If you need home insurance in West Virginia, here are our top recommendations. These providers all receive top marks for discounts, coverage, and customer satisfaction. When choosing your home insurance provider, it’s important that you find a provider that offers everything you need at a price you can afford — and for West Virginia, that any policy you get comes with flood insurance.
The 4 Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in West Virginia
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in West Virginia
The average annual cost of insurance in West Virginia is $1,053, which is a bit under the national average of $1,192. The age of your home will affect the price of your insurance the most in West Virginia. Newer homes that are five years old or less can save you significantly on your annual premium.
Home Insurance add-ons that will further protect you
According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, flooding is the most costly and fastest-growing natural disaster across the nation, and West Virginia is no exception. The overwhelming majority of land in West Virginia falls into the “100-year floodplain” as designated by FEMA, which means the chance of seeing a damaging flood within anyone’s lifetime is quite possible. Yet less than 5% of the state holds a flood insurance policy.
West Virginia’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management works to mitigate these kinds of damages by employing Floodplain Management. This agency regulates issues like development of high-risk areas by inspecting building practices such as elevating homes or building near or below Base Flood Elevations (BFE). Even with this dedication to creating a safer home environment for West Virginians in the most flood-prone areas, there are still risks.
Helpful Resources for West Virginia Homeowners
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the most recent string of claims came in 2015 and 2016 due to rain induced flooding. Flood insurance can’t be emphasized enough when it comes to West Virginia. Whichever carrier you choose, make sure they have flood insurance as an optional add-on.
You might also want to look and see if FEMA considers your home at risk of flooding by clicking here.
Talk to any home insurance providers you are considering to see if flood insurance is available for your area. Much of West Virginia is at risk of flooding, so if they say no, you may want to move on. While you want to keep your annual premium as low as possible, it’s important that your coverage is comprehensive for possible scenarios.
Methodology
We rounded up the five best West Virginia homeowners insurance providers and evaluated them according to metrics we set forth in our nationwide review of the best homeowners insurance providers.
We looked for markers of excellent business health as indicated by the top financial strength ratings, evidence of satisfactory claims experience and customer satisfaction, plus expansive coverage options to cover any issue a West Virginian might encounter.
Finding the best coverage and price is ultimately a personal process due to the number of factors that will play into your specific policy, so we recommend securing as many quotes from as many companies as possible to ensure you’re finding your best options. We think the five providers on our list represent the best places to start.
Best West Virginia Homeowners Insurance Companies
Allstate
West Virginia Homeowners Insurance
Pros
Comprehensive online claims tool
Low average annual premium
Cons
Some areas may have coverage limits
Allstate has a clean and intuitive website with a variety of tools and online resources to help you understand and take advantage of your policy. While it does cost a bit more than other home insurance providers, and it’s possible what you want may not be available in your area, these are factors true of many home insurance providers on the market today.
Allstate does offer a variety of discounts for its policyholders. For example, you can save 25% if you bundle your auto policy with your home insurance policy, and an additional 5% if you sign up for auto pay.
The low annual premiums is the single most attractive feature of Allstate. The average annual Allstate premium in West Virginia is only $564, which is significantly less than other providers and the national average.
USAA
West Virginia Homeowners Insurance
Pros
Top customer satisfaction ratings
Discounts for multiple policies
Cons
Only available to active military, their families, and veterans
Rates are average
USAA is a top-rated company that truly serves anyone who has served in the U.S. military. Offering discounts to anyone who holds multiple policies with them, the only real drawback to this company is that it’s not available to everyone.
Rates are middle of the road, but one major standout is that USAA is one of the best reviewed insurance companies. If you are an active or retired military member consider getting a quote from USAA. It offers a variety of coverage options that may suit your exact needs.
Erie Insurance
West Virginia Homeowners Insurance
Pros
Strong financial rating
Customizable insurance coverage
Cons
Higher annual premiums
Limited availability
No mobile app
Erie is also a highly-ranked insurance provider by West Virginia homeowners. This is partially because you can truly customize your insurance policy to reflect everything you need. You could ultimately save money because you’re not paying for anything you don’t need.
Also noteworthy is the ability to save on your policy by bundling services. Opting for auto in addition to home insurance and you can save on both bills.
On the other hand, Erie’s average annual premium for home insurance in West Virginia is $800 — about $300 more than Allstate. Erie also falls short in availability, both physically and online. It currently doesn’t offer a mobile app, and it’s only available in a handful of states.
State Farm
West Virginia Homeowners Insurance
Pros
Comprehensive coverage for homeowners
Unique add-ons like identity theft and inflation protection
Cons
Expensive premiums
State Farm may not have many of the same bells and whistles online when it comes to customer tools, but it truly shines when it comes to what matters most: coverage. In addition to your home itself, State Farm also provides coverage for keepsakes, hobby items, and yard or garden items.
Also worth noting is the ability to file a claim online, which isn’t offered by all home insurance companies. The big downside is that State Farm’s average premium in West Virginia is quite high, at $1,324.
The Cheapest Homeowner Insurance Companies In West Virginia
Cost of Homeowners Insurance by Age of Home
Quadrant home insurance rate data as of 12/01/2019.
These rates are a sample set meant only for general comparison. Your own premium will vary. Learn how we tested rates for the cheapest home insurance companies in our methodology.
Top 2 Cheapest Homeowner Insurance Companies in West Virginia
- Allstate – $564
- USAA – $737
Top 3 Most Expensive Homeowner Insurance Companies in West Virginia
- State Farm – $1,324
- Erie Insurance – $800
- American Select Insurance Company – $744
West Virginia home insurance companies vary greatly in terms of the average annual premium for the state, with Allstate offering a low $564 and State Farm averages reaching $1,324. All of these numbers are based on averages, with the condition and age of the home having a lot to do with your actual price. Get a more accurate estimate of your premium by requesting personalized quotes.
Homeowners Insurance FAQ
Is homeowners insurance required in West Virginia?
The state of West Virginia doesn’t require homeowners insurance, but you’ll likely be required to get it if you take out a mortgage with a lender.
What is the cheapest homeowners insurance in West Virginia?
According to research by Reviews.com, Allstate has the lowest average annual premium in West Virginia of just $564.
About the Authors
Lauren Ward is a personal finance writer who regularly covers consumer insurance products. Her work has appeared in a variety of online publications, including Bankrate and The Simple Dollar. She graduated from Georgetown University with a BA in Japanese.
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