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West Virginia Home Insurance

If you call West Virginia home, you’ll appreciate the history of Harpers Ferry, the quaint charm of Charleston, and the unique character of the towns in between. Wherever you choose to settle in the state, your home is your most significant investment. It’s essential to have the right home insurance coverage to protect your property and ensure your peace of mind.

Is home insurance required in West Virginia?

West Virginia law doesn’t legally require homeowners to have insurance on their property, but if you finance your home through a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to have homeowners insurance. Even if you own your home outright without a mortgage, it’s highly advisable to be insured. Home insurance is not a one-size-fits-all product. It should be tailored to your specific situation and needs.

Typical West Virginia homeowners insurance coverages

  • Coverage A – Dwelling:

    Coverage for your home and attached structures for damage caused by events such as fire, lightning, wind or hail.

  • Coverage B – Other structures:

    This covers damage to other structures on the property that are set apart from the dwelling, such as a fence, shed or detached garage.

  • Coverage C – Personal property:

    Coverage for your belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics, if they’re damaged by a peril listed in your policy.

  • Coverage D – Loss of use:

    This covers your temporary living expenses when a covered loss makes your home unfit to live in.

  • Coverage E – Personal liability:

    This covers damage or injury to another person on their property that you’re responsible for causing. It also covers legal assistance for claims made against you.

  • Coverage F – Medical payments to others:

    This coverage can pay for medical bills for people who are accidentally hurt on your property, not including members of your household.

Remember, each of these coverages is subject to a policy limit, deductible and exclusions, which are specified within your policy. 

Your homeowners insurance won’t cover flood damages, so it helps to ensure you’re properly covered if there’s a flood. Flood insurance policies are available and are written through the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program. It’s common for mortgage companies to require flood insurance if your home is within or near a floodplain. Regardless, a flood can occur anywhere, and it’s a good idea to buy this additional coverage.

Additional coverages in West Virginia

You may find the general coverages afforded in a basic homeowners policy don’t cover certain losses or types of property. Amica offers home insurance options in the form of policy endorsements that can fill in some of those gaps in coverage. Adding endorsements to your West Virginia homeowners insurance policy can provide valuable additional coverage tailored to your specific needs. Here are a few endorsements you might consider:

  • Special computer coverage:

    Additional protection beyond what’s included in your policy for devices against direct physical loss, like accidental damage or theft. Devices covered under special computer coverage include:

    • Desktops
    • Laptops
    • Smartphones
    • Gaming devices
    • Smart TVs

  • Identity fraud:

    Identity theft is a growing concern, and this endorsement can help cover expenses associated with restoring your identity, such as legal fees, lost wages and other related costs.

  • Water backup and sump overflow:

    Unexpected and accidental water damage, like from an appliance or burst pipe, is covered by most homeowners insurance policies. But, at the same time, they also exclude coverage for backed-up sewers and drains. This endorsement provides coverage for water that backs up through drains and sump pumps.

  • Scheduled personal property:

    If you have high-value items such as jewelry, fine art or collectibles, a basic homeowners policy may not provide sufficient coverage. With this endorsement, you can insure specific items to make sure they’re adequately covered against loss or damage.

  • Earthquakes:

    A standard West Virginia policy excludes damage caused by earth movement, including earthquakes. This endorsement would extend coverage to damage caused by an earthquake.

Understanding rate factors for West Virginia home insurance

The location of your home is a significant factor that impacts home insurance premiums. Different areas face different risks and exposures. The cost of home insurance in a city versus a small town will depend on many factors, including proximity to emergency services, like a fire station, the age of your home, construction costs and population density. Your West Virginia home insurance policy should be as unique as your residence, tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.

Save more with West Virginia homeowners insurance discounts

There are several ways West Virginia homeowners can save money on home insurance without compromising the quality of their coverage.1 We offer home insurance discounts for:

  • Alarm systems: Receive a discount when you insure a home with burglar alarms, sprinkler systems or fire alarms.
  • Automatic detection devices: Insure a West Virginia home with a temperature monitoring, water leak detection or gas leak detection system installed and receive a discount. 
  • New or remodeled homes: Receive a credit when you insure a new or fully remodeled home. 
  • Claim-free: Receive a discount when you’ve had no claims in the past three years.

If these don’t apply to you, we also offer discounts for:

  • AutoPay: Receive a discount when you opt to pay your premium using automatic deductions. 
  • E-discount: Receive a discount when you sign up to receive policy information and bills electronically. 

One of the best ways to conveniently manage all of your insurance needs and save money at the same time is to bundle your insurance coverages for home and auto with the same insurance company. In fact, West Virginia homeowners who bundle home and auto insurance with Amica could save more than 20% with a multiline discount.1

Facts and figures about West Virginia

Common claims in West Virginia:

Homeowners insurance typically provides coverage for many of West Virginia’s winter-related risks, subject to policy limits. Here are some common winter-related claims that homeowners may face in West Virginia:

  • Frozen pipes: When temperatures drop below freezing, water pipes in homes can freeze and burst, causing water damage. As long as heat in the residence was maintained, homeowners insurance typically covers damage resulting from burst pipes, including water cleanup and repairs to the affected areas.
  • Ice dams: Ice dams occur when snow on the roof melts and refreezes at the edges, forming a barrier that prevents water from draining properly. This can lead to water seeping into the attic or walls and can cause damage to ceilings, insulation and interior spaces. Homeowners insurance may cover repairs for damage caused by ice dams.
  • Roof damage: Wind from storms year-round can put stress on roofs, leading to damage. Homeowners insurance typically covers roof damage caused by wind or hail, although coverage may be subject to certain exclusions or limitations.

Homeowners in West Virginia may want to consider purchasing supplemental coverage for specific risks, such as flood insurance even in areas that are not floodplains.

Fun facts about West Virginia:

  • West Virginia is nicknamed the Mountain State because it’s the only state completely within the Appalachian Mountains. This gives many West Virginians stunning views of the Appalachian mountain range.2
  • Cairo, Glasgow and Vienna are not just cities in Europe! West Virginia has some of the most towns named after cities in other countries.2
  • Located in the small town of Harrisville, Berdine’s Five and Dime opened in 1908 and is America’s oldest continuously run dime store.2

How to get home insurance in West Virginia

We’re here to guide you through the process of personalizing your homeowners insurance in West Virginia. Here’s how to secure your policy in three easy ways:

  1. Assess your coverage needs:

    An Amica representative can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate your options to find the right coverage for your needs.

  2. Discover potential discounts:

    A representative can also assist you in exploring potential discounts or cost-saving measures available to West Virginia homeowners based on your unique circumstances.

  3. Get a quote:

    Amica offers convenient options for getting a quote. You can either get a home insurance quote online or call 800-242-6422 today to speak with a representative.

Get a home insurance quote

or call 833-513-3881

1 Discounts not available in all states and may vary.
2 20 Facts You Didn’t Know About West Virginia
 

Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.

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