How much is car insurance in Washington?

The average cost of car insurance in Washington is $1,608 annually for full coverage. However, these rates vary considerably based on factors like age, coverage levels, driving record and the make and model of the vehicle.

For example, younger drivers and males pay higher insurance rates, as do drivers with poor driving records.

Washington drivers who only want to carry the minimum car insurance can expect to pay an average of $438. However, collision and comprehensive coverages aren't included, so any damage to your vehicle in an at-fault accident would be paid out of pocket.

"While most of us are reviewing our household budgets to see where we may be able to cut corners, your car insurance policy shouldn't be one of them. If you are considering saving money buying a liability-only auto insurance policy, the minimum legal coverage in most states, think first about what it will cost you when you need to file a claim for any injuries or damage to your vehicle other than those of the other victims when you cause a crash," says Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association, a nonprofit consumer insurance information organization.

Average annual premiumAverage monthly premium
$1,608$134
Data updated in 2024
Read our full methodology

Washington car insurance rates by company

Every car insurance company uses its own criteria for determining rates. For example, while some emphasize age, others look closely at driving records. Because of this, Washington car insurance rates vary significantly from company to company.

The table below compares average Washington car insurance rates from top-rated companies for different coverage levels. On average, PEMCO is the cheapest car insurance company in Washington.

CompanyState minimumLiability-onlyFull coverage
PEMCO$158$351$1,326
Geico$296$473$1,171
Travelers$398$713$1,503
State Farm$410$741$1,794
Farmers$450$868$1,714
Nationwide$496$792$1,658
Progressive$595$947$2,554
Allstate$639$927$1,766
American Family$709$1,109$1,750
USAA$226$387$853
Data updated in 2024
Read our full methodology

Washington car insurance costs by coverage level

Generally, Washington minimum car insurance is the cheapest option. However, it won’t protect you or your vehicle, even if you increase your limits. Although full coverage is more expensive, it includes collision and comprehensive coverages, which pay for damages to your car from an accident or events like severe weather.

Compare Washington car insurance costs based on coverage level below.

State minimum car insuranceLiability-only car insuranceFull coverage car insurance
$438$731$1,608
Data updated in 2024
Read our full methodology

Washington car insurance by driver profile

Car insurance companies use your driving record to help determine rates since it indicates how likely you are to file a claim. Drivers with DUIs, multiple accidents or a history of reckless driving have significantly higher insurance rates.

In most states, credit history also affects car insurance rates. Statistically, drivers with a lower credit score are more likely to file a claim instead of paying out of pocket for damages.

This table compares average car insurance rates in Washington based on driver profiles. The highest rates in Washington are for drivers with Reckless driving.

Profile groupsAverage annual premiumAnnual premium for profile$ Increase% Increase
At-fault accident$1,608$2,474$86654%
Careless driving$1,608$2,712$1,10469%
Claims$1,608$1,771$16310%
DUI$1,608$2,845$1,23777%
Reckless driving$1,608$2,943$1,33583%
Speeding$1,608$2,296$68843%
Texting ticket$1,608$1,993$38524%
Data updated in 2024
Read our full methodology

Washington car insurance rates by age group

Age can significantly impact car insurance rates. Younger, less experienced drivers see the highest Washington car insurance rates. Rates decrease considerably with age and experience behind the wheel.

The table below shows average Washington car insurance rates by age.

Age groupFull coverage car insurance
Teens (16-19)$5,244
Young Adults (20-24)$2,481
Adults (25-60)$1,617
Seniors (65-75)$1,693
Data updated in 2024
Read our full methodology

How much does car insurance cost in Washington per month?

The average monthly cost of Washington car insurance varies based on the amount of coverage you choose. While the minimum required car insurance is the cheapest, full coverage offers more protection at a higher rate.

Coverage levelAverage monthly premium
State Minimum BI/PD$36
Liability Only - 50/100/50 BI/PD$61
Full Coverage - 100/300/100 BI/PD - 500 Comp/Coll$134
Data updated in 2024
Read our full methodology

Washington car insurance discounts

Which car insurance discounts are available and how much savings drivers can expect depend on the state and the company. So, savings may vary considerably from company to company in Washington.

Check out the available car insurance discounts in Washington below and see how much you can save on average.

Discount type Premium before discount Premium after discount $ Saving 
Air Bags$1,895$1,844$51
Anti-Theft Device$1,895$1,884$11
Daily Commute$1,895$1,867$28
Days Advanced Purchase$1,895$1,786$109
Education$1,895$1,788$107
Electronic Funds Transfer$1,895$1,805$90
Electronic Signature$1,895$1,705$190
Homeowner$1,895$1,819$76
Lower Annual Mileage$1,895$1,829$66
Loyalty - Years Renewal With Company$1,895$1,785$110
Marital Status$1,895$1,810$85
Multi Policy$1,895$1,727$168
Paperless/Electornic Documents$1,895$1,866$29
Payment Type$1,895$1,694$201
Primary Use$1,895$1,738$157
Safety Devices$1,895$1,835$60
Telematics$1,895$1,776$119
Years Insured$1,895$1,611$284
Years Licensed$1,895$1,454$441
Data updated in 2024
Read our full methodology

Car insurance requirements in Washington

Washington requires a minimum amount of car insurance, including:

  • 25/50/10 in liability coverage to pay for bodily injuries and property damages you cause in an accident.

Remember, the minimum coverage required by Washington law is just that - the minimum. Experts recommend increasing limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive, to protect yourself better. By ensuring you have adequate coverage, you can have peace of mind on the road.

State minimum requirementsState minimum car insuranceLiability-only car insuranceFull coverage car insurance
25/50/10$438$731$1,608
Data updated in 2024
Read our full methodology

Car insurance rates in Washington by model year

The vehicle you drive also affects Washington car insurance rates. For example, newer cars cost more to repair since they have expensive parts, such as collision warning systems, cameras, and anti-theft devices.

See how the model and age of the vehicle affect Washington car insurance rates below.

L O A D I N G
CompanyStyleAverage annual premium
Geico2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo$1,139
State Farm2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo$1,322
Allstate2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo$1,790
Nationwide2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo$1,838
Farmers2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo$2,264
Progressive2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo$2,352

Compare auto insurance rates by city in Washington

Auto insurance rates in your city can differ significantly from the state average due to factors such as population density, increased instances of auto theft or accidents, and a few other factors. It's best to compare quotes from various insurance providers to find the most competitive rates for your specific city in Washington.

CityAnnual insurance premium
Seattle
$1,910
Data updated in 2024
Read our full methodology

Car insurance average rates increase most years and various factors contribute to these changes, including shifts in economic conditions, changes in state laws, and the number and severity of insurance claims.

That's why it's important to keep track of car insurance premiums to make better decisions. The graph below shows how insurance rates in Washington have increased or decreased from 2020 to 2023.

Whether you're planning to renew your policy with your current insurer or looking for a new one, this analysis is invaluable for making informed insurance choices.

Insurance.com commissioned car insurance rates from Quadrant Data Systems in late 2023 for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Base rates were fielded based on a 40-year-old driver with a clean record and good credit, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Additional rates were fielded for multiple driver profiles including tickets, accidents and various credit tiers. Coverage levels include state minimum, 50/100/50 liability only, and full coverage at 100/300/100 liability limits with $500 deductibles. Rates were fielded from 34,588 ZIP codes and 170 insurance companies.

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