120+ more*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Washington within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 24, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Washington within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 24, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
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5+ years in auto insurance and personal finance writing
Featured in top personal finance publications
Lindsay is a widely published creator of auto insurance content. She also specializes in real estate, banking, credit cards, and other personal finance topics.
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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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25 years teaching risk management and insurance course
Former commercial lines underwriter
David is the managing director of the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center. He has been quoted by The New York Times and CNN.
Updated
Coverage | Minimum Requirement in Washington |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 per accident |
Washington is an at-fault state and requires drivers to have liability insurance or alternative proof of financial responsibility. Washington’s minimum liability coverage limits haven’t changed since 1980. So the state’s requirements generally aren’t high enough to offer enough financial protection after an accident.
In Washington, state law requires minimum bodily injury coverage limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.[1] These are the most common bodily injury coverage limits among U.S. states, but that doesn’t mean they’re sufficient to protect you financially.
Under Washington law, all drivers must carry at least $10,000 in property damage liability coverage. This limit is lower than what many other states require. Property damage coverage helps pay for damage to other people’s property up to your policy limits, including other vehicles, when you’re at fault in an accident. It doesn’t cover damage to your own car.[2]
Liability policies average $95/mo.
Washington’s liability limits aren’t enough to protect you financially against a serious bodily injury claim. If you’re at fault in an accident that causes major injuries or death, you could be financially responsible for any losses that exceed your policy limits, including pain and suffering. If you have assets to protect, most experts recommend carrying higher limits.
Keep in mind that your bodily injury limits also determine how much uninsured motorist coverage you can buy, and Washington has a high share of uninsured drivers, according to Insurance Research Council data.
Washington’s property damage liability limit is especially insufficient for most drivers. While the average property damage claim in 2024 was $6,770, according to the Insurance Information Institute, you could be financially responsible for a much higher loss if you totaled a new car. The average price of a new car was $49,855 in July 2026, according to Kelley Blue Book data.
The table below shows the liability coverage limits most experts recommend for Washington drivers.
Coverage | Recommended Limits in Washington |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident (or $500,000 single-limit policy) |
| Property damage liability | $50,000–$100,000 per accident |
| Collision and comprehensive coverage | $500–$1,000 deductible |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage | Match liability coverage limits |
Beyond state-minimum liability coverage, you might need the following coverages in Washington, depending on your circumstances:
Full-coverage car insurance: If you have a loan or lease, your lender will likely require you to have comprehensive and collision coverage, which insurers typically include as part of full coverage. If you don’t maintain a full-coverage auto insurance policy, the lender can charge you for coverage that will only protect its interest.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance: High-risk drivers with serious offenses on their record, like a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, may need an insurer to file an SR-22 certificate that shows active state-minimum liability coverage, even if you don’t have a car.[3] You can meet this requirement by purchasing a non-owner car insurance policy.
The average cost of car insurance in Washington is $95 per month for liability coverage and $184 for full coverage. Washington rates are similar to the national average. This is likely because Washington law requires common bodily injury liability limits and doesn’t require additional coverages like personal injury protection or uninsured motorist coverage.
While Washington’s requirements keep baseline rates manageable, drivers are vulnerable to high out-of-pocket costs after an accident. Washington uses a pure comparative negligence rule, so the other driver can recover damages even if their share of the fault in an accident is greater than yours. But the amount of the award adjusts proportionally.[4]
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $58 |
| USAA | $59 |
| Root | $61 |
| Progressive | $82 |
| The General | $83 |
| National General | $87 |
| American Family | $88 |
| GEICO | $88 |
| Direct Auto | $92 |
| Allstate | $96 |
| Chubb | $99 |
| Safeco | $99 |
| Farmers | $102 |
| Bristol West | $119 |
| Dairyland | $119 |
| Travelers | $121 |
| Liberty Mutual | $166 |
In Washington, it’s unlawful to drive without active car insurance, drive without proof of insurance, or provide fake evidence of insurance coverage. If you commit these offenses, you could face the following penalties:
Traffic citation: If you fail to meet Washington’s mandatory auto insurance requirements, you could pay a fine of $550 or more. The court may dismiss the offense with payment of a $25 administrative fee if, within 15 days, you can show proof you had insurance coverage at the time of the citation.[5]
License suspension: If you get in an accident that results in injuries or property damage of $1,000 or more while driving uninsured, you could face a driver’s license suspension of up to three years.
Misdemeanor conviction: If you intentionally provide false proof of financial responsibility, such as a forged, canceled, or expired insurance ID card, in court or to a law enforcement officer, you’ll be guilty of a misdemeanor in Washington.
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Liability insurance won’t protect you against all of the risks Washington drivers commonly face on the road. Consider adding these coverages:
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): Washington law requires insurance companies to include uninsured motorist coverage unless you reject the coverage in writing. It pays for damages and injuries if an uninsured driver hits you, if you’re in a crash due to a phantom vehicle, or if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Since 19% of Washington drivers are uninsured, it’s usually best to keep this coverage.
Personal injury protection (PIP): The state also requires insurers to include PIP coverage unless you reject it in writing. PIP covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses due to car accident injuries, regardless of fault.
Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive insurance covers damage from non-collision events, like fire, vandalism, or hitting an animal. It’s also the only coverage that pays for motor vehicle theft, and Washington ranked No. 9 for the most stolen cars in 2025, according to Insurify data.
Collision coverage: Collision insurance pays for repairs to your own vehicle after an accident. It also reimburses you for pothole damage to your vehicle, and Washington is one of the worst states for pothole problems, according to USA Today.
If you still have questions about Washington car insurance requirements, check out these common questions drivers ask about buying a Washington auto insurance policy.
It’s illegal to drive without insurance in Washington state unless you prove financial responsibility for potential damages in another way, such as a $60,000 liability bond or a certificate of deposit.
Auto insurance companies must include personal injury protection when issuing a policy in Washington unless the policyholder rejects the coverage in writing. But you don’t need to have PIP to legally drive.
Yes. You can use digital proof of insurance in Washington. It’s legal to show your mobile app insurance card as evidence of coverage, as long as your policy meets Washington state car insurance requirements. Failure to carry proof of insurance is a traffic violation.
Washington’s minimum-coverage requirement for bodily injury liability insurance is similar to that of most states. But Washington has relatively weak property damage liability requirements by comparison. Washington also doesn’t require drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage or PIP coverage, like many other states.
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5+ years in auto insurance and personal finance writing
Featured in top personal finance publications
Lindsay is a widely published creator of auto insurance content. She also specializes in real estate, banking, credit cards, and other personal finance topics.
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.
25 years teaching risk management and insurance course
Former commercial lines underwriter
David is the managing director of the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center. He has been quoted by The New York Times and CNN.
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