Car Insurance in Washington

Average car insurance cost in Washington

The NAIC average expenditure is what insured drivers actually paid on average, including people who carry only liability. For those who buy each coverage, the average premium was $708 for liability, $373 for collision and $154 for comprehensive ($1,235 combined, versus $1,439 nationally). That average expenditure is 10% higher than the NAIC's previous data year ($1,048). Comprehensive coverage is cheaper than average here, a sign of lower weather and theft losses.

Minimum car insurance requirements in Washington

Washington's minimum is written as 25/50/10: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $10,000 in property damage liability. Those limits are low compared with the cost of a serious injury claim, so many drivers choose 100/300/100 — we estimate that "standard" level at about $855 a year here, $265 more than the minimum.

A $60,000 liability bond or deposit can be used instead of an insurance policy.

Is Washington a no-fault state?

No — Washington is an at-fault (tort) state. Washington is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver responsible for a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and property damage. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer, use their own coverage, or sue.

No-fault vs. at-fault explained

Uninsured drivers in Washington

The Insurance Research Council estimates 19.1% of Washington drivers are uninsured — 10th highest in the country, compared with 15.4% nationally. That's roughly one uninsured driver in every 5 on the road. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage isn't mandatory here (Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is included unless the named insured or spouse rejects it in writing), but with an above-average uninsured rate it is worth pricing.

SR-22 requirements in Washington

Washington uses the SR-22 — a certificate your insurer files with the state to prove you carry at least the minimum liability coverage. It is usually ordered after a DUI, driving uninsured, serious violations or a license suspension, and is typically kept for about 3 years. When eligible to reinstate a suspended license, drivers must keep an SR-22 on file for three years from the reinstatement eligibility date.

By our model, a driver in their 30s with a DUI would pay about $1,115 a year for minimum coverage in Washington, versus $590 with a clean record. What is SR-22 insurance?

Car insurance by city in Washington

We cover 13 Washington cities. Estimates are for full coverage for a driver in their 30s with a clean record; hover a city to find it on the map. The lowest estimate is in Bellingham ($1,380) and the highest in Lynnwood ($1,585).

Estimated cost by driver profile in Washington

Age and driving record move premiums more than almost anything else. A teen on their own policy pays about 2.8× what a driver in their 30s pays for the same full coverage in Washington.

By coverage level

Cheapest and most expensive cars to insure in Washington

Full-coverage estimates for current models, using HLDI insurance-loss data where available. Vehicle choice alone can swing the premium by more than $2,660 a year here.

Cheap car insurance in Washington: how to lower your rate

• Raise your deductible. Going from $500 to $1,000 on collision and comprehensive saves about $70 a year on a typical Washington full-coverage policy.
• Match coverage to your car's value. On a 10-year-old car, dropping collision and comprehensive could cut the bill from about $1,145 to $855.
• Drive less, pay less. Low-mileage and usage-based programs can save around $95 a year if you drive under 7,500 miles.
• Protect your record. A single speeding ticket adds roughly $305 a year in our model; an at-fault accident adds much more.
• Shop at renewal. Rates for the same driver differ widely between insurers. Compare identical limits and deductibles.
• Ask about discounts — bundling home and auto, good student, safe-driver, paid-in-full and defensive-driving course discounts. See common discounts.

Complaints and help: Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner licenses insurers and agents, reviews rates and handles consumer complaints about claims, cancellations and billing — free of charge.

Website

www.insurance.wa.gov

File a complaint

Consumer complaint page

Consumer helpline

1-800-562-6900

Homeowners insurance in Washington →

Washington vs. neighboring states