West Virginia car insurance laws and requirements: What is changing in 2025

Q: Is it mandatory to have car insurance in West Virginia?

Yes , West Virginia requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes UIMBI, UIMPD, UMBI and UMPD 25/50/25 .

Q: Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes , your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

West Virginia car insurance laws

West Virginia requires that drivers carry at least 25/50/25.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, West Virginia drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.

West Virginia car insurance requirements

West Virginia requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

West Virginia liability minimums are 25/50/25.

Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverageAn auto insurance coverage that pays for injuries or damage if you're in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. helps pay for your medical costs and property damage if the at-fault driver has little or no car insurance. Your insurer would cover expenses up to your limits in addition to any payments from the other insurer.

West Virginia requires uninsured motorist coverage of 25/50/25.

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy is $510. However, Erie Insurance has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $368.

The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in West Virginia.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Erie Insurance	$368	$31
Westfield Insurance	$368	$31
State Farm	$395	$33
Nationwide	$424	$35
Geico	$578	$48
Farmers	$681	$57
Progressive	$701	$58
Allstate	$774	$65
Encova Insurance	$778	$65
USAA	$270	$22

Read our methodology

West Virginia car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $510. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average rates for drivers with minimum coverage in West Virginia.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in West Virginia is Erie Insurance at an average rate of $368 annually.

State minimum coverage limit	25/50/25
Average annual premium	$510
Average monthly premium	$43

Read our methodology

Are the West Virginia minimum coverage requirements changing in 2025?

West Virginia car insurance requirements will not change in 2025. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in West Virginia?

West Virginia requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

West Virginia drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is also required. Uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for coverage when the at-fault driver doesn't have car insurance, and underinsured coverage assists when the at-fault driver doesn't have enough car insurance to cover injury and property damage costs. Without these coverages, you would have to pay for medical and repair costs that the other driver's insurance didn't cover. You may be able to opt out of this coverage.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is West Virginia minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 25/50/25, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much car insurance is enough in West Virginia?

Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.

For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

West Virginia penalties for driving without car insurance

Since West Virginia requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.

Failing to carry West Virginia car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines	$200+
Other penalties	License suspension
Jail time	Possible

Read our methodology

West Virginia minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. Erie Insurance has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $763. Erie Insurance offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $370.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $516, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $505, a difference of $11.

Male

Male
Female

Age	Company	Male annual premium	Male monthly premium
16	Erie Insurance	$988	$82
16	State Farm	$1,605	$134
16	Westfield Insurance	$1,633	$136
16	Nationwide	$1,698	$142
16	Geico	$1,843	$154
16	Encova Insurance	$2,616	$218
16	Allstate	$3,543	$295
16	Farmers	$3,691	$308
16	Progressive	$3,772	$314
17	Erie Insurance	$856	$71
17	Geico	$1,258	$105
17	Westfield Insurance	$1,298	$108
17	State Farm	$1,395	$116
17	Nationwide	$1,533	$128
17	Encova Insurance	$2,446	$204
17	Farmers	$2,715	$226
17	Allstate	$2,952	$246
17	Progressive	$3,195	$266
18	Erie Insurance	$743	$62
18	Geico	$1,043	$87
18	Westfield Insurance	$1,056	$88
18	State Farm	$1,200	$100
18	Nationwide	$1,533	$128
18	Encova Insurance	$2,070	$173
18	Allstate	$2,111	$176
18	Farmers	$2,366	$197
18	Progressive	$2,722	$227
19	Erie Insurance	$680	$57
19	Westfield Insurance	$837	$70
19	Geico	$901	$75
19	State Farm	$1,032	$86
19	Allstate	$1,278	$107
19	Nationwide	$1,318	$110
19	Farmers	$1,535	$128
19	Encova Insurance	$1,836	$153
19	Progressive	$2,133	$178
20	Erie Insurance	$629	$52
20	Westfield Insurance	$712	$59
20	Geico	$872	$73
20	State Farm	$892	$74
20	Nationwide	$1,120	$93
20	Allstate	$1,154	$96
20	Farmers	$1,510	$126
20	Encova Insurance	$1,805	$150
20	Progressive	$1,907	$159
21	Erie Insurance	$613	$51
21	Westfield Insurance	$619	$52
21	Nationwide	$668	$56
21	State Farm	$757	$63
21	Geico	$794	$66
21	Allstate	$992	$83
21	Progressive	$1,066	$89
21	Encova Insurance	$1,235	$103
21	Farmers	$1,320	$110
22	Westfield Insurance	$548	$46
22	Erie Insurance	$550	$46
22	Nationwide	$623	$52
22	State Farm	$679	$57
22	Geico	$735	$61
22	Allstate	$927	$77
22	Progressive	$984	$82
22	Farmers	$1,100	$92
22	Encova Insurance	$1,201	$100
23	Westfield Insurance	$495	$41
23	Erie Insurance	$525	$44
23	Nationwide	$586	$49
23	State Farm	$595	$50
23	Geico	$706	$59
23	Allstate	$878	$73
23	Progressive	$919	$77
23	Farmers	$1,072	$89
23	Encova Insurance	$1,174	$98
24	Erie Insurance	$450	$38
24	Westfield Insurance	$454	$38
24	State Farm	$525	$44
24	Nationwide	$558	$47
24	Geico	$679	$57
24	Allstate	$822	$69
24	Progressive	$859	$72
24	Farmers	$1,038	$87
24	Encova Insurance	$1,147	$96
25	Westfield Insurance	$424	$35
25	Erie Insurance	$435	$36
25	State Farm	$468	$39
25	Nationwide	$487	$41
25	Geico	$656	$55
25	Allstate	$760	$63
25	Progressive	$766	$64
25	Farmers	$831	$69
25	Encova Insurance	$897	$75
30	Erie Insurance	$385	$32
30	Westfield Insurance	$391	$33
30	State Farm	$392	$33
30	Nationwide	$432	$36
30	Geico	$589	$49
30	Farmers	$701	$58
30	Progressive	$712	$59
30	Allstate	$755	$63
30	Encova Insurance	$778	$65
35	Erie Insurance	$368	$31
35	Westfield Insurance	$379	$32
35	State Farm	$389	$32
35	Nationwide	$429	$36
35	Geico	$566	$47
35	Farmers	$684	$57
35	Progressive	$699	$58
35	Allstate	$752	$63
35	Encova Insurance	$778	$65
40	Erie Insurance	$362	$30
40	Westfield Insurance	$368	$31
40	State Farm	$395	$33
40	Nationwide	$421	$35
40	Geico	$562	$47
40	Farmers	$672	$56
40	Progressive	$690	$58
40	Allstate	$757	$63
40	Encova Insurance	$778	$65
45	Erie Insurance	$353	$29
45	Westfield Insurance	$358	$30
45	State Farm	$397	$33
45	Nationwide	$421	$35
45	Geico	$566	$47
45	Farmers	$667	$56
45	Progressive	$689	$57
45	Allstate	$757	$63
45	Encova Insurance	$781	$65
50	Erie Insurance	$348	$29
50	Westfield Insurance	$354	$30
50	State Farm	$391	$33
50	Nationwide	$413	$34
50	Geico	$568	$47
50	Farmers	$632	$53
50	Encova Insurance	$634	$53
50	Progressive	$674	$56
50	Allstate	$754	$63
55	Erie Insurance	$340	$28
55	Westfield Insurance	$359	$30
55	State Farm	$383	$32
55	Nationwide	$388	$32
55	Geico	$568	$47
55	Farmers	$607	$51
55	Encova Insurance	$634	$53
55	Progressive	$679	$57
55	Allstate	$764	$64
60	Erie Insurance	$342	$29
60	Westfield Insurance	$373	$31
60	State Farm	$375	$31
60	Nationwide	$380	$32
60	Geico	$567	$47
60	Farmers	$607	$51
60	Encova Insurance	$650	$54
60	Progressive	$682	$57
60	Allstate	$775	$65
65	Erie Insurance	$356	$30
65	State Farm	$374	$31
65	Westfield Insurance	$398	$33
65	Nationwide	$410	$34
65	Geico	$574	$48
65	Farmers	$606	$51
65	Encova Insurance	$655	$55
65	Progressive	$700	$58
65	Allstate	$806	$67
70	Erie Insurance	$379	$32
70	State Farm	$394	$33
70	Westfield Insurance	$436	$36
70	Nationwide	$454	$38
70	Geico	$601	$50
70	Farmers	$671	$56
70	Encova Insurance	$688	$57
70	Progressive	$739	$62
70	Allstate	$810	$68
75	Erie Insurance	$424	$35
75	State Farm	$433	$36
75	Westfield Insurance	$493	$41
75	Nationwide	$511	$43
75	Geico	$678	$57
75	Encova Insurance	$744	$62
75	Farmers	$789	$66
75	Progressive	$872	$73
75	Allstate	$897	$75
16	USAA	$1,907	$159
17	USAA	$1,147	$96
18	USAA	$928	$77
19	USAA	$763	$64
20	USAA	$666	$56
21	USAA	$483	$40
22	USAA	$454	$38
23	USAA	$428	$36
24	USAA	$410	$34
25	USAA	$348	$29
30	USAA	$292	$24
35	USAA	$287	$24
40	USAA	$270	$23
45	USAA	$264	$22
50	USAA	$259	$22
55	USAA	$257	$21
60	USAA	$257	$21
65	USAA	$275	$23
70	USAA	$321	$27
75	USAA	$372	$31

Read our methodology

Age	Company	Female annual premium	Female monthly premium
16	Erie Insurance	$851	$71
16	State Farm	$1,272	$106
16	Westfield Insurance	$1,629	$136
16	Nationwide	$1,337	$111
16	Geico	$1,964	$164
16	Encova Insurance	$1,949	$162
16	Allstate	NA	NA
16	Farmers	$3,506	$292
16	Progressive	$3,524	$294
17	Erie Insurance	$733	$61
17	Geico	$1,342	$112
17	Westfield Insurance	$1,295	$108
17	State Farm	$1,104	$92
17	Nationwide	$1,212	$101
17	Encova Insurance	$1,949	$162
17	Farmers	$2,874	$240
17	Allstate	$2,749	$229
17	Progressive	$2,981	$248
18	Erie Insurance	$651	$54
18	Geico	$1,113	$93
18	Westfield Insurance	$1,053	$88
18	State Farm	$961	$80
18	Nationwide	$1,212	$101
18	Encova Insurance	$1,346	$112
18	Allstate	$1,975	$165
18	Farmers	$2,250	$188
18	Progressive	$2,535	$211
19	Erie Insurance	$600	$50
19	Westfield Insurance	$835	$70
19	Geico	$961	$80
19	State Farm	$838	$70
19	Allstate	$1,268	$106
19	Nationwide	$1,034	$86
19	Farmers	$1,429	$119
19	Encova Insurance	$1,240	$103
19	Progressive	$1,984	$165
20	Erie Insurance	$568	$47
20	Westfield Insurance	$711	$59
20	Geico	$927	$77
20	State Farm	$740	$62
20	Nationwide	$935	$78
20	Allstate	$1,063	$89
20	Farmers	$1,382	$115
20	Encova Insurance	$1,187	$99
20	Progressive	$1,812	$151
21	Erie Insurance	$560	$47
21	Westfield Insurance	$618	$52
21	Nationwide	$600	$50
21	State Farm	$642	$54
21	Geico	$848	$71
21	Allstate	$970	$81
21	Progressive	$1,044	$87
21	Encova Insurance	$904	$75
21	Farmers	$1,198	$100
22	Westfield Insurance	$547	$46
22	Erie Insurance	$513	$43
22	Nationwide	$561	$47
22	State Farm	$588	$49
22	Geico	$785	$65
22	Allstate	$963	$80
22	Progressive	$985	$82
22	Farmers	$1,023	$85
22	Encova Insurance	$904	$75
23	Westfield Insurance	$494	$41
23	Erie Insurance	$505	$42
23	Nationwide	$527	$44
23	State Farm	$521	$43
23	Geico	$754	$63
23	Allstate	$881	$73
23	Progressive	$909	$76
23	Farmers	$1,009	$84
23	Encova Insurance	$887	$74
24	Erie Insurance	$484	$40
24	Westfield Insurance	$454	$38
24	State Farm	$476	$40
24	Nationwide	$498	$42
24	Geico	$725	$60
24	Allstate	$833	$69
24	Progressive	$860	$72
24	Farmers	$966	$81
24	Encova Insurance	$865	$72
25	Westfield Insurance	$424	$35
25	Erie Insurance	$470	$39
25	State Farm	$434	$36
25	Nationwide	$457	$38
25	Geico	$700	$58
25	Allstate	$794	$66
25	Progressive	$784	$65
25	Farmers	$850	$71
25	Encova Insurance	$867	$72
30	Erie Insurance	$410	$34
30	Westfield Insurance	$391	$33
30	State Farm	$392	$33
30	Nationwide	$427	$36
30	Geico	$626	$52
30	Farmers	$711	$59
30	Progressive	$740	$62
30	Allstate	$793	$66
30	Encova Insurance	$778	$65
35	Erie Insurance	$388	$32
35	Westfield Insurance	$379	$32
35	State Farm	$389	$32
35	Nationwide	$427	$36
35	Geico	$600	$50
35	Farmers	$698	$58
35	Progressive	$730	$61
35	Allstate	$798	$67
35	Encova Insurance	$778	$65
40	Erie Insurance	$374	$31
40	Westfield Insurance	$368	$31
40	State Farm	$395	$33
40	Nationwide	$427	$36
40	Geico	$593	$49
40	Farmers	$688	$57
40	Progressive	$712	$59
40	Allstate	$797	$66
40	Encova Insurance	$778	$65
45	Erie Insurance	$356	$30
45	Westfield Insurance	$358	$30
45	State Farm	$397	$33
45	Nationwide	$416	$35
45	Geico	$591	$49
45	Farmers	$675	$56
45	Progressive	$710	$59
45	Allstate	$798	$67
45	Encova Insurance	$784	$65
50	Erie Insurance	$342	$29
50	Westfield Insurance	$354	$30
50	State Farm	$391	$33
50	Nationwide	$402	$34
50	Geico	$587	$49
50	Farmers	$642	$54
50	Encova Insurance	$634	$53
50	Progressive	$686	$57
50	Allstate	$763	$64
55	Erie Insurance	$325	$27
55	Westfield Insurance	$359	$30
55	State Farm	$383	$32
55	Nationwide	$388	$32
55	Geico	$580	$48
55	Farmers	$614	$51
55	Encova Insurance	$634	$53
55	Progressive	$674	$56
55	Allstate	$761	$63
60	Erie Insurance	$322	$27
60	Westfield Insurance	$373	$31
60	State Farm	$375	$31
60	Nationwide	$391	$33
60	Geico	$572	$48
60	Farmers	$614	$51
60	Encova Insurance	$650	$54
60	Progressive	$676	$56
60	Allstate	$773	$64
65	Erie Insurance	$331	$28
65	State Farm	$374	$31
65	Westfield Insurance	$398	$33
65	Nationwide	$405	$34
65	Geico	$572	$48
65	Farmers	$660	$55
65	Encova Insurance	$655	$55
65	Progressive	$697	$58
65	Allstate	$790	$66
70	Erie Insurance	$354	$30
70	State Farm	$394	$33
70	Westfield Insurance	$436	$36
70	Nationwide	$435	$36
70	Geico	$592	$49
70	Farmers	$737	$61
70	Encova Insurance	$688	$57
70	Progressive	$738	$62
70	Allstate	$811	$68
75	Erie Insurance	$398	$33
75	State Farm	$433	$36
75	Westfield Insurance	$493	$41
75	Nationwide	$454	$38
75	Geico	$661	$55
75	Encova Insurance	$744	$62
75	Farmers	$809	$67
75	Progressive	$816	$68
75	Allstate	$889	$74
16	USAA	$1,907	$159
17	USAA	$1,147	$96
18	USAA	$928	$77
19	USAA	$763	$64
20	USAA	$666	$56
21	USAA	$483	$40
22	USAA	$454	$38
23	USAA	$428	$36
24	USAA	$410	$34
25	USAA	$348	$29
30	USAA	$292	$24
35	USAA	$287	$24
40	USAA	$270	$23
45	USAA	$264	$22
50	USAA	$259	$22
55	USAA	$257	$21
60	USAA	$257	$21
65	USAA	$275	$23
70	USAA	$321	$27
75	USAA	$372	$31

Read our methodology

West Virginia minimum coverage cost by city

Morgantown drivers pay the least for minimum coverage in West Virginia at $507. However, Huntington pay the most at $610.

Car insurance rates vary by city. For example, drivers in larger cities with a high traffic volume or vehicle theft rate pay higher rates.

The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in West Virginia.

City	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Morgantown	$507	$42
Clarksburg	$512	$43
Martinsburg	$517	$43
Wheeling	$523	$44
Weirton	$546	$45
Parkersburg	$558	$47
Beckley	$584	$49
Charleston	$586	$49
Huntington	$610	$51

Read our methodology

Optional car insurance coverage in West Virginia

West Virginia requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned state minimum car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Systems based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates are based on all coverages required by law at minimum coverage limits. Rates were also fielded for various additional age groups. State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

West Virginia car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Is it mandatory to have car insurance in West Virginia?

Yes, West Virginia requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes UIMBI, UIMPD, UMBI and UMPD 25/50/25.

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in West Virginia?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in West Virginia, you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.