WashingtonCar Insurance

Find the Best Car Insurance Quotes and Options in Washington

The average cost of car insurance in Washington is $1,110 per year. Car insurance in Washington costs more than it does in many other states. But your Washington car insurance rates will be more or less than average depending on where you live in the state and your other personal risk factors.

An independent insurance agent in Washington can help you find the right car insurance for your needs and budget. Here, we’ll explain some important facts about car insurance in Washington. 

Best Car Insurance Companies in Washington

You can purchase car insurance in Washington from numerous insurance companies. But which insurance company offers the best mix of coverage and value for your unique needs? We’ve selected some of the best car insurance companies in Washington to help you get started. 

• Best Washington Car Insurance Company Overall: USAA 
• Best Washington Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: PEMCO Insurance 
• Best Washington Insurance Company for Full Coverage: PEMCO Insurance
• Best Washington Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: PEMCO Insurance
• Best Washington Insurance Company for Accident History: PEMCO Insurance

An independent insurance agent can help you determine if any of these companies have the right car insurance policy for your needs and budget.

Best Washington Car Insurance Company Overall: USAA

Our pick for the best car insurance company in Washington overall is USAA. The carrier ranks high for claims satisfaction, ease of interaction, customer service, trust, and other important factors. 

USAA was founded in 1922 by 25 Army officers who decided to insure each other's vehicles. Over time, the organization grew to serve millions in the military community, offering various personal insurance products and other financial products and services. 

USAA’s net worth has surpassed $40 billion. The carrier has more than 13 million members and 37,000 employees. USAA consistently receives high marks for financial stability, including an "A++" rating from AM Best, the highest available.

Unfortunately, not everyone can take advantage of USAA’s superior performance. Only active duty and retired military members and select family members are eligible for USAA membership and insurance coverage. 

Best Washington Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: PEMCO Insurance

If you’re looking for minimum liability coverage, PEMCO Insurance is a top choice for Washington residents. The carrier allows customers to get bare minimum auto insurance at around $338 per year. 

PEMCO Insurance also rates high in customer satisfaction and other important measures. 

PEMCO is a mutually owned insurance company that has been devoted to serving individuals in the Northwest for over 70 years. 

Best Washington Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: PEMCO Insurance

The best car insurance company in Washington for full coverage is PEMCO Insurance. It offers affordable full-coverage policies with monthly premiums starting at just $80. 

Best Washington Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: PEMCO Insurance

Drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 typically pay very high car insurance rates because of the extra risk presented by their inexperience behind the wheel. While insuring a teen driver is never cheap, PEMCO is one of the best insurance companies for teen drivers in Washington.

Car insurance for young drivers in Washington can cost around $234 per month with PEMCO. 

Best Washington Car Insurance Company for Accident History: PEMCO Insurance

Your driving record is one of the most important factors in what you pay for car insurance in Washington. All insurance companies want to know if you’ve been at fault for an accident in the past in order to determine how risky you might be to cover.

In these cases, PEMCO Insurance earns a spot on our list of top picks. PEMCO is one of the best Washington car insurance companies for drivers with an accident history. If you’ve had an at-fault accident, you can get a car insurance policy from PEMCO for about $101 per month. 

Washington Car Insurance Requirements

Drivers in Washington must purchase a car insurance policy that meets the state's minimum coverage requirements. The following types of coverage are required by Washington state law:

• Bodily injury liability coverage: Protects you if you injure or kill someone else while driving your car. It covers an injured party's claims for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It also covers your legal defense fees if another party involved in the accident sues you. In Washington, you must have coverage of at least $25,000 for injuries or death to another person, and $50,000 for injuries or death to all other people. 
• Property damage liability coverage: Covers damage you cause to another person’s property. In Washington, you must have coverage of at least $10,000 for damage to another person’s property.

Optional car insurance coverages in Washington include:

• Uninsured motorist coverage: Protects you if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have auto liability coverage. It takes the place of liability insurance that the other driver should have but does not. 
• Underinsured motorist coverage: Covers a bodily injury claim you would have against another driver whose liability coverage is less than your underinsured motorist coverage. 
• Medical payments coverage: Helps pay for medical, dental, and funeral expenses for you or your passengers, regardless of who is at fault for an accident.
• Collision coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
• Roadside assistance coverage: Pays for help if you are locked out of your vehicle, run out of gas, or face some other type of problem while out on the road. Your insurance company will help you contact tow trucks, locksmiths, or other forms of assistance as needed, and will reimburse you for the costs of these services up to certain limits.
• Rental reimbursement coverage: Provides payment for a rental car if your vehicle is damaged and you must rent a vehicle while it is being repaired.
• Loan/lease or gap coverage: Pays the difference between what you owe on a vehicle and its cash value if it is totaled.

An independent insurance agent in Washington will help you find a car insurance policy that includes the coverage you need.

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Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington 

The average cost of car insurance in Washington is $1,110 per year, which is less than the national average of $1,311 per year. Remember that everyone’s car insurance costs differ slightly depending on their personal risk factors (e.g., age, gender, accident history, etc.) and the types and amounts of coverage they select. You can find ways to reduce your car insurance costs in Washington by taking advantage of car insurance discounts offered by your insurance carrier. 

Average Washington Car Insurance Costs by City

The city where you live is one of the most important factors in what you’ll pay for car insurance in Washington. This is because the city’s crime rate, severe weather frequency, traffic density, and more can all impact how at-risk you and your car are for being in an accident, being stolen, or being subject to some other kind of damage (e.g., hail damage). 

In Washington, we found some of the most expensive car insurance rates in Renton, a city with a higher-than-average rate of car theft where you’ll pay around $1,558 annually. Cheaper rates are available in cities like Bellingham and Kirkland, where drivers will pay an average of $1,004 and $1,010 per year, respectively. 

Finding Car Insurance Discounts in Washington

One of the best ways to save on car insurance in Washington is to make sure that you take advantage of any car insurance discounts for which you may be eligible. One of the most common discounts is the multi-policy discount, which rewards you with savings if you have more than one policy with the same carrier (e.g., home and auto). The other common auto insurance discounts offered in Washington include the following: 

• Student driver discounts: If you have a student driver in your household, you may be able to take advantage of a good student discount if your child gets a B average or better. Many insurance companies also offer discounts for students who won’t be using their parents’ cars while they are away at school.  Your young driver may also be able to receive a discount by participating in an insurance-company-approved or sponsored safe driving course. 
• Safe driver discount: Drivers who maintain a clean driving record over a period of time may be able to receive an ongoing discount from their insurance company. 
• Anti-theft device discount: Some insurance companies offer discounts when your car has certain anti-theft devices installed. 
• Military discount: Active or retired members of the military can often qualify for auto insurance discounts. 
• Paperless billing discount: Many insurance companies offer a discount for policyholders who agree to receive paperless billing statements. 
• Other car insurance discounts: Being a member of a particular group, such as an employment union, may make you eligible for a car insurance discount specifically for members. 

Your independent car insurance agent can help you find all the car insurance discounts you qualify for. 

How to Find the Best Car Insurance Quote in Washington

Finding the best car insurance quote in Washington requires comparing several insurance companies and making an informed choice. But you don’t have to go it alone. An independent insurance agent in Washington can help you obtain and review quotes from multiple insurance companies and choose the one that offers the best coverage for your needs and budget. An independent agent works for you, free of charge, to help you through the process. 

How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Washington

Filing a car insurance claim in Washington will always be stressful. But if you know what to do in advance, it can help the process to go more smoothly. If you’re in a car accident, here are some tips for filing your insurance claim: 

• Check for and tend to injuries: Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved in the accident for injuries. Seek immediate medical treatment for anyone who is injured. 
• Call the police: Filing a police report ensures that your accident is on the record and that all appropriate information has been collected. That way, your insurance company will have a reliable source of information about the details of your accident. 
• Contact your independent insurance agent: Your Washington independent insurance agent can get the process started by connecting you with your insurance company, or even by filing the claim for you. Your agent can guide you throughout the claims process. 
• Schedule an appointment with an adjuster: Your insurance company will likely want to evaluate the damage before you seek repairs for your car. That means you’ll likely need to schedule an appointment with an adjuster who works for your carrier.
• Get repairs: If necessary, get your vehicle repaired by a reputable auto body shop or a shop recommended by your insurance company. 
• Get a rental vehicle: If you’re without your car for a while as it's being repaired, consider getting a rental vehicle. If you have rental reimbursement coverage, you’ll have some help paying for the cost of your rental car. 

An independent car insurance agent in Washington can help you through the claims process and answer your questions about how best to file your claim. 

How does your city measure up to the national average?

National average time spent commuting 26.9 Min

National average car thefts per 1,000 2.3 Year

National average car insurance cost $1,311 Year

City	Commute time (min)	Auto theft rate / 1,000	Annual insurance cost
Auburn	33	7.44	$1,479
Bellevue	24.2	2.26	$1,025
Bellingham	18.5	1.25	$1,004
Everett	28.9	7.34	$1,552
Kent	32.6	6.47	$1,509
Kirkland	28.3	1.98	$1,010
Renton	32.6	7.86	$1,558
Seattle	27.9	4.77	$1,289
Spokane	21	5.8	$1,372
Tacoma	30.1	7.44	$1,575
Vancouver	25.4	4.37	$1,319

Washington State Car Insurance FAQs