Cheap Washington car insurance

Here's what you need to know when driving in Washington

Across the Evergreen State, there are 174,731 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.

Cheap Car Insurance

Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Washington

Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Unfortunately, Washington state drivers without a recent at-fault accident save only 23% on their car insurance premiums, on average — far below the US average of 32%. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.

Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Washington

Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Washington state, the average teen driver pays $4,056 — less than the national average for teen drivers, and approximately three times more than an older driver in Washington.

Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in Washington

With a good driving record — devoid of at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably enjoy relatively cheap car insurance rates. On the other hand, a bad driving record will cause your costs to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 32% after a DUI, 23% after an at-fault accident, and 14% after a speeding ticket in Washington state. The post-violation penalties assessed by car insurance companies in Washington are actually lower than nationwide averages. If you have a clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.

What are the Best Auto Insurance Companies in Washington?

Each car insurance company advertises its low premiums. But just like with any product, the cheapest auto insurance isn't always the preferable idea. Considering the financial stakes, it's worth doing the research to obtain an insurance policy that covers your car completely in the unfortunate event of an incident. It's worth doing some work and finding the best value, instead of settling for the cheapest car insurance you can find.

Review local and national insurance companies' financial stability and claims satisfaction ratings to better understand the level of service you can expect. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and running from "Superior" to "Poor" — assesses an insurance company's financial strength and ability to meet its contractual and policy obligations.

What is the Best Car Insurance Coverage in Washington?

The legal minimum car insurance in Washington is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $10,000 Property Damage per accident.

For the legal minimum coverage in Washington, you'll owe an average of $662 yearly. This is more than the national mean by 1%. If you opt for higher-level coverage, you can select a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against costs incurred by car-on-car collisions, auto theft, or weather incidents. But better auto insurance coverage comes at a cost: in Washington, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,067, 61% more than basic coverage. For comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 76% more than you would for basic liability-only coverage.

Analyze average rates for liability-only and comprehensive auto insurance levels in the following table.

Car Insurance Laws

State minimum insurance requirements in Washington

In Washington, the state minimum coverage requirement is liability with limits of:

• Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage $10,000 per accident

Optional coverage in Washington (varies by carrier):

• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Loan/Lease Payoff
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Rental Car Reimbursement
• Roadside Assistance
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage

Liability coverage is legally required in Washington and pays for injury and lost wages that you cause to another driver or their passengers as well as damage to the other driver’s vehicle in the event that you are considered “at fault” in an accident. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into three categories. In Washington, the minimum is listed as 25/50/10 and explained below:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries that you cause in an accident if more than one person is hurt.
• $10,000 property damage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage that you cause in an accident.

These numbers reflect the minimum limits required in Washington but higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.

Washington State Car Insurance FAQs

Do you need a paper car insurance card in Washington state?

You either need a paper ID card or a digital insurance card if this option is offered by your insurance company.

Is car insurance required in Washington state?

Yes. Car insurance is legally mandated in Washington. 

What percentage of drivers don't have car insurance in Washington?

Approximately 17% of drivers in Washington state are uninsured, which is higher than the national average of 13%.

Driving Laws

Washington Texting and Driving Laws

1. Ban on hand-held cell phones
2. Ban on all cell phones for drivers with Learner or Intermediate Licenses
3. Ban on text messaging for all drivers

Washington DUI Laws

The DUI lookback period in Washington State is seven years. Repeated DUI offenses within this timeframe subject offenders to harsher penalties and fines. In addition, a BAC of 0.15% or higher, a DUI with a passenger under 16 years old, or reckless or negligent driving results in enhanced penalties.

First-time DUI offenses in Washington lead to:

• 24 consecutive hours to 364 days in jail
• $940.50 to $5,000 in fines
• License suspension for 90 days
• Possible requirement to use an interlock ignition device for at least one year

How Do Tickets Impact Car Insurance Rates in Washington?

If you receive a ticket, your auto insurance rates will probably get more expensive. By how much depends on the violation's severity, your car insurance company's pricing standards, and differing local insurance regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.

Below is a look at typical auto insurance rates in Washington after some common violations.