Erie Insurance, Nationwide, State Farm and Progressive are West Virginia’s best car insurance companies in 2024. This evaluation is based on a comprehensive analysis of the insurers’ annual car insurance rates, financial strength ratings and customer satisfaction scores.

Use our guide to find the right insurance company for your needs and budget. Navigate your insurance options in West Virginia with confidence to choose the best car insurance company.

Tip iconTip iconOur take

Erie Insurance stands out as the best overall car insurance company in West Virginia. With a strong financial rating (A+ from AM Best) and competitive rates, it offers an excellent balance of affordability and comprehensive coverage.

Erie Insurance’s average annual car insurance cost is $1,709. Additionally, It received a J.D. Power score of 863/1,000 and an overall rating of 3.75 out of 5, the highest among the companies surveyed.

It is worth noting that Nationwide has the lowest average car insurance premiums in our survey, at $1,215 a year.

Check out our experts’ recommendations for the best car insurance coverage

author-img
Written by:
Shivani Gite
Contributing Writer
Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions. When not writing, you can find her reading a book or watching anime.
author
Reviewed by:
Laura Longero
reviewer icon
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
ZIP Code
Please enter valid ZIP

What are the best car insurance companies in West Virginia?

When it comes to protecting your vehicle, finding the right car insurance is important. West Virginia drivers have various top-rated insurers to choose from. Whether you prioritize the best overall experience, affordable rates or exceptional customer service, there’s an insurer to match your needs.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of West Virginia’s best auto insurance companies by category.

CategoryCompany
Best overallErie Insurance
Most affordableNationwide
Highest customer satisfactionErie Insurance
Best for teenErie Insurance
Best for young adultsErie Insurance
Best for adultsErie Insurance
Best for seniorsErie Insurance

Compare the best auto insurance companies in West Virginia

Choosing the right car insurance in West Virginia can feel overwhelming, with so many companies offering different coverage at varying rates. To help, we’ve taken a closer look at the top insurers in West Virginia.

CompanyAnnual costAM BestJ.D. Power NAICOverall score out of 5
Erie Insurance$1,709A+8630.613.75
Nationwide$1,215A+8200.643.43
State Farm$1,691A++8430.703.42
Progressive$1,825A+8140.653.15
Geico$2,248A++8180.912.89
Farmers$2,442A8030.802.66
Westfield Insurance$2,111A8331.082.57
Allstate$3,132A+8250.652.57

Best car insurance companies by age group in West Virginia

As drivers age, their needs, driving habits and risk profiles change, influencing their car insurance rates and the types of coverage they need. Understanding which car insurance company caters best to your needs helps you make more informed decisions, potentially leading to better coverage and cost savings.

Best car insurance company for every age group

Select your age group and coverage level below to see the list of best car insurance companies and their annual average rates.

Showing results for full coverage car insurance for teens.
Company Annual rates Customer satisfaction rating
 
Coverage types:
  • Full coverage: 100/300/100 liability with $500 comprehensive/collision deductible
  • Liability only: 50/100/50 liability only
  • State minimum: State minimum coverage

Check out our detailed guide on average car insurance rates by age group

Best for teen drivers in West Virginia

Insurance premiums are typically higher for teen drivers because of their increased risk and inexperience. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen drivers are more likely to misjudge or not notice risky situations than older drivers.

Teen drivers are also more likely to make serious mistakes that can lead to major accidents. In 2022, 2,883 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 lost their lives in car accidents, according to a report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Finding insurance companies that offer competitive rates and benefits for teen drivers, like good student discounts, driver training discounts and accident forgiveness, can help manage these costs.

Erie Insurance is an excellent choice for teen drivers looking to save on premiums. It offers car insurance at $3,962 annually.

When determining the best car insurance companies for teen drivers, several key factors were considered to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. The overall score for each company is derived from a weighted analysis of four main factors:

  • The average annual full-coverage car insurance cost (25%)
  • J.D. Power score (30%)
  • AM Best rating (25%)
  • NAIC rating (20%)

Each factor is assigned a specific percentage weight based on how they performed in each category.

Here are some top choices for teens aged 16-19 based on our analysis:

CompanyAnnual costAM BestJ.D. Power NAICOverall score out of 5
Erie Insurance$3,962 A+8630.613.96
State Farm$4,620 A++8430.73.54
Nationwide$3,879 A+8200.643.43
Geico$4,789 A++8180.913.25
Progressive$9,502 A+8140.652.73
Farmers$8,488 A8030.82.65
Allstate$10,954 A+8250.652.57
Westfield Insurance$5,191 A8331.081.81

Best for young adults in West Virginia

Young drivers must find the right insurance company, as they usually encounter higher premiums due to their perceived risk. According to an analysis by the National Safety Council, drivers aged 20 to 24 were involved in 7,300 fatal crashes in 2022, which accounts for 11.2% of the total number of drivers involved in these incidents.

Companies like Erie Insurance and Nationwide offer affordable rates for those aged 20-24 in West Virginia.

For our 2024 ranking of the best car insurance companies for young adults, we considered four factors: average annual full coverage car insurance cost (25%), J.D. Power score (30%), AM Best rating (25%), and NAIC rating (20%). Each factor has been weighted accordingly to evaluate overall performance.

CompanyAnnual costAM BestJ.D. Power NAICOverall score out of 5
Erie Insurance$2,691 A+8630.613.75
Nationwide$1,937 A+8200.643.43
State Farm$2,739 A++8430.703.40
Geico$3,053 A++8180.913.03
Progressive$3,370 A+8140.653.00
Farmers$3,943 A8030.802.63
Allstate$4,876 A+8250.652.57
Westfield Insurance$3,373 A8331.081.55

Best for adult drivers in West Virginia

Different age groups have varying needs and priorities when it comes to car insurance. The key considerations for adult drivers aged 25 to 60 are coverage options, better customer service and premium costs.

In West Virginia, Erie Insurance stands out as the best car insurance provider for adult drivers. It offers full coverage at an average annual cost of $1,723 and boasts the highest overall rating of 3.73 among the companies analyzed.

We have evaluated and curated a list of the best car insurance companies for adult drivers based on four key factors: average annual full coverage car insurance cost in West Virginia (25%), J.D. Power score (30%), AM Best rating (25%), and NAIC rating (20%).

Experienced drivers are usually seen as less risky than younger drivers because they have more experience on the road and as a result, they often pay lower insurance premiums.

Find below the list of the best car insurance companies in West Virginia and their average annual premiums for adult drivers aged 25-60.

CompanyAnnual costAM BestJ.D. Power NAICOverall score out of 5
Erie Insurance$1,723 A+8630.613.73
Nationwide$1,191 A+8200.643.43
State Farm$1,689 A++8430.703.41
Progressive$1,860 A+8140.653.12
Geico$2,282 A++8180.912.87
Farmers$2,412 A8030.802.67
Allstate$3,116 A+8250.652.57
Westfield Insurance$2,208 A8331.081.51

Best for senior drivers in West Virginia

Erie Insurance provides the cheapest car insurance premiums among the companies analyzed at an average cost of $1,745 a year. It is an affordable option for senior drivers.

Insurance rates tend to increase for drivers around age 70 and older. This rise is due to insurers’ perception of increased risk associated with aging. Factors like slower reflexes, poor eyesight and a higher likelihood of health issues that could affect driving ability contribute to this perception. As a result, seniors may see their premiums increase, despite having years of driving experience and possibly a long history of safe driving.

Determining the best car insurance companies for senior drivers requires a comprehensive analysis of several factors. Each insurer’s overall score is derived from a weighted analysis of four important factors: the average annual cost of full-coverage car insurance (25%), the J.D. Power score (30%), the AM Best rating (25%) and the NAIC rating (20%).

The best auto insurance companies in West Virginia are listed below for senior drivers aged 65-75.

CompanyMonthly costAM BestJ.D. Power NAICOverall score out of 5
Erie Insurance$145 A+8630.613.72
State Farm$133 A++8430.703.45
Nationwide$99 A+8200.643.43
Progressive$166 A+8140.653.07
Geico$181 A++8180.912.93
Farmers$178 A8030.802.80
Allstate$262 A+8250.652.57
Westfield Insurance$169 A8331.081.60

Learn more about how to shop for car insurance for seniors

Best overall car insurance company in state

How do I choose the best insurance company based on my driver profile in West Virginia?

Selecting the right insurance company is heavily influenced by your driver profile. Here’s how to choose the best insurer to meet your specific needs:

For budget-conscious drivers in West Virginia

Look for companies that offer various car insurance discounts, such as safe driver discounts, multi-policy discounts, or discounts for automatic payments. These can significantly reduce your premiums. Some insurers offer flexible payment plans that can ease the financial burden, such as monthly, quarterly or bi-annual payments.

Find below the list of the best insurance companies and their annual rates for different coverage levels.

Company State-minimumLiability-onlyFull coverage
Nationwide$424 $455 $1,215
State Farm$395 $463 $1,691
Erie Insurance$368 $440 $1,709
Progressive$701 $757 $1,825
Westfield Insurance$368 $443 $2,111
Geico$578 $678 $2,248
Farmers$681 $716 $2,442
Encova Insurance$778 $913 $2,933
Allstate$774 $837 $3,132
USAA$270 $325 $1,189

Notes:

  • Full coverage car insurance limit is 100/300/100 with a $500 deductible.
  • Liability-only car insurance limit is 50/100/50.
  • State minimum car insurance is 25/50/25.

For high-risk drivers in West Virginia

If you’re a high-risk driver or someone with multiple traffic violations or DUIs on their record, look for insurers that specialize in high-risk policies. Focus on improving your driving record by attending a defensive driving course. These steps can help reduce your rates over time.

High-risk status is not permanent. Regularly compare insurance rates and options, as improving your driving record and altering your risk profile can lead to more affordable car insurance rates over time.

Company6-month costAnnual cost
Nationwide$940 $1,879
Erie Insurance$1,139 $2,278
State Farm$1,234 $2,467
Progressive$1,309 $2,617
Westfield Insurance$1,480 $2,960
Allstate$2,069 $4,138
Farmers$2,106 $4,211
Geico$2,452 $4,904
USAA$879 $1,757

By understanding their unique driver profiles and conducting thorough research, high-risk drivers can find insurance companies that best meet their needs.

In conversation with experts

CarInsurance.com editors interviewed James Brau, Joel C. Peterson, professor of finance at Brigham Young University. See his responses below.

How important is customer service when deciding the right car insurance company?

Customer service is critical – it should be one of the top factors consumers consider. All else equal, meaning similar premiums, coverage, riders, etc., customer service is often the deciding factor. If a customer gets to speak to a cheerful human without 10 minutes of robot phone trees, especially when stressed out after a wreck or theft, it makes life a lot better.

What are the key factors that consumers should consider when selecting a car insurance company in their state?

Customers should do research pertaining to coverage, premiums, reputation, how many stars on reviews, etc. Make sure to compare apples to apples – that you’re getting the same coverage amounts, for example. Shop around – competition helps the consumer.

How often should policyholders review and adjust their car insurance policies?

Every six months is a good rule of thumb because most people pay in semi-annual installments. If you keep your company on its toes, they are more likely to stay competitive and offer special pricing, deals, incentives, etc.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average cost of car insurance in West Virginia?

The average cost of car insurance in West Virginia is $2,005 per year. This rate can vary based on factors such as the driver’s age, driving history and coverage limit.

How much car insurance coverage do I need in West Virginia?

When determining how much car insurance you need in West Virginia, it’s important to consider the legal requirements. The minimum coverage required in West Virginia typically includes $25,000 in bodily injury per person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident and $25,000 in property damage liability.

Beyond West Virginia’s-required minimums, you should consider purchasing higher liability limits if you have significant assets to protect. Experts recommend that you purchase full coverage car insurance with limits of 100/300/100 with a $500 collision/comprehensive deductible.

This means:

  • $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person. This coverage pays for injuries that you, as the policyholder, cause to one person in an accident.
  • $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident: This is the total amount that your insurance will cover for injuries per accident, covering costs if multiple people are injured.
  • $100,000 in property damage liability per accident: This covers damage that you cause to another person’s property in an accident.

These higher limits are recommended because they provide more comprehensive protection against financial losses. It’s also wise to consider factors such as your driving habits, vehicle value and financial situation when choosing coverage limits.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance rates in West Virginia?

Based on CarInsurance.com’s data analysis, Nationwide offers the cheapest car insurance for West Virginia drivers at $101 a month or $1,215 a year.

Resources & Methodology

Sources

Methodology

CarInsurance.com collected insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services for West Virginia drivers. The rate data is for drivers of different age groups:

  • Teens: Age 16-19
  • Young adults: Age 20-24
  • Adults: 25- 60
  • Seniors: 60-75

The different coverage levels include:

  • Annual full coverage car insurance with a coverage limit of $100,000 in bodily injury per person, $300,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident and a $500 collision/comprehensive deductible.
  • A six-month car insurance policy with limits of 100/300/100-500 coll/comp deductible.
  • Liability-only car insurance rates with a limit of 50/100/50.
  • State minimum coverage limit of 25/50/25.

Car insurance rates are calculated by evaluating the sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driver with the following incidents applied:

  • 1 at-fault property damage accident over $2K
  • 1 at-fault property damage accident under $2K
  • At-fault bodily injury accident
  • Poor credit
  • DUI/DWI first offense
  • Speeding 30+ over limit
  • Speeding ticket 1-10 mph over limit
  • Speeding ticket 11-29 mph over limit

The editors created a rating system to determine the best insurance companies in each sector. For auto insurers, we took the following and gave each a weight.

  • Average annual cost: 25%
  • J.D. Power score: 30%
  • AM Best rating: 25%

Each insurer was awarded an overall rating of 0.5 to 5. No insurer in our overall rating received less than 1 rating and 5 was the most any insurer could receive.

To evaluate the rates, we have compared 51,088,003 insurance quotes from 167 national & regional insurance companies across 29,152 cities and 34,588 ZIP codes.

Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Laura Longero

Ask the Insurance Expert

Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.

John McCormick

Ask the Insurance Expert

John McCormick

Editorial Director

John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Leslie Kasperowicz

Ask the Insurance Expert

Leslie Kasperowicz

Executive Editor

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

Nupur Gambhir

Ask the Insurance Expert

Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

Please Enter Valid Question. Min 50 to max 250 characters are allowed. Only (& ? , .) charcters are allowed.
Please Enter Valid Email.
Error: Security check failed
Thank You, Your message has been received. Our team of auto insurance experts typically answers questions within five working days. Note that due to the volume of questions we receive, not all may be answered. Due to technical error, please try again later.
author image
Contributing Writer

Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions. When not writing, you can find her reading a book or watching anime.