Guide to Auto Insurance in Washington

• Bodily injury liability: Drivers must have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability protection, which pays for injuries to other parties in an at-fault accident.
• Property damage liability: Drivers must have at least $10,000 of property damage liability protection, which pays for damage to other parties’ property in an at-fault accident.¹

As we mentioned, Washington only requires drivers to have bodily injury and property damage liability protection. However, there are several optional coverages that will expand a driver’s coverage and provide greater protection from financial loss. While it’s not required, many drivers choose to purchase full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage.

Collision

Property damage liability covers damage to other vehicles in an accident, but not the one the at-fault party owns. Collision insurance covers damage to an at-fault driver’s vehicle, regardless of whether they collided with another vehicle or with a standalone object.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to a vehicle not caused by an accident. This type of coverage can apply to vandalism, theft, or damage from inclement weather.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Auto Insurance Database Report, the average cost of car insurance in Washington in 2020 was $1,035, slightly lower than the national average rate of $1,047.³

Keep in mind that not all drivers pay the state’s average rate. Factors such as driving record, coverage amount, provider, and more affect annual premiums. A driver’s rate also depends on whether they purchase full coverage or the state’s minimum coverage. In general, drivers in Washington could pay as little as $300 for minimum coverage or upwards of $2,000 for full coverage.

Car insurance rates also depend on whether or not you’re a good driver. Rates in Washington will be lower for those with clean driving records. Age is a factor, as young, inexperienced drivers won’t be able to get the cheapest car insurance.

• Allstate
• American Family
• Farmers
• GEICO
• Liberty Mutual
• Nationwide
• PEMCO
• Progressive
• Safeco
• State Farm
• Travelers
• USAA

1. Take advantage of discounts. Many insurance carriers offer discounts for drivers on their car insurance. Popular discounts include those for safe driving, low mileage, vehicle safety, and anti-theft features.
2. Bundle multiple policies. When drivers bundle their car insurance policies with their homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies, they can often get discounts on their premiums.
3. Raise the deductible. There’s an inverse correlation between insurance deductibles and premiums. As the deductible on a policy goes down, the premium goes up, meaning drivers can save with higher insurance deductibles.
4. Lower the coverage limits. The coverage limits on a policy are one of the most important factors that determine the rate. Usually, drivers can reduce their premiums by lowering their coverage limits.

Drivers in Washington must carry at least the state’s minimum required insurance coverage. They must also carry proof of insurance so that if they’re involved in an accident or traffic stop, they can show they have the necessary coverage. Drivers can choose to carry a physical insurance card that their carrier provides, but may also provide digital proof of insurance, often in a mobile app or as a digital version of their insurance card.

Anyone caught driving without insurance in Washington will be subject to certain penalties. Failure to provide proof of car insurance will result in a fine of up to $250.⁴ Anyone who drives without insurance and is at fault for an accident could have their license suspended.

Fault System

Washington is an at-fault state for car insurance, which means the driver at fault for an accident is responsible for all damages. A driver’s bodily injury and property damage liability coverage will pay for damages that result from accidents they cause.

Washington has a comparative negligence law, which means a victim can always recover some damages, no matter their degree of fault; the compensation is reduced by the degree of fault. For example, if a victim held 20 percent of the fault for causing an accident, their damages would be reduced by 20 percent. If only one driver is responsible for the accident, other parties can recover 100 percent of their damages.

However, there’s no threshold for when a driver can no longer recover damages from an accident. Theoretically, someone who is 99 percent at fault for an accident could recover damages that were a result of the 1 percent of responsibility of the other driver.

Uninsured Motorists

As we mentioned, uninsured motorist coverage is optional in Washington, meaning that, while drivers can choose to include it in their policy, they don’t have to. Washington has among the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation, with roughly 22 percent of drivers not carrying the required insurance.⁵ As a result, prudent rivers may want to add this optional coverage to their policies.

Washington does not allow stacking of uninsured motorist coverage. As a result, each vehicle has its own coverage, which can’t be combined if there are multiple vehicles on the policy.

DUI Penalties in Washington State

Seat Belt Laws

Washington has a primary seat belt law, meaning law enforcement can pull someone over for not wearing their seat belt, even if they haven’t committed any other traffic violations. This doesn’t only apply to the driver; law enforcement can pull over a vehicle if anyone in the vehicle is without a seat belt. This law applies to all drivers and passengers ages 16 and older.

Distracted Driving Laws

Like most states, Washington prohibits drivers from using cell phones while driving. Washington has a ban on all handheld devices, meaning drivers can’t hold their phones to talk or text while driving. The state also prohibits drivers with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses from talking on the phone at all while driving, even via a hands-free method. The penalty for breaking the distracted driving law is $136 for a first offense and $234 for subsequent offenses within five years.

Teen Driver Laws

Washington allows teens to obtain their learner’s permits at the age of 15 if they’ve completed an application and driver education course. Without driver’s education, teens can still get their learner’s permits at age 15-and-a-half. These permits are valid for one year and allow teens to drive under the supervision of adults who have had their licenses for five years.

Once teens in Washington have passed their driver’s tests and completed the necessary practice driving hours, they can get their intermediate licenses at the age of 16. For the first six months with these intermediate licenses, teens must avoid at-fault accidents and tickets. Once they turn 18, their intermediate licenses are upgraded to unrestricted licenses, meaning they no longer have any limits on their driving other than those that apply to all fully licensed drivers.

Statute of Limitations for Claims

If someone is the victim of an accident and sustains either injuries or property damage, they only have a certain amount of time to file a claim or lawsuit. The statute of limitations in Washington is three years for both injuries and property damage, meaning drivers can only recover damages if they file claims within that time period.⁸

Cancellation and Non-Renewal Notification Laws

Cancellation is when an auto insurance company cancels an existing policy before it expires. In general, insurance companies can’t cancel a policy that’s been in effect for 60 days unless there’s an extenuating circumstance, like if a driver hasn’t paid their premiums or has lost their driving privileges. In Washington, an insurance company must provide 10 days’ notice if it cancels a policy for nonpayment of premiums, and 20 days’ notice if they cancel the policy for any other reason.

An insurance company can also choose not to renew a policy, but it must provide notice to the policyholder. Washington requires an insurance company to provide 45 days’ notice if they choose not to renew a policy, and it must explain the reason for non-renewal.

Self-Insurance

In Washington, self-insurance is only allowed for individuals or entities who possess the following:

• Fleets of more than 25 vehicles
• Surety bonds or certificates of deposit for at least $60,000

Car Inspection Requirements

Washington’s Clean Car Law requires that vehicles in the state with model years 2009 or newer meet California’s emission standards. This rule applies to passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans. However, the state no longer requires emissions testing as of 2020.

To see if a vehicle is California or 50-state certified, drivers should look at the Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) label in its engine compartment. If they can’t find the information there or if the vehicle doesn’t meet the emission standards, drivers won’t be able to register it in Washington.

SR-22s

In some cases, Washington drivers may be required to obtain SR-22s, which are certificates that prove someone has the minimum insurance. These certificates are required for drivers who have committed certain driving offenses such as DUIs, reckless driving, or driving without insurance.

State Car Registration Information

Washington requires that all drivers register their vehicles with the state. Owners have 30 days to register their vehicles once they purchase them or move to Washington. There are fees associated with registering vehicles in Washington, but they vary depending on where in the state the driver lives.

Follow these steps to register a vehicle:

1. Complete an Odometer Disclosure Statement if the vehicle is model year 2011 or newer. There’s usually a section for statements on the vehicle’s title.
2. If the vehicle has been registered in another state and you’ve owned it for fewer than 90 days, provide a bill of sale or purchase agreement that shows any taxes paid on it.
3. Make sure your vehicle meets California’s emission standards so you can legally register it in Washington.
4. Once you’ve rounded up all of the necessary paperwork, complete a Vehicle Title Application, which you can find at https://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/420001.pdf.
5. Bring that form, along with the Certificate of Title and payment for any fees, to the local vehicle licensing office. The Department of Licensing (DOL) website includes a map to help drivers find the office nearest them: https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/vehoffices/.
6. Pay any fees, which vary by vehicle licensing office. The DOL recommends calling your local office to find out how much the fees will be.
7. Once you’ve received your license plates, set up a License eXpress account (https://secure.dol.wa.gov/home/), which is where you can renew your vehicle’s registration each year.

How to Get a Copy of Your Car Title in Washington

1. Complete an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest (https://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/420040.pdf).
2. Have all the registered owners of the vehicle sign the form.
3. Get the form notarized.
4. Include a fee of $35 in an envelope with the form.
5. Mail the form and fee to your local vehicle licensing office: https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/vehoffices/. The DOL will mail you the title in eight to 10 weeks.

Contact Information for the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

• Phone number: 360-725-7080 or 800-562-6900
• Address:
  • 5000 Capital Blvd. SE
  • Tumwater, WA 98501
• Website: https://www.insurance.wa.gov/ask-mike

The average cost of car repairs in Washington is $392.79, which is about 2 percent higher than the national average. The average cost of labor is $146.84, while the average cost of parts is $245.95.⁹

Depending on a driver’s deductible, they may end up paying some or all of that amount out of pocket.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Unfortunately, Washington is one of the worst states in the nation for motor vehicle theft. The state has a theft rate of 356 per 100,000 inhabitants, which is 31 percent higher than the national average. This table shows the communities in Washington with the highest rates of vehicle theft, even higher than the state average:

Traffic Fatalities

Washington has a significantly lower traffic fatality rate than the national average. In 2019, the state had 519 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, compared with 708 for the national average.

Like most states, Washington requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, and the state’s requirements are in line with what you’d find in much of the country. Before operating a vehicle in Washington — in or any other state, for that matter — it’s important to understand the local driving laws, what insurance you’re required to have, and what the penalty might be if you violate those laws.