Located entirely within the Appalachian Mountain Range, West Virginia is known for its lush forests and beautiful rolling hills. Be sure you secure a motorcycle insurance policy and get to know the rules of the road before you set off to tackle the state’s twists and turns.
The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles requires any person who operates a motorcycle in the state to be at least 18 years of age, pass a motorcycle knowledge test, and pass sign and vision tests. Once you’re ready to ride, review the state laws for motorcycle operators, which include:
Helmets: All operators and passengers are required to wear helmets with approved neck and/or chin straps.
Eye protection: All operators and passengers must wear shatter-resistant safety glasses, eye goggles, or face shields that meet federal standards.
Rear-view mirrors: Your motorcycle must have rear-view mirrors that give you a clear view of at least 200 feet behind you.
Headlights: You’re required to keep your headlights on at all times when operating your motorcycle.
Taillights: Your bike must have one red taillight to signal braking and a separate white light to illuminate the rear registration plate.
Lane splitting: Lane splitting is prohibited by law.
To legally operate a motorcycle in West Virginia, you’re required to carry motorcycle insurance, and you’ll need to show proof of insurance when registering your motorcycle. West Virginia motorcycle insurance requirements include bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
Here are the minimum motorcycle insurance coverage limits to legally ride in West Virginia:
$25,000 for bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more persons
$25,000 for property damage liability
$25,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
$50,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury for two or more persons
$25,000 for uninsured motorist property damage
Keep in mind, these are just the minimum required limits. If you’re involved in an accident in which the losses exceed your limits, you’ll likely be responsible for paying the difference out of pocket. For additional protection, you can select higher limits when you set up your policy.
Absolutely. Beyond the minimum liability insurance coverages above, we offer several additional coverages in West Virginia, including:
If your bike needs repairs after damage caused by something other than a collision, comprehensive motorcycle insurance can help you with the costs. This coverage can apply to theft, vandalism, and weather events like wind and hail storms.
Collision coverage helps pay for repairs if you hit a stationary object, or even if your motorcycle just tips over and is damaged.
If you or your passenger is injured in an accident, this coverage can help pay for medical expenses you and your passenger face.
Check out our complete guide to buying motorcycle insurance.
Insurance quotes are quick and free. You’ll just need to:
Have your bike’s year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN) on hand.
Answer some additional questions about your bike (e.g. customizations, where it’s kept, whether you’ve taken a rider safety course, etc.).
Select the coverages you want.
Our motorcycle insurance discounts can help make our quality motorcycle insurance even more affordable. Here are several of the discounts we offer to West Virginia motorcycle riders—talk to your Dairyland® agent to see how many you may qualify for.
Advance quote
Age 55 and older accident prevention course
Loyalty
Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) membership
Rider group
Claim-free renewal
Garaging
Paid-in-full
Prompt payer
Transfer
Homeownership
Operator safety course
Multi-cycle
Multi-line
West Virginia is a great state to explore by motorcycle thanks to its rugged terrain, natural beauty, and rural charm. Here are a few spots to check out:
Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, Blackwater Falls State Park is a perfect motorcycle day trip destination. Along with its namesake 57-foot cascade, the park features some other incredible scenic spots—like Pendleton Point Overlook—plus great hiking trails.
The Greenbrier is a spectacular luxury resort in Greenbrier County. The resort is situated on 11,000 acres and boasts more than 710 guest rooms and numerous restaurants, shops, and recreation opportunities. While a stay in one of the rooms may not be a priority for every rider, the grounds and the beautiful surrounding region are still worth a visit for anyone traversing West Virginia.
Roll into eastern West Virginia to discover the incredible Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, located within the Monongahela National Forest.
This designated recreation area protects three notable landmarks: Smoke Hole Canyon, Seneca Rocks, and Spruce Knob—the highest point in West Virginia. With more than 100,000 acres to explore, Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks gives you plenty to see on and off your bike.
Enjoy your Mountain State adventure with the peace of mind that comes with securing the right motorcycle insurance policy for you. Enter your information below or give us a call at 866-324-7952 to get started.