Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington

By Coverage Level

By law, Washington requires that drivers have at least minimum insurance coverage. That said, it’s best to get full coverage if your budget allows. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in the state of Washington in 2026 is $2,433 per year, which breaks down to about $203 per month. That’s slightly higher than the national average of $2,356.

By Company

Insurance prices vary widely by company. In Washington, drivers can expect to find the cheapest car insurance rates from USAA (if they are eligible) and Mutual of Enumclaw.

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

*After USAA

There are many ways to lower auto insurance costs, such as raising your deductible, reducing your limits, getting discounts, and dropping coverages. You can also reduce 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, electric vehicles tend to be much more expensive to insure than gas-powered cars, and 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 liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $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 an at-fault state, also known as a “tort state.” Unlike in a no-fault state, when someone causes an accident in an at-fault state, their insurance assumes primary responsibility for the victim’s injuries.

Washington motorists are not obligated to have 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 end up with 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.¹ 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 the national average. There are plenty of ways to save money on car insurance, including driving safely, maintaining a solid credit score, and shopping around by comparing quotes from various auto insurance companies. Always ensure each quote has the same limits and coverages so that you’re comparing apples to apples.

We analyze average premiums in Washington for full and minimum coverage for good drivers with good credit as well as various driver profiles, including those with DUIs, at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, low credit and households with teenagers. Full coverage averages use the following limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $100,000 per accident
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible