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Erie and Chubb are among the best home insurance companies in West Virginia, according to our analysis.
We analyzed data from more than 30 insurance companies to help you find the best home insurance in West Virginia. Below are the insurers that earned 5 stars in our analysis.
Rates are based on a sample homeowner with good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
Not available | ||
Not available | ||
$2,440 | ||
USAA* | $1,200 | |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
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Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you.The best home insurance companies in West Virginia
Here's more information about the best homeowners insurance companies in West Virginia.
Amica
Well-established insurer known for great customer service.- High customer satisfaction ratings and low consumer complaints.
- Platinum Choice package offers extra coverage.
- Simple online claims filing and tracking.
- You can start a quote online but have to finish the buying process by phone.
Amica stands out for its customer service and broad range of coverage options. The company has drawn far fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
You can customize your policy with extra coverage above your dwelling limit, in case your house costs more to rebuild than expected. You may also want to add coverage for damage from water backups or recovery from identity theft.
» READ MORE: Amica homeowners insurance review
Chubb
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.- Significantly fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Standard coverage includes features that many companies offer only as extras.
- Large number of potential discounts.
- Most consumers aren't able to get a quote online and will instead need to contact a local agent.
Chubb caters to owners of high-value homes and draws far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size, according to the NAIC. Its home insurance policies come with some great perks, including extended replacement cost coverage in case it costs more than your dwelling limit to rebuild your home after a disaster.
Chubb policyholders may also be able to take advantage of the company’s HomeScan service, which uses infrared cameras to look for problems behind the walls of your home.
» READ MORE: Chubb homeowners insurance review
Erie
Best for homeowners who want to work with an agent.- Policies may include guaranteed replacement cost coverage.
- Receives far fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- No online quotes.
Erie offers guaranteed replacement cost coverage for the structure of your home. With this coverage, the company will pay to rebuild your home completely after a disaster, even if the amount exceeds your dwelling limit.
Got a car to insure, too? If you bundle your home and auto insurance with Erie, you could get a discount of 16% or more. You may also be able to save if your home has certain safety and security features such as smoke alarms or sprinkler systems.
» READ MORE: Erie homeowners insurance review
USAA
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.- Policies include standard coverage that often costs extra elsewhere.
- Far fewer customer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
- Rates are below the national average, according to NerdWallet’s analysis.
- Available only to active military members, veterans and their families.
USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military members and their families. If that description fits you, you may want to consider a USAA policy. That’s because the company’s homeowners insurance has certain features that other insurers may charge extra for.
For example, USAA automatically covers your personal belongings on a replacement cost basis. Many companies pay out only what your items are worth at the time of the claim, which means you may not get much for older items. USAA pays enough for you to buy brand-new replacements for your stuff.
» READ MORE: USAA homeowners insurance review
Other home insurance companies to consider
Looking for more of the best homeowners insurance companies in West Virginia? These insurers received a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5:
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
$2,370 | ||
Not available | ||
$1,700 | ||
$1,625 |
How much does homeowners insurance cost in West Virginia?
The average annual cost of home insurance in West Virginia is $1,770. That’s 16% less than the national average of $2,110.
In most U.S. states, including West Virginia, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.
In West Virginia, those with poor credit pay an average of $4,010 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 127% more than those with good credit.
Average cost of homeowners insurance in West Virginia by city
How much you pay for homeowners insurance in West Virginia depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Charleston is $2,040 per year, while homeowners in Morgantown pay $1,750 per year, on average.
City | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
Barboursville | $2,215 | $185 |
Beckley | $2,150 | $179 |
Bluefield | $2,175 | $181 |
Bridgeport | $1,790 | $149 |
Buckhannon | $1,855 | $155 |
Charles Town | $1,640 | $137 |
Charleston | $2,040 | $170 |
Clarksburg | $1,745 | $145 |
Elkins | $1,795 | $150 |
Fairmont | $1,900 | $158 |
Harpers Ferry | $1,625 | $135 |
Hedgesville | $1,625 | $135 |
Huntington | $2,175 | $181 |
Hurricane | $1,880 | $157 |
Inwood | $1,625 | $135 |
Keyser | $1,780 | $148 |
Martinsburg | $1,625 | $135 |
Morgantown | $1,750 | $146 |
Moundsville | $1,950 | $163 |
Parkersburg | $1,930 | $161 |
Princeton | $2,195 | $183 |
South Charleston | $2,085 | $174 |
St. Albans | $2,115 | $176 |
Weirton | $1,900 | $158 |
Wheeling | $1,875 | $156 |
The cheapest home insurance in West Virginia
Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the West Virginia average of $1,770.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
$1,625 | ||
$1,700 | ||
USAA* | $1,200 | |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
Common risks for West Virginia homeowners
Here are a few of the most common risks you may face as a West Virginia homeowner, along with ways to insure your home against them.
Flooding
Standard homeowners insurance policies typically don't cover flood damage. At-risk homeowners will need to buy separate flood insurance to cover their property against flood damage.
To check your flood risk, start by looking up your address on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps. However, FEMA’s maps can be outdated and don’t always capture all types of flood risk. Another source to check is First Street, a private company that models climate hazards. Enter your address at the top of the page to see your home’s flood risk rating on a scale of 1 to 10.
Note that while you can purchase flood coverage any time, there’s often a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect.
» MORE: Do I need flood insurance?
Thunderstorms
Homeowners insurance policies generally cover damage caused by thunderstorms, including wind and hail. However, your policy may have a separate deductible for wind and hail claims.
These deductibles can be a flat rate, such as $1,000, or a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit. Suppose your policy has a $1,000 deductible for most claims and a 1% deductible for wind claims. If your house has $250,000 worth of dwelling coverage, you’d have to pay for the first $2,500 of wind damage yourself.
Winter storms
Homeowners insurance generally covers winter storm-related damages, but be aware that some scenarios may require extra coverage. For instance, you’ll typically need separate flood insurance to cover flood damage caused by snowmelt.
Landslides and mudflows
Landslides and mudslides aren't covered under standard homeowners insurance policies. Landslides are considered “earth movement” events and usually need separate coverage. Mudflows may be covered if you have flood insurance. (Mudslides, which happen when a mass of earth and rock tumbles downhill, are not covered by any type of insurance.)
If you live in an at-risk area, make sure you have enough insurance to cover your home and belongings against damage from landslides or mudflows.
Wildfires
Homeowners insurance covers fires, including damage caused by wildfires, but check your policy for specific coverage details and exclusions. Pay particular attention to your dwelling coverage limit. This is the amount the insurance company will pay to rebuild your house. A significant fire can destroy your home, so talk with your insurer to ensure you have enough coverage to rebuild if necessary.
West Virginia insurance department
The West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner oversees the insurance industry and provides consumers with information about insurance.
If you need to file a complaint against your insurer, you can do so online, by mail or via fax. The Consumer Services Division can also help answer questions about your coverage by phone at 888-879-9842.
- Looking for more insurance in West Virginia?
- Find home insurance in other states
Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance required in West Virginia?
Is homeowners insurance required in West Virginia?
Homeowners insurance isn't legally required in West Virginia. However, your lender may require you to purchase it. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?
Does West Virginia home insurance cover flooding?
Does West Virginia home insurance cover flooding?
Standard homeowners insurance policies in West Virginia don't cover flood damage. For that, you’ll need additional flood insurance.
How can I save money on homeowners insurance in West Virginia?
How can I save money on homeowners insurance in West Virginia?
There are several ways to save money on homeowners insurance in West Virginia:
Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.
Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.
Bundle your home and auto insurance for a lower overall rate. See the best home and auto insurance bundles.
Ask your insurer if you qualify for any home insurance discounts.
Homeowners insurance rates methodology
NerdWallet calculated median rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in the 25 largest cities in each U.S. state by population. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.
Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:
$300,000 in dwelling coverage.
$30,000 in other structures coverage.
$150,000 in personal property coverage.
$60,000 in loss of use coverage.
$300,000 in liability coverage.
$1,000 in medical payments coverage.
We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.
These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
Star rating methodology
NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverages, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full homeowners insurance rating methodology.
Complaint methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
