West Virginia Motorcycle Insurance

Find the Best Motorcycle Insurance Options in West Virginia

There are about 48,000 motorcycles registered and on the road in West Virginia. About 1% of these motorcycle owners will file motorcycle insurance claims for accidents, which is about 476. However, motorcycle insurance can help provide reimbursement for many different kinds of claims, not just accidents. Motorcycle insurance covers theft, vandalism, breakdowns, and more, depending on your policy.

Luckily, an independent insurance agent in West Virginia can get you equipped with the right motorcycle insurance. They'll make sure you get everything you need in your policy. But first, here's a breakdown of motorcycle insurance in West Virginia. 

Best Motorcycle Insurance Companies in West Virginia

West Virginia motorcycle insurance can be found via many different carriers, but you're looking for top-quality coverage at a great rate, so we hope to save you some time. That's why we put together a list of West Virginia's best and cheapest motorcycle insurance companies. When you're ready to get the coverage you need, start by looking into these top-rated motorcycle insurance companies in West Virginia.

• Allstate: Motorcycle insurance from Allstate averages just $398 per year or about $33 per month. That's quite a bit cheaper than coverage from all other carriers in West Virginia, officially earning Allstate the title of the cheapest motorcycle insurance in West Virginia. Allstate also offers more perks, like towing and labor coverage, transport trailer damage coverage, and added equipment coverage.
• Nationwide: Though not the cheapest motorcycle insurance carrier in West Virginia, Nationwide still makes policies affordable, at an average of $491 per year or about $41 per month. The real perks of Nationwide's motorcycle insurance are the long list of discounts offered, such as multi-vehicle discounts, multi-policy discounts, homeowner discounts, theft recovery device discounts, riding association membership discounts, and more. Nationwide also has outstanding customer service ratings and an "A+" rating for financial strength from AM Best.
• Dairyland: Motorcycle insurance from Dairyland is a bit more expensive than Allstate, at an average of $584 per year or about $49 per month. However, Dairyland is an excellent option for motorcycle insurance in West Virginia because of its rental reimbursement coverage, which is a huge consideration for motorcyclists who use their bike as their everyday or primary vehicle. Another perk is Dairyland's emergency roadside assistance coverage, which allows motorcyclists 24/7 access to things like fuel, water, oil, or other fluid refills.

An independent insurance agent in West Virginia can help you get set up with motorcycle insurance from one of these outstanding local carriers.

Is Motorcycle Insurance Required in West Virginia?

West Virginia's Compulsory Insurance Law requires registration of motorcycles in addition to registration of four-wheel passenger vehicles. Therefore, any Mountain State resident who wishes to register and operate a motorcycle must establish financial responsibility. 

The only way to establish financial responsibility for your motorcycle is to purchase liability coverage from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in this state. A West Virginia independent insurance agent can help you.

What Are West Virginia's Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements?

If you plan to operate your motorcycle on Mountain State roads, you must first register it and purchase liability coverage. West Virginia laws stipulate that coverage must meet the following minimum requirements:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability for one person
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability for more than one person
• $25,000 in property damage liability
• $25,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury for one person
• $50,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury for more than one person
• $25,000 in uninsured motorist property damage

Purchasing the minimum liability insurance requirements puts you in the clear with the state, but keep in mind that you may want or need additional types of coverage to ensure you’ve fully protected your cycle and met the requirements of any lienholder.

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What Does West Virginia Motorcycle Insurance Cover?

Before you can legally ride your motorcycle on West Virginia roads, you must satisfy the state's minimum coverage requirements. You'll need a few types of coverage for this, including:

• Bodily injury liability coverage: This covers costs related to medical treatment for bodily injuries you cause to a third party with your motorcycle.
• Property damage liability coverage: This covers costs related to any property damage you cause to a third party with your motorcycle, such as to another vehicle or a signpost.
• Uninsured motorist property damage coverage: This covers damage to your personal property, like your motorcycle, if it gets hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver who doesn't carry any or enough coverage of their own to pay for their portion of the damages.
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: This covers medical payments to you and your passengers if you get hit and injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver who doesn't carry any or enough coverage of their own to pay for their portion of the damages.

Optional Motorcycle Insurance Coverage in West Virginia

Though the above coverages will satisfy West Virginia's minimum state requirements for motorcycle insurance, your policy may not yet be complete. Having more types of coverage can help you get reimbursed for other incidents, such as collisions, injuries to yourself or your passengers, custom parts and equipment on your bike, and more. 

If you opt not to add these coverages, you could be on the hook for covering any losses out of your own pocket. Most West Virginia insurance companies have a wide variety of motorcycle insurance coverages to choose from for your  policy:

• Medical payments coverage: This coverage typically covers reasonable and necessary medical expenses resulting from any injury to you or your passengers.
• Personal injury protection coverage: If you’re hurt in an accident or worse, expenses could add up faster than you imagine. That’s where this coverage can help with reimbursements for these expenses:
  • Medical and hospital expenses
  • Lost income
  • Services you would normally do yourself
  • Funeral expenses
  • Child care expenses
• Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your bike from a collision with another driver, regardless of fault. 
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage to your bike due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft. 
• Gap insurance: Pays for the difference between what's owed on a motorcycle loan or lease and the current value of the vehicle after an accident or theft.
• Towing and roadside assistance coverage: This can cover the cost of assistance if your motorcycle becomes disabled while you're out on the road.
• Custom equipment coverage: Pays for repairs or replacement of parts and equipment on your motorcycle that are considered aftermarket or those not installed by the manufacturer. 
• OEM endorsements: Short for original equipment manufacturer (OEM), these endorsements can cover new parts from the original manufacturer when your motorcycle is in need of repairs.
• Carried contents coverage: Pays for repairs or replacement to your personal property carried on your motorcycle, including camping gear or cell phones, if it gets damaged by a covered cause.

If you're in an accident, there's a good chance someone else was involved. And if you're at fault, you'll want high limits for liability on your motorcycle insurance. A West Virginia independent insurance agent can also further explain the differences between collision vs. comprehensive coverage and why you may need each. 

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How Much Does Motorcycle Insurance Cost in West Virginia? 

The average cost of motorcycle insurance in West Virginia is $583 per year or about $49 per month. However, the cost of your motorcycle insurance policy depends on a number of different factors, including the insurance company you go through, how much coverage you need, your driving record, and more. 

Much like traditional car insurance, the cost of coverage for motorcycles can be hard to predict without knowing more about the specifics of your bike. When you go through the underwriting process, the quotes you find will consider the following:

• Your driving record
• Your experience on a motorcycle
• The type of motorcycle you drive
• The value of your motorcycle
• The type of coverage you choose
• Where you drive your motorcycle in West Virginia

You will often receive a discount on insurance if you insure your bike with the same carrier as your vehicle, but enlist the help of a West Virginia independent insurance agent to help you shop around. Aside from saving on gas, riding your bike comes with another benefit, which is that often, insurance for a motorcycle costs significantly less than for a car.

West Virginia Motorcycle Insurance Cost by City

The rates for motorcycle insurance vary not only by state but also by each specific city in West Virginia. So, coverage for the same type of motorcycle may cost much more or less in Morgantown than in Martinsburg. Here are some average costs for motorcycle insurance in some of West Virginia's major cities.

West Virginia Motorcycle Insurance Discounts 

If you're a motorcycle owner in West Virginia, you understandably want to save as much money as possible on your coverage. Adding various motorcycle insurance discounts to your policy can help reduce your premiums substantially. Here are just a few of the most commonly offered motorcycle insurance discounts in West Virginia:

• Homeowner discounts: Offered on coverage for motorcyclists who are also homeowners.
• Paid-in-full discounts: Offered on coverage for motorcyclists who pay their annual motorcycle insurance premium in full each year.
• Membership discounts: Offered on coverage for motorcyclists who have a membership in a qualifying organization or riding association.
• Safety course discounts: Offered on coverage for motorcyclists who complete a certified motorcycle safety course.
• Bundling discounts: Offered on coverage for motorcyclists who bundle their motorcycle insurance with other policies they have through the same carrier, like car insurance, home insurance, or renters insurance.

A West Virginia independent insurance agent will check for any qualifying discounts that can be added to your motorcycle insurance coverage when they shop for a policy for you.

How to Get a West Virginia Motorcycle Insurance Quote 

Whether you use your motorcycle to take in the beauty of the Midland Trail near Charleston, West Virginia, or drive it to work and home in Parkersburg, insuring your bike against damage and injuries takes just minutes. 

Contact a knowledgeable independent insurance agent to find affordable motorcycle insurance quotes. Take pride in your bike by protecting it with the right coverage.

West Virginia Motorcycle Insurance FAQs