Landlord Insurance in West Virginia: Costs, Requirements & Best Providers
Landlord insurance in West Virginia costs close to the national average. The homeowners benchmark is $2,465 a year, and a landlord (DP-3) policy typically runs about $2,850 to $3,100. Flood is the state's biggest risk, and it isn't covered by a landlord policy, nor are landslides or mine subsidence by default. Get a landlord insurance quote for the property and ask about each of those gaps.
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What landlords pay in West Virginia
- Homeowners benchmark
- $2,465 a yearAbout $205 a month; 1% below the $2,490 national average.
- Estimated landlord policy
- $2,850-$3,100 a yearLandlord (DP-3) cover typically runs 15-25% above homeowners cover on the same building. Your quote will differ.
- Main hazards
- Flood, Landslide, Winter storm, Wind
- Not included
- Flood and earthquakeBoth need separate policies (NFIP or private flood; earthquake endorsement or policy).
Source: NerdWallet, 2026 homeowners (HO-3) median, $400,000 dwelling cover
Landlord insurance providers in West Virginia
Both write landlord policies in all 50 states and quote online. Neither publishes prices, so the only way to know your premium is to get a quote for your address.
- 1
Steadily
Our pickSingle-family and 2-4 unit rentals, including vacant and short-term.
8.5/10 provisionalPrice
Quote-based
Pros, cons and who should skip itHide details
Good
- Covers all 50 states.
- Fast online quotes.
- Writes vacant and renovation properties too.
Watch out
- Mixed claim experiences, including wear-and-tear denials.
- Underwritten through a carrier some lenders have queried.
- Flood needs a separate policy.
Skip it if
Anyone who wants a local agent sitting across the desk.
- 2
Obie
Investors with several properties; portfolio policies available.
8.1/10 provisionalPrice
Quote-based
Pros, cons and who should skip itHide details
Good
- All 50 states plus DC.
- Portfolio (blanket) policies for several rentals.
- Covers short-term rentals and renovations.
Watch out
- Claims run through third-party administrators.
- Some reports of non-renewal after claims.
- Support is mostly email.
Skip it if
Landlords who want claims handled by the company they bought from.
Prices checked Oct 18, 2026. Scores are provisional until our account tests are done.
Want to see how West Virginia compares? We keep a table of landlord insurance rates by state, with the method behind every figure.
On this page
Flooding is the West Virginia risk
West Virginia’s towns grew along rivers and creeks in narrow valleys, so a lot of housing sits on low ground with steep hills above it. Heavy rain runs off fast. The June 2016 floods were among the deadliest in the state’s history and destroyed homes in White Sulphur Springs, Rainelle and Clendenin, and flash floods hit somewhere in the state most years.
Landlord policies exclude flood. Coverage comes through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer, and NFIP policies usually take 30 days to start. Many flood-damaged homes in West Virginia sit outside mapped high-risk zones, where coverage often costs less than owners expect.
Landslides and mine subsidence
Two West Virginia risks fall under the earth movement exclusion in standard policies:
- Landslides. Hillside homes and roads slip after heavy rain, and the landlord policy won’t pay for the ground or what it does to the house.
- Mine subsidence. Old coal mines collapse under houses in parts of the state. West Virginia has a state program, and the coverage is offered as an add-on to property policies.
Ask your insurer directly about mine subsidence, and look hard at drainage and slopes before you buy a hillside rental.
Winter and older homes
Winter brings ice, heavy snow and frozen pipes, especially in rentals heated with older systems. A lot of West Virginia’s rental stock is older housing in Charleston, Wheeling, Huntington and the coalfield towns, and insurers ask about wiring, heating, roof age and chimneys. Dwelling policies also restrict coverage once a unit has been vacant for a set period, often 60 days.
What lenders require
Lenders require a landlord (dwelling) policy naming them as mortgagee, with dwelling coverage at least equal to the loan or rebuild cost. Flood insurance is mandatory on federally backed loans in a special flood hazard area. Investor lenders usually require loss-of-rent coverage.
Ways to bring the premium down
- Buy flood coverage before you need it, especially outside mapped zones where it’s cheaper.
- Fix drainage and gutters on hillside properties to cut both water and slide risk.
- Update wiring and heating in older houses before you shop.
- Raise your deductible if your reserves can cover it.
- Require renters insurance with liability coverage from every tenant.
West Virginia deposit and eviction rules
West Virginia sets no cap on deposits (W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2). You have 60 days after the tenancy ends to return it with an itemized list, or 45 days if the unit is re-rented sooner. There’s no statutory pre-filing notice for nonpayment, so you can file a summary eviction petition quickly, which shortens the stretch a unit goes without rent.
Questions landlords ask
The questions we get most, each answered in a paragraph.
How much is landlord insurance in West Virginia?
West Virginia's homeowners benchmark is $2,465 a year for $400,000 of dwelling coverage (NerdWallet 2026). Landlord policies typically run 15% to 25% higher, about $2,850 to $3,100. Many West Virginia rentals are insured for far less than $400,000, so a house in Morgantown or Huntington may quote lower. Only a quote gives you the real figure.
Does landlord insurance cover landslides in West Virginia?
Generally no. Standard landlord policies exclude earth movement, which includes landslides, mudslides and sinking ground. Some flood policies cover mudflow caused by flooding, which is narrower. On a hillside property, look at drainage, retaining walls and the slope above the house before you buy, because the policy won't pay for the hill.
What is mine subsidence coverage in West Virginia?
It covers damage when old underground coal mines collapse and the ground above sinks. Standard property policies exclude it. West Virginia has a state mine subsidence program, and insurers offer the coverage as an add-on in the coal counties. Ask for it specifically if the property sits in an area that was mined.