Home Insurance in Gary, West Virginia
With a median home value of $50,900, Gary is close to the McDowell County median.
The median home in Gary was built in 1939 or earlier. About 83% of homes were built before 1960, about 30 points above McDowell County's 52%. Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild.
The housing stock in Gary is 91% single-family homes and 9% mobile or manufactured homes. Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy.
About 10% of owner-occupied homes in Gary have a mortgage. Lenders require hazard (homeowners) insurance on any home carrying a mortgage.
The vacancy rate is 45%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy. About 96% of occupied homes in Gary are owner-occupied.
Homes heated with propane can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies. Most homes in Gary - 76% - are primarily heated with electricity.
What's the biggest home insurance risk near Gary? FEMA's National Risk Index points to inland flooding (Relatively Moderate) in McDowell County and McDowell County had 149 active NFIP flood policies as of September 2026. See the full McDowell County home insurance overview for all FEMA hazard ratings and flood coverage details. Flood damage is excluded from a standard homeowners policy.
The statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in West Virginia is $1,179 per year, according to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $50,900 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1939 or earlier |
| Owner-occupied share | 96% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 10% |
| Top county hazard | Inland Flooding (Relatively Moderate) |
| Active NFIP policies in McDowell County | 149 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,179 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Nearby towns
Sources
Data last updated: 2026-09-29
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)