Best homeowners insurance companies in West Virginia for 2024

Compare the best homeowners insurance companies in West Virginia

Based on data provided by Quadrant Information Services, the average West Virginia homeowners insurance policy costs $995 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, which works out to about $83 a month. Several of our chosen companies offer average rates that are below the state average, and they may be good choices for homeowners who are hoping to save money on their policy.

Cost is only one consideration when looking for the best homeowners insurance. We also looked at each company's customer satisfaction ranking in the 2023 J.D. Power Home Insurance Study as well as AM Best ratings, which measures financial strength. We then looked at the breadth of coverage options and discounts available, and analyzed each company's digital experience. Based on this data, each company earned a Bankrate Score on a scale from zero to five.

The top 5 home insurance companies in West Virginia

Additional West Virginia home insurance companies to consider

Liberty Mutual

How Bankrate chose the best home insurance companies in West Virginia

Bankrate's insurance editorial team did extensive research on the state of homeowners insurance in West Virginia before determining the best insurers in the state. Selections for this list were made based on multiple characteristics, from average rates to financial strength to digital accessibility. All major insurers working in the state were assigned a Bankrate Score to help West Virginia homeowners more efficiently evaluate their offerings and determine which company is best for their needs.

Cheapest home insurance companies in West Virginia

Before you begin requesting insurance quotes, it can help to know which providers consistently write some of the most affordable policies in the state. The following table breaks down the cheapest insurance companies in West Virginia:

How to get cheap home insurance in West Virginia

No one wants to pay more for homeowners insurance than they have to, but you do want to get the best coverage possible, whatever rate you pay. Here are some strategies that you can try that may help bring your rate down.

Best home insurance discounts in West Virginia

Applying home insurance discounts is one of the easiest ways to achieve a lower premium. Most insurers offer at least a few, and many are easy to earn. Here are some common options:

How to save on home insurance policy renewals in West Virginia

If you already have a home insurance policy in force and like the company you work with, the following strategies could save you money without switching carriers. Note that in many areas, home insurance premiums are on the rise. While it's rare to see your premiums decrease these days, even stabilizing your rates could be a win for your budget.

• Improve your credit score: If you have a good credit score, maintain it so you don’t see your rates go up at renewal. If your credit score has room for improvement, working to increase it could save you money.
• Make home renovations: Repairing your roof, installing wind and flood mitigating features, or adding security systems could score you a better rate at renewal time.
• Limit your number of claims: Home insurance is there for you should you need a lot of financial assistance, but if you can afford to deal with a minor loss, you’ll save when it’s time to renew.

How much is home insurance in West Virginia?

West Virginia homeowners pay an average of $995 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, which is 21 percent lower than the national average of $2,247 per year. Compared to neighboring states, the average rate in Virginia is $1,520 per year. Homeowners in Ohio pay an average of $1,312 per year and Kentucky’s average premium is $3,277 annually for the same levels of coverage.

West Virginia enjoys lower-than-average homeowners insurance rates, although the state does experience weather events such as lightning, wind, hail and freezing temperatures. These severe weather events highlight the importance of having a homeowners insurance policy tailored to your needs.

West Virginia homeowners insurance rates by city

What does home insurance cover in West Virginia?

Being aware of what your standard HO-3 insurance policy covers can help you determine if you have the coverage you need. Most policies cover property damage caused by severe weather like snowstorms, windstorms or heavy rainfall. Here are a few other common perils that are covered by a standard home policy:

• Wind and hail damage: While West Virginia is sheltered from the tropical storms that hit the East Coast, severe weather can cause costly damage to your home, which is why wind and hail damage is responsible for almost 40 percent of home insurance claims in the U.S.
• Fire or lightning: A standard home insurance policy provides some financial protection for damage caused by fire or lightning, but you might want to check your limits to ensure you have enough coverage.

Additional home insurance coverage types in West Virginia

Unfortunately, some causes of loss are not covered by a standard home policy. Here are some endorsements and standalone policy options you may want to consider for more robust coverage:

• Flood insurance: West Virginia has the highest percentage of roads and infrastructure in danger of flooding. Even a small amount of flooding can cause immense damage to a home, and flood insurance is not included in standard home policies. You may be able to purchase a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer.
• Roof replacement cost: With wind and hail so common in West Virginia, roof structure can become compromised. If you qualify for it, roof replacement cost coverage is designed to pay out for the cost to replace your damaged or destroyed roof, rather than having depreciation removed from your settlement.
• Water backup coverage: This is a relatively common endorsement that is designed to pay for the damage to your home and property when water backs up in a sewer or drain line. This is most likely to occur in below-grade areas like basements or crawl spaces, but can happen from any drain line.
• Mine subsidence insurance: Coal mining in West Virginia puts some areas of the state at risk for damage from mine subsidence. This is ground movement caused by underground mine collapse. All West Virginia home insurance companies are required by law to make mine subsidence insurance available in affected counties, but this is typically at an added premium cost.

Working with a licensed West Virginia insurance agent might be helpful. An agent can listen to your specific situation and help you choose coverage that is right for you, your area and your budget.

Common West Virginia home insurance problems

Although the insurance industry has seen a rocky few years, most homeowners in West Virginia haven’t been affected by industry decisions to pause or stop writing policies in their state. However, you might face some of the following challenges based on your home insurance needs:

• Inability to purchase insurance: If you’ve had prior claims, insurance providers might be hesitant to cover you. You might have to request quotes from more companies to find an insurer willing to write you a policy.
• Increasing insurance costs: The last few years have seen inflation, extreme weather and supply-chain issues cause insurance rates to climb. This is because it’s more expensive for insurers to pay for repairs or replacements, so companies pass on the higher prices to homeowners.
• Exclusions and additional deductibles: If your standard policy doesn’t include all of the coverage you need, you might have to pay for optional endorsements or pay separate deductibles.

Frequently asked questions

Additional profiles:

• Coverage A, Dwelling: $150,000, $350,000, $450,000, $750,000
• Coverage B, Other Structures: $15,000, $35,000, $45,000, &75,000
• Coverage C, Personal Property: $75,000, $175,000, $225,000, $375,000
• Coverage D, Loss of Use: $30,000, $70,000, $90,000, $150,000
• Coverage E, Liability: $500,000
• Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000

Bankrate Scores 

Our Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.