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West Virginia Auto & Home Insurance Shopping Guide 2023
Updated: March 2023
Here are three reasons why most people pay too much for their auto or home insurance and fail to find the company that can save them a lot of money:
1. Many people never shop their auto or home insurance, sticking with the same company and paying their renewal year after year.
2. If people do shop their insurance coverage, they do not check with enough companies, failing to find the company or companies with the best combination of coverage, service, and rates for them.
3. People only get quotes online, instead of speaking with an insurance professional trained to quote them the coverage they need at the best price, with all the discounts they deserve. It is always best to buy insurance from an agent. A good agent can make the difference between loving or hating your insurance company.
How this guide can help you find the best company for you:
Many auto or home insurance customers do not know all the companies available in their state or their recent complaint records, making it unlikely they will find the company with the best rates, coverage & service for them. Some of the best companies are not very well known because they do little advertising. The objective of this guide is to show you all the major companies offering auto and/or home insurance coverage in West Virginia and the three-year auto & home insurance complaint record for each company. Links are provided to the website for each company so you can contact an agent near you or get a price quote online if available. None of the hyperlinks on my website are affiliate links and I receive no financial compensation from any insurance company.
Will you be eligible for all these auto and home insurance companies?
Insurance companies have different eligibility criteria, so not everyone may qualify for all the companies shown in this guide. However, everyone can benefit by shopping, even if they have recent claims or other factors making them ineligible for some companies. If you do not qualify for many of the companies in this guide due to recent claims, property condition/location, driving record, or other factors, there should still be agents representing companies listed in this guide who can help you. Please email me at help@smartshopyourcarinsurance.com to let me know if none of the agents or companies listed in this guide can help you or if there is any incorrect information in this guide.
The Major Auto and Home Insurance Companies in West Virginia
If you are looking for a company available in West Virginia with a much better than average auto and home insurance complaint record, scroll down to check out these companies:
Cincinnati Insurance
Here are the biggest & best auto and home insurance brands in West Virginia you may or may not know, listed in alphabetical order:
1. Allstate Insurance
Allstate is a well-known, heavily advertised insurance company and is one of the largest auto & home insurance companies in almost all US states. Founded in 1931, Its corporate office is in Northfield Township, IL. Allstate offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.
Allstate owns these additional brands, also selling auto and/or home insurance: Encompass, Esurance, and National General. Esurance is no longer selling new policies in West Virginia.
2021 market share for Allstate Insurance:
Allstate is the fifth largest auto insurer and the fourth largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for Allstate Insurance:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Allstate Insurance is not consistently better than the industry average. If Allstate has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from Allstate Insurance:
Allstate sells its insurance through its own network of Allstate agents with offices located in communities across West Virginia. Allstate insurance may also be available from select independent insurance agencies appointed to represent the company. There may be a discount for buying online from Allstate, but it may be worth it to pay a little more to have a personal agent to help if you have a claims or service problem. Get a price quote from an agent first, then check to see if you can get a lower rate for the same coverage online.
Check out the Allstate Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.allstate.com/
2. Cincinnati Insurance
Cincinnati Insurance Companies is a group of insurance companies offering personal insurance products in many US states, but is not known to many people, as it does little advertising. Established in 1950, Cincinnati Insurance is headquartered in Fairfield, OH. Cincinnati Insurance offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.
2021 market share for Cincinnati Insurance:
Cincinnati Insurance is not among the ten largest auto insurers or ten largest home insurers in West Virginia.
Complaint record for Cincinnati Insurance:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Cincinnati Insurance is consistently much better than the industry average. If you choose a good agent, you are likely to be happy with its customer and claims service.
How to buy a policy from Cincinnati Insurance:
Cincinnati Insurance sells its insurance exclusively through a small group of select independent insurance agencies with offices located in communities across West Virginia. You cannot get a price quote online from the Cincinnati Insurance website and there is no discount or lower rate for buying online from any other website.
Check out the Cincinnati Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.cinfin.com/
3. Erie Insurance
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, Erie Insurance is a regional company offering auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market. Erie Insurance is available in the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
2021 market share for Erie Insurance:
Erie is the second largest auto insurer and the second largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for Erie Insurance:
Although it often performs well in annual JD Power insurance studies, the 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Erie is not consistently better than the industry average. If Erie has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from Erie Insurance:
Erie sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies located throughout West Virginia. There is no discount or lower rate for buying online from the Erie website or any other website.
Check out the Erie Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.erieinsurance.com/
4. Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies
Founded in 1877 and headquartered in Martinsburg, WV, Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, Mobile home, Dwelling) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market, to West Virginia residents only. Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies is a small single-state insurer and has no relationship to the large, national auto and home insurer, Farmers Insurance Group, that does not have agents in WV and does not offer insurance in the state.
2021 market share for Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies:
Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies is not among the ten largest auto insurers in the state, but it is the eighth largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies is not consistently better than the industry average. If Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies
Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies with offices across West Virginia. You cannot get a price quote from the Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies website and there is no discount or lower rate for buying online from any other website.
Check out the Farmers & Mechanics Insurance Companies website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.fmiwv.com/
5. GEICO Insurance
GEICO, a very heavily advertised group of insurance companies, best known for selling insurance direct to the public, operates in almost all US states, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Established in 1936, GEICO is headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD. GEICO underwrites auto insurance only, but sells other types of personal insurance, such as homeowners insurance, acting as an agent for other companies. So, for example, if you buy homeowners insurance from GEICO, your home is not insured by GEICO, but by another company GEICO represents as an agent.
Since April 2022, GEICO ceased doing walk-in and phone sales in these states: AK, AR, CA, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, KS, LA, MA, NJ, NM, NY, WI, WV. Residents of these states can still get a price quote and buy a policy online from GEICO.
2021 market share for GEICO Insurance:
GEICO is the third largest auto insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for GEICO Insurance:
The 2019-2021 auto insurance complaint record for GEICO is not consistently better than the industry average. Since most GEICO customers do not have an agent to help them if they have a service problem, you should consider other companies instead of GEICO (if you do not have a good GEICO agent available to you), unless the price savings with GEICO is so much, it is worth it to you to chance service or claims problems you will need to handle on your own.
How to buy a policy from GEICO Insurance:
In West Virginia, GEICO at this time is only quoting and selling policies online through its website linked here:
https://www.geico.com
6. Hartford Insurance
Hartford Insurance is a group of insurance companies available in most US states, but is not as well-known, as it does not advertise as much as other major competitors selling auto and home insurance. Founded in 1810, Hartford Insurance is headquartered in Hartford, CT. Hartford offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.
Hartford has a popular insurance program for drivers 55 years old or older, in partnership with AARP. Membership in AARP is required to be eligible for the Hartford/ AARP auto and home insurance program.
2021 market share for Hartford Insurance:
Hartford is the tenth largest auto insurer in West Virginia, but it is not among the ten largest home insurers in the state.
Complaint record for Hartford Insurance:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Hartford is not consistently better than the industry average. If Hartford has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from Hartford Insurance:
Hartford sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies with offices throughout West Virginia. There may be a discount for buying online from Hartford, but it may be worth it to pay a little more to have a personal agent to help if you have a claims or service problem. Get a price quote from an agent first, then check to see if you can get a lower rate for the same coverage online.
Check out the Hartford Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.thehartford.com/
7. Liberty Mutual Insurance
Liberty Mutual Insurance Group is a heavily advertised group of insurance companies, best known for auto and home insurance, available in most US states. Founded in 1912, the Liberty Mutual home office is in Boston, MA. Liberty Mutual offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.
Liberty Mutual also owns Safeco Insurance, which operates as a separate brand, and is sold through independent insurance agencies. In 2022, Liberty Mutual acquired State Auto Insurance, which is also available through independent agents.
2021 market share for Liberty Mutual Insurance (including Safeco policyholders):
Liberty Mutual Group is the seventh largest auto insurer and the fifth largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for Liberty Mutual Insurance:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Liberty Mutual is not consistently better than the industry average. If Liberty Mutual has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from Liberty Mutual Insurance:
Liberty Mutual sells its insurance direct from the company and through its own group of Liberty Mutual agents operating from sales offices in one or more West Virginia communities. Liberty Mutual agents also represent other auto & home insurance companies through Comparion Insurance Agency, a national agency owned by Liberty Mutual. There may be a discount for buying online from Liberty Mutual, but it may be worth it to pay a little more to have a personal agent to help if you have a claims or service problem. Get a price quote from an agent first, then check to see if you can get a lower rate for the same coverage online.
Check out the Liberty Mutual website to learn more about the company and get a price quote online:
https://www.libertymutual.com/
But a Liberty Mutual agent may be able to get you the lowest rate!
Find a Liberty Mutual agent in West Virginia at the Comparion Insurance website:
https://www.comparioninsurance.com/
8. Municipal Mutual Insurance Company
Founded in 1910 and headquartered in Wellsburg, WV, Municipal Mutual Insurance Company offers residential property (homeowners, mobile home, dwelling) insurance to homeowners with properties located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, & West Virginia, although about 80% of its home insurance customers in 2021 are in West Virginia.
2021 market share for Municipal Mutual Insurance Company:
Municipal Mutual Insurance Company is the ninth largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for Municipal Mutual Insurance Company:
The 2019-2021 home insurance complaint record for Municipal Mutual Insurance Company is not consistently better than the industry average. If Municipal Mutual Insurance Company has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from Municipal Mutual Insurance Company:
Municipal Mutual Insurance Company sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies with offices across West Virginia. You cannot get a price quote from the Municipal Mutual Insurance Company website and there is no discount or lower rate for buying online from any other website.
Check out the Municipal Mutual Insurance Company website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.mmicins.com/
9. Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide Insurance is a group of insurance companies, not as well-known as some of the largest US auto & home insurers, available in almost all US states. Founded in 1926, Nationwide Insurance is headquartered in Columbus, OH. Nationwide offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.
In 1998, Nationwide acquired the companies of Allied Insurance to increase its customer base in the Midwest. Nationwide is still using the network of independent insurance agents appointed to represent Allied to sell its insurance. In some US states, the Allied companies, now co-branded as Nationwide, are the largest Nationwide subsidiaries insuring auto & homes.
In 2012, Nationwide completed its acquisition of Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company, expanding its brand through additional independent insurance agents across 32 US states.
In 2020, Nationwide completed its transition from using its own network of agents to selling & servicing its insurance through independent insurance agencies, with many of its formerly exclusive agents becoming independent agents, able to represent multiple insurance companies.
2021 market share for Nationwide Insurance:
Nationwide is the fourth largest auto insurer and the third largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for Nationwide Insurance:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Nationwide Insurance is not consistently better than the industry average. If Nationwide has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from Nationwide Insurance:
Nationwide sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies located in communities throughout West Virginia. There may be a discount for buying online from Nationwide, but it may be worth it to pay a little more to have a personal agent to help if you have a claims or service problem. Get a price quote from an agent first, then check to see if you can get a lower rate for the same coverage online.
Check out the Nationwide Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.nationwide.com/
10. Progressive Insurance
Progressive, a very heavily advertised group of insurance companies, best known for selling insurance direct to the public, but is also available from most independent insurance agencies, operates in almost all US states. Established in 1937, Progressive is headquartered in Mayfield, OH.
Like GEICO, Progressive underwrites auto insurance only, but sells other types of personal insurance, acting as an agent for other companies. However, in 2015, Progressive bought controlling interest in American Strategic Insurance (ASI), which it now uses as its primary home insurer. If Progressive sells you a policy not underwritten by Progressive or ASI, they are acting as an agent and not as your insurance company. For example, Progressive represents Homesite Insurance and sells its homeowners insurance. If Progressive sells you a Homesite homeowners insurance policy, Progressive is your agent and Homesite is the insurance company insuring your home.
2021 market share for Progressive Insurance:
Progressive is the sixth largest auto insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for ASI & Progressive Insurance:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for ASI & Progressive is not consistently better than the industry average. If Progressive has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue. If you choose to buy direct from Progressive, your price savings needs to be significant, for it to be worth you having to fix claims or service problems on your own. Check out recent Progressive customers reviews online to see what problems may come up when you buy direct. Click this link to see Progressive Insurance customer reviews at the Yelp website.
How to buy a policy from Progressive Insurance:
If you want to find the best price with Progressive, you want to get a price quote direct from the company and from a local independent insurance agent representing Progressive. It may be counter-intuitive, but an agent may have the best rates for you. Also, the agent represents other companies that may have better rates for you than Progressive. Always check with an agent first, then check to see if there is a lower rate for buying direct saving you enough money to be worth not having an agent.
Check out the Progressive Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.progressive.com/
11. Safeco Insurance
Safeco Insurance is a group of insurance companies available across the USA, but it is best known in western states. Safeco is not available in Hawaii, Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and D.C. Safeco has been owned by Liberty Mutual since 2008 yet continues to operate as a separate entity and brand. Founded in 1923, Safeco Insurance is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Safeco offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.
2021 market share for Safeco Insurance:
Safeco contributes to Liberty Mutual Group being the seventh largest auto insurer and the fifth largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for Safeco Insurance:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Safeco is not consistently better than the industry average. If Safeco has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from Safeco Insurance:
Safeco sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies located in communities throughout West Virginia. There is no discount or lower rate for buying direct or online from the Safeco website or any other website.
Check out the Safeco Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.safeco.com/
12. State Auto Insurance
Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, State Auto is a group of insurance companies available in many US states and is perhaps not as well-known as other brands, as it does not advertise as much as other major auto and home insurance companies. State Auto offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market. In 2022, State Auto was acquired by Liberty Mutual, but will continue to operate as a separate brand.
2021 market share for State Auto Insurance:
State Auto is not among the ten largest auto insurers in the state, but it is the tenth largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for State Auto Insurance:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for State Auto is not consistently better than the industry average. If State Auto has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from State Auto Insurance:
State Auto sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies with offices throughout West Virginia. You cannot get a price quote from the State Auto website and there is no discount or lower rate for buying online from any other website.
Check out the State Auto Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.stateauto.com/
13. State Farm Insurance
State Farm is a well-known, heavily advertised insurance company and is the largest auto & home insurer in many US states. Founded in 1922, the headquarters for State Farm is in Bloomington, IL. State Farm offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.
In 2021, State Farm purchased GAINSCO, a nonstandard auto insurance company operating in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. GAINSCO continues to operate as a separate brand and is available through independent insurance agencies appointed to represent GAINSCO. State Farm agents may not yet offer GAINSCO nonstandard auto insurance. State Farm itself does not offer nonstandard auto insurance, which insures drivers with a poor driving record, too many claims, or other circumstances making them ineligible for standard auto insurance.
2021 market share for State Farm Insurance:
State Farm is the largest auto insurer and the largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for State Farm Insurance:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for State Farm is not consistently better than the industry average. If State Farm has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from State Farm Insurance:
State Farm sells its insurance through its own network of State Farm agents with offices located throughout West Virginia. There is no discount or lower rate for buying direct or online from the State Farm website or any other website.
Check out the State Farm Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.statefarm.com/
14. USAA Insurance
USAA is a group of insurance companies providing financial services to active US military & veterans. Established in 1922, USAA is headquartered in San Antonio, TX. USAA insurance and banking products are not available if you do not meet its membership requirements.
To be considered for USAA insurance, you must be eligible for membership in USAA, most commonly by being a current military member or honorably discharged veteran, immediate family member of someone in the military, or a former policyholder.
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USAA offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market. For some common types of personal insurance, USAA partners with other companies. For example, USAA partners with Progressive for motorcycle insurance. Be sure to know which company is actually insuring you before buying insurance from USAA.
2021 market share for USAA Insurance:
Despite its restricted membership, USAA is the eighth largest auto insurer and the sixth largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for USAA Insurance:
Contrary to its long reputation for superior service, the 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for USAA is not consistently better than the industry average. Since you will not have an agent to help you if you have a problem, be sure to see what USAA customers are saying about the company online before choosing USAA. You can click this link to see USAA Insurance customer reviews at the Yelp website.
How to buy a policy from USAA Insurance:
The only way to buy a policy or get a price quote is from the USAA website or calling the company. USAA sells direct and does not use agents. Learn more about USAA and its eligibility requirements at their website linked here:
https://www.usaa.com/?wa_ref=pub_global_home
15. Westfield Insurance Group
Founded in 1848 as Ohio Farmers Insurance Company and headquartered in Westfield Center, OH, Westfield Insurance Group is now a group of insurance companies available in ten US states, offering auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.
2021 market share for Westfield Insurance Group:
Westfield Insurance is the ninth largest auto insurer and the seventh largest home insurer in West Virginia.
Complaint record for Westfield Insurance Group:
The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Westfield Insurance Group is not consistently better than the industry average. If Westfield Insurance Group has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.
How to buy a policy from Westfield Insurance Group:
Westfield Insurance Group sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies with offices across West Virginia. You cannot buy a policy or get a price quote from the Westfield Insurance Group website and there is no discount or lower rate for buying online from any other website.
Check out the Westfield Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:
https://www.westfieldinsurance.com/
Do not make this mistake when shopping for auto or home insurance:
Most insurance shoppers do not check with enough companies and do not contact any independent agents. There are more auto and home insurance companies available in West Virginia. Some companies, not among the companies with the largest auto or home insurance market share in the state, were not included in this shopping guide. Some of these companies are brands you may or may not know, like Motorists Mutual (now a part of Encova Insurance). Many of these companies, including Motorists Mutual, are available through independent agents across West Virginia. The agents you find through the Cincinnati, Comparion (Liberty Mutual), Erie, Farmers & Mechanics, Hartford, Municipal Mutual, Nationwide, Progressive, Safeco, State Auto, & Westfield Insurance websites are independent agents representing other companies. Make sure you check with agents representing each of the companies listed in this shopping guide to help you find the insurance agent with the best combination of coverage, service, and price for you.
There are a few more important auto and home insurance companies, not available through most independent agents, you can find out about here in my supplemental auto & home insurance guide.
Why can you rely on my guides to help you find the best insurance companies for you? Check out my webpage explaining the sources of the information I use in my auto & home insurance guides, how I use the information, and what it should mean to you, to help you best use this guide.