10+ years writing on personal finance topics
Host of the Mental Health and Wealth podcast
Melanie is a blogger, author, and speaker specializing in personal finance and debt management. She’s also the author of the blog and book “Dear Debt.”
Featured in
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Updated November 20, 2024
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Table of contents
Located just south of Seattle, Tacoma is home to one of the largest ports in the U.S. and a growing population. The average monthly cost of car insurance in Tacoma is $139, according to Insurify data.
The cost of Tacoma car insurance is higher than the national average and also higher than in some other cities in Washington. Fortunately, this article can help you reduce your insurance spending in Tacoma by showing you what’s raising your costs and how you can limit these factors.
Direct Auto and State Farm offer the lowest liability insurance rates in Tacoma, according to Insurify data.
Factors like your age, credit history, and driving record all affect your premium.
Insurers in Washington are allowed to review your credit history to generate a credit-based insurance score, which is one of several factors that influence your rates.
Cheapest car insurance companies in Tacoma
The best car insurance company for you depends on your unique circumstances. That’s why it’s always important to compare rates from several different insurers before making a decision. The three insurers highlighted below are some of the most popular in Tacoma and make a great place to start with your comparison shopping. You’ll also find their statewide average monthly quotes here.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
State Farm | 9.3 | $119 | $52 | Low rates |
GEICO | 4.2 | $146 | $64 | Drivers with a DUI |
USAA | 9.4 | $121 | $53 | Military members |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for low rates: State Farm
User Reviews | 4.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
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. | $63/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. | $145/mo |
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Ronald
November 19, 2024
State Farm Experience: 35 Years+
David
November 19, 2024
Too expensive
Ronald
November 18, 2024
Very Expensive Auto and Home
State Farm offers drivers in Tacoma the lowest rates for liability-only coverage. The company also offers rideshare insurance, which is a great benefit for the many Tacoma Uber drivers. In Tacoma, the ridesharing platform Uber saw a 54% increase from the previous year.[1]
Low rates
Bundling discount
Rideshare insurance available
Low rating on Trustpilot
Complaints about claims process
Doesn’t offer gap insurance
Best insurer for drivers with a DUI: GEICO
User Reviews | 4.0 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
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. | $78/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. | $178/mo |
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
James
November 19, 2024
Unsatisfactory Experience with Geico
Edward
November 18, 2024
Experience with Geico
Chris
November 18, 2024
Poor
DUIs are on the rise in Washington.[2] If you have a DUI conviction in Tacoma, GEICO is a top option for coverage. The company can also help drivers who need an SR-22. And while your insurance premiums with a DUI will be higher, GEICO’s starting rates are among the most competitive you’ll find.
Competitive rates for drivers with a DUI
Many discounts available
A++ financial strength rating from AM Best
Low rating on Trustpilot
Complaints about communication
No gap or rideshare insurance available
Best insurer for military members: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
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. | $65/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. | $148/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Gloria
November 15, 2024
Not Good for Claims
Martin
November 11, 2024
Price Shopping
Rena Sabine
November 8, 2024
Disappointing and inflexible service
Tacoma is home to a proud military community thanks to the proximity of the U.S. Army Reserve Center and Joint Base Lewis-McChord just a short nine miles away. And if you’re one of those military members, your insurance search should include USAA.
USAA offers various financial products and other types of insurance in addition to car insurance. The company even offers military-specific discounts if your car is garaged in storage or on the base.
Affordable rates
Multiple discounts
Mobile app
Only available to military members and their families
No 24/7 customer service
Limited network of agents
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Tacoma
Car insurance rates differ based on the insurance company, your driving record, ZIP code, and other factors. To get the cheapest car insurance in Tacoma, consider the following tips:
Choose a higher deductible. You typically qualify for a lower premium if you choose a higher deductible, which is your portion paid out of pocket. However, make sure to only choose a deductible you can afford should you need to file a claim.
Bundle policies. Insurance companies typically reward you with a discount if you purchase more than one policy. So, if you need home insurance or renters insurance in addition to your auto policy, you may qualify for more savings by buying them together.
Review options. Tacoma drivers have many insurance companies to choose from. Do your research and review all your options, including rates, discounts, and other benefits.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Tacoma: Direct Auto
Drivers in Tacoma must meet minimum coverage requirements to drive legally, per Washington state law.[3] This is called liability insurance, and it covers any bodily injury and property damage suffered by the other driver in an accident you cause.
The average cost of liability insurance in Tacoma is $96. Below are the insurance companies offering the cheapest liability insurance in the area.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Direct Auto | $59 |
State Farm | $63 |
USAA | $65 |
GEICO | $78 |
Allstate | $84 |
American Family | $95 |
Safeco | $96 |
Nationwide | $99 |
National General | $101 |
Chubb | $106 |
Farmers | $112 |
The General | $117 |
Travelers | $130 |
Foremost | $144 |
Dairyland | $149 |
Bristol West | $155 |
Liberty Mutual | $190 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Tacoma: Direct Auto
Full-coverage car insurance includes liability coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage.
Full coverage offers reimbursement for you in the event of an accident or damage, whereas liability coverage only reimburses the other driver. As such, full-coverage insurance is more expensive, with an average monthly rate of $181 in Tacoma.
Here, you can see the cheapest full-coverage car insurance options from top insurers.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Direct Auto | $94 |
State Farm | $145 |
USAA | $148 |
Safeco | $152 |
GEICO | $178 |
National General | $179 |
Allstate | $191 |
Liberty Mutual | $193 |
The General | $212 |
American Family | $218 |
Nationwide | $224 |
Chubb | $243 |
Farmers | $255 |
Travelers | $298 |
Dairyland | $335 |
Bristol West | $354 |
Foremost | $396 |
Cheapest recent rates near Tacoma, Washington
Recent Tacoma, Washington car insurance prices for Jeep, Mazda, Honda , and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Tacoma, Washington within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Tacoma, Washington within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Washington
Washington state requires drivers to obtain the minimum coverage levels outlined below.[3] Typically referred to as liability coverage, this includes bodily injury and property damage. If you cause an accident, this coverage pays for the other driver’s damages.
It’s also important to note that Washington operates under a tort system, or at-fault system.[4] This means the driver judged to be at fault could be required to cover more of the accident costs or even be sued by the victim of the crash.
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $10,000 per accident |
Aside from mandated liability coverage, you can also choose optional coverages for greater benefits, including:
Collision coverage
Collision coverage offers reimbursement to cover damages from a collision.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage offers reimbursement in cases where your vehicle is damaged by weather, theft, or other occurrences.
Uninsured motorist coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage provides protection if you’re involved in an accident and the other driver lacks car insurance.
Automobile Insurance Plan
The state of Washington created the Automobile Insurance Plan to ensure that all drivers can get car insurance coverage. The program is designed to help Washington drivers who can’t get coverage from a conventional insurer due to their driving record. If you fit the bill, check out the Automobile Insurance Plan to review your coverage options.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Having an incident on your driving record can increase your car insurance rates, sometimes dramatically. This is because insurers view drivers with an incident on their record as being an added risk. Incidents can vary and include moving violations, speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and the most severe of them all, DUIs.
In Washington, most convictions and court findings stay on your driving record for five years.[5] A speeding ticket alone may lead to you paying $800 more in insurance premiums.[6] In the sections that follow, you’ll see how individual incident types affect the rates you pay for car insurance.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Direct Auto
A speeding ticket typically comes with a fine based on how fast you were going over the limit, and the amount you must pay can add up fast.
However, it’s not just the fine you’ll end up paying, as a speeding ticket can also spike your car insurance premiums. The average rate for car insurance for Tacoma drivers with a speeding ticket is $208 per month.
Here, you can see how adding a speeding ticket to your record affects the rates you’re offered by several top insurers.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $59 | $79 |
State Farm | $63 | $84 |
USAA | $65 | $87 |
GEICO | $78 | $105 |
Allstate | $84 | $113 |
American Family | $95 | $128 |
Safeco | $96 | $131 |
Nationwide | $99 | $134 |
National General | $101 | $136 |
Chubb | $106 | $145 |
Farmers | $112 | $150 |
The General | $117 | $160 |
Travelers | $130 | $176 |
Foremost | $144 | $208 |
Dairyland | $149 | $200 |
Bristol West | $155 | $210 |
Liberty Mutual | $190 | $274 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Direct Auto
Having an at-fault accident on your driving record can raise your risk profile and lead to higher insurance rates. Drivers in Tacoma pay an average monthly premium of $213 with an accident on their record.
Here are the cheapest car insurance options for drivers with an at-fault accident.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $59 | $85 |
State Farm | $63 | $88 |
USAA | $65 | $91 |
GEICO | $78 | $110 |
Allstate | $84 | $118 |
American Family | $95 | $133 |
Safeco | $96 | $134 |
Nationwide | $99 | $140 |
National General | $101 | $142 |
Chubb | $106 | $149 |
Farmers | $112 | $157 |
The General | $117 | $167 |
Travelers | $130 | $184 |
Foremost | $144 | $215 |
Dairyland | $149 | $207 |
Bristol West | $155 | $217 |
Liberty Mutual | $190 | $283 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Direct Auto
Getting a DUI in Tacoma can lead to a suspended license, arrest, court conviction, and more. In addition to potential fines, one of the other major costs associated with a DUI is an increase in car insurance rates. In fact, some insurers may drop you altogether. Those that do keep you will likely raise your rates to something near the area average of $241 per month.
If you have a DUI and are looking at higher-than-average rates, here are the top insurance companies with the cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $59 | $100 |
State Farm | $63 | $107 |
USAA | $65 | $110 |
GEICO | $78 | $132 |
Allstate | $84 | $142 |
American Family | $95 | $161 |
Safeco | $96 | $151 |
Nationwide | $99 | $167 |
National General | $101 | $171 |
Chubb | $106 | $179 |
Farmers | $112 | $189 |
The General | $117 | $198 |
Travelers | $130 | $220 |
Foremost | $144 | $244 |
Dairyland | $149 | $252 |
Bristol West | $155 | $262 |
Liberty Mutual | $190 | $321 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Direct Auto
In the city of Tacoma, 13.8% of residents are 65 or older, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimate in 2022. Seniors may drive less if they’re in retirement and have a limited budget, which makes finding cheap car insurance a must. The good news is that car insurance premiums are typically lower for seniors than for other age groups.
However, beginning at age 70, rates climb upward again, as there may be some additional risk factors associated with reduced faculties and increased medical costs in the event of an accident.
The average car insurance rate for seniors in Tacoma is $98 per month. To get the cheapest car insurance for seniors, check out the options below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $42 | $68 |
State Farm | $45 | $104 |
USAA | $48 | $109 |
GEICO | $58 | $131 |
Allstate | $62 | $142 |
Nationwide | $68 | $154 |
American Family | $69 | $158 |
Chubb | $71 | $163 |
National General | $71 | $126 |
Safeco | $76 | $121 |
Farmers | $81 | $184 |
The General | $88 | $159 |
Travelers | $94 | $215 |
Foremost | $107 | $293 |
Dairyland | $110 | $248 |
Bristol West | $115 | $263 |
Liberty Mutual | $148 | $150 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Direct Auto
Teens and young adults are just starting to learn the rules of the road and how to navigate driving. This inexperience and lack of a driving history mean that car insurance for teens tends to be the most expensive.
These high rates are also due to the fact that data over time has shown teens also engage in risky driving behaviors, like speeding and distracted driving. All of this causes teens to pay an average of $257 per month for insurance in Tacoma.
To get the cheapest car insurance as a teen, remain on your parents’ insurance policy and see if you qualify for a good student discount.
Here, you can see quotes for Tacoma teens by insurance company and compare liability and full-coverage insurance.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $112 | $179 |
State Farm | $113 | $260 |
USAA | $114 | $259 |
GEICO | $130 | $298 |
Allstate | $156 | $355 |
American Family | $171 | $393 |
Nationwide | $180 | $408 |
Safeco | $192 | $304 |
The General | $194 | $352 |
Farmers | $204 | $465 |
National General | $206 | $366 |
Chubb | $211 | $483 |
Travelers | $245 | $562 |
Dairyland | $251 | $565 |
Foremost | $267 | $733 |
Bristol West | $273 | $623 |
Liberty Mutual | $340 | $346 |
Tacoma car insurance quotes by credit tier
The state of Washington uses credit history as a factor that can influence your car insurance rate. Washington Commissioner Mike Kreidler attempted to ban this practice in 2022; however, it was overturned by the court, so for now, credit history is still a viable tool for insurers.
If your credit is considered poor, you’ll pay double what someone with excellent credit pays. Here, you can see the difference in Tacoma car insurance quotes based on credit tier.
Rates by Credit Tier
Is car insurance more expensive in Tacoma?
Car insurance in Tacoma averages $96 per month for liability coverage and $181 per month for full coverage.
These rates are higher than the national average, which is $104 per month for liability coverage and $204 per month for full coverage, based on Insurify data.
Within the state of Washington, rates for car insurance vary by city. Factors that influence rates include crime, population density, cost of living, and more. For example, car insurance in a major city like Seattle costs 7% more than insurance in Tacoma.
More cities in Washington
Compared to other cities in Washington, Tacoma is fairly average. Certain cities have higher rates, and others are on the lower end.
The table below illustrates the rates you can expect to pay in other major Washington cities.
City ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Federal Way | $126 | $268 |
Kennewick | $62 | $115 |
Seattle | $99 | $212 |
Spokane | $73 | $123 |
Vancouver | $73 | $143 |
Tacoma car insurance FAQs
Looking for more information on car insurance rates in Tacoma? Check out the answers below.
How much is car insurance in Tacoma?
The average rate for liability-only coverage in Tacoma is $96 per month. Full-coverage policies average $181 per month.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Tacoma?
The cheapest car insurance companies in Tacoma are Direct Auto, State Farm, and USAA, with rates of $59, $63, and $65, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in Tacoma?
The top insurers in Tacoma are State Farm, GEICO, and USAA. All three offer competitive rates and have solid financial ratings from AM Best. They also have impressive Insurify Quality Scores of 9.3, 9.0, and 9.4, respectively.
How much is car insurance per month in WA?
The average rate for car insurance in the state of Washington is $114 per month. Washington residents pay a monthly average of $76 for liability coverage and $153 for full coverage.
What is the minimum amount of vehicle insurance required in the state of Washington?
To drive legally in the state of Washington, your auto insurance coverage must comply with the state’s 25/50/10 rule. This means your coverage must include bodily injury liability of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, as well as property damage liability of $10,000 per accident.
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
- 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.
Related articles
More cities in Washington
Sources
- King5. "'It just never stops': Increase in Uber drivers in Tacoma mostly attributed to inflation."
- King 5. "DUI crashes increasing in Washington, according to state patrol."
- Office of the Insurance Commissioner. "Washington state's mandatory auto/motorcycle insurance law."
- Kapuza Lighty Accident Injury Lawyers. "Is Washington a No-Fault State?."
- Washington State Department of Licensing. "Guide to Driving Records."
- Off the Record. "Washington Traffic Tickets."
Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, "Dear Debt." Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. Her work has appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast. She lives in Los Angeles and enjoys jazz music, traveling, coffee, and spending time with her two cats and partner.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in