Washington gap insurance: Everything you need to know

How much is gap insurance in Washington?

On average, gap insurance in Washington costs $2,868 per year, but rates vary by company. The cost of your vehicle also affects gap rates. Expensive or luxurious cars tend to depreciate faster than standard vehicles, meaning gap coverage would have to pay more, which increases coverage rates.

Cheapest gap insurance companies in Washington

The cheapest gap insurance in Washington is offered by Travelers, with an average yearly cost of $2,209. Not all car insurance companies provide gap coverage, and rates can vary significantly among carriers.

Take a look at the table below to see the cheapest Washington insurance companies for gap coverage.

Company	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Travelers	$2,209	$55
PEMCO	$2,515	$100
Progressive	$2,603	$41
State Farm	$2,629	$61
Nationwide	$2,633	$69
American Family	$4,618	$196

Read our methodology

Average gap insurance cost in Washington by city

Lopez Island has the cheapest average gap insurance rate in Washington at $2,421 per year. Rates vary by city because insurers consider local claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing. patterns, theft, traffic, repair costs and other location-based risks when pricing auto insurance. Your individual rate will differ from the city average.

Drivers in areas with more theft, accidents or costly claims may pay higher overall auto insurance rates. Because gap coverage is often added to an auto policy, these local pricing differences can affect the total cost of coverage.

This table shows the average gap insurance rates by city for Washington.

City	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Lopez Island	$2,421	$73
Olga	$2,437	$73
Friday Harbor	$2,441	$72
Blakely Island	$2,445	$74
Bangor Base	$2,450	$74
Eastsound	$2,453	$74
Sequim	$2,457	$75
Anacortes	$2,479	$75
Keyport	$2,479	$74
Port Angeles	$2,481	$75
Port Townsend	$2,481	$76

Read our methodology

If you live in an area with more theft, accidents, or expensive claims, you'll likely pay more for auto insurance overall. Since gap insurance is added to your auto policy, those location-based differences also affect your total cost.

How much is gap insurance in Washington by age group?

An 18-year-old driver in Washington pays $8,761 a year for gap insurance, while a 25-year-old pays $3,378 annually for gap insurance. Younger drivers pay more because they have less experience and a higher chance of filing claims. As you gain experience and keep a clean record, your rates will drop.

Age is only one factor that affects insurance costs. Your location, vehicle, driving history, coverage choices, and insurer also affect what you pay.

Here are the gap insurance rates in Washington for different age groups.

Age group	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Teen	$8,761	$240
Young adult	$3,378	$106
Adult	$2,868	$87
Senior	$2,784	$83

Read our methodology

How does gap insurance work in Washington?

When you buy or lease a new car, it depreciates quickly, resulting in you owing more than it's worth. If your car is totaled, your insurance company will only pay its actual cash value, which might not cover your full loan balance. That's where gap insurance helps. If your car is totaled or stolen, gap insurance covers the difference between your car's value and what you still owe on the loan.

"Gap is designed for people that take long-term loans and/or roll taxes, service plans, or warranties into their loan," said Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "Most gap coverages only go a certain percent over market value to pay off a loan for a totaled vehicle (typically 25%). It costs significantly less money to get gap through your insurance than to purchase it from the dealership."

For example, let's say you have a $40,000 car loan, but your vehicle's actual cash value is only $35,000. If the car is stolen, your insurance company will reimburse you $35,000, minus your deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim.. Gap insurance would cover the remaining $5,000 that you still owe on your loan. Without gap insurance, you'd be responsible for paying this difference out of pocket.

Once your loan is less than the value of your car, you can drop gap coverage. While you can always cancel gap insurance, you may be unable to add it anytime. Most insurers want you to add the coverage quickly after buying a car.

Additionally, many lenders require gap insurance when getting your loan. Although you can get gap coverage through your lender or car dealership, adding it to your current auto policy is usually cheaper.

Where to buy gap insurance in Washington

You can buy gap insurance in Washington from many auto insurers, dealerships, lenders, and some standalone providers. Adding gap coverage to an existing auto policy is often the most affordable option, while dealer or lender products may cost more. Compare prices, coverage limits, cancellation terms, and eligibility before choosing.

You can also buy gap coverage from most car dealers and lenders, but their policies are often more expensive, making them a less appealing choice.

Methodology

We gathered car insurance rates with and without gap insurance through our data partner, Quadrant Information Services.

Averages are annual and 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

To show the cost of gap insurance, we have compared rates with gap insurance added to the averages without gap insurance, and the difference is shown as the annual cost of gap insurance.

Rates are based on an analysis of over 5 million data points in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. from 138 companies.

Washington gap insurance: FAQs

Is gap insurance required in Washington?

No, Washington does not require gap insurance by law. However, your lender may require it as part of your loan or lease agreement. Always check your financing terms to confirm.

Who should buy gap insurance in Washington?

If you have a car loan or lease in Washington, you might need gap insurance. If you made a small down payment, you could quickly owe more than your car is worth since vehicles lose value faster than you can pay off the loan. In this case, gap insurance can be a smart choice.

You don't need gap insurance if you own your car or made a large down payment to ensure that you owe less than the car's value at the start of your loan.

What is standalone gap insurance in Washington?

Standalone gap insurance in Washington is a separate policy that is not added to your auto insurance through a lender, dealership, or third party. It's useful if your insurer doesn't offer gap coverage, but terms differ, so always review what's covered and any payout limits after a total loss.

Does gap insurance cover leased cars in Washington?

Yes, gap insurance covers a leased vehicle in Washington if it's totaled and you owe more than its actual cash value. Many lease agreements already include gap coverage, so check your contract first; if not, you can add it through your insurer or leasing company. Gap insurance can be removed once the loan balance is lower than the vehicle's value.