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Insurance companies may consider you high risk based on certain factors, such as your age and driving record, and charge higher rates. You can shop around and compare rates from different providers to find the most affordable option for you.

In West Virginia, Erie offers the best and cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers. A policy from this insurer costs an average of $861 per year. However, your actual rate will depend on various personal factors.

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2023

Best Companies for High-Risk Drivers in 2023

Typically, car insurance companies view drivers who are more likely to file an auto insurance claim as risky to insure. Drivers who fall into this category include students, those with poor credit and those with bad driving records (e.g., multiple at-fault accidents, traffic violations like tickets or a DUI conviction).

If you’re considered a high-risk driver in West Virginia, expect to pay around 27% more for car insurance than those with a low-risk profile. Keep in mind that auto insurance companies tend to charge high-risk drivers a more expensive premium to, for example, offset the costs of covering them in an accident.

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WHAT EXACTLY IS A HIGH-RISK DRIVER?

There are various reasons why some drivers are considered by insurance companies as risky to insure. The most common is committing serious violations, like drag racing, driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving recklessly or driving under the influence of alcohol.

But in some cases, insurance companies may still view you as a high-risk driver even with a clean record. Below, MoneyGeek highlights the different types of high-risk drivers.

  • Drivers with a history of traffic violations or at-fault accidents
  • Drivers with a DUI conviction
  • Drivers caught driving with a suspended or revoked license
  • Young drivers with a lack of driving experience
  • Drivers who drive sports cars or participate in drag racing
  • Drivers with bad credit or lapses in insurance coverage

Cheapest Car Insurance in West Virginia for High-Risk Drivers

Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, the cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers in West Virginia is offered by Erie at approximately $861 per year.

Find out more about this insurer and its pros and cons by reading MoneyGeek’s Erie auto insurance review.

Company
Annual Premium

Erie

$861

State Farm

$890

Nationwide

$1,154

Allstate

$1,317

Progressive

$1,644

GEICO

$2,134

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SR-22 INSURANCE

SR-22 insurance is a form that your insurer will file to show you meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. It’s not required in West Virginia, but drivers registered there may need to file it if they commit a serious driving infraction in a state where it is mandatory.

Best Car Insurance in West Virginia for High-Risk Drivers

MoneyGeek’s analysis found that the best high-risk auto insurance company in West Virginia is Erie, with a score of 97 out of 100. The next-best option is State Farm, which received a score of 93 out of 100.

Our Erie auto insurance review and State Farm auto insurance review provide an in-depth look at the companies’ affordability, financial stability and customer service.


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ErieBest for High-Risk Drivers
Score:97

5/5

Affordability Rating

4.5/5

Satisfaction Rating

4.7/5

Claims Rating

4.5/5

Financial Stability Rating

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take

Erie provides coverage for high-risk drivers in West Virginia at an average cost of $861 per year. That is around 19% higher than the rate for drivers with a low-risk record.

More About Erie

Erie provides cheap car insurance for many driver profiles, including those considered as high risk. Policyholders can add better car replacement coverage, which is rarely offered by companies. But Erie doesn’t have gap insurance or roadside assistance.

To further reduce insurance costs, Erie policyholders can earn discounts for having airbags, paying in full or bundling multiple policies. Additionally, young unmarried drivers can get a discount if they live at their parents’ home.

2
State Farm
Score:93

4.9/5

Affordability Rating

5/5

Satisfaction Rating

4/5

Claims Rating

5/5

Financial Stability Rating

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take

At approximately $890 per year, State Farm’s high-risk auto insurance in West Virginia is 10% more expensive than its policy for low-risk drivers.

More About State Farm

State Farm is a top-rated car insurance company known for being affordable and widely available. It offers various discounts, including airbag, defensive driving, distant student and driver’s education.

The company also has common add-on coverages, such as rideshare insurance, roadside assistance and rental car and/or travel reimbursement. However, it doesn’t offer accident forgiveness, gap insurance, new car replacement or better car replacement.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Those on a budget can still get coverage by purchasing low-income car insurance in West Virginia. Since the state doesn’t have a government-supported car insurance program, MoneyGeek recommends purchasing state minimum coverage or pay-per-mile insurance for those who rarely drive. But remember, low cost may mean sacrificing customer service.

Cheapest Car Insurance in West Virginia for Drivers With a DUI

According to MoneyGeek’s research, the most affordable car insurance company in West Virginia for drivers with a DUI is State Farm. A policy from this insurer costs an average of $869 per year. Find out more about its average rates, coverages and customer service by reading our State Farm auto insurance review.

Active service members and veterans with a DUI conviction in West Virginia may also find USAA’s high-risk car insurance inexpensive.

Company
Annual Premium

State Farm

$869

Erie

$1,021

Nationwide

$1,338

Allstate

$1,409

Progressive

$1,534

GEICO

$3,425

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LOOK-BACK PERIODS

How long a DUI conviction stays on your driving record depends on your state’s look-back period. In West Virginia, the look-back period for DUIs is 10 years. That means if your second DUI offense happens after a decade, it will be considered as your first. Note that look-back periods are typically long to accommodate criminal sentencing for repeat offenders.

Cheapest Car Insurance in West Virginia for Teenage Drivers

At roughly $2,448 per year, State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company in West Virginia for teen drivers. However, your actual rate depends on your age and other factors, such as whether you qualify for discounts. Check out our State Farm auto insurance review to know more about what the company offers for teen drivers.

Company
Annual Premium

State Farm

$2,448

Nationwide

$2,809

GEICO

$4,602

Allstate

$5,073

Progressive

$10,441

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Because they’re considered high-risk, teen drivers usually pay very expensive car insurance premiums. Nevertheless, MoneyGeek recommends purchasing full coverage car insurance over minimum coverage. The added coverage can play a significant role in the event of an accident. Find the cheapest car insurance for students by shopping around and comparing rates.

Cheapest Car Insurance in West Virginia for Drivers With Bad Credit

For individuals with bad credit, the cheapest company for car insurance in West Virginia is Nationwide. A policy from this insurer costs around $1,144 per year, roughly 29% higher than the rate for those with good credit.

MoneyGeek provided an in-depth look at this company in our Nationwide auto insurance review.

Company
Annual Premium
Percent Change

Nationwide

1,144

29%

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Insurance companies take your credit score into account in West Virginia when determining a car insurance premium. As a result, those with poor credit scores find it challenging to get low-cost coverage. Thankfully, it’s possible to find cheap car insurance with bad credit. MoneyGeek recommends shopping around to get the best option for your unique situation.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost for High-Risk Drivers in West Virginia?

Insurance companies assess a driver’s risk when determining their car insurance rate. They consider those with a history of at-fault accidents, tickets or a DUI conviction as high risk and charge a higher rate.

In West Virginia, for instance, high-risk drivers pay around $1,333 per year for car insurance, while low-risk drivers pay approximately $908 per year for the same coverage. That’s a difference of more than $400.

Annual Car Insurance Cost in WV for Low-Risk vs. High-Risk Drivers

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Annual Premium

Low-Risk Driver

$908
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Annual Premium

High-Risk Driver

$1,333
In West Virginia, high-risk drivers pay:$425 more

This is 47% more expensive.

When shopping around for car insurance, it’s best to have a rough estimate of how much you’ll pay for a policy to find the best option for your needs. MoneyGeek’s West Virginia car insurance calculator can help you get a ballpark figure of your insurance costs by providing your personal information, like age, gender and credit score.

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Can You Still Get Car Insurance in West Virginia if Insurers Refuse to Insure You?

Insurance companies may refuse to cover you if they consider you risky to insure. Reasons why you may be viewed as high-risk include being a student driver, having poor credit or a history of traffic violations, at-fault accidents or a DUI conviction.

If this happens, your next course of action is to shop for a residual market plan through the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO). This organization maintains a state-by-state database to help high-risk drivers find car insurance where they live.

West Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan

High-risk drivers in West Virginia who can’t purchase car insurance through the voluntary market may consider the West Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan (WVAIP). Residents with a West Virginia driver's license and a vehicle registered in the state qualify to apply for this residual market plan.

  • building icon

    Office Hours

    Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

  • subscribe icon

    Email

    wvaip@aipso.com

  • smartphone icon

    Phone

    (888) 820-0170

  • other icon

    Fax

    (800) 516-1923

  • business icon

    Mailing Address

    Mid-Atlantic Region, P.O. Box 6530, Providence, RI 02940-6530

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Frequently Asked Questions

High-risk drivers often find it difficult to buy car insurance. MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about high-risk car insurance in West Virginia to help you find coverage that fits your particular needs.

Methodology

MoneyGeek calculated average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance and comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Minimum coverage car insurance policy rates were calculated based on each state’s minimum car insurance requirement.

To calculate rates for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek averaged the premiums insurance companies charge for three of the most common driving violations: speeding, at-fault accident and DUI.

To determine the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek scored companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction and complaints — obtained from J.D. Power surveys and NAIC complaint scores — and financial strength ratings as calculated by AM Best. Affordability received the greatest weighting in our calculations.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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