Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in West Virginia

Drivers with multiple tickets, at-fault accidents or a DUI may have a difficult time finding low rates for car insurance. In addition, reckless or high-risk driving behaviors in West Virginia could lead to your license being suspended, restricted or revoked. This could put you at risk of a standard auto insurer non-renewing your coverage.

Finding an insurer that offers high-risk auto insurance in West Virginia may become your only coverage option if you have multiple incidents behind the wheel.

High-risk car insurance West Virginia rates

The cost of your car insurance in West Virginia depends on your driving record, vehicle type and level of coverage, among other things. West Virginia high-risk auto insurance is often less affordable than traditional coverage, but it may still be possible to find affordable rates. Each insurance carrier has its own threshold of risk when pricing your vehicle insurance. One carrier may provide affordable auto insurance for a driver with speeding tickets but increase premiums significantly after an at-fault accident.

Insurance rates after a speeding ticket

Speeding tickets can increase your auto insurance rates slightly or significantly, depending on how fast you were going over the speed limit and how your insurer reacts to the risk you created. There is no easy way to determine which insurance company will be cheaper after a speeding ticket. However, based on Bankrate’s analysis, Nationwide, USAA and State Farm offer affordable premiums, on average, after receiving a speeding ticket.

Rates after an accident

In West Virginia, having an at-fault accident generally raises your premiums more than a speeding ticket. However, these rates vary greatly from one insurance company to another.

Nationwide car insurance may start out as the cheapest coverage for safe drivers, but a single accident could increase your premiums by 37%. Meanwhile, USAA’s rates increased 19% after an accident. Finally, State Farm rates increased 16% after an at-fault accident.

Rates after a DUI

Driving under the influence is dangerous and can have severe impacts both financially and in terms of safety.

Here’s how getting a DUI can impact auto insurance rates.

Car insurance rates for teen drivers

Parents who add their teenagers to their auto policies generally see a premium increase due to the risk inexperienced drivers create. In West Virginia, it’s no surprise that adding a teen drives up your premium.

*16-year-old on their parent’s policy

Who is a high-risk driver?

Insurance companies generally consider drivers with a DUI conviction or with more than one accident or moving violation high-risk. Drivers with little to no experience, like young teen drivers, are often considered high-risk as well.

Many states may suspend or revoke your license after accumulating enough points on your driver’s license. West Virginia could suspend your license after accumulating 12 to 13 points.

How high-risk drivers can lower their insurance rates

High-risk drivers can face limited carrier options and costlier auto insurance premiums. To help offset the increase in premiums, consider these options:

• Compare multiple insurers to find the most affordable auto coverage based on your needs. Make sure to be transparent about your driving history, otherwise, you could find a carrier just to experience a rate increase once your driving history is updated to reflect your recent incidents.
• Use as many discounts as possible. Some examples are accident forgiveness and multi-line discounts, and discounts for low-mileage drivers and student drivers.
• Complete an approved Defensive Driving Course (DDC) to reduce points off your driving record. According to the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a course can be taken once every twelve months and may prevent your license from being suspended. However, online defensive driving courses are not accepted.
• Increase your comprehensive and collision deductibles to the highest amount you can afford to reduce your premiums. Just remember that a higher deductible means more money paid out of pocket during a claim.

Frequently asked questions

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that confirms with the state that you have at least the minimum amount of required car insurance to drive. In many states, if you are convicted of a DUI or found driving without insurance, you are required to get this certificate. However, West Virginia does not require you to obtain an SR-22.

I’m a high-risk driver. Do I need extra car insurance?

All West Virginia drivers must carry at least a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage at $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident and $25,000 in property damage liability per accident.

How many points do I get in West Virginia if I cause an accident?

West Virginia assigns different points depending on the circumstance that resulted in your ticket or accident. For example, according to the DMV, you may receive up to six points for speeding in a school zone and two points for following too closely. The West Virginia DMV may suspend or revoke your license after you accumulate 12 or more points on your record.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

High-risk drivers
Incident: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.