Gianetta Palmer is a freelance writer who lives in the Georgia mountains. Her writing on health and car insurance, has appeared on numerous sites.
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Expert reviewed
This article has been reviewed by a licensed Policygenius expert to ensure that sources, statistics, and claims meet our standard for accurate and unbiased advice.
West Virginia weather can bring winter storms, severe weather, and heavy rainfall, all of which can lead to wind damage and other issues, so you want to be sure you have enough home insurance.
Despite the varying weather-related risks to homeowners in West Virginia, the average cost of homeowners insurance is $1,499 per year or $125 a month. This is around 22% lower than the national average of $158 per month.
However, the cost isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a home insurance company. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in West Virginia.
Best homeowners insurance companies in West Virginia
Of the companies we looked at, Erie has the lowest home insurance rates in West Virginia, with an average annual policy cost of $1,232 per year — about $200 less than the state average. Nationwide has the next lowest average rates at $1,546 per year.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes from the 5 largest West Virginia insurers to find the average cost of homeowners insurance with each company in 2022. We then looked at 2021 J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of West Virginia residents to find the best homeowners insurance in West Virginia.
Company
Average yearly cost
J.D. Power Rating
AAA
$1,711
834
ASI Progressive
$2,223
821
State Farm
$1,658
835
Erie
$1,232
--
Nationwide
$1,546
812
AAA
While AAA is mostly known for its auto insurance and roadside assistance, it also offers a comprehensive home insurance policy — complete with flood and earthquake insurance add-ons and multiple discounts. But you'll need to be a AAA member to qualify.
Pros
Multiple perks and discounts for AAA members
Save up to 10% on auto insurance and 25% on home insurance if you combine the two under a companion policy
Offers flood and earthquake coverage so you don't have to purchase separate policies elsewhere
While you might think that AAA only offers auto insurance, it also provides a complete line of home insurance policies suitable for any budget and coverage needs. You can bundle your home and car insurance policies to earn up to a 25% discount with AAA. Plus, get flood insurance as a coverage add-on, which is unavailable with most companies and requires a separate policy.
How to get a quote
Online through AAA
ASI Progressive
ASI Progressive offers robust home insurance coverage and ways to save. Our fave perk? Its bundling discount, which lets you save up to 20% on premiums and only requires you to pay one deductible if your home and car are damaged in the same event.
Pros
Policies are backed by Progressive Insurance
Flood insurance coverage add-on available — a rarity among insurers
Save up to 20% when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Score discounts for owning a new home, signing up for e-bills, paying your premiums in full for the year, and more
Only pay one deductible if your home and car are damaged in the same incident and you bundle your home and auto insurance together
File and track claims online
Cons
Below-average claims satisfaction ratings
Minimal information about coverage add-ons available online
ASI Progressive offers home insurance in West Virginia that is backed by Progressive Insurance. When you bundle your home and auto policies together, you can get up to 20% off your rates, and we love the fact that ASI Progressive only requires you to pay one deductible if your home and auto are damaged in the same event.
How to get a quote
Online through ASI Progressive
State Farm
There's a reason State Farm is one of the top-rated insurance companies in the U.S. — its customer satisfaction ratings are through the roof, it offers a slew of coverage add-ons for full protection, and makes filing claims through its mobile app a breeze.
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including equipment breakdown, water backup, and service line coverage
Get up to $1 million in personal liability coverage
Score discounts for bundling, installing security devices, and choosing a high deductible
File and track claims online, over the phone, in person, or through its mobile app
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers or going a year without a claim
State Farm scored an impressive 835 out of 1,000 in customer service and financial ratings from J.D. Power in its 2021 home insurance study. Not only does State Farm have excellent rates, but customers can save even more by bundling home and auto insurance policies, or choosing a high deductible. It’s no wonder State Farm is one of the most popular home insurance providers in the nation.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
Erie
With some of the best customer service ratings in the industry, Erie offers comprehensive coverage even with its most basic policy — including guaranteed replacement cost coverage and protection for lost items.
Pros
Score up to a 25% discount when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Guaranteed replacement cost coverage is included in the base policy
Theft coverage includes lost or misplaced items — a rare perk we don't see often
Multiple policy add-ons available, including water backup and service line coverage
Among the best customer service ratings in the industry
Cons
Can't file claims online — must speak to an Erie agent on the phone
One of the reasons Erie made our best list is that it offers comprehensive guaranteed replacement cost coverage in a basic policy and theft coverage for lost or misplaced items. Homeowners looking to reduce their home insurance costs further should look into bundling their home and auto insurance policies, with potential savings of up to 25%.
How to get a quote
Online through Erie
Nationwide
Nationwide offers flexible home insurance policy options for every home type and income level. And we love its slew of discounts for everything from having a newish roof to living in a gated community.
Pros
Offers lots of coverage add-ons, including flood and earthquake insurance
Option to rebuild roof with stronger, safer materials after a covered loss
Score discounts for living in a gated community, making home renovations, having a newer roof, and more
Seamlessly submit claims online or through its mobile app
Above-average claims satisfaction rating
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Water backup coverage is more expensive than with other insurers
Nationwide customers can earn lower rates by making home renovations, updating their roof, or living in a gated community. Customers can choose to use safer materials to repair their roofs after a covered loss. Nationwide has above-average customer service ratings and the option to submit claims online or by calling to speak to a representative.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Nationwide
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by city in West Virginia
Looking at average home insurance costs for the 15 most popular insurers in West Virginia, we found that the cheapest homeowners insurance companies in the state are Allstate, Erie, and USAA.
The average Erie rate in Parkersburg is $1,022 per year — over $100 less than homeowners in Huntington. Meanwhile, residents in the state capital of Charleston enjoy rates of $972 per year with Erie.
Shopping for homeowners insurance in West Virginia
Shopping for home insurance in West Virginia can be a challenging process if you don’t know where to begin. Selecting the right company is only part of the equation. You’ll want to make sure you have enough dwelling coverage to equal the value of your home, plus flood insurance if you live in a floodplain.
In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in West Virginia for different coverage and deductible levels, those with poor credit, as well as the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies for dog and pool owners.
West Virginia home insurance costs by coverage amounts
Dwelling coverage is the section of your home insurance policy that pays to repair or replace your home after a covered loss.
With average West Virginia home prices in the low-$130,000 range, homes with dwelling coverage limits of $200,000 to $300,000 cost around $65 to $94 each month to insure. A home with $500,000 in dwelling coverage costs around $193 per month to insure.
Dwelling coverage amount
Average yearly cost
$100,000
$780
$200,000
$1,128
$300,000
$1,499
$400,000
$1,890
$500,000
$2,312
Personal liability coverage is the portion of your home insurance policy that pays for medical, legal, or repair bills in the event you’re legally responsible for someone’s injury or property damage.
Liability coverage amount
Average yearly cost
$100,000
$1,539
$200,000
$1,371
$300,000
$1,499
$400,000
$1,399
$500,000
$1,526
West Virginia home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying out-of-pocket before your insurance provider begins to pay after a covered loss. A higher deductible means lower monthly payments, but higher out-of-pocket expenses for a covered claim.
As you can see in the table below, West Virginia residents can save around $350 on home insurance by choosing a $2,000 deductible over the $500 option.
Deductible amount
Average yearly cost
$500
$1,624
$1,000
$1,499
$2,000
$1,247
Home insurance discounts in West Virginia
While there isn’t a large discount for homeowners in West Virginia with deadbolt locks, smoke alarms, and home security systems, having them added to your home can help protect you and your family. Here is the average annual rate and average discount percentage for homes with home monitoring services in West Virginia.
Discount
Average yearly cost
Dead bolt
$1,498
Smoke alarm
$1,497
Burglar alarm
$1,480
Home insurance companies in West Virginia for dog owners
If you own a specific breed of dog to protect you and your home, you might pay more for home insurance. Some insurers charge higher rates for certain breeds and could even deny you coverage if you own one.
With an average rate of $1,232 per year, Erie has the cheapest home insurance rates in West Virginia for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while ASI Progressive’s average yearly rate is almost $2,277.
Company
Average yearly cost
Erie
$1,232
Nationwide
$1,546
State Farm
$1,658
AAA
$1,711
ASI Progressive
$2,277
Home insurance companies in West Virginia for poor credit
Insurance companies consider a low credit score to be an indicator of risky behavior and an increased risk for filing insurance claims, so many charge higher rates.
With an average rate of $2,161 per year, Nationwide has the cheapest homeowners insurance rates in West Virginia for a homeowner with poor credit. Meanwhile, Erie's rates are the highest of the companies we reviewed, with a $3,294 yearly rate.
Company
Average yearly cost
Nationwide
$2,161
State Farm
$2,843
ASI Progressive
$3,066
AAA
$3,765
Erie
$3,924
Home insurance companies in West Virginia for pool owners
Home insurance rates are higher for those with a swimming pool. Some insurance companies consider swimming pools as a risk, meaning there’s a higher likelihood of someone being injured. More injuries result in more liability claims and higher insurance rates for everyone.
With an average yearly rate of $1,399 per year, Erie has the cheapest home insurance rates for West Virginia homes with a swimming pool, while ASI Progressive has the most expensive rates at $2,246 per year.
Company
Average yearly cost
Erie
$1,399
Nationwide
$1,546
State Farm
$1,658
AAA
$1,711
ASI Progressive
$2,246
How to buy homeowners insurance in West Virginia
Homeowners in West Virginia have many options when it comes to home insurance. Check out our roundup of five easy steps you can take to find the best coverage that works for your insurance needs.
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of licensed insurance agents can help you find affordable quotes from top companies.
Ask if you should purchase flood insurance. Talk to a Policygenius about adding additional coverage for floods and winter storms, both of which can have devastating effects if you don’t have the right home insurance.
Figure out how high of a deductible you can afford. A higher deductible means you’ll pay less upfront for your insurance, but a larger chunk when it's time to file a claim. A Policygenius agent can help you pick out a deductible that works within your budget.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you’ve identified your coverage needs, limits, and deductibles, a Policygenius agent will send over quotes from top companies for your review.
Sign the policy, and pay your first premium. After you’ve settled on the company and policy that works best for you, Policygenius will do all of the paperwork for you. All you need to do is sign your policy and pay your first premium.
What is the average home insurance cost in West Virginia?
The average home insurance rate in West Virginia is about $1,499 per year or $125 per month. That’s about 22% less than the national average of $1,899 yearly rate.
Is it mandatory to have home insurance in West Virginia?
Homeowners insurance isn’t required in West Virginia unless you have a loan or mortgage. However, many mortgage lenders require you to purchase home insurance before extending a home loan to protect their financial interest in your property.
How can I lower the cost of my home insurance in West Virginia?
One of the ways to lower your home insurance is by asking your provider about available discounts that may apply to you. This may include bundling your home and auto policies together for savings up to 30% and choosing a higher deductible. One thing to remember is that a higher deductible means your rates will be higher overall.
Methodology
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
