Those who own a vehicle in West Virginia are required, under the law, to have certain types of insurance on that vehicle that meets state minimum requirements. Insurance like this aims to protect other people on the road with you in situations where you may cause an accident and hurt another person. Here is what you need to know about West Virginia car insurance minimums. Talk to a Charleston WV car accident attorney at Salango Law today.
The Minimum Insurance Requirements in West Virginia
In the state of West Virginia, all vehicles must have:
- $25,000 in bodily injury per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury per incident
- $25,000 for damage to property
This means that drivers must carry a minimum of liability insurance. Liability insurance covers other drivers when you cause an accident that hurts them or leads to property damage. In this case, you must have $25,000 for each person, up to $50,000 in total for the accident, or coverage in place for any injuries suffered by the other party. You also must have a policy with at least $25,000 in property damage coverage for repairs on the vehicle.
Uninsured and underinsured insurance coverage is also a requirement. This type of insurance covers you in situations where the other driver that causes the accident flees the scene, does not have adequate coverage for your losses, or is uninsured. In West Virginia, all drivers must have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident under the law.
Optional West Virginia Insurance Additions
West Virginia law does not require drivers to maintain additional coverage beyond the above-stated minimums. However, there are other coverage options to bolster your policy. Underinsured motorist conversion coverage is one of these. This type of supplemental insurance covers costs higher than the at-fault driver’s policy limits. This option can provide coverage for bodily injury or property damage.
While medical payment coverage is not required in West Virginia, It can benefit you by providing some payment for medical bills regardless of fault. This allows you to receive funds faster than you would if you had to wait for payment from the at-fault driver.
Collision and comprehensive insurance are other optional additions to your West Virginia car insurance policy. These policies cover damage to your car for damages beyond your control, like hail or storm damage. In some cases, this may even cover damages to your vehicle that are your fault.
Which Insurance Company Pays for Losses After a Car Accident?
West Virginia is considered an at-fault insurance state. This insurance model requires the at-fault party to pay for damages or losses resulting from the accident. While the at-fault model means you don’t have to make an insurance claim on your policy for an accident caused by someone else, it does mean that your claim may be limited to the other person’s limits. Assuming the person is legally insured, you will be able to claim reimbursement for costs with a minimum limit of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per incident, but if the at-fault driver has chosen higher levels of coverage, you may be able to recover the full extent of your losses through their insurance.
Many people will find that increasing their coverage beyond the West Virginia minimum is beneficial in providing additional protection from a lawsuit. When you ensure your policy can cover the losses sustained, you minimize the chances of the injured party seeking additional damages through civil court. If you have been injured, and your costs exceed the at-fault party’s policy limits, you may choose to work with a car accident lawyer to help recover your costs.