Is Car Insurance Cheaper in Texas or Washington?

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By Kristine Lee

Updated September 22, 2023

Edited By Renata Balasco

Comparing auto insurance in Texas and Washington

If you are planning a move from Texas to Washington, you are probably fixated on the major concerns and expenses: locating a reliable moving company, locking down an abode in your new city, and arranging your move across state lines.

Amid all the stress, it’s easy to overlook the details. Car insurance coverage is one of these details, but it's important. In order to stay legal and find a good deal, plan to update your policy — or find a new insurance company — when you move between states.

Check out our guide to auto insurance in Texas versus Washington and ensure your move is pain-free. We'll cover:

Insurance rate comparison
Rates by coverage level
Cheap companies by state
Rates by city
Additional resources

Texas vs. Washington auto insurance — average rates

You should expect to pay less for car insurance once you move. The typical annual car insurance rate in Washington is $865 less than the typical cost of car insurance in Texas. The precise cost will depend on your coverage choice, insurance history, and your choice of car insurance company.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN TEXAS AND WASHINGTON

State	Average Annual Price
Texas	$2,125
Washington	$1,259

Auto insurance rates by coverage level

The amount you pay for auto insurance depends on how you use your vehicle and how much protection you want.

If you select state minimum liability auto insurance coverage, you'll have bodily injury, property damage liability, and medical payment coverages, along with underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection in some states.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR MINIMUM COVERAGE IN TEXAS vs. WASHINGTON

State	Time Period	Rate
Texas	Annual	$782
Washington	Annual	$607
Texas	6-Month	$391
Washington	6-Month	$303
Texas	Monthly	$65
Washington	Monthly	$51

Upgrading to full-coverage car insurance will raise your premiums, but you will receive collision and comprehensive coverages, plus extras such as rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance. The primary benefit of full coverage is that it covers your vehicle and you more comprehensively than does basic car insurance coverage. If you want to go the extra mile to protect your investment in your vehicle, consider full coverage.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS — FULL COVERAGE IN TEXAS vs. WASHINGTON

Location	Time Period	Rate
Texas	Annual	$2,120
Washington	Annual	$1,183
Texas	6-Month	$1,060
Washington	6-Month	$591
Texas	Monthly	$177
Washington	Monthly	$99

Cheap auto insurance companies in Texas and Washington

One of the top contributing factors to auto insurance costs is your choice of auto insurance company. Insurers set premiums in a variety of ways, leading to substantial variations in pricing. Geography plays a role, too: some regional insurance companies sell policies only in certain places, while bigger insurance companies' rates differ by state.

When moving, you should try to find the best cheap insurance company in your new location. Get started below with our list of the five cheapest auto insurance companies in Texas and Washington.

CHEAP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN TEXAS

Insurer	Average Annual Rate
Travelers	$1,031
USAA	$1,106
Texas Farm Bureau	$1,223
Germania Mutual	$1,269
Esurance	$1,393

See additional affordable auto insurance companies in Texas.

AFFORDABLE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN WASHINGTON

Car Insurance Company	Average Annual Rate
Capital	$769
Grange	$830
Nationwide	$971
PEMCO	$984
Travelers	$1,018

View more inexpensive auto insurance companies in Washington.

Car insurance rates by city in Texas and Washington

While car insurance is legislated at the state level, underwriters assign rates by ZIP code to account for local factors such as population density and number of insurance claims. The location to which you relocate will play a major role in deciding your rates.

The below tables show car insurance rates in major cities in Washington and Texas.

CAR INSURANCE PRICES BY CITY IN TEXAS

City	Average Annual Rate
Houston	$1,872
San Antonio	$1,705
Dallas	$1,874
Austin	$1,643
Fort Worth	$1,637

See a longer list of insurance rates in Texas cities.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY CITY IN WASHINGTON

City	Average Annual Rate
Seattle	$1,377
Spokane	$1,082
Tacoma	$1,413
Vancouver	$1,169
Bellevue	$1,231

Looking for rates in another city? View more insurance rates for Washington cities.

Additional resources: moving from Texas to Washington

When you move from Texas to Washington, you will encounter new driving laws, different FR-44 or SR-22 requirements, and more. Ensure your interstate move goes off without a hitch with The Zebra's collection of information on your new home:

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.

Car Insurance Comparison: Texas vs. Washington

Kristine Lee

Renata Balasco