Car Insurance in Tacoma, Washington
Estimated full coverage in Tacoma runs about $1,560 a year ($130/month) — ▲ +13% versus the Washington average, ranking 5th most expensive of the 13 Washington cities we cover.
Why car insurance in Tacoma costs more than the Washington average
Insurers price by territory, and Tacoma's numbers explain most of the gap. With 228,202 residents on 49.7 square miles, the city's density (4,590 people per square mile) is 6.2 times the density where the typical Washington resident lives (737). The average commute is 28.8 minutes (Washington: 26.6), and 66% of workers drive alone. Together these put our location factor at 1.13× the state baseline for liability and collision.
| Factor | Tacoma | Washington ref. | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population density | 4,590 / sq mi | 737 / sq mi | More vehicles per mile of road means more fender-benders and claims. |
| Average commute | 28.8 min | 26.6 min | Longer daily drives add exposure to crashes. |
| Commutes over 60 min | 11.7% | — | Long highway commutes raise mileage-based risk. |
| Drive alone to work | 66.0% | — | Share of workers commuting by car. |
| Public transit to work | 3.9% | — | Transit use lowers how much residents drive. |
| Work from home | 15.7% | — | Remote workers may qualify for low-mileage pricing. |
| Households without a car | 8.8% | — | Context for non-owner and occasional-driver policies. |
| Weather hazard score (FEMA) | 53.4 | 53.7 | Hail, wind, flood and hurricane exposure drive comprehensive claims. |
Car insurance cost by ZIP code in Tacoma
Rates can change from one ZIP code to the next. Across 13 Tacoma ZIP codes, our full-coverage estimate ranges from $1,325 in 98421 to $1,635 in 98404. Denser, longer-commute neighborhoods estimate higher. Click a column to sort.
| ZIP | Population | Density / sq mi | Commute | No car | Est. full / yr | vs. city |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98404 | 35,961 | 5,094 | 34.1 min | 6.9% | $1,635 | +5% |
| 98409 | 27,843 | 3,899 | 28.2 min | 10.1% | $1,540 | −1% |
| 98405 | 25,939 | 6,328 | 27.0 min | 11.1% | $1,560 | 0% |
| 98406 | 24,202 | 5,789 | 25.4 min | 7.4% | $1,535 | −2% |
| 98407 | 21,718 | 4,029 | 27.3 min | 6.5% | $1,530 | −2% |
| 98422 | 21,644 | 3,086 | 33.5 min | 1.7% | $1,585 | +2% |
| 98408 | 21,009 | 6,159 | 27.5 min | 6.2% | $1,565 | 0% |
| 98418 | 10,264 | 6,084 | 26.7 min | 5.6% | $1,555 | 0% |
| 98403 | 9,097 | 9,097 | 25.6 min | 11.1% | $1,570 | +1% |
| 98402 | 8,080 | 6,848 | 22.3 min | 25.7% | $1,505 | −4% |
| 98465 | 7,178 | 4,434 | 27.4 min | 12.2% | $1,540 | −1% |
| 98416 | 934 | 10,614 | 9.5 min | — | $1,375 | −12% |
| 98421 | 424 | 65 | — | — | $1,325 | −15% |
Minimum car insurance in Tacoma
Tacoma drivers follow Washington's rules: at least 25/50/10 liability coverage. Washington is at-fault (tort). We estimate state-minimum coverage in Tacoma at $665 a year, and $965 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 Tacoma 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 Pierce County as very low for hail, relatively high for inland flooding and relatively low for strong wind.
Traffic & commuting
11.7% of Tacoma commuters spend an hour or more getting to work, and there are 1.82 vehicles per household. 15.7% work from home — worth mentioning to insurers that offer low-mileage pricing.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Score (0–100) | Insurance impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 16.3 | Comprehensive (car); roof claims (home) | |
| Tornado | 41.2 | Comprehensive; dwelling | |
| Hurricane | — | Comprehensive; wind/hurricane deductibles (home) | |
| Inland (river) flooding | 96.2 | Comprehensive; home needs a separate flood policy | |
| Coastal flooding | 71.4 | Comprehensive; home needs a separate flood policy | |
| Strong wind | 41.8 | Comprehensive; dwelling | |
| Winter weather | 84.4 | 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 Tacoma by driver profile
A clean-record driver in their 50s pays the least in our Tacoma model (about $1,435 for full coverage); an 18-year-old on their own policy pays about $4,285, and a DUI pushes a 30-something to $2,885.
| Driver | Minimum | Standard | Full coverage | Full / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $1,830 | $2,655 | $4,285 | $357 |
| Young adult (22) | $1,065 | $1,545 | $2,495 | $208 |
| Adult in their 30s | $665 | $965 | $1,560 | $130 |
| Adult in their 50s | $610 | $890 | $1,435 | $120 |
| Senior (72) | $745 | $1,080 | $1,745 | $145 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $965 | $1,400 | $2,260 | $188 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $1,230 | $1,785 | $2,885 | $240 |
Minimum vs. standard vs. full coverage in Tacoma
| 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. | $665 | $55 | $545–$785 |
| Standard liability (100/300/100) | Higher liability limits plus uninsured motorist coverage. Still no coverage for damage to your own car. | $965 | $80 | $790–$1,140 |
| Full coverage | Standard liability plus collision and comprehensive, typically required on a financed or leased car. | $1,560 | $130 | $1,280–$1,840 |
Estimate your premium in Tacoma
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Cheap car insurance in Tacoma: how to lower your rate
The cheapest policy is the one that fits your situation. These levers are priced with Tacoma'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 15.7% of Tacoma workers who work from home, or you rarely drive. |
| Drop collision & comprehensive on an older car | $325 | The car is paid off and worth little more than a year of premiums. |
| Standard (100/300/100) instead of full coverage | $595 | No loan or lease requires physical-damage coverage. |
| Avoid one speeding ticket | $340 | 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 Tacoma
- 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 57 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 Tacoma, our estimates differ by up to $310 a year between neighborhoods.
Car insurance agents near Tacoma, WA
We found 57 insurance offices within about 5 miles of central Tacoma, 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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Goosehead Insurance
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Farmers Insurance
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Randy Simpson - American Family Insurance
1120 Pacific Ave, Ste 101, Tacoma, WA 98402 -
Anel Galicia Pichardo - Farmers Insurance
1015 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402 -
Farmers Insurance
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Shirley McMahon - American Family Insurance
1201 Pacific Ave, Ste 600, Tacoma, WA 98402 -
Michael J Bower - Farmers Insurance
1102 A St, Tacoma, WA 98402 -
Lauren Wiley Greenland - American Family Insurance
1302 N I St, Ste G, Tacoma, WA 98403 -
John Moorehead - Farmers Insurance
1302 N I St, Tacoma, WA 98403 -
Jose Guadalupe Sarmiento Coronado - Farmers Insurance
3701 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406 -
Brown & Brown Insurance
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Julie Marie Partridge - Farmers Insurance
2112 N 30th St, Tacoma, WA 98403 -
State Farm
4412 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406 -
Amber Trott - State Farm
3025 South Union Ave, Tacoma, WA 98409 -
Nicholas Collin Barr - Farmers Insurance
3820 N 26th St, Tacoma, WA 98407 -
Allstate
WA -
Larson Financial & Insurance
15 Oregon Ave, Ste 207, Tacoma, WA 98409 -
Rosa A Lucas - Farmers Insurance
4020 S Steele St, Tacoma, WA 98409 -
Carlos Alfonso Lara Cartagena - Farmers Insurance
3716 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98418 -
State Farm
WA -
Mandon Foley - American Family Insurance
5005 Center St, Ste A, Tacoma, WA 98409 -
State Farm
2405 North Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA 98406 -
Stephen D La Berge - Farmers Insurance
2102 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98406 -
Philip C Girolami - Farmers Insurance
6314 19th St W, Fircrest, WA 98466 -
Farmers Insurance
WA -
Nationwide
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Team Insurance
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Kayla Blouin - Farmers Insurance
5406b S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409 -
Nationwide
5409 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409 -
State Farm
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Brian Paul Arnold - Farmers Insurance
5423 S Washington St, Tacoma, WA 98409 -
John H Hayes - Farmers Insurance
6720 Regents Blvd, University Place, WA 98466 -
Alfonzo Riconosciuto - American Family Insurance
5825 Tacoma Mall Blvd, Ste 101, Tacoma, WA 98409 -
David W Beckwith - Farmers Insurance
6240 Tacoma Mall Blvd, Tacoma, WA 98409 -
Brian Seth - Allstate
1905 Bridgeport Way W, Ste 106, University Place, WA 98466 -
Allstate
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Allstate
2607 Bridgeport Way West, University Place, WA 98466 -
Elisa Christine Linton - Farmers Insurance
7409 27th St W, University Place, WA 98466 -
State Farm
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Pfarr Insurance Agency INC
4961 Main St, Ste B, Tacoma, WA 98407
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 Tacoma
| Model | Segment | Est. full coverage / yr | vs. average car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | Small SUV | $1,185 | −24% |
| Subaru Outback | Wagon | $1,160 | −26% |
| Tesla Model 3 | Midsize car | $1,630 | +4% |
| Subaru Forester | Small SUV | $1,130 | −28% |
| Honda Civic | Compact car | $1,800 | +15% |
| Toyota Corolla | Compact car | $1,690 | +8% |
| Jeep Wrangler | Midsize SUV | $1,380 | −12% |
| Mazda CX-5 | Small SUV | $1,335 | −14% |
| MINI Cooper | Subcompact car | $1,190 | −24% |
| Tesla Model Y | Midsize SUV | $1,465 | −6% |
More car insurance topics in Tacoma
Car insurance in nearby Washington cities
- Auburn $1,540/yr · 12 mi
- Kent $1,570/yr · 15 mi
- Renton $1,570/yr · 20 mi
- Seattle $1,580/yr · 26 mi
- Bellevue $1,485/yr · 28 mi
- Lynnwood $1,585/yr · 41 mi
- Everett $1,505/yr · 51 mi
- Yakima $1,390/yr · 101 mi
- Bellingham $1,380/yr · 104 mi
- Vancouver $1,470/yr · 112 mi
- Spokane $1,430/yr · 237 mi
- Spokane Valley $1,420/yr · 246 mi
All Washington cities and state rules · Homeowners insurance in Tacoma
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance in Tacoma, WA?
We estimate full coverage in Tacoma at about $1,560 a year ($130 a month) for a driver in their 30s with a clean record, and about $665 for Washington's minimum liability coverage. Real quotes vary by insurer, driver and vehicle.
Why is car insurance in Tacoma more expensive than the Washington average?
Our Tacoma estimate is 13% higher than the statewide figure. The model reflects a population density of 4,590 people per square mile (the typical Washington resident lives at about 737) and an average commute of 28.8 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 Tacoma?
Drivers in Tacoma follow Washington law: at least 25/50/10 liability coverage.
Which ZIP code in Tacoma has the cheapest car insurance?
Among Tacoma's 13 ZIP codes, 98421 has the lowest estimate (about $1,325 a year for full coverage) and 98404 the highest (about $1,635), mainly because of differences in density and commute times.
How much is car insurance for a teenager in Tacoma?
An 18-year-old with their own full-coverage policy would pay around $4,285 a year in Tacoma by our estimate ($1,830 for minimum coverage). Adding a teen to a parent's policy is usually cheaper.
Does weather affect car insurance in Tacoma?
Yes. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pierce County for inland (river) flooding (relatively 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 Tacoma?
We list 57 insurance offices in and around Tacoma, 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 (Tacoma 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