West Virginia gap insurance: Everything you need to know

Gap insurance covers the difference between your car’s value and the amount you still owe if it’s totaled or stolen. It’s not required by law in West Virginia, but many lenders and leasing companies require it. In West Virginia, gap insurance costs an average of $2,543 per year, with Progressive offering the lowest rates.

Last updated: Mar 9, 2026

How much is gap insurance in West Virginia?

On average, gap insurance in West Virginia costs $2,543 a year, but rates vary by company. The cost of your vehicle also affects gap rates. Expensive or luxurious cars tend to depreciate faster than standard vehicles, meaning gap coverage would have to pay more, which increases coverage rates.

Cheapest gap insurance companies in West Virginia

The cheapest gap insurance in West Virginia is offered by Progressive, with an average yearly cost of $2,543. Not all car insurance companies provide gap coverage, and rates can vary significantly among carriers.

Take a look at the table below to see the cheapest West Virginia insurance companies for gap coverage.

Company	Progressive
Auto insurance rates with gap premium	$2,543
Gap premium	$13

Read our methodology

Average gap insurance cost in West Virginia by city

Gap insurance costs the lowest in Moundsville at $1,891. Where you live in West Virginia can impact your insurance costs. Cities with higher crime and theft rates have higher auto insurance rates since the risk of damage or theft is higher.

Here are the average gap insurance rates by city in West Virginia

City	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Moundsville	$1,891	$9
Triadelphia	$1,910	$9
Benwood	$1,914	$9
Weirton	$1,921	$9
Chester	$1,923	$9
New Manchester	$1,923	$9
Follansbee	$1,941	$10
Wheeling	$1,943	$10
Glen Dale	$1,950	$10
Grant	$1,951	$10

Read our methodology

How much is gap insurance in West Virginia by age group?

Gap insurance rates are higher for younger drivers because they have less experience and are more likely to take risks while driving, increasing the odds of a total loss. As drivers get older, their rates go down. For example, an 18-year-old pays an average of $6,547 per year, while a 25-year-old pays around $2,929 annually.

The table below lists the average gap insurance rates in West Virginia based on age.

Age group	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Teen	$6,547	$12
Young adult	$2,929	$12
Adult	$2,543	$13
Senior	$2,224	$12

Read our methodology

How does gap insurance work in West Virginia?

When you buy or lease a new car, it depreciates quickly resulting in you owing more than it's worth. If your car is totaled, your insurance company will only pay its actual cash value, which might not cover your full loan balance. That's where gap insurance helps. If your car is totaled or stolen, gap insurance covers the difference between your car's value and what you still owe on the loan.

"Gap is designed for people that take long-term loans and/or roll taxes, service plans, or warranties into their loan," said Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "Most gap coverages only go a certain percent over market value to pay off a loan for a totaled vehicle (typically 25%). It costs significantly less money to get gap through your insurance than to purchase it from the dealership."

For example, imagine you have a $40,000 car loan, but your vehicle's actual cash value is only $35,000. If someone steals your car, your insurance company reimburses you $35,000, minus your deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim.. Gap insurance pays the remaining $5,000 you still owe on the loan. Without gap insurance, you must cover this difference out of pocket.

Once your loan balance is lower than your car's value, you can drop gap coverage. You can cancel gap insurance anytime, but you may not be able to add it whenever you want. Most insurers require you to add the coverage soon after you buy a car.

Many lenders also require gap insurance when you take out a loan. You can buy gap coverage from your lender or car dealership, but adding it to your existing auto policy usually costs less.

Where to buy gap insurance in West Virginia

Many insurance companies, including major carriers, offer gap insurance in West Virginia. You can easily add this coverage to your existing auto insurance policy or buy a standalone policy.

Adding gap coverage to your car insurance policy usually costs less. You can also buy gap coverage from most car dealers and lenders, but their policies are often more expensive, making them a less appealing choice.

Methodology

We gathered car insurance rates with and without gap insurance through our data partner, Quadrant Information Services.

Averages are annual and based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

To show the cost of gap insurance, we have compared rates with gap insurance added to the averages without gap insurance, and the difference is shown as the annual cost of gap insurance.

Rates are based on an analysis of over 5 million data points in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. from 138 companies.

West Virginia gap insurance: FAQs

Is gap insurance required in West Virginia?

Gap insurance isn't required by law in West Virginia, but your lender may require you to have the coverage.

Who should buy gap insurance in West Virginia?

If you have a car loan or lease in West Virginia, you might need gap insurance. If you made a small down payment, you could quickly owe more than your car is worth since vehicles lose value faster than you can pay the loan. In this case, gap insurance can be a smart choice.

You don't need gap insurance if you own your car or make a large down payment.

What is standalone gap insurance in West Virginia?

Standalone gap insurance is a separate policy, not a part of your car insurance. You can buy gap insurance from your lender or a private company as an independent policy.

Does gap insurance cover leased cars in West Virginia?

West Virginia gap insurance covers leased cars when the driver owes more than the car's current market value. You can remove gap coverage once your vehicle is worth more than what you still owe.