Auto Insurance In West Virginia
Auto insurance in West Virginia is a requirement for all licensed drivers. In order to prove financial responsibility in the event of an accident or traffic violation, you must present an insurance card or other proof of insurance to the police officer. The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles may also ask for proof of insurance from time to time throughout the year. While West Virginia specifies insurance minimums, it is wise to consider purchasing more than the required amount of insurance in order to ensure that you have the ability to cover all costs in case of an accident.
What are the Minimum Requirements for Auto Insurance in West Virginia?
West Virginia requires ever licensed driver to have at least $20,000 of injury protection per person and $40,000 of injury protection per accident as well as $10,000 of property damage coverage. In addition to basic auto insurance in West Virginia, you must also purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in case the person at fault in the accident does not have sufficient insurance to cover damage. Minimums for uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance are $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident of bodily injury protection and $10,000 of property damage protection.
Should I Purchase More Than the Minimums for Auto Insurance in West Virginia?
Most experts agree that it is wise to purchase more than the required minimums in order to ensure that you will have sufficient coverage to take care of all costs associated with an accident. Medical costs can add up quickly, and the minimum requirements most likely will not be enough if there are serious injuries. In general, it is recommended that you purchase at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident of bodily injury insurance coverage. Property damage coverage can be increased if you feel that $10,000 would not be enough to replace your current vehicle. If you drive an expensive newer car, you may want to purchase more coverage, while if you drive an older car that would be cheap to repair or replace, you may opt to stick with the minimum.
How Can I Get Better Rates for Auto Insurance in West Virginia?
Choosing auto insurance in West Virginia should begin with price comparisons among several companies in order to determine who offers the best coverage at the most reasonable price. The cheapest price may not always be the best deal, but getting quotes from several sources will give you a starting point. You should consider using an online comparison website to save yourself some time and effort. This type of website can quickly gather quotes from several companies for you, eliminating the need for lots of phone calls and searching. Once you’ve found the top few companies, consider what exactly is covered in the policy, how difficult the claims process is, and what the benefits are as compared to other companies. Speak with a representative to determine whether there are discounts for combining several types of insurance under one policy or for maintaining a good driving record. If you have children, check into what the rates will be for teen drivers. Also consider what the customer service is like. If as a potential customer you have a difficult time getting answers or feel patronized by the representative, it is likely that the service will only get worse if and when the time comes to file the claim.
Shopping around for auto insurance is the best way to determine whether you have the best deal or whether you could be saving yourself money each month by going with a different company. Enter your zip code at the top of this page to get your free auto insurance quote today.