Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Washington

Cheapest car insurance in Washington for a bad driving record

Drivers with a poor record in Washington will find the lowest rates from State Farm, GEICO and Allstate. Among these, State Farm provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $1,948 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, youll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain 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 high-risk for insurance 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.

Cheapest car insurance in Washington with a DUI

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, State Farm provides the average cheapest coverage for $1,948 annually.

A DUI is one of the most serious traffic violations to have on your record. Not only do you have to pay fines, but you'll also see vastly higher car insurance rates for up to 10 years. Multiple DUIs will cause your premiums to skyrocket.

The table below compares average car insurance rates with a clean driving record and rates after a DUI in Washington.

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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Cheapest car insurance in Washington with multiple tickets

For drivers with multiple tickets, Farmers offers the lowest premiums, averaging $1,883 per year or $157 per month.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

This table shows drivers in Washington how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance 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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Cheapest car insurance in Washington with a reckless driving conviction

State Farm offers the most affordable rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions, averaging $1,948 per year.

Engaging in driving behaviors that put others at risk can lead to a reckless driving charge. A conviction for reckless driving results in higher car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean record and those 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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Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Washington

GEICO offers the lowest rates after an accident, averaging $1,954 per year. State Farm is another budget-friendly option, with rates around $2,101 a year.

Drivers with accidents on their record usually pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with a clean record. A single accident can raise your rates, and multiple accidents can push them even higher.

This table shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record, a single 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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Cheapest car insurance in Washington by city

Moxee has the cheapest car insurance rates in Washington at $2,317 per year. But the most expensive city is Seattle with rates of $3,065 per year.

Your location in Washington also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance 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 to reduce car insurance rates in Washington for a bad driving record

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 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: