Auto Insurance Requirements in Washington State: A Complete Guide
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If you're buying a car, updating your auto insurance policy, or getting your license in Washington, it's important to understand the Evergreen State's mandatory auto insurance requirements. Like most states, Washington has minimum coverage rules to protect everybody on the road. Are you shopping around for auto insurance in Washington? This guide will help you comply with Washington State auto insurance requirements while getting the best coverage for you and your vehicle.
Understand Washington's Auto Insurance Laws
Like every state (except New Hampshire), Washington has mandatory auto insurance laws. These laws dictate specific coverage minimums for your auto insurance policy and state that you must show proof of insurance to law enforcement when driving. Additionally, if you own 26 or more vehicles, such as a business fleet, then you may qualify for self-insurance. That said, to qualify for self insurance, you must make a $60,000 certified deposit to the state.
Minimum Liability Coverage Requirements
Washington State's auto insurance minimum requirements state that your policy must have limits of at least:
- $25,000 of bodily injury or death of one person in one accident.
- $50,000 of bodily injury or death of two people in one accident.
- $10,000 of injury or destruction of property of others in one accident.
These coverage limits account for both bodily injury liability and property damage liability, so if you're at fault for an accident, you'll have coverage to pay for the other driver's medical expenses and vehicle repairs. The auto liability insurance requirements in Washington State are in line with those in other states.
Optional Insurance Coverages
Washington State's auto insurance requirements are consistent with most other states, but the minimum coverage limits are often not enough for most drivers. While opting for minimum coverage offers cheap car insurance, 80% of drivers purchase additional optional coverages to protect themselves from the myriad of issues that can occur on the roads. Most get both of the following additional coverages.
Collision Coverage
One of the most common add-ons to an insurance policy is collision coverage. This insurance coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle resulting from collisions with other cars or stationary objects, like highway medians or trees.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive insurance, sometimes referred to as full coverage, is an add-on that covers non-collision-related incidents. Typically, that means things like theft, vandalism, or damage caused by environmental hazards like fires or flooding.
Consequences of Driving Without Insurance in Washington
Having adequate liability per accident coverage is absolutely essential to drive in Washington. That's because the penalties for not meeting Washington car insurance mandates are stiff.
Legal Penalties
Washington State law states that if you drive your car without the required insurance, you may receive a fine of $550 or more. Likewise, if you're found at-fault for an accident while driving without insurance, you may face license suspension.
Financial Liability
Washington is an at-fault state, which means it identifies fault in accidents to determine who is financially liable to pay for damages. If you drive without insurance and are found guilty of a fault accident, you'll incur complete financial responsibility for the entire accident.
Insurance Cost in Washington
Washington State auto insurance requirements don't drive up insurance premiums. According to several sources, the average monthly cost for car insurance in the Evergreen State is $176.
Factors Affecting Your Insurance Premiums
Of course, everybody pays different insurance premiums based on a range of factors. Depending on the insurance company, your premiums may be impacted by your age, gender, driving record, and credit score, as well as your chosen coverage. Different insurance companies weigh individual factors differently, which is why it's important to compare quotes. Ultimately, if you're a high-risk driver, you're more likely to pay higher premiums.
Discounts Available for Washington Drivers
Insurance companies offer a range of auto insurance discounts for Washington drivers. Depending on the provider, you may be eligible for discounts. Some of the most common include breaks for maintaining a clean driving record, for taking a defensive driving course, or by bundling your renter's or homeowners insurance with your car insurance policy.
Understanding Washington's Unique Insurance Regulations
Washington State has specific insurance regulations, but they're not difficult to meet. However, minimum coverage plans often fall short in the event of an accident. Just because you only need a certain amount of coverage doesn't mean that's all you should settle for. More extensive coverage can help you replace your car in the event that it's totaled and pay for your medical bills if you're hurt in an accident. Not to mention, if one of those big evergreens falls on your car, you'll wish you had comprehensive coverage.
Review the insurance requirements of your state:
Resources for Finding Affordable Auto Insurance
Shopping for car insurance can feel overwhelming. There are so many insurance companies and types of coverage available. So, what's right for you? Use EverQuote's comparison tools to answer your questions and compare quotes in real time to find the best coverage that meets Washington regulations.
FAQs
What type of insurance is required in Washington state?
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Premiums are sourced from over 30,000 zip codes across 200 insurance companies. We estimate premiums based on public filings for policies seeking 50/100 in liability with $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage. Estimated rates are based on a 35-year-old single female with a good credit score and no history of accidents or violations driving a 2023 Toyota RAV4 LE. We partner with Quadrant Information Services to source our data and assume no unique benefits or discounts are applied for these rates (unless otherwise stated). Your own rates may be different.