Cheap Car Insurance in Washington (2023)

Washington is the 25th-cheapest state for purchasing car insurance, with drivers paying an average of $208 per month. To find cheap car insurance, drivers should take the time to shop around for rates from multiple companies. The easiest way to do so is by using an online comparison tool to compare quotes side by side.

Best cheap car insurance in Washington: Travelers

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Travelers

Insurify's data team calculates an Insurify Composite Score (ICS) by gathering data on the best car insurance companies in Washington. The ICS highlights provider quality, financial health, and reliability. Based on its ICS of 80 and average cost of $135 per month, Travelers is our top-ranked cheap car insurance provider in Washington.

Learn More: Best Car Insurance Companies

Insurify Composite Score (ICS)

To calculate the Insurify Composite Score, a proprietary rating, Insurify data scientists weigh multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company. 

Inputs to the score include J.D. Power ratings, Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints, mobile app reviews, user-generated company reviews, and financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.

What to know about minimum car insurance requirements in Washington

Washington requires insurance for all motor vehicles operated or parked on state roadways. You must carry proof of insurance in your car at all times and have the proof available when:

• Requested by law enforcement

• Renewing vehicle registration

• The vehicle is involved in a car accident

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Washington are:^[1]

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. Washington is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who is responsible for the collision is also responsible for paying for any resulting expenses, either through their car insurance provider or out of pocket.

• $10,000 per accident for property damage: If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

Washington DMV information

The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) handles licensing and car registration services for drivers living in the state. Its website allows drivers to get a new license or permit, renew or update a license or permit, register a vehicle, renew their registration, and more.^[2]

Public transportation in Washington

While larger cities in Washington like Seattle offer multiple public transit options, including buses, ferries, and light-rail services, options are more limited in smaller cities.^[3] Generally, the best way to get around in Washington state is by car. Rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft are also a popular choice if you don’t have your own vehicle.

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Washington

The best way to find cheap car insurance in Washington is to comparison shop. Doing so will let you see what different providers offer and help you understand how much coverage might cost. Factors like your location, age, driving record, and credit history will all help determine your insurance rate, so it’s essential to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies.

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Washington

If you live in Washington, you can opt to carry liability-only auto insurance, which pays for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party’s car if you cause an accident. Each state sets its own minimums for how much liability insurance it requires drivers to carry. Liability-only insurance can make sense if:

• You have a low-value vehicle.

• You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.

• Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.

For a higher level of protection, you can choose full-coverage insurance, which includes basic liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. Auto lenders and leasing companies typically require drivers to carry full coverage on a car they’ve financed.

You may also opt for full coverage if:

• You have a high-value vehicle.

• You wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.

• Your car’s actual cash value (the payout you’d likely get if your car is totaled) exceeds your annual premium to carry full coverage.

Here’s a look at the average monthly quotes for the cheapest auto insurance in Washington by policy type.

How your driving record affects Washington car insurance rates

Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. Good drivers — whose records are free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving — tend to get the best car insurance rates in Washington. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in Washington based on driving and accident history.

See More: High-Risk Car Insurance Washington

See More: SR-22 Car Insurance Washington

SR-22 insurance in Washington

Those with a DUI conviction in Washington will likely need an SR-22 form to reinstate their license. Those who need to file an SR-22 can usually do so through their insurance company, but be aware that some auto insurance companies don’t. If that’s the case, you might need to shop for new coverage. The following companies offer SR-22 insurance in Washington state.

How credit scores affect Washington car insurance quotes

Your credit score may also impact your car insurance rates in Washington because the state allows companies to use it as a factor. Generally, people with excellent or good credit scores can qualify for lower car insurance premiums than people with average or poor credit scores. The following table provides an overview of how credit scores can affect car insurance quotes in Washington.

How your city affects Washington insurance quotes

Your car insurance rates may also be different depending on where you live in Washington state. In general, those in larger metropolitan areas pay more for coverage. For instance, those in Tacoma will likely pay around $235 per month for auto insurance coverage, while those in Yakima will pay around $154 per month. See more rates in the table below.

How your age affects your Washington car insurance rates

Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.

The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates for Washington drivers.

Quotes for younger drivers

Younger drivers looking for cheap car insurance in Washington, should consider Travelers, Safeco and Kemper Preferred – all offer comparatively cheap liability-only coverage. However, accidents and DUIs can severely affect car insurance rates for young drivers in Washington. For example, a DUI can cause a young driver’s rates to increase by as much as 154%. 

The following table shows the impact of accidents and DUIs on young driver’s insurance rates in Washington.

Quotes for middle-aged drivers

Overally, middle-aged drivers can find much lower rates than younger drivers face. For example, a liability policy from Travelers is about 9% cheaper for middle-aged drivers than for young drivers, Insurify data indicates. 

An accident or DUI, however, will adversely affect a middle-aged driver’s insurance rates. And some insurance companies may decline to offer policy quotes at all to drivers with those infractions on their records. The following table shows some examples.

Quotes for senior drivers

Senior drivers in Washington can find very low rates, especially for minimum coverage policies. But driving infractions will increase seniors’ insurance rates, just as they do for every other age group. The table below provides data on the impact of accidents and DUIs on car insurance rates for senior drivers in Washington.

Washington car insurance FAQs