Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in West Virginia

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in West Virginia for a bad driving record?

Drivers with a poor record in West Virginia will find the lowest rates from Nationwide, Erie Insurance and Progressive. Among these, Nationwide provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $1,955 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, you'll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Nationwide	$1,215	$1,955
Erie Insurance	$1,709	$2,343
Progressive	$1,825	$2,494
State Farm	$1,691	$2,664
Allstate	$3,132	$4,020
Westfield Insurance	$2,111	$4,376
Farmers	$2,442	$4,733
GEICO	$2,248	$4,971
USAA	$1,189	$1,749

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How much is high-risk car insurance in West Virginia?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In West Virginia, high-risk car insurance costs $3,381 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $1,955 annually from Nationwide.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in West Virginia, WV is $3,091

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
USAA	$1,189	$1,745
Nationwide	$1,215	$1,870
Erie Insurance	$1,709	$2,014
Progressive	$1,825	$2,830
Westfield Insurance	$2,111	$3,095
Farmers	$2,442	$3,616
Allstate	$3,132	$4,392
GEICO	$2,248	$5,105

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered a high-risk driver in West Virginia?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in West Virginia after a DUI?

Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, State Farm offers the most affordable rate at $1,795 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in West Virginia for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
State Farm	$1,691	$1,795
Nationwide	$1,215	$2,310
Progressive	$1,825	$2,429
Erie Insurance	$1,709	$2,552
Allstate	$3,132	$4,187
Westfield Insurance	$2,111	$5,062
GEICO	$2,248	$5,259
Farmers	$2,442	$5,561
USAA	$1,189	$2,160

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Cheapest car insurance in West Virginia with multiple tickets

For drivers with multiple tickets, State Farm offers the lowest premiums, averaging $1,795 per year or $150 per month.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

This table shows drivers in West Virginia how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
State Farm	$1,691	$1,795
Nationwide	$1,215	$1,799
Erie Insurance	$1,709	$1,876
Progressive	$1,825	$2,322
Allstate	$3,132	$3,477
Farmers	$2,442	$4,150
GEICO	$2,248	$5,094
USAA	$1,189	$1,372

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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in West Virginia?

State Farm has the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,795 a year.

If you engage in hazardous driving behaviors that endanger others, you may be charged with reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction will increase your car insurance rates.

The table below shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record vs. drivers with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
State Farm	$1,691	$1,795
Erie Insurance	$1,709	$1,876
Nationwide	$1,215	$2,310
Progressive	$1,825	$2,521
Allstate	$3,132	$4,187
Westfield Insurance	$2,111	$5,062
Farmers	$2,442	$5,561
GEICO	$2,248	$5,907
USAA	$1,189	$1,668

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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in West Virginia?

The cheapest West Virginia insurer for bad credit is Nationwide, with rates averaging $1,715 per year or $143 per month. The good news is that drivers with bad credit can still get affordable auto insurance.

Your credit score may not be related to your driving skills, but it can affect your car insurance rates and put you in a higher-risk category. From an insurer's perspective, higher risk means an increased chance of filing a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistics show that drivers with lower credit scores are in this category.

Check the table below to see how your credit score affects West Virginia car insurance.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Nationwide	$1,215	$1,715
Westfield Insurance	$2,111	$3,005
Progressive	$1,825	$3,052
GEICO	$2,248	$3,383
Erie Insurance	$1,709	$4,004
Farmers	$2,442	$4,826
Allstate	$3,132	$5,314
State Farm	$1,691	$7,008
USAA	$1,189	$2,550

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What company has the cheapest car insurance in West Virginia after an accident?

Nationwide has the lowest average rates after an accident at $1,870 a year. State Farm also offers affordable rates, averaging $1,926 per year.

Drivers with accidents on their record typically pay higher insurance rates than those with a clean record. While car insurance rates may increase after one accident, multiple accidents can increase rates even more.

This table shows rates for drivers with a clean record, one at-fault accident and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
Nationwide	$1,215	$1,870	$2,516
State Farm	$1,691	$1,926	$1,926
Erie Insurance	$1,709	$2,014	$2,724
Progressive	$1,825	$2,830	$3,893
Westfield Insurance	$2,111	$3,095	$4,274
Farmers	$2,442	$3,616	$5,022
Allstate	$3,132	$4,392	$5,401
GEICO	$2,248	$5,105	$8,558
USAA	$1,189	$1,745	$2,526

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Key insight

Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in West Virginia?

Martinsburg has the cheapest car insurance rates in West Virginia at $3,025 per year. But the most expensive city is Ravenswood with rates of $3,472 per year.

Your location in West Virginia also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Martinsburg	$1,807	$3,025
Wheeling	$1,810	$3,033
Clarksburg	$1,886	$3,182
Parkersburg	$1,932	$3,245
Vienna	$1,944	$3,270
Dunbar	$1,958	$3,337
Beckley	$1,984	$3,368
Charleston	$1,987	$3,378
Ravenswood	$2,082	$3,472

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in West Virginia?

Finding affordable car insurance in West Virginia is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in West Virginia?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Are West Virginia's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in West Virginia, you might need to file an SR-22. This is a form that your car insurance company sends in to show you have the required minimum insurance coverage. The court will let you know how long you need to keep the SR-22.

An SR-22 isn't a type of insurance; it's just a form. You don't need special coverage, but your rates might be higher because you're considered high-risk. Also, not all insurance companies offer coverage for high-risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on: