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Does West Virginia give a car insurance discount for a defensive driving course?

West Virginia law calls for a discount on liability, personal injury protection and collision coverage after a course the Division of Motor Vehicles approves, for the principal operator and spouse on the covered vehicle who are insureds fifty-five or older. A course taken as punishment for a moving violation does not count. It runs three years, and your insurer may attach terms.

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The rule, fact by fact

Rule
W. Va. Code § 33-20-18Its title names persons fifty-five years of age or older.
Verified. code.wvlegislature.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Who needs it
Insured principal operator and spouse, fifty-five or older, after an approved courseThe Division of Motor Vehicles approves the course.
Same source and date as above
Coverages
Liability, personal injury protection and collision coveragesInsurers file rates for these coverages with the Insurance Commissioner.
Same source and date as above
Valid for
Three-year period after completing the approved courseThe insurer may add rules on accidents and traffic convictions, before and after the course.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. The statute speaks of the principal operator and spouse on the covered vehicle who is an insured fifty-five or older. Check your age and your place on the policy, and ask your insurer how it applies the rule to you.

  2. Step 2. Pick a motor vehicle accident prevention course that the Division of Motor Vehicles approves.

  3. Step 3. Complete the approved course. A course taken as punishment specified by a court or other governmental entity for a moving traffic violation does not qualify.

  4. Step 4. The course provider issues a certificate, and you use it to qualify for the discount. Send it to your insurer and ask when the discount starts.

Before you pay

We haven't confirmed which courses the Division of Motor Vehicles approves or whether any are online. Ask your insurer what it takes off before you pay, and get the amount in writing.

Questions

Can I get both this discount and my insurer's own discount for older drivers?

No. You get the greater of the required discount or any discretionary discount your insurer offers to people fifty-five or older who have not taken the course. The statute says you cannot have more than one discount.

How big is the West Virginia reduction?

The statute calls for an appropriate reduction in premium charges. It presumes any discount an insurer uses is appropriate unless credible data demonstrates otherwise. Ask your insurer for its figure.

Do I take the course again to keep the discount?

Yes. Each participant takes an approved course every three years to stay eligible for the discount.

What to do next

Ask your insurer before you pay. The full text is in W. Va. Code §33-20-18.

code.wvlegislature.gov

Sources we read