We looked at average costs, customer service ratings, and policy options from multiple top insurers to find the best and cheapest home insurance companies in West Virginia.
By
Andrew HurstAndrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.
Edited by
Pat HowardPat HowardManaging Editor & Licensed Home Insurance ExpertPat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.
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 $1,426 per year or $119 a month. This is around 19% lower than the national average of $1,754 per year.
Compare home insurance rates in West Virginia
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.
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
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: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Compare the best homeowners insurance companies in West Virginia
According to our analysis, StateFarm, Nationwide, Erie, and Allstate are the best homeowners insurance companies in West Virginia.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes across the state to find the average cost of homeowners insurance from each company. We then looked at J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores, complaint data, and coverage offerings to find the best homeowners insurance in West Virginia.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.8
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Offers earthquake insurance
Wind/hail deductible
Offers wildfire insurance
Why we chose it
State Farm is one of the best home insurance companies in West Virginia thanks to its large selection of policy options, high customer service marks, and industry-best financial stability ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Big discount for bundling home and auto coverage
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers
Rates are more expensive than average in West Virginia
More details
Why we chose State Farm
State Farm is one of our picks for the best home insurance in West Virginia, especially if you want to add protection to a basic policy. With State Farm homeowners can get extended replacement cost coverage for their homes, replacement cost coverage for their personal property, water backup protection, and more.
State Farm's customer service is highly rated, too. State Farm has gotten high ratings from policyholders, according to J.D. Power’s 2022 customer satisfaction, claims, and digital experience surveys. It has also received the highest rating possible from A.M. Best for financial strength and stability.
How do State Farm home insurance rates compare to the West Virginia average?
The average cost of home insurance from State Farm in West Virginia is $1,627 per year, which is 14% more expensive as than the statewide average.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm or by contacting your local State Farm agent.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Why we chose it
Erie's wide range of coverage options, industry-best customer service ratings, and affordable rates make it one of the best home insurance companies in West Virginia.
Pros and cons
Pros
Guaranteed replacement cost comes standard on Erie policies
Excellent customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Cheaper rates than average in West Virginia
Cons
Offers only a few discounts
More details
Why we chose Erie
Erie is one of the best homeowners insurance companies in West Virginia, especially for residents who want to add more protection to a basic policy. Home insurance policies from Erie come standard with guaranteed replacement cost coverage — which you often have to pay extra for at other companies.
A basic policy also covers lost and misplaced items, jewelry, and gift cards to closed businesses.
Erie also offers a range of add-ons that you can purchase, like short-term rental coverage, equipment breakdown coverage, water backup protection, underground service line coverage, and more.
How do Erie home insurance rates compare to the average in West Virginia?
The average cost of Erie home insurance in West Virginia is $1,232 per year, which is 14% cheaper than the annual statewide average.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Mobile app
New homebuyer discount
Offers extended replacement cost
Why we chose it
Nationwide is one of the best home insurance companies in West Virginia for its top-rated customer service. Nationwide also offers a range of add-ons that you can use to personalize your coverage.
Pros and cons
Pros
Receives fewer complaints than average
Multiple high-quality coverage options
Gets good customer satisfaction ratings
Cons
Below-average digital experience ratings
Rates are more expensive than average in West Virginia
More details
Why we chose Nationwide
Nationwide is one of the best home insurance companies in West Virginia for its customer service. Nationwide ranks fifth on J.D. Power's Property Claims Satisfaction Study from 2022. It also gets fewer complaints than other insurers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
We also like Nationwide's many coverage options, including guaranteed and extended replacement cost coverages, better roof replacement, new belongings coverage, water backup protection, and equipment breakdown coverage.
How do Nationwide home insurance rates compare to the West Virginia average?
The average cost of Nationwide home insurance in West Virginia is $1,546 per year, which is 8% more expensive than the annual statewide average.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Allstate is one of the top home insurance companies in West Virginia. Along with more affordable rates than average, Allstate also offers a few add-ons that can make a basic policy stronger.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers HostAdvantage for short-term rental coverage
Offers water backup protection, other endorsements
Cons
Beginning to pull back coverage in high-risk areas
Higher rates than average in Kentucky
More details
Why we chose Allstate
Allstate is a top home insurance company in West Virginia. We like that Allstate offers some home insurance coverages that you can add to your policy for more protection, like water backup protection, scheduled personal property coverage, and identity theft restoration coverage.
If you're looking to cover your short-term rental, Allstate's HostAdvantage is another perk. HostAdvantage comes with theft protection, coverage for your damaged property ($10,000 per host period), and a $25 discount on cleaning services from Merry Maids.
How do Allstate home insurance rates compare to the West Virginia average?
The annual average cost of Allstate home insurance in West Virginia is $1,370 per year, which is 4% more expensive than the statewide average.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate, or by contacting a local Allstate agent.
How much is homeowners insurance in West Virginia?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in West Virginia is $1,426 per year, or $119 a month, for an insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This means insurance in the Mountain State is $328 cheaper than the national average per year.
West Virginia homeowners insurance rates by city
We calculated the cost of home insurance in West Virginia's largest cities and found that Morgantown and Fairmont are the cheapest big cities for homeowners insurance in the state, while Oak Hill and Dunbar are the most expensive.
Here’s a look at the average cost of home insurance in the 20 largest cities in West Virginia.
City
Average monthly cost
Average annual cost
Difference from state average (%)
Charleston
$119
$1,432
0%
Huntington
$119
$1,424
0%
Morgantown
$99
$1,182
-17%
Parkersburg
$108
$1,298
-9%
Wheeling
$103
$1,240
-13%
Martinsburg
$108
$1,290
-10%
Weirton
$104
$1,251
-12%
Fairmont
$99
$1,193
-16%
Beckley
$114
$1,364
-4%
Clarksburg
$101
$1,216
-15%
South Charleston
$117
$1,406
-1%
Vienna
$104
$1,253
-12%
St. Albans
$118
$1,414
-1%
Bluefield
$116
$1,397
-2%
Bridgeport
$104
$1,242
-13%
Oak Hill
$121
$1,449
2%
Moundsville
$106
$1,277
-10%
Dunbar
$121
$1,452
2%
Charles Town
$108
$1,296
-9%
Elkins
$108
$1,299
-9%
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West Virginia homeowners insurance rates by coverage amount
The table below highlights the average annual premium in West Virginia for five different levels of dwelling coverage, which is the part of your policy that covers structural damage to your home.
Generally speaking, more dwelling coverage means higher homeowners insurance rates, as shown in the table below.
Dwelling coverage limit
Average annual cost
$100,000
$748
$200,000
$1,087
$300,000
$1,426
$400,000
$1,802
$500,000
$2,214
Compare home insurance rates in West Virginia
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in West Virginia
After analyzing home insurance rates in all of the state's ZIP codes, we found that the cheapest home insurance companies in West Virginia are USAA, Westfield Insurance, Erie, Allstate, and Nationwide.
Cheapest West Virginia homeowners insurance if you have poor credit
Poor credit can be bad news when it comes to home insurance rates. Insurance companies consider a bad credit score to be an indicator of risky behavior and an increased risk of filing an insurance claim.
With an average rate of $2,161 per year, Nationwide has the cheapest home insurance rates in West Virginia for a homeowner with poor credit.
Company
Average annual cost
Nationwide
$2,161
Westfield Insurance
$2,232
Allstate
$2,320
USAA
$2,445
State Farm
$2,843
Progressive
$3,066
AAA
$3,765
Erie
$3,924
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Cheapest West Virginia homeowners insurance if you have an older home
It can cost a lot to insure older homes. That's because they're more prone to structural damage than new homes. Older homes are also often constructed out of materials and with features that would be expensive to replace if they were damaged.
With an average annual premium of $1,262, WestfieldInsurance offers the cheapest home insurance rates in West Virginia for an older home. USAA is the cheapest insurance company if you or your family are affiliated with the military.
Company
Average annual cost
USAA
$1,046
Westfield Insurance
$1,262
Allstate
$1,311
Erie
$1,380
Nationwide
$1,626
State Farm
$1,660
AAA
$1,711
Progressive
$2,156
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Cheapest West Virginia homeowners insurance if you have a history of claims
If you have multiple claims on your record, you'll typically pay more for home insurance, as insurers will consider you more likely to file future claims than a homeowner with a spotless claims history.
With an average annual premium of $1,467, Westfield Insurance offers the cheapest home insurance rates in West Virginia if you've filed three claims within a five-year period.
Company
Average annual cost
Westfield Insurance
$1,467
USAA
$1,669
State Farm
$1,893
Erie
$2,213
Allstate
$2,639
Progressive
$2,973
Nationwide
$3,553
AAA
$5,862
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Coverage options in West Virginia
In addition to looking at how much each insurance company charges for different coverage levels and risks, you should also know what your policy does and doesn’t cover.
When buying homeowners insurance in West Virginia, you may need additional insurance to protect yourself against flooding and damage from strong winds.
Flood insurance
Your regular home insurance policy won't cover flood damage. If you live in a part of West Virginia that experiences flooding, you should consider flood insurance along with your regular home insurance.
In addition to comparing home insurance quotes, homeowners in West Virginia can also compare private flood insurance rates with Policygenius, or choose a policy through a government entity like the National Flood Insurance Program.
Windstorm insurance
West Virginia can have storms with strong winds that could damage your home. Home insurance usually covers damage from wind (including tornadoes), but it can sometimes be a little more complicated.
Some home insurance companies in West Virginia may charge a separate wind deductible, while others won't cover wind damage at all. If you're not covered, you would need to get a separate windstorm policy or find a company that covers wind damage.
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.
Steps for getting home insurance in West Virginia
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.
Compare home insurance rates in West Virginia
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home insurance cost in West Virginia?
The average home insurance rate in West Virginia is about $1,426 per year or $119 per month. That’s about 19% less than the national average.
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.
Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.
Pat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.