Best Car Insurance in Washington in 2024

Available in Washington and Oregon only, Pemco is the cheapest provider in Washington on average. It comes with a wide range of car insurance discounts, including discounts exclusive to drivers in Washington. If you’re looking for the cheapest provider in the state and several ways to bring your costs down, Pemco is our top choice.

Cheapest Average Provider in Washington

Pemco’s annual average rate of $912 is nearly 40 percent cheaper than the state average. If you’re looking for the cheapest insurance in Washington, Pemco is the way to go.

Washington-Specific Discounts

Pemco is available in Oregon and Washington only, and several of its discounts are available only to drivers in Washington. Here’s a list of some Washington-exclusive discounts to help reduce your costs:

• Auto and mariner discount: Bundle your boat and car with Pemco to earn this discount.
• Auto and umbrella insurance discount: You can save by bundling your car and umbrella insurance with Pemco.
• Leased auto discount: If you lease your vehicle, you’ll get a comprehensive and collision coverage discount.
• Paperless discount: You’ll get a discount when you opt to receive your documents and paperwork digitally.

Low-Mileage Discount

Drive less than 8,000 miles per year? Ask your agent about Pemco’s low-mileage discount. Pemco customers who drive less than 8,000 miles a year may be eligible for a sizable discount.

State Farm insures nearly 17 percent of all drivers in Washington, making it the largest car insurance company in the state.³ It offers the best rates for teens and several ways to save, including a teen driver program and good student discounts.

Cheapest for Teens

If you or your teen are looking for car insurance, it’s important to know that teens pay some of the highest average rates for car insurance in the country. Because teens have higher rates of accidents, moving violations, and claims, insurers view them as high-risk drivers and charge them higher accordingly.

In Washington, State Farm offers the cheapest average rate for teens, with premiums around $2,300 for full coverage.

Young Adult Safety Program

You can save up to 30 percent on your car insurance with State Farm’s young adult safety program, Steer Clear. Steer Clear is a driving-focused training program that encourages young drivers to have safer driving habits on the road.

The program comprises:

• Five hours of tracked driving practice
• Training modules that include lessons, videos, and quizzes
• Mentor login feature so family or friends can track progress
• Detailed driving scores that can inform you or your teen of how well you’re driving and provide points for improvement

Discounts for Teens and Students

If you’re a teen or parent of a teen, you have a few ways to bring your costs down with State Farm. Ask your agent to see if you qualify for the following discounts.

• Good student discount: Full-time students under age 25 are eligible for a discount if they have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Away at school discount: If you or your teen is under the age of 25 and meet the following requirements, you may qualify for this discount:
  • Must reside at school more than 100 miles away from home
  • Must drive the insured vehicle only when you’re at home during the holidays or school vacations
  • Must keep the car at home while away at school
• Good driving discount: If everyone in your household, including your teen, has had no moving violations or accidents in the past three years, you could qualify for this discount.

Travelers has some of the best rates for owners of electric and hybrid vehicles. It’s one of the few companies that offers a discount for EV and hybrid owners, and it comes with several coverage add-ons to give you some extra protection.

Low Rates for Electric Vehicles and Hybrids

Because electric cars tend to have higher price tags, you can expect your car insurance rates to be more expensive compared to gas-powered vehicles. On average, Travelers has the second-cheapest rates ($1,584) for electric vehicle owners.

Discount for Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Owners

If you own or lease a hybrid/electric vehicle, you can save up to 10 percent on your car insurance in Washington.

Named Non-Owner Insurance

If you don’t own a vehicle but drive on a regular basis, you’ll need named non-owner insurance. Travelers offers named non-owner coverage for individuals who:

• Rent vehicles often
• Drive a company car for personal use
• Borrow vehicles regularly
• Use car-sharing services
• Provide care for a person whom you don’t live with and drive their car

USAA memberships are exclusive to military members, veterans, and military families. With some of the cheapest rates in Washington, excellent service scores, and membership perks, USAA is one of the highest-reviewed car insurance providers in the state and the country.

Excellent Rates

With average rates as low as $1,020 annually for full coverage, USAA is the second-cheapest car insurance company in Washington. It insures 8 percent of all drivers in Washington, making it one of the largest and most affordable in the state.

Highest Customer Service in the Northwest

J.D. Power gave USAA an 875 for overall customer satisfaction in the Northwest, which is 31 points higher than the second best (The Hartford) and 65 points higher than the regional average.

J.D. Power rates auto insurers based on several factors, including billing process and policy information, claims satisfaction, customer interactions, and price. Its study involved responses from 41,437 auto insurance customers from January through April 2023.

USAA Membership Perks

USAA’s insurance membership perks are available to you, your spouse, and your children. With USAA, you get the following additional perks and membership benefits:

• Banking resources, like access to checking accounts with no service fees and home loans
• Access to financial advice and tools, like a retirement calculator
• Discounts on rental cars and repair shops
• Tire discounts
• Car maintenance discounts

GEICO insures 11 percent of Washington’s drivers and offers the cheapest average rates for drivers with bad credit.

Cheapest Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit

Although Washington has a relatively high average credit score (730), insurance providers are allowed to increase premiums if you have a bad credit score.⁶ If you have bad credit and are struggling to find affordable car insurance, GEICO will offer the cheapest average rates in the state.

Affiliate Discounts

Military members, federal workers, and employees of affiliate companies can benefit from GEICO’s affiliate membership discounts.

Here’s how much you can save with GEICO.

Robust Mobile App Features

With limited agents available in Washington, you might find it easier to manage your policy on the GEICO mobile app. Through the app, you can:

• Review your policy
• Access digital ID card
• Request quotes
• Report and track claims
• Access GEICO’s virtual assistant
• Request roadside assistance
• Find nearby gas stations and garages
• Get updates on important vehicle information like vehicle recalls and registration renewals