Here are some things you should know about rates and requirements when buying car insurance in West Virginia
If you drive without car insurance coverage in West Virginia, your license can be suspended and you risk monetary penalties. Instead of driving illegally and taking your chances with huge, out-of-pocket payouts, you can invest in an auto insurance policy to gain peace of mind. When getting car insurance coverage in West Virginia, knowing rates and requirements can give you a head start on the process.
Rates
West Virginia is one of the most expensive states in the country for getting car insurance coverage. According to both the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the Insurance Research Council (IRC), 
West Virginia routinely ranks in the top ten for most expensive states for car insurance coverage. As recently as 2012, West Virginians spent between $1,000 and $1,800 per year for car insurance coverage.
Even within the parameters of living in one of the most expensive states for car insurance coverage, there are steps a West Virginia driver can take to lower car insurance premiums:
- Keep a clean driving record
- Reduce the amount and distance of driving trips
- Drive a newer and/or safer car
- Raise deductible levels
- Reduce or limit types and amounts of coverage
Click here to get a free quote on your West Virginia car insurance coverage
According to the office of the West Virginia Insurance Commissioner, nearly every national insurance provider offers car insurance coverage to West Virginia drivers and car owners. Nearly every major carrier offers discounts of one kind or another. West Virginia drivers and car owners can lower their premium costs if they qualify for these discounts. Some standard discounts offered by most insurance companies include:
- Multiple car discounts
- Multiple lines of insurance (bundling) discounts
- Good student discounts (for teen drivers in high school or college students)
- Safe driver/ defensive driving class discounts
- Loyalty discounts for long-time customers
State requirements
Regardless of which company handles your policy, all registered vehicles must have a minimum amount of car 
insurance coverage and all licensed drivers must also carry proof of insurance with them when they drive. The minimum amount of car insurance coverage required by West Virginia law includes:
- Bodily injury liability insurance – a policy must cover at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident to pay for medical bills and related treatments. This coverage kicks in when you cause an accident and injure the other driver or passengers.
- Property damage liability insurance –this coverage pays to repair or replace the other party's automobile and your policy must state at least $10,000 worth of property damage protection
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury insurance – according to the IRC, nearly one in every ten West Virginia drivers does not carry the required car insurance. While the state of West Virginia does not require drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, if a driver or car owner does elect to carry this coverage, they must carry a minimum of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver in West Virginia, you may file a judgment through the state’s civil court system. Once a judgment is awarded, you must submit a copy of the court order and the accident report to the West Virginia Motor Vehicles Division. Upon receipt, the division will notify the defendant of suspension of the driver's license. The suspension will remain in effect until the judgment is either paid in full or the defendant has entered into an installment agreement.
These are the legally required minimum levels of coverage, but every West Virgina driver and car owner may carry higher levels of these coverage options. West Virginia drivers and car owners may also choose to carry additional lines of auto insurance coverage:
Collision coverage – pays for repairs to your own vehicle after an accident
Comprehensive coverage – pays for repairs from damage caused by falling tree limbs, hailstones, Acts of God, fires or vandals
Roadside assistance – pays to cover the costs of any necessary tows or mobile repairs or help
Rental car reimbursement – pays to cover transportation you might need to secure while your vehicle is being repaired
These added features will typically increase the annual cost of your West Virginia car insurance coverage. For instance, comprehensive coverage can add between $150-200 per year, and collision coverage can increase the cost of your West Virginia car insurance coverage between $250-350. However, since West Virginia is a state where you can be sued for collection of additional costs if you are involved in an accident, having additional features added to your car insurance coverage may save you far more than you pay in the long run.
Seasonal/limited vehicle use
If you live in West Virginia and have a motorcycle, camper or antique vehicle registered with the state that is only used for part of the year, it is required to be insured for the time it's used. You may be required to show proof of insurance for the time the vehicle is used. During the time the vehicle is stored, you must complete a Seasonal Statement of Insurance and submit it to the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.
Making sure you meet the state’s requirements for car insurance coverage while trying to find the most affordable option for your West Virginia car insurance coverage can be a challenge. Having an experienced professional working on your behalf will help and Reply! can assist you in this endeavor by connecting you to local insurance professionals with the experience you need.