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 and Allstate offer some of the cheapest rates for drivers with poor driving records in Washington. Among them, State Farm has the lowest average premium at $1,948 annually.

If you have accidents, tickets or a DUI on your record, insurance companies will charge higher rates. Serious violations may affect your premiums for years, especially if you have multiple offenses.

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?

The average cost of high-risk car insurance in Washington is $2,535 per year. Depending on your driving history and insurer, you may be able to find rates as low as $1,948 annually.

Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets, or one in a school zone, will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.

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?

State Farm has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in Washington at $1,948 annually.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade, in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. 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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What is the cheapest car insurance in Washington with multiple tickets?

Farmers offers the lowest average rates for drivers with multiple traffic tickets at $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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Expert's Insight Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

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

State Farm has the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in Washington at $1,948 per year. Reckless driving convictions often result in substantial premium increases and fewer coverage options.

You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance rates for drivers with a clean driving record and 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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Expert's 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 cheapest average post-accident insurance rates in Washington at $1,954 per year. State Farm also offers below-average rates after an at-fault crash.

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

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

Moxee has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in Washington at $2,317 annually. In comparison, Seattle has the highest average premiums at $3,065 per 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?

High-risk drivers in Washington can reduce insurance costs by comparing quotes and avoiding additional violations. Many insurers reward safer driving habits over time with lower premiums.

Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

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.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for completing the class, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing it.
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 Washington 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.

What are Washington's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in Washington, you may need to file an SR-22. Your insurer submits this form to confirm you carry the state's minimum required coverage. The court will specify how long you must maintain the SR-22.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance; it's simply a form. You don't need special coverage, but your premiums may be higher since you're classified as high risk. Additionally, not all insurance companies offer policies for high-risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

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:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

DUI
Reckless driving
Multiple speeding tickets
Bad credit
One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in Washington

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in Washington?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in Washington?

An SR-22 doesn't increase your rates, but the violation that resulted in the requirement will; as a result, having an SR-22 means higher rates. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.