Washington Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements (2024)
Washington requires a minimum of 25/50/10 for bodily injury and property damage coverage. The average rate for auto insurance is $76.93/mo.
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Jimmy McMillan
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jimmy McMillan is an entrepreneur and the founder of HeartLifeInsurance.com, an independent insurance brokerage. His company specializes in insurance for people with heart problems. He knows personally how difficult it is to secure health and life insurance after a heart attack. Jimmy is a licensed insurance agent from coast to coast who has been featured on ValientCEO and the podcast Modern Li...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 13, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 13, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- As a licensed driver in the State of Washington, it is your responsibility to be properly insured before getting behind the wheel of any vehicle
- Although all are not mandated under Washington law, there are six specific types of coverage you should be familiar with
- Meeting the minimum car insurance requirements in Washington as set forth by the legislature may not offer you the financial protection you need in the event of an accident
There is no getting around the fact that car insurance is mandatory in the state of Washington. While there are some exceptions, most motor vehicles are required to be insured with Washington state’s minimum car insurance requirements as set forth by the state legislature.
Consequently, failure to insure your vehicle per Washington state’s car insurance requirements can have serious consequences, legally as well as financially.
Furthermore, it is your responsibility to understand how these coverages are defined. Yes, you do have to pay for Washington state car insurance minimums, but don’t you want to know what you are paying for and why it is in your best interest to get the best coverage possible?
You may stand to lose a great deal if you aren’t adequately insured, so take the time to understand a few basic insurance definitions and how they read on your policy.
Compare car insurance quotes right here to find the coverage you need at the best rate. Enter your ZIP code into our free tool above to get started.
Washington Auto Insurance Requirements
Many times an insured party reports a claim to their provider only to find that what they thought was covered isn’t, and never was under the coverages they opted for when buying a policy.
Some of the terms used can be a bit confusing because the world of insurance has developed definitions specific to the industry.
For example, do you understand the difference between bodily injury and medical payments? If you aren’t careful, you may not be getting what you think you are paying for!
Before getting comparison quotes on a policy, take the time to read and understand the six basic types of coverage. Some are required and others are optional.
These include:
#1 – Bodily Injury Liability
If you are found at fault for an automobile accident, Bodily Injury Liability will cover up to your personal policy limits for injuries sustained by the driver of the other vehicle and passengers in that vehicle.
Also, BI, as it is commonly referred to in the industry, may cover the cost of legal defense if you are being sued as a result of that accident.
#2 – Medical Payments and/or Personal Injury Protection
When you are found at-fault for an accident which occurred in Washington State, Med Pay or PIP will kick in to cover you, as the at-fault driver, and any passengers in your vehicle. Along with BI, Med Pay and PIP may also cover a pedestrian injured in that accident.
Although PIP is not required under Washington State law, it is required that insurance providers offer you this optional coverage.
Med Pay is specifically designed to cover you, as the driver of your insured vehicle, and any passengers within your vehicle. The main difference between Med Pay and PIP is that PIP also covers injuries sustained when the other driver is all or partially at-fault in an accident.
#3 – Property Damage Liability
Property Damage Liability insurance is that coverage on your policy that pays for damage to the property of another, or others, resulting from an at-fault accident. This is a required coverage in the State of Washington.
#4 – Underinsured (UIM) and/or Uninsured Motorist (UI)
This is a coverage typically kicking in when the other driver is found at least partially at-fault and is uninsured or underinsured.
Only Uninsured Motorist is required by law in Washington while Underinsured Motorist Property Damage, Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury, and Basic Personal Injury Protection can be rejected, usually by filling out a specific rejection form.
#5 – Collision
Collision is a coverage that provides the replacement value for your vehicle when damaged in a covered accident.
This coverage is not a requirement in the state but it is always a good idea to add this to your policy, especially if you have a high-value vehicle which would be too costly to replace.
Also, most lenders will require you to protect their investment by carrying collision at least equal to the value of the vehicle.
#6 – Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage is protection against loss or damage to your vehicle resulting from:
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Animal damage
- Natural disasters
- Fire
- Hail
- Floods
- Damage accidents with an animal
What many people are most confused about is the animal damage coverage.
When a deer is hit, for example, you might think you would be filing under your Collision coverage, but you would actually need to file under Comprehensive.
Damage to your vehicle would then be covered by Comprehensive, so if you live in a rural area with greater exposure to animals on roadways, this is a good coverage to opt for.
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Washington State Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Under Title 46 RCW
Each state legislates its own insurance laws. Washington state auto insurance requirements would be found in Title 46 of the Revised Code of Washington.
This is the section that deals primarily with motor vehicles, with Chapter 46.29 and Chapter 46.30 dealing specifically with financial responsibility and mandatory liability insurance respectively.
The minimum auto insurance coverage in Washington state includes:
- Minimum of $25,000 Personal Injury liability for the first person in one accident.
- Minimum of $50,000 Personal Injury liability in a single accident for multiple people.
- Minimum of $10,000 Property Damage to cover vehicles and/or property in a single accident.
Bear in mind that these are just the Washington state minimum car insurance coverage you are required to carry by law.
However, many people choose higher limits to protect themselves from being sued in a court of law for amounts not payable under their auto insurance policies.
Also, certain entities are excluded from Washington state insurance requirements.
Government vehicles and self-insured fleets of 26 or more vehicles are excluded as well as those persons or companies that place a $60,000 deposit with the Washington State Treasurer or purchase from a broker a $60,000 Certificate of Deposit.
It is also possible to buy a liability bond for a minimum of $60,000. The security bond provider must be licensed in the state to provide this type of surety.
Why Washington State Minimum Auto Insurance May Not Meet Your Personal Needs
While it is understood that the reason most people buy insurance to meet Washington state vehicle insurance requirements, those who go the extra mile with additional and optional coverages are best served.
As the old saying goes, the more you have, the more you have to lose.
Also, Washington is one of the few remaining Contributory Negligence fault states in which any party contributing to the accident may be held at least partially liable (at-fault).
In such a case, the at-fault driver may not be held 100-percent responsible for injuries and property damage. Even pedestrians can be found partially at-fault if it can be proven their actions contributed to the accident.
In some states, you are either at-fault or not-at-fault, but in Washington, you can suffer great losses even if only partially at-fault in an accident.
Even pedestrians can be found to have contributed to the ultimate cause of a collision, which would then revert to your own personal auto insurance policy for restitution.
In the end, you are paying for protection against loss. The actuaries who are tasked with pricing coverage base premiums on risk.
Insurance companies are ultimately the ones with the greatest exposure to risk, and some may be willing to take on higher risks for lower prices.
Take the time to shop around. You never know when you might need a coverage you opted out of, and in times like this, it truly is better to be safe than sorry. Enter your ZIP code into our free rate tool below to get started comparison shopping today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum auto insurance coverage in Washington state?
So, what is the minimum car insurance in Washington state? According to Washington car insurance laws, drivers should carry the following Washington state car insurance coverage limits:
- Liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death per accident, and $10,000 for property damage per accident.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death per accident.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): $10,000.
Does Washington require car insurance?
Do you have to have car insurance in Washington state? Yes, car insurance is required in Washington. All drivers are required to carry Washington state liability insurance minimums to legally operate a vehicle.
What is Washington’s financial responsibility requirement?
Drivers must follow Washington state auto insurance laws to demonstrate financial responsibility, which typically means having car insurance. The minimum WA state insurance requirements:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in an accident
- $10,000 for property damage in an accident
Do permit drivers need insurance in Washington state?
Yes, permit drivers in Washington need to be covered by insurance. The vehicle they are driving must be insured, and the policy must meet Washington car insurance requirements.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Washington state?
Washington state uninsured motorist laws suggest that uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is not required. However, insurers in Washington, are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage.
Carrying uninsured motorist coverage in the state of Washington can protect you if you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or a hit-and-run driver.
Is PIP required in Washington state?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is not required by Washington state car insurance laws, but it must be offered by insurers.
What is full coverage in Washington state?
Full coverage car insurance in Washington typically includes:
- Liability Insurance
- Comprehensive Insurance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
How much liability insurance do I need in Washington state?
Washington auto insurance laws require the following minimum liability coverage:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in an accident
- $10,000 for property damage in an accident
How much is the average car insurance in WA?
The monthly cost of a full coverage policy for Washington state auto insurance averages between $100 to $125. On the other hand, Washington state minimum car insurance coverage averages around $37 to $50 per month.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Washington state?
The cheapest car insurance companies in Washington are USAA, State Farm, and Geico.
Why is auto insurance so high in Washington state?
So, why are insurance rates going up in Washington state? Several factors contribute to higher Washington insurance quotes, including:
- Higher Population Density: More drivers lead to a higher likelihood of accidents.
- Weather Conditions: Rain and fog can contribute to more accidents.
- Medical Costs: Higher medical expenses can increase the cost of injury claims.
- Fraud: Insurance fraud can drive up rates for everyone.
Is Washington State insurance free?
Washington does not offer free auto insurance. All drivers are required to follow WA state car insurance laws and there are no state-sponsored programs providing free insurance.
Is Washington a no-fault state?
Washington follows a traditional tort system where the driver who is at fault in an accident is responsible for covering the damages.
Can you self-insure your car in Washington state?
Self-insurance is typically an option for individuals or businesses with a large number of vehicles. To do so, you must meet Washington insurance requirements set by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
What does the Washington state minimum auto insurance 25/50/10 mean?
25/50/10 refer to Washington state auto insurance minimums.
Do you need insurance to register a car in Washington?
Yes, you need insurance to register a car in Washington state. When you register your vehicle, you must prove that you have the minimum car insurance coverage required in Washington state.
Do you need car insurance in Washington state?
Yes, you need car insurance in Washington state. All drivers must carry at least the minimum car insurance in Washington.
What are Washington state SR-22 insurance requirements?
Typically, you must maintain SR-22 insurance for three years. If your SR-22 insurance lapses or is canceled, your insurance company is required to notify the DOL.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Jimmy McMillan
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jimmy McMillan is an entrepreneur and the founder of HeartLifeInsurance.com, an independent insurance brokerage. His company specializes in insurance for people with heart problems. He knows personally how difficult it is to secure health and life insurance after a heart attack. Jimmy is a licensed insurance agent from coast to coast who has been featured on ValientCEO and the podcast Modern Li...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.