West Virginia Auto Insurance

Whether you’re taking the Midland Trail to view fall foliage, following the Point Creek Trail to discover West Virginia’s coal mining heritage, birdwatching along the Allegheny trail, attending the State Fair in Fairlea, exploring historic Lewisburg or doing business in Charlestown , the Mountain State is full of history, beautiful scenery and miles of open roads. From Wheeling to Bluefield, Point Pleasant to Martinsburg, and all points in between, car insurance is crucial to being a responsible West Virginia driver.

 

Auto Insurance Resources for WV State Residents

As of 2010, there were nearly 1.3 million drivers in the Mountain State. The Insurance Research Council estimates that 8% of West Virginia drivers are uninsured. The West Virginia Department of Transportation Crash Data for 2003 (the latest published data) recorded 51,376 total crashes. In 34,249 only property damage was involved; 16763 involved injuries and 364 were fatal. The majority of all crashes (85,369) occurred on state highways. More current data shows that I-81 is the most dangerous stretch of road in the state (NHTSA 2008). West Virginia has the nation’s highest number of deer-vehicle collision claims and ranks in the top 10 states with the highest number of truck accident deaths per population. Uninsured and reckless drivers and collisions with deer are good reasons to make sure you have enough car insurance while living and driving in the Mountain State.

 

West Virginia State Minimum Car Insurance

West Virginia state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance or face severe penalties. The Mountain State has a tort-based system. That means if you cause an accident, you can be sued. While West Virginia does not require you to carry additional personal liability or Collision and Comprehensive, if you own property or other valuable assets, you would be wise to supplement the minimum requires shown below:

• $20,000 bodily injury per person per accident
• $40,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability
• $20,000/$40,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury
• $10,000 uninsured motorist property damage

 

West Virginia Car Insurance Laws

West Virginia law requires that you carry proof of West Virginia auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. Driving without the required West Virginia car insurance carries a fine up to $5,000. In addition, your driver’s license and vehicle registration can be suspended for up to 30 days. Reinstating both will require a $100 fee and proof of West Virginia auto insurance. Second and subsequent offenses carry a similar fine and a 90-day suspension of your license and registration.

Non-renewal of your policy is the same as cancelation in West Virginia and considered cause to fine you for non-compliance with state insurance laws. You insurance company is required to give you a minimum of 45 days notice that your coverage is being dropped and explain why.

 

Regulating Agency and References

West Virginia Insurance Commission
This agency is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in West Virginia. For more information, visit their website at www.wvinsurance.gov

West Virginia Department of Transportation
This is the agency responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles. You can learn more about West Virginia auto insurance requirements, penalties and related information at www.transportation.wv.gov

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
This is an organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. NAIC provides a forum for the development of uniform policies when appropriate. NAIC members are elected or appointed state government officials who regulate the conduct of insurance companies and agents in their respective states or territories. Visit NAIC at www.naic.org

Insurance Information Institute (III)
This organization’s mission is to improve public understanding of insurance – what it is and how it works. Visit III at www.iii.org/

 

Related Car and Motorist E Insurance Articles

Filing a Car Insurance Claim. What Happens After the Crash?

What to Do When an Uninsured Driver Hits You

Drive Safer – Even If You Have Car Insurance, Your Car Crash Still Costs All of Us Money

How Much Auto Insurance Coverage Do I Need?