West Virginia Auto Insurance
In West Virginia, auto insurance is required to drive a vehicle on any main road or highway in the state. You will be required to submit proof of insurance when registering your vehicle, and a licensed insurance company in West Virginia must issue your policy to comply with minimum legal standards. West Virginia has a fairy large number of highways and interstates including Route 460, Route 119, I-64 and I-77.
To find ways to save money on West Virginia auto insurance, it is recommended that all motorists shop around so that they can find the best rates on policies that provide an acceptable amount of coverage. We have made it so simple to find insurance quotes from various companies in the area, and with just a simple click, you can get started and access a list of results for insurance quotes in your area.
Mandatory Requirements and Laws Regarding West Virginia Auto Insurance
In West Virginia, the state has developed a Tort System, so the financial responsibility for all accidents in the state will be determined by assessing which party is at fault for the collision. Since motorists are required by law to comply with section 17D-2A-3 of the West Virginia Code of Law, it is imperative to obtain at least minimum liability coverage so that you can establish financial responsibility if you are involved in a collision where you are at fault.
Proof of insurance is also required at all times while operating a vehicle in West Virginia. Valid proof is issued by the state, and it is called a WV-1 Certificate of Insurance. If you are pulled over for a traffic stop or you are in a collision, you will be required to present this form to verify that you have current insurance. The DMV may also send a form in the mail to establish that your insurance is still active and has not lapsed. In 2010, the DMV was enabled by state law to verify insurance coverage electronically through the insurance companies.
West Virginia Auto Insurance Minimums
All West Virginia residents must have an insurance policy that covers at least $20,000 per person in an accident and $40,000 total per accident in liability bodily injury coverage. In addition, motorists must also have at lest $10,000 in insurance for damage to another individual’s property in an accident. West Virginia does not require Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage; however, both of these types of coverage will cover your medical expenses and damages associated with an accident where you are at fault. These types of coverage are highly recommended for all drivers, although they are not mandatory.
West Virginia Auto Insurance Forms and Procedures
If your vehicle is currently registered but you are transferring ownership for any reason or no longer plan to operate the vehicle, you will need to submit a form WV-4C entitled “Owner’s Notice of Cancellation” to formally waive your insurance requirements. In addition, if you are caught driving uninsured or you file false insurance information, you will be subject to penalties that can include fines up to $1,000, jail time of up to 1 year, and a mandatory 90 day license suspension.
Reference: http://www.transportation.wv.gov/dmv/Vehicles/Pages/VehicleLicenseInfo.aspx#anchor10.