conducted on different variables affecting those rates.
West Virginia car insurance costs can vary dramatically, depending on several different factors, including your location, type of car you drive and coverage choices you make. You can save on premiums by opting for a less-expensive vehicle to insure and raising your deductible (though we advise only increasing it up to an amount that feels comfortable for you if filing a claim is necessary). Plus you could shop around to find great discounts that may reduce rates even further!
Age and driving history also play an integral part in car insurance rates, as insurers associate younger drivers with increased risks due to inexperience behind the wheel. Conversely, as drivers get older their premiums tend to decrease reflecting their decreased risk profile.
West Virginia insurance rates also depend on other factors, including credit score and past crash history. Speeding tickets and at-fault accidents are seen by insurance companies as indicators of higher risk, which can cause premium increases of up to $728 annually compared to those with clean records.
Your location can also play an important role in the cost of car insurance in West Virginia. Some regions experience more claims than others and if you live in an area with poor road conditions or high theft rates, your premium could increase accordingly.
West Virginia mandates minimum requirements for car insurance coverage: bodily injury liability, property damage liability, uninsured motorist coverage with an optional $500 deductible and collision and comprehensive coverage with $500 deductibles. You should also consider purchasing uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to protect yourself from drivers with inadequate or no liability coverage who cause an accident.
Make sure that you consider whether SR-22 car insurance in West Virginia is necessary; this certificate of financial responsibility is mandated by state law for drivers involved in accidents that cause serious injury or death to other people. If this coverage is necessary for you, typically purchasing non-owner policies from insurance providers offering this kind of protection is the way forward.
By using our car insurance calculator, we were able to ascertain that Erie offers competitive rates and excellent customer service, while State Farm and USAA both provide low premiums with helpful features for their customers. In 2024 however, Geico was chosen as the overall winner due to their reasonable pricing structure, user-friendly mobile app interface, and robust policy management tools.