Washington Car Insurance Laws (2026)
Washington state drivers are required to carry at least 25/50/10 in liability insurance, but insurance experts typically recommend higher limits.
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Writer: Elizabeth RivelliFreelance Insurance Writer
Writer: Elizabeth RivelliFreelance Insurance Writer
Qualifications:
5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
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Editor: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Editor: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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Reviewer: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Reviewer: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Washington is an at-fault state, so the at-fault driver in an accident is responsible for compensating the other driver for their injuries and property damages.
Insurers in Washington are required to offer personal injury protection (PIP) with a minimum-coverage policy, but you can decline it. PIP covers medical bills and wage loss if you get hurt in a crash, regardless of who caused it.[1]
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Auto insurance requirements in Washington
Washington state drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. Washington’s minimum coverage requirements include:[2]
$25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
$50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$10,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
If you choose to keep PIP on your auto policy, keep in mind that your insurance company will charge you more. PIP is offered as an optional endorsement, like roadside assistance or rental reimbursement, so it’ll raise your premium.
Washington requires less car insurance than other West Coast states. For example, Oregon drivers must carry at least 25/50/20 in liability insurance, 25/50 in uninsured motorist insurance, and $15,000 in PIP. California requires minimum liability limits of 30/60/15.
Many drivers choose standard auto insurance to meet these requirements, but the state allows several self-insurance options. Drivers can file a certificate of deposit for at least $60,000 with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) or a liability bond of at least $60,000.
Is state-minimum car insurance in Washington enough coverage?
For most drivers in Washington, the state’s minimum liability coverage doesn’t provide sufficient financial protection. For added protection, you may want to consider raising coverage limits and adding full coverage to protect the vehicle.
Here are some other optional coverages to consider:[3]
Collision coverage: Collision insurance covers your vehicle’s damages (minus a deductible) when you cause an accident or hit a stationary object, like a guardrail.
Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision damages, like vandalism, hail, flooding, falling objects, and theft. Washington state has the 10th-highest number of stolen cars in the U.S. per capita, according to the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority.[4]
Uninsured motorist coverage: Uninsured motorist insurance can be beneficial because 16% of Washington drivers don’t carry auto insurance, according to Insurance Research Council data. This policy covers your losses if you get into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance.
Gap insurance: For drivers who lease or finance their vehicle, gap insurance covers the difference between the vehicle’s value and the loan balance if the car is totaled in a covered claim.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Washington
It’s illegal to drive without car insurance in Washington state. If an officer pulls you over while you’re driving uninsured, they could fine you $250 or more. But driving uninsured is just a traffic violation.[5]
If you cause an accident without car insurance, the penalties are more severe. In this case, you can expect a fine of at least $1,000 and potential license suspension for up to three years. You’ll also have to purchase SR-22 insurance to prove you carry the minimum amount of auto insurance required in the state.[6]
Washington drivers must also carry their insurance ID card at all times and present proof of insurance when requested by law enforcement. If you don’t provide your ID card when requested, you’ll receive a traffic infraction, which has a $250 fine. Providing false proof of car insurance is a misdemeanor, which could have more serious consequences.
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Personal injury protection (PIP) requirements in Washington
Washington car insurance companies are required to offer PIP coverage when you purchase a car insurance policy. But it’s not legally required, so drivers have the option to decline the coverage in writing.
PIP insurance pays for ambulance costs and medical expenses for you and your passengers, as well as lost wages and funeral costs, regardless of fault after a crash.
The below breaks down PIP coverage amounts in Washington state:[7]
Coverage Type | Amount Covered |
|---|---|
| Medical bills and hospitalization | Up to $10,000 per person, for a maximum of three years. Option to raise the coverage limit to $35,000. |
| Funeral expenses | Up to $2,000 per person killed in an accident. |
| Lost wages | Up to $200 per week, with a total limit of $10,000, if you’re disabled for 14 consecutive days after an accident. Benefits last for one year. Option to raise the limit to $700 per week, with a total limit of $35,000. |
| Lost services | Up to $200 per week, with a total limit of $5,000, to pay non-family members for services you can’t perform, like child care or housework. Option to raise the total limit to $14,600. |
Washington insurance laws FAQs
If you’re a driver in the Evergreen State, here’s some additional information about Washington state’s car insurance requirements that can be helpful to know.
Is Washington a no-fault state?
No. Washington is an at-fault state. When an accident results in injuries or property damage, the responsible driver must compensate the other driver for their losses. But if you opt into PIP, your insurance company will automatically cover medical expenses for you and your passengers, even if you were at fault.
What are the minimum insurance requirements in Washington?
The minimum car insurance requirements in Washington are 25/50/10 in personal liability insurance. Most policyholders can benefit from choosing higher coverage limits or buying a full-coverage policy for more financial protection.
Can a company raise your car insurance rates in Washington because of a not-at-fault accident?
No. Washington car insurance laws prohibit insurers from raising your premium if you weren’t at fault for an accident. But your rate could still go up if you lose claim-free or safe driver discounts, or if you have other violations on your driving record.
Do you need uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in Washington?
Washington law doesn’t require uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, but insurers must offer it. UM/UIM coverage is beneficial because it covers your losses after a hit-and-run or an accident with a “phantom vehicle” that causes damage to your car without actually making contact.[8]
Sources
- Nolo. "Washington State Car Insurance Requirements: What Drivers Need to Know."
- Washington State Department of Licensing. "Mandatory insurance."
- Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. "A consumer's guide to auto insurance."
- WA Auto Theft Prevention Authority. "2025 Annual Report."
- Washington State Legislature. "Liability insurance or other financial responsibility required—Violations—Exceptions."
- Washington State Department of Licensing. "Financial responsibility (SR-22)."
- Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. "Personal injury protection (PIP)."
- Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. "What to do if you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
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Writer: Elizabeth RivelliFreelance Insurance Writer
Writer: Elizabeth RivelliFreelance Insurance Writer
Qualifications:
5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
Editor: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Editor: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Reviewer: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Reviewer: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.