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Cheap car insurance in Washington
How to get the right car insurance in Washington state
Last updated:
Laws around car insurance are different from state to state. And unless you’ve moved to more than one state you may not realize that that car insurance in Washington is vastly different from what you need in Oregon. Get the right car insurance in Washington, from average rates and state requirements to how you can save on your coverage.
Washington
Car insurance quick facts
25/50/10
Minimum liability requirements
$1,200
Average annual car insurance cost
60
Days to update your license
At-fault state
In at fault states, the driver who caused the accident pays for damages.
What do you want to read about first?
- Pay by miles driven
- Low base rates
- Drive less, pay less
Our top pick: Metromile
Only pay for how much you drive with the Metromile app. Get rates from $29/month plus pennies per mile.
- Rates from $29/month plus pennies per mile
- Low-mileage drivers could save $611/year
- All miles over 250 a day are free
- Easy app and online claims plus 24/7 support
Compare Washington car insurance policies
Most popular Washington auto insurance companies list
| Company | Direct premiums written (billions) | Market share |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $883,758 | 16.0% |
| Geico | $637,453 | 11.6% |
| Liberty Mutual | $574,536 | 10.4% |
| Progressive | $536,468 | 9.7% |
| Allstate | $507,733 | 9.2% |
| USAA | $454,167 | 8.2% |
| Farmers | $382,088 | 6.9% |
| PEMCO Mutual | $295,724 | 5.4% |
| American Family | $196,480 | 3.6% |
| Hartford | $126,660 | 2.3% |
Average car insurance costs in Washington
Washington drivers paid an average of $1,200 annually for car insurance in 2017, which is a little less than the $1,300 national average. If you’re older than 25 and have a clean driving record, you could expect to pay a lower premium if you live in Washington state.
However, rates are known to vary from one area of a state to the next. Drivers in downtown Seattle, for example, are likely to pay more than drivers out in Walla Walla. This is because city living comes with additional risk for car accidents, theft and vandalism — things that make it more likely for an urban driver to file insurance claims. And the more likely you are to file a claim, the more you’ll be charged for coverage.
Cheapest car insurance in Washington
Cheap car insurance in Washington state
Rates last updated September 1st, 2019
| Company | Median annual rate | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
 |
$1,039 | Read review |
 |
$706 | Read review |
 |
$1,022 | Read review |
 |
$923 | Read review |
| Average | $923 | Compare more reviews |
Cheap car insurance in Seattle
Rates last updated September 1st, 2019
| Company | Median annual rate | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
|
$984 | Read review |
|
$677 | Read review |
|
$1,057 | Read review |
|
$695 | Read review |
| Average | $853 | Compare more reviews |
Which city has the cheapest car insurance in Washington?
Of Washington’s largest cities, Pasco has the cheapest rates and Vancouver has the most expensive car insurance rates. Vancouver drivers could face rates 2 times more than Pasco drivers.
Car insurance quotes in Redmond
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1832 |
| American Family | $1764 |
| Metromile | $1131 |
| Progressive | $1961 |
| Geico | $1990 |
Car insurance quotes in Pasco
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1436 |
| American Family | $1361 |
| Metromile | $899 |
| Progressive | $1497 |
| Geico | $1537 |
Car insurance quotes in Bothell
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1907 |
| American Family | $1818 |
| Metromile | $1190 |
| Progressive | $1960 |
| Geico | $1953 |
Car insurance quotes in Vancouver
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1611 |
| American Family | $1610 |
| Metromile | $1110 |
| Progressive | $1969 |
| Geico | $1994 |
Car insurance quotes in Everett
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1884 |
| American Family | $1704 |
| Metromile | $1142 |
| Progressive | $1970 |
| Geico | $1922 |
State minimum requirements in Washington
To legally drive in Washington, you’ll need insurance that includes at least:
- $25,000 for injuries or death to one person
- $50,000 for injuries or death to all other people
- $10,000 for damage to another person’s property
Roadside assistance in Washington
Many Washington insurers offer roadside assistance as an optional extra, and a few offer it free when you buy collision and comprehensive coverage. Washington has some of the worst roads in the country, ranking seventh worst with 31% of roads in poor conditions, according to a recent report by the American Society of Civil Engineers. With so much mountainous terrain and rural roads, it’s difficult for the state to maintain everything with current funding. Roadside help could come in handy for any Washington driver who’s experienced a fender bender, unseen pothole or black ice on a winter night.
Car insurance for high-risk drivers in Washington
If you can’t find cheap coverage or if you’ve been denied coverage because you’re a high-risk driver, you can get insured with the Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans (WAAIP).
With WAAIP, you’ll be assigned an insurance provider, and any additional risk you pose to the insurance provider is mitigated by spreading it across the WAAIP network of insurance companies.
Can I get SR-22 insurance in Washington?
Yes, you can file an SR-22 insurance in Washington. An SR-22 is a document proving to the state that you meet all of the car insurance minimum requirements. You might need an SR-22 filing if you’ve gotten a DUI or if you’ve been caught driving without car insurance.
Bottom line
Car insurance can help to protect you, your vehicle and everyone else on the road if something ever goes wrong. And in the state of Washington, it’s a legal requirement to carry insurance for these reasons. The first step of comparing car insurance is understanding laws and regulations in your state to help you get the best value on your auto coverage.
Common questions about car insurance in Washington
Which car insurance provider is best for me?
Looking to save on car insurance? Answer these three questions to find a provider that best fits your needs and budget.
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