Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Washington

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Washington for a bad driving record?

State Farm, GEICO, Allstate are the cheapest options. State Farm has the lowest annual rate at $1,948 per year.

Having accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, will make you pay more for insurance. Most tickets will affect your rates for three to five years. A DUI can affect your rates for up to 10 years and can stay on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
State Farm	$1,794	$1,948
GEICO	$1,171	$1,990
Allstate	$1,766	$2,069
Travelers	$1,503	$2,226
American Family	$1,750	$2,300
Farmers	$1,714	$2,377
Nationwide	$1,658	$3,125
Progressive	$2,554	$3,473
USAA	$853	$1,177

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How much is high-risk car insurance in Washington?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In Washington, high-risk car insurance costs $2,535 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $1,948 annually from State Farm.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Washington, WA is $2,508

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
USAA	$853	$1,206
GEICO	$1,171	$1,954
State Farm	$1,794	$2,101
Travelers	$1,503	$2,165
Allstate	$1,766	$2,481
American Family	$1,750	$2,577
Nationwide	$1,658	$2,799
Farmers	$1,714	$3,074
Progressive	$2,554	$4,598

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered a high-risk driver in Washington?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Washington after a DUI?

Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, State Farm offers the most affordable rate at $1,948 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in Washington for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
State Farm	$1,794	$1,948
GEICO	$1,171	$2,039
American Family	$1,750	$2,164
Allstate	$1,766	$2,284
Travelers	$1,503	$2,287
Farmers	$1,714	$3,024
Progressive	$2,554	$3,165
Nationwide	$1,658	$3,558
USAA	$853	$1,765

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What is the cheapest car insurance in Washington with multiple tickets?

The cheapest insurer for drivers with multiple tickets is Farmers, with rates averaging $1,883 annually or $157 monthly.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your risky driving.

This table shows Washington drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
Farmers	$1,714	$1,883
Allstate	$1,766	$1,925
State Farm	$1,794	$1,948
GEICO	$1,171	$1,958
American Family	$1,750	$2,164
Travelers	$1,503	$2,185
Nationwide	$1,658	$2,836
Progressive	$2,554	$3,374
USAA	$853	$1,002

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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Washington?

State Farm has the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,948 a year.

If you engage in hazardous driving behaviors that endanger others, you may be charged with reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction will increase your car insurance rates.

The table below shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record vs. drivers with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
State Farm	$1,794	$1,948
GEICO	$1,171	$2,039
Allstate	$1,766	$2,284
Travelers	$1,503	$2,287
American Family	$1,750	$2,845
Farmers	$1,714	$3,216
Nationwide	$1,658	$3,558
Progressive	$2,554	$4,076
USAA	$853	$1,114

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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

What company has the cheapest car insurance in Washington after an accident?

GEICO has the lowest rates after an accident at $1,954 a year. State Farm also has affordable rates at $2,101 a year.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one at-fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
GEICO	$1,171	$1,954	$3,195
State Farm	$1,794	$2,101	$2,101
Travelers	$1,503	$2,110	$2,703
Allstate	$1,766	$2,481	$3,225
American Family	$1,750	$2,577	$3,095
Nationwide	$1,658	$2,799	$4,407
Farmers	$1,714	$2,962	$5,663
Progressive	$2,554	$4,598	$7,006
USAA	$853	$1,206	$1,738

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Key insight

Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Washington?

In Washington, the lowest car insurance rates are found in Moxee, averaging $2,317 annually. On the other hand, Seattle has the highest rates at $3,065 a year.

Where you live in Washington matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Moxee	$1,486	$2,317
Cheney	$1,483	$2,321
Aberdeen	$1,483	$2,338
Yakima	$1,510	$2,351
Kelso	$1,518	$2,382
Nine Mile Falls	$1,563	$2,448
Camas	$1,642	$2,582
Edmonds	$1,838	$2,919
Shoreline	$1,859	$2,970
Seattle	$1,910	$3,065

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Washington?

Finding affordable car insurance in Washington is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Where you live in Washington also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Washington?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Washington's car insurance laws for high-risk drivers

If you're considered a high-risk driver in Washington, you may be required to file an SR-22. This form is filled out by your car insurance company, stating that you have at least the minimum required coverage. The court will let you know how long you must file an SR-22.

Although an SR-22 is typically called insurance, it is only the form. You don't need special insurance coverage, but rates are much higher for high-risk drivers and not all carriers insure such drivers.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on: