Washington Auto Insurance (2024)

Washington auto insurance costs around $84 monthly, despite increased risks from extreme weather, heavy traffic, and rising car theft rates in major cities. So, finding cheap car insurance in Washington shouldn’t be difficult.

While you can buy cheap auto insurance in other states, some Washington auto insurance companies are more expensive than others. For instance, PEMCO auto insurance offers the cheapest rates for nearly every driver, but Progressive, Farmers, and Nationwide are also good choices. Ultimately, it’s vital for you to know how to evaluate auto insurance quotes for the lowest Washington rates.

Read on to learn more about the best car insurance in Washington state, including the companies with the cheapest rates. Then, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to compare rates from various Washington state car insurance companies and find the best policy for you.

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Cheapest Washington Auto Insurance Companies

With over seven million residents, Washington needs a lot of car insurance. To meet those needs, dozens of car insurance companies sell coverage in the Evergreen State. However, insurance companies offer significantly different rates, so comparing your options is important when you want to find a reasonable price.

While companies like Progressive, Nationwide, and Farmers tend to offer affordable rates, PEMCO is the overall cheapest company in Washington. Of course, various factors affect your rates, but PEMCO usually offers the lowest rates regardless of your situation. Read about Geico vs. State Farm auto insurance to find out if either company fulfills your needs for insurance. 

Start your search for affordable Washington car insurance by exploring your options below. Although PEMCO is usually the cheapest option, you might find another more appealing company for your needs.

Minimum Auto Insurance Rates in Washington

Minimum coverage refers to the smallest amount of car insurance you can buy to drive or register your car legally. Washington has relatively low minimum auto insurance requirements compared to the rest of the country. To meet Washington’s minimum insurance laws, you’ll need the following coverage:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $10,000 per accident

Washington doesn’t require other types of insurance, like uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection (PIP). However, the law requires insurers to carry PIP insurance.

To get an idea of which companies offer the lowest prices in Washington, check out the monthly minimum insurance rates below:

Liability Auto Insurance Average Rates From Top Providers

As you can see, PEMCO offers the lowest average minimum insurance rates in Washington. PEMCO is a local company providing coverage to Washington and Oregon residents only. Other affordable options include Progressive and Nationwide. Read our Progressive auto insurance review for more information on the company. 

If you don’t want to meet the minimum insurance requirements in Washington, you have two other options. First, you can apply for a certificate of deposit with the Department of Licensing to cover damage you might cause in an accident. You can also buy a liability bond for at least $60,000 from a surety bond company.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates in Washington

While Washington doesn’t require drivers to carry full coverage, you’ll probably need it if you have a car loan or lease. Full coverage offers valuable protection, and even drivers who own their car outright can benefit from buying it.

In Washington, full coverage includes the following insurance:

• Liability: Consisting of bodily injury and property damage coverages, liability auto insurance pays for damage you cause in an accident. It doesn’t cover your car.
• Comprehensive: Comprehensive auto insurance covers car damage aside from collisions, including weather, fire, theft, and vandalism.
• Collision: You need collision auto insurance if you want help from your insurance company to pay for damages to your car after an accident.
• Uninsured motorist: Although Washington requires drivers to carry minimum insurance, not everyone follows the law. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you from drivers with inadequate insurance.
• Personal injury protection: Medical bills can get expensive after an accident, but personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance will help cover them for you and your passengers.

These five insurances offer relatively complete coverage for your car, but it costs much more than the minimum requirements. See below for an idea of how much you’ll pay for full coverage in Washington:

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates From Top Providers

Once again, PEMCO offers the lowest rates in Washington, with Progressive and Nationwide trailing behind. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive companies in Washington is over $100 a month, highlighting why price comparison is so important.

Washington Auto Insurance Rates by Age and Gender

Car insurance companies look at various factors to determine your rates. Two of the most important are your age and gender. Statistically, young people and men are more likely to cause accidents or file claims than other demographics.

According to statistics, men are more likely than women to:

• Speed
• Not wear a seatbelt
• Have multiple passengers
• Engage in reckless driving behavior

Likewise, young drivers tend to drive distracted and lack the experience to handle dangerous situations. As a result, auto insurance for young drivers comes with some of the highest rates. You can check below to see how much Washington drivers pay based on age and gender:

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Age and Gender

PEMCO once again offers the lowest rates, with rates more than $100 cheaper than the next lowest option. Young drivers in Washington should steer clear of American Family, Liberty Mutual, and Farmers, as rates with these companies are over $600 monthly.

Although rates are high when you’re young, the good news is that you won’t be stuck with them forever. If you keep your driving record clean, your rates will drop around 25. Until then, make sure you find the best auto insurance coverage for drivers under 25.

Washington Auto Insurance Rates After an Accident

One of the best ways for car insurance companies to predict how risky you’ll be as a driver is to look at how many accidents you have on your record. If you have too many, standard insurance companies might not be willing to insure you, and you’ll have to find high-risk auto insurance.

An at-fault accident typically raises your rates by 42%, though the actual amount you’ll see depends on your company. Even an accident you’re not responsible for can raise your rates, though the increase is usually much less.

Check below to see which companies have the best rates in Washington after an accident:

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates: One Accident vs. Clean Record

Continuing the trend, PEMCO offers the most affordable car insurance in Washington State after an accident. PEMCO offers an incredibly low price of $100 monthly, while the next lowest competitor —  State Farm — charges $169. Read our State Farm auto insurance review for more information.

Although your rates will increase after an at-fault accident, they’ll eventually drop if you keep your driving record clean. While state laws vary, the average wait time for an accident to stop affecting your rates is three years.

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Washington Auto Insurance Rates by City

From Seattle to Spokane, there’s no denying the beauty of Washington’s cities. However, like most states, living in a bigger city usually comes with higher rates, while small towns enjoy more affordable insurance. Below, you can check the average insurance price in some of Washington’s largest cities.

As you might expect of the most populous city, car insurance in Seattle has some of the highest rates. You might also struggle to find cheap car insurance in Tacoma, Washington’s third-largest city.

On the other hand, Spokane has rates a little lower than the average, despite being the second-largest city in Washington. Moreover, with low traffic and decent car theft rates, insurance companies consider Spokane a relatively safe place for drivers.

Washington Auto Insurance with a DUI

While at-fault accidents have a fairly substantial effect on your rates, DUIs are much worse. Aside from the legal fees, potential license suspension, and possible jail time, increased car insurance rates are one of the most impactful consequences of a DUI.

On average, a DUI will increase your rates by 74%, though some companies are more forgiving than others. Check below to see how much Washington auto insurance providers charge for coverage after a DUI:

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record

PEMCO and Progressive offer the cheapest car insurance in Washington, with Geico having the most expensive. The prices listed above are only average, though — you must compare rates after getting a DUI charge. You might find cheaper coverage, even if you already have a policy.

Like at-fault accidents, a DUI won’t affect your car insurance rates forever. However, you’ll pay higher prices for much longer with a DUI — the average DUI takes about seven years before falling off your insurance record. As always, it’s vital to compare insurance quotes in Washington state from several companies to find the best rates in any scenario.

Washington State DUI Laws

Washington drivers usually face a gross misdemeanor when charged with a DUI. A gross misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of 365 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. The consequences you’ll face after a DUI depend on the severity of the incident and your driving history.

Washington splits its DUI consequences into two categories. The first is for drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or less or who didn’t need to take a test.

These drivers face the following consequences:

• First offense in seven years: Up to 365 days in jail, 15 days of electronic home monitoring, a $5,000 fine, an ignition interlock device, and a 90-day license suspension.
• Second offense in seven years: Up to 365 days in jail, 60 days of electronic home monitoring, a $5,000 fine, an IID, and a two-year license revocation. A second DUI in seven years comes with a minimum 30-day jail sentence.
• Third or more offenses in seven years: Up to 365 days in jail, 120 days of electronic home monitoring, a $5,000 fine, an IID, and a three-year license suspension. Subsequent DUIs come with a minimum 90-day jail sentence.

The second category of consequences goes to those with a BAC of .15 or more who refused to test.

These drivers face the following consequences:

• First offense in seven years: Up to 365 days in jail, 30 days of electronic home monitoring, a $5,000 fine, an IID, and a one-year license revocation. You’ll lose your license for two years if you refuse to test.
• Second offense in seven years: Up to 365 days in jail, 90 days of electronic home monitoring, a $5,000 fine, an IID, and a two-year license revocation. You’ll lose your license for three years and spend at least 45 days in jail if you refuse to test.
• Third or more offenses in seven years: Up to 365 days in jail, 150 days of electronic home monitoring, a $5,000 fine, an IID, and a four-year license revocation. Subsequent DUIs come with a minimum 120-day jail sentence.

You may also need to attend substance abuse educational courses before you can get your license reinstated. You’ll also face harsher punishments if you had a minor under 16 in the vehicle with you, including higher fees and more jail time.

Washington keeps DUIs on your record for seven years, which means it’ll affect your insurance prices, background checks, and even your employment opportunities for a long time.

A final DUI law in Washington states that any driver convicted of a DUI will enter a five-year probationary period. The best auto insurance for drivers with a DUI may be able to help you find affordable coverage. 

Washington State Auto Insurance Laws

Though you’re now aware of how much car insurance you need in Washington, what other laws should Evergreen State drivers know?

To start, drivers of both cars and motorcycles need a minimum amount of liability insurance before hitting the road. Drivers must also show proof of insurance to any law enforcement officer upon request. Failure to show proof will result in a ticket.

Not all vehicles require insurance — you won’t need proof of insurance for the following:

• Motor scooters and mopeds
• State or publicly-owned vehicles
• Specially licensed horseless carriages over 40 years old
• Contract carriers with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

Getting insurance on these vehicles might still be a good idea, as you’ll be financially responsible for any damage you cause to them.

You should contact the Automobile Insurance Plan in Washington if you can’t get coverage because of your driving record. It might not be the best car insurance in Washington State, but you’ll be able to get an affordable policy no matter how much of a high-risk driver you are.

So, what happens if you drive without car insurance in Washington? The consequences vary by the severity of the incident, but you can expect at least $465 in fines and community service. If you don’t pay the fine, your license gets revoked.

Washington Auto Insurance Coverage Options

Washington state law requires a minimum amount of liability insurance, and car lenders usually require full coverage. While you don’t technically need more coverage than this, most insurance companies offer add-ons to increase the value of your policy.

Popular add-ons with Washington drivers include:

• Roadside assistance: Roadside assistance coverage comes to the rescue when stranded on the side of the road. Most plans include towing, battery jumps, tire changes, fuel delivery, and locksmith services.
• Rental car reimbursement: If you buy this add-on, your insurance company will pay for a rental car while yours gets repaired after a covered incident.
• Accident forgiveness: Your insurance company will forgive your first accident and not increase your rates with this add-on. Most companies require you to be accident-free for some time before signing up.
• Gap coverage: If you total a new car, you might owe more on the loan than the vehicle is worth. Gap insurance pays the difference, so you’re not stuck paying for a vehicle you no longer own.
• Custom parts and equipment: Standard insurance policies only cover the original parts of your car. If you’ve made modifications, this add-on covers them.

While add-ons increase your policy’s value, you should only buy what you need. Add-ons can significantly increase car insurance rates.

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Buying SR-22 Auto Insurance in Washington

Although it’s referred to as insurance, SR-22s are a form some drivers need to submit to their local DMV. SR-22 forms prove you carry the minimum amount of insurance Washington requires.

Washington requires drivers to submit SR-22 forms after the following events:

• DUI/DWI charge
• Driving without insurance
• Driving with a suspended license
• Multiple traffic tickets in a short period

Every state is different, but you’ll most likely receive notice that you must file SR-22 auto insurance through the mail. While most states require SR-22 forms, some use FR-44 forms instead. FR-44 forms are similar to SR-22 but require more coverage than state minimum insurance.

When you need SR-22 or FR-44 insurance, you’ll likely need to file forms with your DMV for about three years. However, you won’t have to handle filing your SR-22 forms yourself — most states require a licensed insurance company to file for you.

How to Get Washington SR-22 Insurance

Although it might sound complicated, getting SR-22 insurance in Washington is relatively easy. SR-22 insurance in Washington costs more than a standard insurance policy, but finding a company to work with you isn’t usually a struggle.

However, you’ll have to do a bit of searching to find the right plan. People who already have car insurance will likely have the easiest time since most companies don’t drop drivers who need SR-22 insurance.

If you already have a policy, contact a representative and tell them you need SR-22 insurance. Your current rates will likely increase, and you’ll have to pay a filing fee, but you won’t have to worry about driving illegally.

If you don’t have insurance, buying SR-22 insurance works the same as purchasing a standard policy. When you fill out an application, let the company know you need SR-22 insurance. Your application might get rejected, but you probably won’t encounter any issues.

Washington will likely suspend your license until you submit your first SR-22 form. While that’s relatively easy when you have a car, how do you buy insurance if you don’t own a vehicle?

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People in this situation should consider a non-owner policy. Non-owner auto insurance covers you in any vehicle you drive and allows you to prove financial responsibility to the state. It also costs about 15% less than a standard car insurance policy.

Save Money on Washington Auto Insurance

Although Washington drivers pay about 20% less than the national average for car insurance, there are additional ways to save.

When you need affordable insurance in Washington, try the following tips:

• Lower your coverage. Although it’s tempting to buy as much coverage as possible, some options aren’t worth the price. If you need to stay on a budget, you should only buy what you need.
• Raise your deductible. Your auto insurance deductible is the portion you must pay before your insurance kicks in. Your monthly rates will be lower if you elect a larger deductible, but remember that you’ll need to pay more before your insurance applies.
• Find discounts. Insurance companies offer discounts to help customers save money. When shopping for insurance, you should also consider how many discounts a company offers.
• Keep your driving record clean. Drivers with clean records pay less for car insurance. Avoiding traffic incidents and accidents is a great way to decrease your rates.
• Consider usage-based insurance. If you practice safe driving habits or put a low number of miles on your car, a usage-based auto insurance program might help you save.
• Compare quotes. As you saw above, companies treat driver factors differently. You’ll likely overpay for your insurance if you don’t compare quotes.

The most crucial part of finding affordable insurance, no matter what state you live in, is to compare quotes. Even if you already have a policy, it’s not a bad idea to occasionally look at other companies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

Find the Best Washington Auto Insurance Rates Today

Washington drivers enjoy car insurance rates nearly 30% cheaper than the rest of the country, and they don’t need to worry about their credit scores affecting their rates. Along with California and Massachusetts, Washington state car insurance companies can’t use credit scores to set rates. Learn more about how credit scores affect auto insurance rates in other states.

Drivers in the Evergreen State also have plenty of affordable options for coverage, but PEMCO usually offers the lowest overall rates. While PEMCO might be your cheapest insurance option, you should still shop around. Compare insurance quotes in Washington state to find the best policy for you.

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