Car Insurance in Seattle, Washington
Estimated full coverage in Seattle runs about $1,580 a year ($132/month) — ▲ +14% versus the Washington average, ranking 2nd most expensive of the 13 Washington cities we cover.
Why car insurance in Seattle costs more than the Washington average
Insurers price by territory, and Seattle's numbers explain most of the gap. With 780,995 residents on 84.0 square miles, the city's density (9,298 people per square mile) is 12.6 times the density where the typical Washington resident lives (737). The average commute is 26.0 minutes (Washington: 26.6), and 37% of workers drive alone. Together these put our location factor at 1.14× the state baseline for liability and collision, and 1.13× for comprehensive once FEMA weather risk for King County is included.
| Factor | Seattle | Washington ref. | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population density | 9,298 / sq mi | 737 / sq mi | More vehicles per mile of road means more fender-benders and claims. |
| Average commute | 26.0 min | 26.6 min | Longer daily drives add exposure to crashes. |
| Commutes over 60 min | 5.6% | — | Long highway commutes raise mileage-based risk. |
| Drive alone to work | 36.7% | — | Share of workers commuting by car. |
| Public transit to work | 11.9% | — | Transit use lowers how much residents drive. |
| Work from home | 34.8% | — | Remote workers may qualify for low-mileage pricing. |
| Households without a car | 19.0% | — | Context for non-owner and occasional-driver policies. |
| Weather hazard score (FEMA) | 50.2 | 53.7 | Hail, wind, flood and hurricane exposure drive comprehensive claims. |
Car insurance cost by ZIP code in Seattle
Rates can change from one ZIP code to the next. Across 26 Seattle ZIP codes, our full-coverage estimate ranges from $1,340 in 98134 to $1,635 in 98121. Denser, longer-commute neighborhoods estimate higher. Click a column to sort.
| ZIP | Population | Density / sq mi | Commute | No car | Est. full / yr | vs. city |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98115 | 54,349 | 8,294 | 24.9 min | 9.5% | $1,555 | −2% |
| 98133 | 53,249 | 7,463 | 27.5 min | 13.5% | $1,580 | 0% |
| 98103 | 52,671 | 11,475 | 25.3 min | 11.2% | $1,585 | 0% |
| 98118 | 50,500 | 8,092 | 30.4 min | 12.6% | $1,625 | +3% |
| 98105 | 49,767 | 12,970 | 25.3 min | 27.7% | $1,595 | +1% |
| 98125 | 44,520 | 8,207 | 26.6 min | 14.0% | $1,575 | 0% |
| 98122 | 43,234 | 18,508 | 23.4 min | 28.2% | $1,600 | +1% |
| 98117 | 35,711 | 8,982 | 27.2 min | 6.3% | $1,590 | +1% |
| 98109 | 34,328 | 17,741 | 21.6 min | 29.0% | $1,575 | 0% |
| 98144 | 33,787 | 10,029 | 27.1 min | 19.6% | $1,600 | +1% |
| 98107 | 28,776 | 13,194 | 27.7 min | 13.2% | $1,630 | +3% |
| 98116 | 28,711 | 9,567 | 30.3 min | 8.3% | $1,635 | +3% |
| 98106 | 28,690 | 5,230 | 29.4 min | 10.2% | $1,575 | 0% |
| 98102 | 27,333 | 21,238 | 24.9 min | 28.4% | $1,630 | +3% |
| 98119 | 26,879 | 11,084 | 24.1 min | 21.1% | $1,570 | −1% |
| 98108 | 25,529 | 3,449 | 27.2 min | 10.8% | $1,515 | −4% |
| 98112 | 23,921 | 7,466 | 23.9 min | 11.6% | $1,535 | −3% |
| 98126 | 22,975 | 7,419 | 28.2 min | 8.8% | $1,590 | +1% |
| 98199 | 22,468 | 5,305 | 26.0 min | 5.5% | $1,535 | −3% |
| 98121 | 21,166 | 47,671 | 20.3 min | 45.0% | $1,635 | +3% |
| 98136 | 17,252 | 7,517 | 29.4 min | 5.9% | $1,605 | +2% |
| 98101 | 17,153 | 32,487 | 21.6 min | 46.4% | $1,620 | +3% |
| 98104 | 16,542 | 17,505 | 24.9 min | 56.1% | $1,615 | +2% |
| 98195 | 2,757 | 6,980 | 18.4 min | 100.0% | $1,460 | −8% |
| 98134 | 645 | 194 | 21.6 min | 29.1% | $1,340 | −15% |
| 98164 | 292 | 73,000 | 14.5 min | 11.2% | $1,590 | +1% |
Minimum car insurance in Seattle
Seattle drivers follow Washington's rules: at least 25/50/10 liability coverage. Washington is at-fault (tort). We estimate state-minimum coverage in Seattle at $675 a year, and $980 for 100/300/100 limits.
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Yes | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident | Injuries you cause to other people |
| Property damage liability | Yes | $10,000 | Damage you cause to other vehicles and property |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | No | 10,000 medical Insurers must offer personal injury protection (at least $10,000 medical); it is added to the policy unless rejected in writing. | Your own medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault |
| Uninsured motorist (UM) | No | — Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is included unless the named insured or spouse rejects it in writing. | Your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance |
| Underinsured motorist (UIM) | No | — Underinsured motorist bodily injury and property damage coverage may be rejected in writing. | The gap when the at-fault driver’s limits are too low |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | No | — Medical expenses are addressed through PIP, which must be offered. | Medical bills for you and your passengers |
A $60,000 liability bond or deposit can be used instead of an insurance policy.
Risk factors that shape Seattle premiums
Accidents
Washington recorded 730 traffic deaths, or 1.21 per 100 million vehicle miles (U.S.: 1.19), in the latest full year of federal crash data. Local crash frequency is folded into our density and commute factors.
Vehicle theft
Washington's vehicle theft rate is 259 per 100,000 residents (U.S.: 197). The most-stolen vehicle in the state is the Ford Pickup (Full Size) (NICB). Theft losses are paid by comprehensive coverage.
Weather
FEMA rates King County as very low for hail, very high for inland flooding and very low for strong wind.
Traffic & commuting
5.6% of Seattle commuters spend an hour or more getting to work, and there are 1.29 vehicles per household. 34.8% work from home — worth mentioning to insurers that offer low-mileage pricing.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Score (0–100) | Insurance impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 3.2 | Comprehensive (car); roof claims (home) | |
| Tornado | 73.2 | Comprehensive; dwelling | |
| Hurricane | — | Comprehensive; wind/hurricane deductibles (home) | |
| Inland (river) flooding | 99.5 | Comprehensive; home needs a separate flood policy | |
| Coastal flooding | 71.0 | Comprehensive; home needs a separate flood policy | |
| Strong wind | 4.5 | Comprehensive; dwelling | |
| Winter weather | 94.7 | Collision (icy roads); frozen pipes (home) |
Scores are national percentiles of FEMA's county risk (higher means more expected loss than most other U.S. counties).
Estimated car insurance in Seattle by driver profile
A clean-record driver in their 50s pays the least in our Seattle model (about $1,455 for full coverage); an 18-year-old on their own policy pays about $4,340, and a DUI pushes a 30-something to $2,920.
| Driver | Minimum | Standard | Full coverage | Full / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $1,855 | $2,690 | $4,340 | $362 |
| Young adult (22) | $1,080 | $1,565 | $2,525 | $210 |
| Adult in their 30s | $675 | $980 | $1,580 | $132 |
| Adult in their 50s | $620 | $900 | $1,455 | $121 |
| Senior (72) | $755 | $1,095 | $1,770 | $148 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $980 | $1,420 | $2,290 | $191 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $1,250 | $1,810 | $2,920 | $243 |
Minimum vs. standard vs. full coverage in Seattle
| Coverage level | What it includes | Per year | Per month | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum liability | Only the liability (and PIP/UM where required) limits your state mandates. No coverage for your own car. | $675 | $56 | $555–$795 |
| Standard liability (100/300/100) | Higher liability limits plus uninsured motorist coverage. Still no coverage for damage to your own car. | $980 | $82 | $800–$1,155 |
| Full coverage | Standard liability plus collision and comprehensive, typically required on a financed or leased car. | $1,580 | $132 | $1,295–$1,865 |
Estimate your premium in Seattle
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Cheap car insurance in Seattle: how to lower your rate
The cheapest policy is the one that fits your situation. These levers are priced with Seattle's own numbers:
| Change | Est. yearly savings | Good fit if… |
|---|---|---|
| Raise collision/comprehensive deductible from $500 to $1,000 | $85 | You have savings to cover a bigger out-of-pocket repair. |
| Low-mileage / usage-based pricing (under 7,500 mi) | $110 | You're among the 34.8% of Seattle workers who work from home, or you rarely drive. |
| Drop collision & comprehensive on an older car | $330 | The car is paid off and worth little more than a year of premiums. |
| Standard (100/300/100) instead of full coverage | $600 | No loan or lease requires physical-damage coverage. |
| Avoid one speeding ticket | $345 | Everyone — violations typically affect rates for three to five years. |
Also ask about bundling, good-student, paid-in-full and defensive-driving discounts, and re-shop at every renewal — the same driver can be priced very differently by different insurers. We don't recommend specific companies. Common car insurance discounts.
Comparing car insurance quotes in Seattle
- Use identical limits and deductibles on every quote — e.g. 100/300/100 liability with $1,000 deductibles — or prices aren't comparable.
- Get quotes from different channels: captive agents, independent agents who quote several insurers, and direct online insurers. There are 70 offices listed below.
- Check complaint records with the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (complaint information) before you buy.
- Mention your ZIP code accurately — within Seattle, our estimates differ by up to $295 a year between neighborhoods.
Car insurance agents near Seattle, WA
We found 70 insurance offices within about 7 miles of central Seattle, from open map data. Hover over a listing to show it on the map, click it to open the address in Google Maps, or tap it on a phone to start navigation. We don't sell insurance, rate these offices or receive anything from them.
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Grange Insurance Association
200 Cedar Street, Seattle, WA 98121 -
American Family Insurance
WA -
Greg Nunn - State Farm
200 Roy St, Suite 102, Seattle, WA 98109 -
Chris Elliott - Farmers Insurance
1200 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 -
Pemco Insurance
325 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98109 -
Global Marine Insurance Sales
WA -
Karrie Dubose - State Farm
1818 Westlake Ave N, #315, Seattle, WA 98109 -
Allstate
821 East Thomas Street, Seattle, WA 98102 -
Alexandre Lamberg - Farmers Insurance
2130 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 -
Chuck McFarland - State Farm
607 W McGraw St, Seattle, WA 98119 -
Jeremy Olson - Allstate
505 1st Ave S, Ste 130, Seattle, WA 98104 -
Ezra Teshome - State Farm
1510 14th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122 -
Paulla Suy - State Farm
900 S Jackson St, Suite 213, Seattle, WA 98104 -
Curran Kwan - Allstate
913 S Jackson St, Ste C, Seattle, WA 98104 -
R T Shaw - State Farm
3401 Fremont Avenue N, Suite 242, Seattle, WA 98103 -
AIA Insurance
WA -
State Farm
315 North 36th Street, #201, Seattle, WA 98103 -
State Farm
WA -
Farmers Insurance - Maureen Healy
4000 Aurora Avenue North, #105, Seattle, WA 98103 -
Mark Yang - Allstate
4024 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 -
Ephrata Assefa Amera - Farmers Insurance
308 22nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 -
Isabelle B Ochsner - Farmers Insurance
3217 W Smith St, Seattle, WA 98199 -
Magnolia Insurance
3424 West McGraw Street, Seattle, WA 98199 -
Jennifer H Evans - Farmers Insurance
215 NE 40th St, Seattle, WA 98105 -
Seattle General Agency
1715 West Nickerson Street, Seattle, WA 98119 -
State Farm
1705 North 45th Street, #A, Seattle, WA 98103 -
Daniel Guan - American Family Insurance
2231 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 -
Joshua Luke Spain - Farmers Insurance
2237 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 -
Brent Amacher - State Farm
2319 California Ave SW, Suite A, Seattle, WA 98116 -
Secord Insurance Agency
265 Northeast 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98105 -
Justin C Crozier - Farmers Insurance
3400 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126 -
Joseph Oscar Turner - Farmers Insurance
918 S Horton St, Seattle, WA 98134 -
Andy Hubbard - State Farm
1515 NW 52nd St, Ste A, Seattle, WA 98107 -
Wally Green - Allstate
4020 E Madison St, Ste 102, Seattle, WA 98112 -
Kayla Boys - Farmers Insurance
5306 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 -
David Newman - State Farm
3435 California Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98116 -
Joseph Dewaard - State Farm
2208 NW Market St, Suite 508, Seattle, WA 98107 -
John Norton - American Family Insurance
2232 NW Market St, Ste 203, Seattle, WA 98107 -
State Farm
5254 University Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98105 -
Allstate
WA
Map © Google. Office list: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0) - https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright; All The Places (alltheplaces.xyz), data released under the CC-0 waiver; run 2026-09-19-13-32-18. OSM license. Listings are informational and may be out of date.
Insurance cost of popular cars in Seattle
| Model | Segment | Est. full coverage / yr | vs. average car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | Small SUV | $1,200 | −24% |
| Subaru Outback | Wagon | $1,175 | −26% |
| Tesla Model 3 | Midsize car | $1,650 | +4% |
| Subaru Forester | Small SUV | $1,145 | −28% |
| Honda Civic | Compact car | $1,825 | +16% |
| Toyota Corolla | Compact car | $1,715 | +9% |
| Jeep Wrangler | Midsize SUV | $1,395 | −12% |
| Mazda CX-5 | Small SUV | $1,350 | −15% |
| MINI Cooper | Subcompact car | $1,205 | −24% |
| Tesla Model Y | Midsize SUV | $1,485 | −6% |
More car insurance topics in Seattle
Car insurance in nearby Washington cities
- Bellevue $1,485/yr · 9 mi
- Renton $1,570/yr · 12 mi
- Lynnwood $1,585/yr · 15 mi
- Kent $1,570/yr · 17 mi
- Auburn $1,540/yr · 23 mi
- Everett $1,505/yr · 25 mi
- Tacoma $1,560/yr · 26 mi
- Bellingham $1,380/yr · 79 mi
- Yakima $1,390/yr · 111 mi
- Vancouver $1,470/yr · 137 mi
- Spokane $1,430/yr · 229 mi
- Spokane Valley $1,420/yr · 238 mi
All Washington cities and state rules · Homeowners insurance in Seattle
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance in Seattle, WA?
We estimate full coverage in Seattle at about $1,580 a year ($132 a month) for a driver in their 30s with a clean record, and about $675 for Washington's minimum liability coverage. Real quotes vary by insurer, driver and vehicle.
Why is car insurance in Seattle more expensive than the Washington average?
Our Seattle estimate is 14% higher than the statewide figure. The model reflects a population density of 9,298 people per square mile (the typical Washington resident lives at about 737) and an average commute of 26.0 minutes versus 26.6 statewide. Denser traffic and longer drives mean more claims, which insurers price into local rates.
What car insurance is required in Seattle?
Drivers in Seattle follow Washington law: at least 25/50/10 liability coverage.
Which ZIP code in Seattle has the cheapest car insurance?
Among Seattle's 26 ZIP codes, 98134 has the lowest estimate (about $1,340 a year for full coverage) and 98121 the highest (about $1,635), mainly because of differences in density and commute times.
How much is car insurance for a teenager in Seattle?
An 18-year-old with their own full-coverage policy would pay around $4,340 a year in Seattle by our estimate ($1,855 for minimum coverage). Adding a teen to a parent's policy is usually cheaper.
Does weather affect car insurance in Seattle?
Yes. FEMA's National Risk Index rates King County for inland (river) flooding (very high) risk. Weather mainly affects the comprehensive part of a policy, which pays for hail, flood and wind damage.
Are there car insurance agents near me in Seattle?
We list 70 insurance offices in and around Seattle, with addresses, phone numbers where published, and directions. We don't sell insurance or rank these offices.
How we estimate this
We start from the state's average liability, collision and comprehensive premiums published by the NAIC, then apply a location factor (population density and commute time from the Census ACS, weather hazard scores from FEMA's National Risk Index), a vehicle factor (HLDI insurance-loss data where available, otherwise vehicle segment), and a driver-profile multiplier. Results are rounded ranges for comparison, not quotes. Read the full methodology.
- Washington OIC: Washington State's mandatory auto/motorcycle insurance law
- Washington OIC: Personal injury protection (PIP)
- RCW 48.22.030 (underinsured motorist coverage; written rejection)
- Washington DOL: Financial responsibility (SR-22)
- Washington OIC: File a complaint
- NAIC 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report
- NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report: Data for 2023
- Insurance Research Council uninsured motorist estimates (via Triple-I)
- IIHS Fatality Facts: state by state
- FBI Crime Data Explorer: Crime in the United States 2025 (Table 4)
- NICB 2022 Vehicle Theft Data: top 10 stolen vehicles by state
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table DL-1C (licensed drivers)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table MV-1 (registrations)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table VM-2 (vehicle-miles traveled)
- U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (Seattle and ZIP code tabulation areas)
- U.S. Census Bureau population estimates and Gazetteer files
- FEMA National Risk Index (county hazard ratings)
- Insurance office locations: OpenStreetMap contributors and All The Places