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West Virginia insurance laws

Insurance regulations, rate filing requirements, department info, and recent bulletins for West Virginia. Updated Aug 21, 2026.

1 new regulatory update detected

West Virginia DOI page content changed

West Virginia DOI Website · Aug 21, 2026

Department of Insurance

DepartmentWest Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner
CommissionerErin K. Hunter
Rate Filing SystemPrior Approval
Regulatory CodeW. Va. Code §33
Overview

The West Virginia insurance regulatory environment is designed to protect consumers and ensure that insurance companies fulfill their obligations. The state has a comprehensive framework for various types of insurance, including auto, health, life, homeowners, workers' compensation, and commercial insurance, with specific statutes governing each area.

Auto Insurance

Min Pd$25,000
Pip Min$5,000
StatuteW. Va. Code §17D
Fault SystemNo-Fault
Min Bi Per Person$25,000
Uninsured PenaltyFines and potential license suspension
Min Bi Per Accident$50,000
Sr22 Duration Years3
Noncompliance PenaltyFines and potential license actions
Rate Filing RequirementPrior approval for increases >10%
Avg Full Coverage Premium$1,200

Notable Laws

  • W.Va. Code § 33-6-31 - Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage required at minimum $25,000/$50,000
  • W.Va. Code § 17D-2A-3 - Required security and minimum insurance coverage of $25,000/$50,000/$25,000
  • W.Va. Code § 33-6-31D - Optional higher limits of UM/UIM coverage must be offered to insureds
  • W.Va. Code § 17D-2A-4 - Certificate of insurance requirements for proof of financial responsibility
  • W.Va. Code § 33-6-31B - Anti-discrimination in setting auto insurance rates for uninsured motorist coverage
  • WV Code § 33-6-31 - Uninsured Motorist Coverage
  • WV Code § 17D-4-1 - Financial Responsibility Law
  • WV Code § 33-6-31a - Underinsured Motorist Coverage
  • WV Code § 33-6-31b - Coverage for Rental Vehicles
  • WV Code § 33-6-31c - Coverage for Towing and Labor Costs
  • WV Code §17D-4-2
  • WV Code §33-6-31
  • WV Code §33-6-31b
  • WV Code §33-6-31c
  • WV Code §33-6-31d
  • WV Code § 17D-4-1 (Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law)
  • WV Code § 33-6A-1 (Cancellation or Nonrenewal of Automobile Liability Policies)
  • WV Code § 33-6B-1 (Declination of Automobile Liability Insurance)
  • WV Code § 33-6C-1 (Guaranteed Loss Ratios for Individual Sickness and Accident Insurance)
  • WV Code § 33-6D-1 (Motor Vehicle Repair and Replacement Referrals)
  • WV Code §17D-4-1 (Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law)
  • WV Code §33-6A-1 (Cancellation or Nonrenewal of Automobile Liability Policies)
  • WV Code §33-6B-1 (Declination of Automobile Liability Insurance)
  • WV Code §33-6C-1 (Guaranteed Loss Ratios for Individual Sickness and Accident Insurance)
  • WV Code §33-6D-1 (Motor Vehicle Repair and Replacement Referrals)
  • WV Code §33-6-29
  • W. Va. Code §17D-4-1 (Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law)
  • W. Va. Code §33-6A-1 (Cancellation or Nonrenewal of Automobile Liability Policies)
  • W. Va. Code §33-6B-1 (Declination of Automobile Liability Insurance)
  • W. Va. Code §33-6C-1 (Guaranteed Loss Ratios for Individual Sickness and Accident Insurance Policies)
  • W. Va. Code §33-6D-1 (Motor Vehicle Repair and Replacement Referrals)

Homeowners Insurance

StatuteW. Va. Code §33-17
Wind PoolWest Virginia Wind Pool
Fair Plan NameWest Virginia Fair Plan
Noncompliance PenaltyFines and potential license actions
Rate Filing RequirementPrior approval for increases >10%

Notable Laws

  • W.Va. Code § 33-17A-4a - Nonrenewal permitted for any reason consistent with underwriting standards
  • W.Va. Code § 33-17A-5 - 30-day written notice required for cancellation after 60 days coverage
  • W.Va. Code § 33-6B-3 - Cancellation or nonrenewal based solely on adverse credit score prohibited
  • W.Va. Code § 33-49 - Flood insurance disclosure requirements and coverage standards
  • W.Va. Code § 33-20 - Rate filing and form approval requirements for property insurance
  • WV Code § 33-17-1 - Homeowners Insurance Coverage Requirements
  • WV Code § 33-17-2 - Fair Plan Coverage
  • WV Code § 33-17-3 - Cancellation and Nonrenewal
  • WV Code § 33-17-4 - Credit Scoring Regulations
  • WV Code § 33-17-5 - Flood Insurance Requirements
  • WV Code §33-17-1
  • WV Code §33-17-2
  • WV Code §33-17-3
  • WV Code §33-17-4
  • WV Code §33-17-5
  • WV Code § 33-17-1 (Fire and Marine Insurance)
  • WV Code § 33-17A-1 (Property Insurance Declination)
  • WV Code § 33-17B-1 (Homeowners Insurance)
  • WV Code § 33-17C-1 (Flood Insurance)
  • WV Code § 33-17D-1 (Windstorm Insurance)
  • WV Code §33-17-1 (Property Insurance)
  • WV Code §33-17A-1 (Property Insurance Declination)
  • WV Code §33-17B-1 (Homeowners Insurance)
  • WV Code §33-17C-1 (Flood Insurance)
  • WV Code §33-17D-1 (Windstorm Insurance)
  • W. Va. Code §33-17-1 (Property Insurance)
  • W. Va. Code §33-17A-1 (Property Insurance Declination, Termination and Disclosure)
  • W. Va. Code §33-17B-1 (Homeowners' Insurance Rates)
  • W. Va. Code §33-17C-1 (Homeowners' Insurance Cancellation)

Recent Bulletins

Prescription Drug Rebate Impact to Commercial Health Insurance Plans

#26-012026-01-06Effective: 2026-01-01

This bulletin discusses the impact of new pharmacy reimbursement laws on commercial health insurance plans in West Virginia.

View bulletin

2025 WV Health Insurance Marketplace Data

#25-042025-11-01

Provides data on West Virginia health insurance marketplace enrollment and rates for 2026 plan year

View bulletin

Summary of 2025 Legislation

#25-032025-05-05Effective: 2025-05-05

This bulletin summarizes significant legislation enacted during the 2025 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature.

View bulletin

Use of Aerial Imagery by Homeowners Insurers

#25-022025-01-01Effective: 2025-01-01

This bulletin provides guidance on the use of aerial imagery in homeowners insurance.

View bulletin

Artificial Intelligence Systems

#24-062022-05-01Effective: 2022-05-01

This bulletin addresses the use of AI systems in insurance and their compliance with state laws.

View bulletin

Recent Law Changes

SB 8002025Commercial

Insurance Holding Company Systems

Establishes group capital calculation filing requirements and liquidity stress test reporting for insurance holding company systems to align with NAIC model act

Requires insurers in holding company systems to file additional financial data for regulatory oversight

Effective: 2026-01-01

SB 8332025Health

Prior Authorizations for Medical Care

Permits insurers to require prior authorization for prescription drugs regardless of gold card exemption status

Health care practitioners with gold card exemptions remain subject to prior authorization for pharmaceuticals

Effective: 2025-04-11

SB 8562025Workers Compensation

Reporting Requirements

Repeals or modifies various insurance reporting requirements including workers compensation and flood insurance notices

Reduces reporting burden on Insurance Commissioner and employers while maintaining flood insurance notification online

Effective: 2025-07-11

HB 27972025Workers Compensation

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

Expands list of professionals who may diagnose PTSD for first responder workers compensation claims to include certified mental health nurse practitioners and psychiatric physician assistants

First responders have more access to PTSD diagnosis from qualified mental health professionals

Effective: 2025-07-11

HB 22632021Health

Pharmacy Audit Integrity Act Updates

Updated regulation of pharmacy benefit managers including point-of-sale prescription drug rebate pass-through requirements to reduce consumer cost sharing

Health insurers must pass rebates through to consumers at point of sale to reduce prescription drug costs

Effective: 2022-01-01

Health Insurance

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Workers Compensation

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Commercial Insurance

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