State guide
Car Insurance in West Virginia
Updated August 2026
West Virginia requires more than liability coverage. Alongside 25/50/25 minimum liability limits — $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage under W. Va. Code § 17D-4-2 — every policy must also include uninsured motorist coverage at those same levels, including $25,000 of uninsured motorist property damage. Most states leave UM coverage optional; West Virginia builds it in.
The result is that a minimum West Virginia policy protects you from two directions: your liability coverage pays others when you cause a crash, and your UM coverage pays you when an uninsured driver causes one. What carriers charge for that identical mandated package varies widely, which is why comparing quotes is the useful move even for minimum-coverage shoppers.
| Coverage | Required minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability (per person) | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury liability (per accident) | $50,000 |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 |
| PIP / medical | Not required (at-fault state) |
| Additional requirements | Uninsured motorist coverage required: $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury plus $25,000 property damage; underinsured motorist coverage must be offered |
| No-fault state | No |
| SR-22 used | Yes |
Source: W. Va. Code § 17D-4-2; West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner
Average annual expenditure for auto insurance in West Virginia was $953 in 2022. (NAIC 2022 Auto Insurance Database Average Premium Supplement)
Uninsured motorist coverage is not optional here
West Virginia mandates uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, plus $25,000 of uninsured motorist property damage — mirroring the liability minimums. Underinsured motorist coverage, which applies when the at-fault driver has some insurance but not enough, must be offered but can be declined.
The logic is straightforward: nationally, 15.4% of drivers were uninsured in 2023, per the Insurance Research Council. In a state of narrow mountain roads where a head-on crash is rarely a fender-bender, the legislature chose not to leave that gap to chance.
How West Virginia enforces its insurance law
The DMV verifies coverage electronically through its online insurance verification program, and every registration transaction requires the insurer's NAIC number from your certificate of insurance. Getting caught without coverage means a license suspension — 30 days for a first offense, 90 days for a second within five years — plus reinstatement fees of $50 for the license and $100 for the registration.
A coverage lapse, in other words, is detected by data-matching rather than by a traffic stop. Keeping a policy continuously in force is cheaper than any version of the alternative.
SR-22 filings in West Virginia
After DUI convictions, driving-uninsured offenses, and other serious violations, West Virginia requires proof of financial responsibility — the SR-22 certificate your insurer files with the DMV — before reinstating driving privileges, typically maintained for three years. Carriers treat the underlying violation very differently in their pricing, so drivers in this position tend to see the largest quote-to-quote spreads of anyone.
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Frequently asked questions
What car insurance is required in West Virginia?+
Liability coverage of at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage (25/50/25), per W. Va. Code § 17D-4-2 — plus uninsured motorist coverage at those same levels, including $25,000 of UM property damage.
Is uninsured motorist coverage mandatory in West Virginia?+
Yes. Every West Virginia auto policy must include uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage of $25,000/$50,000 and uninsured motorist property damage coverage of $25,000. Underinsured motorist coverage must be offered but may be declined.
Is West Virginia a no-fault state?+
No. West Virginia is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver who causes the accident is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, paid through their liability coverage. PIP is not required.
What happens if I drive without insurance in West Virginia?+
The DMV's electronic verification program flags lapses. Penalties include license suspension — 30 days for a first offense, 90 days for a second within five years — plus reinstatement fees, and an SR-22 filing may be required to get back on the road.
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