West Virginia Auto Insurance Laws
Auto Insurance Laws and Trends in W.V.
West Virginia has one of the highest auto insurance premiums in the country – much higher than the national average. For example, you can review the recent rates below to get a sense of the difference in price between West Virginia auto insurance and the nationwide average.
Month |
West Virginia (in $) |
National Avg (in $) |
January |
174 |
153 |
February |
168 |
152 |
March |
175 |
151 |
April |
169 |
151 |
May |
165 |
149 |
June |
165 |
150 |
Factors that lead to high auto insurance rates in West Virginia
Many different factors contribute to the high auto insurance rates in West Virginia. These factors include alcohol, speed, young drivers, driver distractions, elderly drivers, and collisions with pedestrians and bicycles. Alcohol related crashes accounted for 34% of all fatal crashes in the West Virginia. Following are the statistics showing the causes of fatal accidents in 2008.
Cause of Fatality |
Number of Fatal Collisions |
DUI |
128 |
Speed |
1 |
Young drivers (16-19) |
27 |
Elderly drivers (65+) |
69 |
Motorcycle collisions |
49 |
Pedestrians and bicycles |
31 |
Driver distractions |
75 |
Total |
380 |
Being a tort insurance state, West Virginia requires that all motorists carry minimum liability auto insurance limits. Bodily injury and property damage are mandatory. This coverage will pay for any injuries or property damage suffered by a third party involved in an accident. The driver who is deemed responsible for these damages and injuries will have to pay for all expenses incurred.
Failure to comply with these insurance regulations will result in harsh fines and suspensions of driving privileges. This can drastically affect your future insurance premiums.
Optional auto insurance in West Virginia
Optional insurance coverage includes collision (physical damages to your vehicle caused by collision or rollover), comprehensive (physical damages to your vehicle caused by fire, theft, vandalism, windstorm, hail, and animal collision), under/uninsured motorist coverage (damage or injury caused by an uninsured or inadequately insured motorist), and personal injury protection, or PIP (coverage for medical expenses, funeral expenses, rehabilitation, and loss of wages).Request a free quote for West Virginia auto insurance today!

