3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Washington state recorded 86,717 traffic accidents in 2023, of which 709 were fatal.[1] That comparatively lower fatality rate, and a modest population density, likely contribute to the state's relatively affordable car insurance rates.
Full coverage car insurance in Washington averages $196 per month, and liability-only policies average $88. By comparison, the national averages are $212 and $103, respectively.
Your actual rates may be lower or higher than average, though, based on your age, gender, driving history, vehicle make and model, and other factors, so it's a good idea to compare quotes to find the best coverage for your needs.
Quick Facts
Average car insurance rates in Washington state are on par with national averages.
Alcohol was a factor in 5,441 crashes in Washington during 2023, according to Washington State Department of Transportation data.
State Farm, USAA, and GEICO are the cheapest car insurance companies in Washington state.
Best car insurance companies in Washington
Due to the unique insurance needs of each individual driver, choosing the right auto insurance company depends on a variety of factors, such as your budget, vehicle type, and driving history.[2] To make things easier, Insurify compiled a list of the best car insurance companies in Washington.
Insurance Company
Best For
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.
Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
863
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$56/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$117/mo
USAA is Insurify’s top overall pick for Washington car insurance because of its combination of quality coverage, policyholder benefits, and excellent customer service. The insurer earned the highest overall score in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.[3]
USAA’s rates are often lower than many other insurers, making it an affordable option for drivers of all types.
Pros
Low premiums
SafePilot telematics program rewards good driving with up to 30% discount
Cons
Only available to active-duty military, veterans, and qualifying family members
No 24/7 customer phone support
Roy - March 21, 2024
Verified
My Review
USAA is the best.
Gary - March 18, 2024
Verified
Poor
Too darn high.
Gabrielle - March 16, 2024
Verified
Just Don't! Save Yourself!
Absolutely terrible. This company left me without a car for 8 months. They couldn't decide whether or not to total my car after it was already repaired. There were so many mistakes on their end and all I received at the end was a voicemail acknowledging their mistakes and an apology. This was literally the worst experience I've had with an insurance company. I'm traumatized!
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
839
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$55/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$115/mo
State Farm is the largest U.S. auto insurer by market share, and among the cheapest options in Washington state. It's a good choice for families because of the many ways it offers policyholders to save on their premiums, including a telematics program that could save you up to 30%, a teen driver education program with the potential to save up to 20%, and teen driver discounts. Families can also save by bundling their State Farm auto policy with a homeowners, condo, renters, or life insurance policy from the insurer.
Pros
High rates of customer satisfaction
Rideshare insurance available
Cons
No gap insurance offering
Accident forgiveness only available to long-time customers
Craig - March 26, 2024
Verified
I called three times to talk with an agent, but he never called back. It was a very disappointing experience!
I called three times to talk with an agent, but he never called back. It was a very disappointing experience!
David - March 26, 2024
Verified
Considering Expanding Coverage
I was never informed that my rate would increase every month for some reason. No one told me about it. I received a notice in the mail stating that what I was supposed to pay that month was always 10 or 20 dollars more than it was the previous month. I would have liked to have been informed about this.
Beverly - March 26, 2024
Verified
Unsatisfactory Experience
A kid threw a rock through my window and I was blamed for the claim. What is the purpose of having insurance?
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.2
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$83/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$172/mo
American Family’s commitment to affordable rates and excellent coverage options makes it the best cheap car insurance in Washington. Although American Family is a super-regional insurer available in only 19 states, it offers a wide array of optional coverages, including gap, rideshare, and rental reimbursement insurance.
You’ll also find a variety of discounts to help you save even more on your policy, including two usage-based programs.
Pros
High rates of customer satisfaction
Numerous discount and coverage options
Cons
Available in only 19 states
While competitive, rates may not be the lowest for all drivers
Vincent - March 17, 2024
Verified
Typical Insurer
Very expensive.
Deborah - March 6, 2024
Verified
Happy with Our Insurance
Very good.
Stacey - March 5, 2024
Verified
Good, staff was excellent and customer service amazing
American Family was great, but the prices increased.
How Insurify’s experts used internal proprietary data to rate top auto insurers
Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from the company’s partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page. The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, and demographic information.
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates. With this information, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums.
The data included on this page represents averages across all ages, genders, credit scores, and Washington driver profiles.
How to shop for the best car insurance in Washington
Drivers should consider a company’s financial stability, prices, coverage options, and more when they shop for insurers in Washington.
“When shopping for insurance coverage, we recommend consumers look for the most robust coverage for the best price,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). “It’s also important to consider an auto insurer’s financial stability and customer service record. You want to make sure your insurer has the ability to pay claims and will quickly take care of you when you suffer a loss.”
Here’s how to get coverage that meets your needs and keeps your wallet happy:
Assess your coverage needs. Determine what coverage you need based on your car’s value and your driving habits.
Compare rate quotes. Get quotes from multiple insurance companies and compare them to find the best rates and coverage.
Check the company’s financial stability. Look up the company’s financial ratings to ensure it’s financially stable and able to pay out claims.
Research the company’s reputation. Read customer reviews and check the company’s ratings with organizations like J.D. Power and Trustpilot.
Review discounts. Review discounts the company offers to help lower your premiums.
Understand policy details. Review the policy carefully to make sure you understand what your coverage includes and what it doesn’t.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Washington
Several factors can influence the cost of car insurance in Washington, including your driving history, the type of car you drive, where you live, and your credit history.[2]
Here are some tips to help you get lower premiums:
Shop around. Gather quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the best rates.
Adjust coverage limits. Consider adjusting your policy limits, deductibles, and add-ons to find a balance between affordability and protection.
Look for discounts. Ask about discounts for good driving habits, vehicle safety features, and bundling policies.
Maintain good credit. Keeping a good credit score can often lead to lower insurance rates.
Drive safely. Avoid accidents and traffic violations to maintain a clean driving record.
Consider a cheaper vehicle. Driving an older-model car can be less expensive to insure.
Minimum car insurance requirements in Washington
All motor vehicles operating or parked on Washington’s roads must carry insurance. You must carry proof of insurance in your car at all times and have the proof available when:
Law enforcement requests it
Renewing vehicle registration
The vehicle is involved in a car accident
The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Washington are:[4]
Coverage Type
Minimum Amount
Bodily injury (per person)
$25,000
Bodily injury (per accident)
$50,000
Property damage
$10,000
“These minimums are on par with many other states but can leave you financially vulnerable if you are involved in a serious at-fault accident,” says Friedlander. “For a much greater level of protection, insurance professionals recommend limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 for property.”
Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Washington
Washington requires drivers to have minimum liability auto insurance to cover damages or injuries they might cause to others. Choosing a liability-only policy may make sense if you have an older car, are on a tight budget, or have a solid emergency fund to pay for repairs or replacement costs out of pocket.
To increase your financial protection, consider full-coverage insurance. It includes collision for damage an accident causes to your vehicle as well as comprehensive coverage for theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. Full coverage is a good choice when you have an expensive or new car, are financing or leasing the vehicle, or just want peace of mind.
Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in Washington by policy type.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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Washington car insurance rates by driving and accident history
Driving history can greatly affect car insurance costs. If you receive speeding tickets, have a driving under the influence conviction, or have an at-fault accident, your insurance rates can go up because you present a higher risk to the insurance company.[5] In Washington, an at-fault accident can increase your rates by 43% and a DUI can increase your rates by almost 100%, so it’s in your best interest to avoid violations and collisions.
Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest liability-only car insurance in Washington based on driving and accident history.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
SR-22 insurance in Washington
Following a conviction, failure to pay judgments, or being involved in an accident, you might need to carry SR-22 insurance. However, it isn’t a policy type — it’s a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you meet the state-minimum liability requirements. You typically need to have the form on file with the state for three years starting on the day you reinstate your license.[6]
If you need SR-22 coverage in Washington, you can find it at GEICO, State Farm, and Nationwide.
Washington car insurance quotes by credit tier
Car insurance companies in Washington can use credit history to set rates. Your credit-based insurance score determines how likely you are to file a claim. Excellent or good credit scores mean fewer claims, while poor credit scores indicate a higher risk to the insurance company.
“Drivers with lower scores tend to have a higher risk of at-fault accidents. So, the higher your score, most likely the better your rate will be,” says Friedlander.
Car insurance quotes in Washington cities
Car insurance rates can change depending on where in Washington you live. A city’s population density, vehicle crime rate, and accident statistics can influence your premiums. The most expensive cities for car insurance typically have more people, more crime, and more accidents.
The table below illustrates average monthly car insurance rates in Washington state cities.
City
Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
Federal Way
$272
$125
Kennewick
$179
$69
Seattle
$256
$111
Spokane
$158
$81
Tacoma
$236
$111
Vancouver
$200
$83
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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Washington car insurance rates by driver age
Age is another significant rating factor auto insurers use to determine the cost of your coverage. Younger drivers pay higher rates, as they tend to have more accidents. Fatal crash rates are almost 200% higher for teen drivers than drivers aged 20 and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). As you age, your risk and rates generally decrease.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
The average cost of full-coverage car insurance in Washington is $196 per month, according to Insurify data. The monthly average for liability-only coverage is $88.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Washington?
State Farm has the lowest car insurance rates in Washington, with liability quotes as low as $55 per month. Washington drivers can also find affordable coverage with USAA and GEICO, the state's second- and third-cheapest insurers. Their liability-only rates start at $56 and $68 per month, respectively.
What is the required car insurance coverage in Washington?
In Washington, you legally need at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 for property damage.[4] These figures are similar to car insurance limits in other states, but if you’re in an accident, you may be financially responsible for damages and injuries that exceed these limits.
What are the best car insurance companies in Washington?
For the best car insurance in Washington, look to USAA, State Farm and American Family. These companies are financially sound and have high IQ Scores, while also offering the lowest average cost for liability coverage in the state.
How does credit score affect car insurance premiums in Washington?
Washington car insurance companies can include driver credit scores when determining the risk of a driver. Insurers often offer lower rates to those with higher credit scores and may charge drivers with lower credit scores higher rates, regardless of their driving record.
Is Washington a no-fault state?
No. Washington is an at-fault state. This means the person who caused the accident is responsible for paying for the damages. If you’re in a car accident in Washington, your insurance company determines who is at fault before covering damages.[7]
Insurify Insights
How Washington Drivers Measure Up
While most drivers know that car insurance quotes are determined in part by your personal driving history, many may be unaware that rates are also impacted by the average risk of the drivers around you as well. Check out Insurify's latest analysis of driving records in Washington below:
Methodology
Drawing from an internal database of over 4 million car insurance applications, the research team at Insurify analyzes patterns in car ownership and driver behavior - including how Washington drivers measure up to their fellow motorists across the United States in areas including speeding, DUIs, and more. Insurify Insights publishes data-driven articles, trend analyses, and national rankings each week on all factors related to cars and those who drive them.
Ford F-Series Pickup
Most Popular Car in Washington
#8
State with the Most Speeding Tickets Rank
#11
State with the Moving Violations Rank
#25
State with the Most DUIs Rank
#31
State with the most Suspended Licenses
While car accidents are a sadly unavoidable feature of time spent on the road, rates of accidents do vary from city to city and from state to state. Washington is the #9 state in the country for drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record.
Rank among states: #9
Percent of drivers in Washington with an accident: 10%
While driving while intoxicated is never acceptable, it’s a more common offense than many assume. Washington is the #25 state in the country for drivers with a prior drunk driving conviction.
Rank among states: #25
Percent of drivers in Washington with a DUI: 1.4%
Reckless driving refers to a specific traffic violation: when drivers willfully act dangerously in spite of the risks they’re imposing on both themselves and others. Washington is the #14 state in the country for drivers with a reckless driving offense on record.
Rank among states: #14
Percent of drivers in Washington with a reckless driving offense: 1.7%
The Insurify team classifies rude drivers as those who commit one or more of the following driving offenses: failure to yield or failure to stop, improper backing, passing where prohibited, tailgating, street racing, or hit-and-run. Washington is the #10 state in the country for drivers with a rude driving violation on record.
Rank among states: #10
Percent of drivers in Washington with a rude driving violation: 2.1%
Exceeding the speed limit can endanger others and have a serious impact on your insurance costs. Washington is the #8 state in the country for drivers with a speeding ticket on record.
Rank among states: #8
Percent of drivers in Washington with a speeding ticket: 11%
Failing to yield the right of way isn’t just frustrating for other drivers; it’s dangerous, too. Washington is the #7 state in the country for drivers with a failure to yield violation on record.
Rank among states: #7
Percent of drivers in Washington with a failure to yield violation: 0.3%
Insurify Insights
Insurify's team of data scientists and content specialists presents Insurify Insights, a series of automotive, home, and health studies focusing on the topics that impact us all. through expert analysis of over 4 million car insurance applications and an array of top data sources, the Insurify Insights team produces new data-driven articles, trend analyses, regional superlatives, and national rankings every week. See Insurify Insights as featured in Forbes, Fox News, USA Today, NPR, and more.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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 50+ 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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Amy is a personal finance and technology writer. With a background in the legal field and a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University, she has a talent for transforming complex topics into content that’s easy to understand. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.