Find the Best Homeowners Insurance Rates & Companies in West Virginia
Homeowners insurance in West Virginia tends to be quite affordable, especially compared to rates in the rest of the country. The current US average cost of homeowners insurance is $1,211 per year, while residents in West Virginia pay only $940 annually. West Virginia overall ranks number 39 of all states, in terms of home insurance costs.
Buying a new home in West Virginia costs about $144,330, on average. A home is one of the biggest investments you make in your lifetime, which is why it deserves the right protection. A solid homeowners insurance policy can help achieve this.
An independent insurance agent can help you browse your options for home coverage and get you set up with the policy that works best for you. But until then, here's a deep dive into home insurance in West Virginia.
Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in West Virginia
Though you can get home insurance from many different providers in West Virginia, you'll want to skip right to the carriers that you know deliver quality coverage and service. That's why we've gone ahead and compiled a list of our top picks for the best homeowners insurance companies in West Virginia for you. Start with these winners:
- Foremost: Foremost offers home insurance among its many property coverages. High ratings from both AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), along with 24/7 claims reporting, help Foremost earn its spot as a top contender for the best home coverage in West Virginia.
- Encova: Encova offers home insurance as well as many other products. Tons of discount options and high ratings by AM Best and the BBB, as well as 24/7 claims reporting, all make Encova a top contender.
- Stillwater: Stillwater offers home insurance and many other coverages. With excellent ratings for financial strength and overall by the BBB, as well as its 24/7 claims reporting, Stillwater easily earns one of our top picks.
- Progressive: Progressive offers home insurance as one of its many products. With high financial strength ratings, 24/7/365 customer service, and a plethora of discount options, Progressive is not to be overlooked.
A West Virginia independent insurance agent can help you determine if any of these carriers offer the type of homeowners insurance that best meets your needs.
What Homeowners Insurance in West Virginia Can Cover
West Virginia's homeowners insurance policies come with the same basic coverages as those found in any other state. Expect your policy to start off with at least the following:
- Loss of use coverage: If you have to live somewhere else, like a hotel, while your home is being repaired after a covered disaster, this coverage can pay your extra costs.
- Dwelling coverage: If your home's structure gets damaged or destroyed by a disaster like a fire, vandalism, lightning, falling objects, etc., this coverage can pay for the repairs or rebuilding.
- Liability coverage: If you get sued by a third party for claims of personal property damage or bodily injury, this coverage can pay for legal costs like attorney and court fees.
- Contents coverage: If your personal property, like clothing, gets stolen, damaged, or destroyed by a covered disaster like a fire, this coverage can help pay for the repairs or replacement.
Home insurance provides coverage for certain natural disasters as well, but not all of them. Let's start by examining which natural disasters West Virginia is most prone to:
- Floods
- Severe storms
- Winter storms
- Wildfires
- Landslides
You'd need to add a flood insurance policy to protect your home against natural water and flood damage, such as severe storms or melted snow after a winter storm. Your home insurance also won't cover damage from landslides, but you could add a "difference in conditions" policy to your coverage in order to get reimbursed for damage to your home due to this type of disaster. These policies also protect against damage from mudflows, earthquakes, and floods.
What Homeowners Insurance in West Virginia Will Not Cover
There are always exclusions to your coverage, no matter what type of policy you have. A homeowners policy is no exception. Expect your home insurance to exclude the following:
- Losses related to a home-based business (unless you purchase an endorsement)
- Losses related to intentional or malicious acts against others
- Losses related to routine maintenance of the home
- Losses related to regular wear and tear of your property
- Losses related to insect infestation, like termites
Flood Damage in West Virginia
Flooding is one of the most common natural threats in West Virginia. Flooding in this state can be caused by heavy rainfall from severe storms, melted snow after winter storms, and more. That's why you should talk to your independent insurance agent about adding flood insurance to properly protect your home against these disasters.
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in West Virginia
West Virginia has the 11th-least expensive home insurance rates in the nation, currently, at an average of just $940 per year. The current US average for home insurance rates is $1,211, so residents in West Virginia can enjoy a nice break in their home coverage costs. The lower home insurance rates in West Virginia can be attributed to lower crime rates, less risk of natural disasters in the area, property values, and other factors.
Average West Virginia Home Insurance Costs by City
Some factors that affect home insurance rates are an area's property values, crime rates, and the occurrence of natural disasters. For those reasons, rates of home insurance vary by specific city, not just by state. In West Virginia, residents in the city of Morgantown pay the highest average home insurance rates for the state, of $1,197 per year. However, the city with the best and cheapest homeowners insurance rates in West Virginia is Bluefield, where residents pay an average of just $719 annually.
Average West Virginia Home Insurance Costs by City
National average burglary rate 3.76 per 1,000 people
National average home value $269,000
National average home insurance cost $1,428 year
| City | Avg. home value | Burglaries / 1,000 homes | Annual insurance cost |
| Beckley | $134,700 | 8.38 | $904 |
| Bluefield | $121,203 | 3.27 | $719 |
| Charleston | $182,961 | 1.39 | $996 |
| Clarksburg | $115,034 | 6.61 | $815 |
| Fairmont | $168,238 | 2.60 | $735 |
| Huntington | $169,430 | 12.50 | $1,008 |
| Martinsburg | $190,671 | 3.96 | $979 |
| Morgantown | $260,500 | 2.76 | $1,197 |
| Parkersburg | $158,832 | 13.55 | $989 |
| South Charleston | $171,898 | 4.21 | $873 |
| St. Albans | $149,741 | 4.04 | $894 |
| Teays Valley | $230,000 | 2.45 | $1,180 |
| Vienna | $186,450 | 1.65 | $969 |
| Weirton | $128,988 | 1.13 | $838 |
| Wheeling | $172,771 | 3.02 | $823 |
Popular Questions about West Virginia Home Insurance
West Virginia residents enjoy lower than average rates for home insurance, of just $940 per year, or about $78.33 per month. The US overall pays about $1,211 per year for home insurance or $100.92 per month. West Virginia ranks #39 for the most expensive rates in the country, putting them towards the bottom of the pack for home insurance costs.
Homeowners insurance in West Virginia covers the home's structure, your personal property or contents, your personal liability in case of lawsuits, and additional living expenses if you can't live in your home for a while due to a covered disaster. Some covered perils under home insurance include fire, falling objects, vandalism, theft, explosions, and more.
Homeowners insurance is not required by state law in West Virginia. However, if you take out a mortgage on your home, your lender will likely require proof of home insurance before you're officially allowed to sign off on the property.
Your personal claims history and home value as well as the area's local crime rates and natural disaster frequency all factor into homeowners insurance rates.
You can find home insurance from many different carriers in West Virginia. However, our research found that the best home insurance companies in West Virginia are Foremost, Encova, Stillwater, and Progressive, based on their ratings, customer reviews, products offered, and more.
Yes, plenty of independent insurance agents are available to help you find the right coverage in West Virginia. An independent insurance agent in West Virginia can help you shop and compare policy options and prices for you, all together in a one-stop shop.
Since there's no one-size-fits-all home insurance policy, it's best to work with a trusted expert along your coverage journey. An independent insurance agent in West Virginia will be familiar not only with the area but with the best options for home insurance. Together, they'll help you find the right policy for you at the best possible rate, by comparing quotes from several different carriers together in one place.
Do You Know What Your Home Insurance Covers in West Virginia?
Average Cost of Home Insurance Near You
The average monthly cost of homeowners insurance in Charleston, WV is $83.
However, this average rate can only give you a general idea of what you might be expected to pay. Your actual cost for coverage will be based on several factors such as the age, size, and value of your home, the amount of your deductible, your claims history, and sometimes, even your credit score. Your quoted rate can therefore differ from the average rate shown above.
Windstorms can sometimes be a problem in Charleston. In June 2012, this area was hit hard by a derecho that brought wind speeds of 60 to 80 mph. This storm uprooted trees and knocked out power to many homes and businesses. Many homeowners saw damage to their roofs, siding, and outdoor structures. Fortunately, home insurance covered this damage.
The average monthly cost of homeowners insurance in Huntington, WV is $84.
Of course, what you may actually be expected to pay may differ significantly from this average amount depending on a number of factors. Some of the many things that can influence your rates include the size of your house, the crime rate and weather risks in your ZIP Code, your claims history, and the amount of your deductible.
One of the most common hazards faced by homeowners in Huntington is property crime. Despite this being a rather small city, residents of Huntington report about 450 burglaries in a typical year Fortunately, your home insurance covers property loss and damage to your house if you are the victim of a property crime like burglary or vandalism.
The average monthly cost of homeowners insurance in Morgantown, WV is $100.
Keep in mind, though, that homeowners insurance rates can vary from one property owner to the next. Your actual rate will be based on considerations like the size, value, and location of your home; the materials used in your house’s construction; the crime rate in your ZIP Code; and your claims history.
One of the hazards faced by homeowners in Morgantown is hail damage. This area is under warning for hail about a dozen times every year. When hailstones exceed one inch in diameter, they can do significant damage to roofs, siding, windows, and peripheral structures like sheds and carports. The good news is that hailstorms are among the many damaging events that are covered by homeowners insurance.
The average monthly cost of homeowners insurance in Parkersburg, WV is $82.
Because your homeowners insurance is completely customized according to details about you and your home, your monthly premium may be higher or lower than this average. Insurance companies consider your home’s size, value, location, and other factors when they calculate your monthly rate.
Severe storms in Parkersburg have been known to cause significant damage to area homes. Whether due to lightning strikes, high winds, hail, or toppled trees, this damage can be extremely expensive to repair. Though rare, these storms can sometimes even generate tornadoes in the area, such as the F2 twister that touched down just 3 miles from the Parkersburg city center in 2003, causing $2 million in damage.
The average monthly cost of homeowners insurance in Wheeling, WV is $69.,
Keep in mind that rates can vary from one homeowner to the next, even when they live on the same street. While you and your neighbors may face the same crime and weather risks, your homeowners insurance premiums are also based on factors like the size and value of your house, the age of your roof, your claims history, and the amount of your deductible. Your quoted rate for home insurance may therefore be higher or lower than this average.
One of the most devastating things that can happen to a homeowner is a house fire. In addition to damaging the structure of your house, a fire can lead to the total loss of your personal belongings, including furniture, electronics, clothes, and precious items. Because fire can be so devastating, it is important that you ensure that your dwelling coverage is sufficient to enable you to rebuild your home and that your contents coverage is high enough to cover the cost of replacing your lost or damaged property.