West Virginia Car Insurance Requirements, Laws and Coverage
Driving around without car insurance whether in West Virginia or anywhere else in the country is utterly irresponsible. There could be grave repercussions in case the vehicle gets into an accident. No amount of compensation can answer for the mental anguish of those affected. But, at the very least the driver at fault should be able to extend some amount of financial assistance to the aggravated parties. West Virginia car insurance requirements and laws stipulate that all car owners should carry car insurance at mandated minimum coverages. There is, of course, nothing to prevent anyone who wishes to purchase more in terms of benefit and coverage amount from doing so.
The minimum coverages mandated by West Virginia car insurance requirements and laws is $10,000 for property damage and $20,000 per person for bodily injury up to a maximum of $40,000 per incident. In insurance language, this coverage is referred to as a 20/40/10 coverage. Having protection against injuries caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver is also required in the state of West Virginia. The required minimum Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist insurance coverage is $20,000 for every passenger up to a maximum total indemnity of $40,000 per incident. Proof of these coverages is required to be presented by the car owner upon registration of his vehicle with the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV).
Although the West Virginia DMV is known to periodically check for proof of insurance not only during registration renewal but also at random times during the year, the penalties for not having ample coverage is not quite as high as in other US states. Under the West Virginia car insurance requirements and laws, an uninsured driver’s license would be suspended for 30 days on the first offense. He will then be required to purchase the minimum insurance coverage and pay $100 in fees to reinstate his registration. In cases when the state police issues a secure order against a violator’s license plate, an additional $50 will be charged. Another $50 will be collected from the violator after the suspension period for the reinstatement of his driver’s license.
With the right amount of insurance coverages in accordance with West Virginia car insurance requirements and laws is just slightly above the average cost across the United States. Motorists purchasing car insurance coverage in West Virginia should be ready to spend about $1,900 in premiums for the minimum coverages. This figure represents the average premium in the state. It is worthy to note that this average premium for the state is actually lower than premiums in the previous couple of years. It is always best to get quotes from a number of trusted car insurance providers in order to get the best deal. Make sure that the car insurance providers you are dealing with are properly licensed with the West Virginia Insurance Commissioner.
West Virginia Department of Insurance
- 1124 Smith St.
- Charleston, WV 25301
- Phone: (304) 558-3386
- www.wvinsurance.gov
West Virginia Department of Transportation
- BUILDING 5
- 1900 KANAWHA BLVD E
- CHARLESTON WV 25305
- Phone: (304) 558-0444
- Fax: (304) 558-1004
- www.wvdot.com
|
