We’re excited to find a new home in West Virginia, and we look forward to helping you improve your homeownership experience. If you're ready for a new kind of homeowner’s insurance, get a 60-second quote or call us at (877) 838-8866 to see what Hippo can do for you.
Getting a quote takes just 60 seconds, with coverage available in under four minutes. Our policies are designed to suit West Virginia’s unique needs while saving you some hard-earned money. Plus, we offer each of our customers a free smart home kit and our complimentary Hippo Home Care service to lower your home insurance premium even further by preventing major damage in the first place. But in the unfortunate event that you do need to file a claim, we offer excellent customer service—even by exacting southern standards. If you ever need us, a Hippo Claims Concierge will walk you through the claims process with courtesy and care from start to finish.
There’s a lot we love about West Virginia—though we learned quickly not to confuse it with its neighbor to the east. Although the state was originally a part of Virginia, the two separated during the Civil War. In 1892, West Virginia officially became a state, adopting the motto “Montani Semper Liberi,” meaning “mountaineers are always free.” That independent streak persists in West Virginians to this day.
West Virginia has a very special ecology, with mountains spanning the length of the state and rivers enclosing it on many sides. This unique environment is what drives the economy in this mineral-rich region. Mineral mining is a tradition here, with coal mines running as far back as 1810. The growth of the salt industry led to the opening of mines in the 1820s and 1830s, followed by iron, aluminum and manganese mines.
In more recent decades, however, West Virginia has seen an increase in tourism. With nearly 75% of the state covered by forests, this wild and wonderful state is a highly sought-out destination for nature lovers. Whether you’re into birdwatching, camping, mountain biking or river rafting, West Virginia has no shortage of places to go or things to do.
If you like homes with room to breathe and spacious backyards, consider West Virginia. With a population of just under 1.8 million people and a low cost of living—8% below the national average—West Virginia is a popular target for people looking for a quieter, more affordable way of life.
But if you’re used to city living, take note—West Virginia’s terrain is not for the faint of heart. It transitions from large, lowland farming valleys to heavy forestland, then to meadows or highland ridge flats with rocky ridgeline peaks sprinkled in for good measure. With so many different environments to choose from, it’s crucial to have an expert help you choose the right insurance for your dream home.
Even though West Virginia borders “Tornado Alley,” it only experiences about two touchdowns a year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t weather events worth warning people about. That’s why at Hippo, we proactively reach out to our customers if there is an incoming weather event. West Virginia sees 45 inches of rain and 33 inches of snow per year, making floods and landslides its most common natural disasters. All of this precipitation comes from its propensity to storm, including thunderstorms, hail storms and supercells.
And don’t forget lightning storms! Did you know that lightning can strike anywhere in the state at almost any time? That means fire protection is crucial for West Virginia homes. The state also has its share of harsh winters (remember the 33 inches of snow mentioned above?). Whether there is a significant winter storm or not, you can still expect blizzards and ice storms, so it is always a great idea to have an emergency preparedness kit packed and ready.
With precipitation occurring 40% of the year, the wet weather can have a definite impact on your home's systems, both visible and invisible. Aging infrastructure and an abundance of storms and groundwater can cause blockages in your pipes. This will force water to back up into the house, leading to the possibility of damage, leaks, mold and mildew in your home. Heavy rains and hail can damage your landscaping (which is easy to see) and your roof (which isn't). They can also strip trees bare, blowing leaves into your gutter and clogging downspouts. Blocked gutters may not sound like a big deal, but a compromised drainage system can quickly cause water leaks, flooding and foundation damage.
The average home insurance policy in West Virginia costs $1,059, which is a bit lower than the national average. And because Hippo uses real-time data to assess your property with up-to-date records that allow you to customize your policy, we may be able to save you up to 25% on your premium.
