Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington

Across all demographics, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in the state of Washington in 2024 is $1,452 per year, which breaks down to about $121 per month. Washington is not immune to rising cost of insurance across the country. It is expected that 2024 insurance rates will see a spike of close to 24%.¹

Let’s take a look at the costs across different demographics.

By Age

Teen drivers face the highest auto insurance rates in every state. In Washington, the average annual cost of full coverage for drivers age 16 to 19 is $4,294, compared to an average of $2,755 for drivers in their 20s. The cheapest age demographic are individuals in their 60s, but the largest drops in price occur for 19-year-olds and individuals in their 30s.

By Gender

Men pay more for car insurance in most states, and Washington is no different. On average, men will pay about $70, or 5 percent, more per year than women.

By City

The town or city you live in can also impact the price of car insurance. In the major towns listed below, the average cost differs by only about 2 percent, but residents of Spokane will be happy to see that they can save close to $300 compared to other areas.

By Coverage Level

By law, Washington requires that individuals have minimum insurance coverage. Still, most experts recommend full coverage. The difference on average is around $875 annually (less than $75 monthly), but going with the minimum could prove costly if you’re found to be at fault for an accident.

By Credit Score

The good news: Unlike many other states, there is not much difference in the price of car insurance for Washington drivers with poor or average credit compared to those with good or excellent credit. Prices are nearly the same across all credit score ranges.

By Driving History

Unlike credit score, drivers with a checkered driving record will notice a sharp spike in their auto insurance rates, especially those with an at-fault accident or DUI. A speeding ticket in Washington will increase your premium nearly 20 percent on average.

By Company

Given that there is a diverse market for insurance, prices vary widely by company. In Washington, drivers can expect to find the cheapest car insurance rates from Travelers and Geico.

Looking for cheap car insurance in Washington? These companies have the lowest rates for different demographics.

Aside from the usual ways of lowering auto insurance costs, such as raising your deductible, reducing your limits, getting discounts, and dropping coverages, you can lower your car insurance premium by considering the type of vehicle you own and how often you drive.

Insurance companies will take into account the make and model of your vehicle. For example, the average annual cost of insurance for a Honda Odyssey is $1,200, compared to a BMW 330i, which is $1,752. Traditionally safe vehicles, like minivans, will cost less to insure than luxury and sports cars.

Washington’s required minimum coverage for car insurance is similar to that of other states. It consists of three essential components, sometimes referred to as 25/50/10:

• Bodily injury (BI) liability of $25,000 per person
• BI liability of $50,000 per accident
• Property damage (PD) liability of $10,000 per accident

This coverage is comparable to that of other states, but we recommend getting full coverage to pay for any property damage from collisions and other events.

Washington is a fault state, also known as a “tort state.” Unlike a no-fault state, when someone causes an accident in a fault state, their insurance assumes primary responsibility for the victim’s injuries.

Washington motorists are not obligated to possess personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, yet insurance providers must present a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage with each auto insurance policy they provide. Opting out of this coverage requires a written declaration. Because of this, many Washington drivers inadvertently possess some level of PIP coverage.

Washington requires SR-22 documentation for drivers who are convicted of serious traffic violations. The list includes reckless driving, hit-and-run, and DUI, among other major offenses.

An SR-22 in Washington serves as proof that a high-risk driver meets the state’s legal car insurance requirements. Typically, there’s a filing fee of $15 to $25 for your insurance provider to submit your SR-22 documentation to the state.

According to Washington law, you must maintain your SR-22 with the state’s licensing agency for three years. Should your insurance coverage lapse during this period, your insurer is obligated to notify the state authorities. In such instances, your SR-22 duration restarts, and you must once again cover any associated fees.

Washington does offer an alternative method to satisfy the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law. Instead of opting for auto insurance, drivers can choose to put up a $60,000 liability bond for damages incurred while driving.² This, however, is not recommended because it does not provide any protection if you get into an accident.

Washington state’s car insurance rates are comparable to, and often lower than, the national average. There are plenty of ways to save money on car insurance. Among these are the common practices of exhibiting safe driving, maintaining a solid credit score, and shopping around by comparing quotes from various auto insurance companies. That you’ve taken the time to read this article is a sign you are on the right path to saving!

We will leave you with the common advice to never accept a first offer. It’s always a good idea to shop the market, as companies offer different discounts for different qualifications and demographics. We recommend getting quotes from at least three companies. When you do, ensure each quote has the same limits and coverages so that you’re comparing apples to apples. Finding the best deals on auto insurance is always worth a little extra legwork.

For more than 20 years, AutoInsurance.com has provided consumers with data and knowledge they can trust. We strive to provide the most comprehensive and dissected information so that you can trust your financial decisions. We use this data, along with state-specific data from multiple sources, fault law and SR 22 specifics, and demographic trends, to paint as clear and detailed a picture of insurance trends that we can.