Restricted License Insurance — West Virginia

Pays for injuries you cause to others in an at-fault accident. Most high-risk drivers increase this to 50/100 to avoid personal asset exposure.

Covers damage you cause to another driver's vehicle or property. Underinsured claims against your own policy increase when you carry only the minimum.

Protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. West Virginia law requires carriers to offer this coverage at the same limits as your liability policy, and you must reject it in writing at policy inception — verbal rejection does not count and the coverage is added automatically if the waiver form isn't completed.

An SR-22 is not insurance but a certificate your carrier files electronically with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles proving you maintain continuous coverage. Required after DUI, multiple moving violations, driving without insurance, or license suspension. If your policy lapses for any reason, your carrier notifies the DMV within 24 hours and your license is re-suspended immediately.

Collision pays for damage to your vehicle in an accident regardless of fault; comprehensive covers theft, vandalism, weather damage, and animal strikes. Neither is legally required in West Virginia, but lenders mandate both if you finance or lease a vehicle. High-risk drivers often carry liability-only policies to reduce premiums, but collision claims are common on West Virginia's mountainous rural routes where deer strikes and weather-related incidents occur frequently.