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See Washington car insurance cost for both new and used cars. Also see what coverage you need, how your car’s value and credit score affect your rate, and where you can cut costs without leaving yourself in trouble.

Washington drivers pay about 6-29% less than the national average for car insurance, making it one of the more affordable states for coverage. Full coverage runs $1,452-$2,175 per year, while minimum coverage averages $490-$700 annually. The state ranks 11th for full coverage affordability nationwide.

Updated: June 3, 2026

Curious about car financing? See real Washington car loan rates shared by our community.

Washington’s 25/50/10 Minimums: Low Limits, Big Gaps

Washington requires:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident.
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident.

That’s it. No PIP required. No UM/UIM required. Washington’s minimums are among the lowest in the country.

PIP: Not Required, But Insurers Must Offer It

Washington has a unique rule around Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP is not mandatory, but insurers must include it in your policy and charge you for it — unless you waive it in writing. This “opt-out” system means many drivers have PIP coverage without realizing they chose it.

PIP pays medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses regardless of who caused the accident. It covers you, household family members, passengers in your vehicle, and even pedestrians hit by your car. Minimum PIP coverage is $10,000.

MFP Tip: Don’t waive PIP without understanding what you’re giving up. PIP pays first, regardless of fault, and can cover gaps your health insurance doesn’t. It also protects passengers who may not have their own coverage.

UM/UIM: Optional But Necessary

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is not required in Washington. Given that 17-21% of Washington drivers lack insurance — among the top 5-10 highest rates in the nation — skipping UM/UIM is a gamble.

UM/UIM protects you when:

• An uninsured driver causes an accident.
• An underinsured driver’s limits don’t cover your damages.
• You’re the victim of a hit-and-run.
• You’re a pedestrian or cyclist hit by an uninsured driver.

Washington New Car Insurance Costs

Washington consistently ranks among the more affordable states for car insurance, running 6-29% below national averages depending on coverage level and driver profile.

Car Value	Coverage	750+ (Excellent)	700–749 (Good)	650–699 (Fair)	600–649 (Below Fair)
Under $30K	Full	$149	$172	$186	$254
	Standard	$108	$125	$135	$184
	Liability only	$72	$83	$89	$122
$30K–$60K	Full	$177	$203	$220	$300
	Standard	$129	$148	$160	$218
	Liability only	$78	$90	$97	$133
Over $60K	Full	$218	$250	$271	$369
	Standard	$156	$180	$195	$266
	Liability only	$85	$98	$105	$144

Washington Used Car Insurance Costs

Car Value	Coverage	750+ (Excellent)	700–749 (Good)	650–699 (Fair)	600–649 (Below Fair)
Under $15K	Full	$87	$100	$108	$148
	Standard	$73	$84	$91	$124
	Liability only	$50	$57	$62	$84
$15K–$25K	Full	$104	$120	$130	$177
	Standard	$87	$100	$108	$148
	Liability only	$57	$66	$71	$97
$25K–$40K	Full	$118	$136	$147	$201
	Standard	$99	$114	$123	$168
	Liability only	$62	$71	$77	$105
Over $40K	Full	$136	$156	$169	$230
	Standard	$113	$130	$140	$191
	Liability only	$68	$79	$85	$116

What Each Coverage Level Means

Full Coverage: Includes collision, comprehensive, and liability beyond state minimums. Typical limits are 100/300/100. This pays to repair or replace your car after accidents, theft, vandalism, or weather damage. Required if you finance or lease.

Minimum Coverage: Washington’s 25/50/10 liability only. Protects others if you cause an accident. Does not cover your medical bills, your vehicle, or accidents caused by uninsured drivers.

MFP Tip: PEMCO offers the cheapest minimum coverage in Washington at around $158/month. GEICO offers the cheapest full coverage at around $96/month. Get at least three quotes — rates vary widely between insurers.

Rate Increases Coming

Washington auto insurance rates increased about 20% in 2024 and are projected to rise another 17% in 2025. This ties Washington with New Jersey for the highest rate increases in the nation. Rising repair costs and inflation are driving the increases.

Credit Scores in Washington: Allowed (For Now)

Washington allows insurers to use credit-based insurance scores when setting premiums. A 2020 study found good drivers with poor credit paid 79% more than drivers with excellent credit in Washington.

There’s been a long battle over this. In 2021-2022, Washington’s Insurance Commissioner attempted to ban credit scoring for auto insurance. The ban was struck down by courts in 2022 after insurers sued, ruling the Commissioner exceeded his authority. Credit scoring remains legal.

The Legislature is now studying the impacts of credit-based insurance scores with a report due by December 2025. A future ban remains possible but hasn’t happened yet.

Your premium is influenced by:

• Credit-based insurance score: Poor credit can mean 79% higher premiums for the same driver profile.
• Driving record: Accidents and violations increase rates. A DUI can double or triple your premium.
• Age: Teen drivers pay roughly $4,294/year for full coverage vs. $1,452 for drivers in their 40s.
• Location: Seattle and Tacoma cost more than rural eastern Washington. Kent residents pay $149/month; Lopez Island residents pay $90/month.
• Vehicle type: Hyundai and Kia models targeted by theft (mainly 2010-2021 models) cost more to insure.

MFP Tip: If the credit ban remains blocked, improving your credit score is one of the best ways to lower your premium in Washington. Check your credit report for errors and pay down balances if possible.

How to Choose the Right Coverage

Buying a New Car

If you’re financing or leasing, your lender will require full coverage including collision and comprehensive. You don’t have a choice — it protects their investment until you own the car outright.

Beyond lender requirements, gap insurance is worth looking into. New cars depreciate 20-30% in the first year. If your car is totaled, insurance pays the actual cash value (what it’s worth today), not what you owe. Gap insurance covers the difference.

Washington doesn’t require a safety inspection for most vehicles, but your car must be titled and registered within 30 days of establishing residency (or 15 days of purchase).

Buying a Used Car

With a used car you own outright, you have more flexibility. The key question: does it make financial sense to pay for collision and comprehensive coverage?

The 10% Rule: Add up your annual collision and comprehensive premiums. If that total exceeds 10% of your car’s current market value, you might save money by dropping those coverages and setting aside funds for repairs or a replacement.

Example: Your 2019 Toyota RAV4 is worth $22,000. If collision and comprehensive cost $1,800/year (8.2%), keeping those coverages makes sense. If your 2011 Honda Civic is worth $6,000 and collision plus comprehensive runs $700/year (11.7%), you might be better off banking the premium savings.

Washington Exception — Theft Risk: Washington ranked 7th-10th highest in the nation for car theft, even after a 32-42% drop in 2024-2025. Hyundai and Kia models from 2010-2021 remain prime targets due to a viral TikTok theft method. If you own one of these vehicles, comprehensive coverage is worth keeping regardless of age.

$10,000 Property Damage and No UM/UIM: Washington’s Coverage Gaps

$10,000 Won’t Cover Most Vehicles

The average new car costs over $48,000. Even used cars routinely exceed $20,000. Washington’s $10,000 property damage minimum is dangerously low.

If you cause an accident and damage someone’s $35,000 SUV, your insurance pays $10,000. You’re personally liable for the remaining $25,000. The other driver can sue you, and your wages and assets could be garnished.

Raising your property damage limit to at least $25,000 or $50,000 makes sense. The premium difference is usually modest — often just $50-$100/year — compared to the protection it provides.

17-21% of Drivers Are Uninsured

Washington has one of the highest uninsured motorist rates in the nation — 5th to 10th highest depending on the study and year. Insurance Research Council data shows 17-21% of Washington drivers lack coverage.

UM/UIM coverage is not required in Washington. If an uninsured driver hits you and you don’t have UM/UIM, you’re stuck with your own bills. You can sue the uninsured driver, but collecting from someone who couldn’t afford insurance is often impossible.

UM/UIM coverage costs about $3-$6/month for a policy that covers injuries up to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. That’s a small price for protection against Washington’s high uninsured rate.

MFP Tip: Match your UM/UIM limits to your liability limits. If you carry 100/300 liability, carry 100/300 UM/UIM. This gives you the same protection for yourself as you’re providing to others.

What Shapes Washington Rates

Washington is an At-Fault State

Washington uses a traditional at-fault (tort) system. The driver who causes an accident is responsible for paying for the other party’s damages through their liability insurance.

Washington also uses pure comparative negligence. If you’re partially at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault — but you can still recover. If you’re 30% at fault and have $100,000 in damages, you can recover $70,000. This is more favorable than Virginia’s contributory negligence rule, which bars recovery if you’re even 1% at fault.

Car Theft: From Worst to Best Improvement

Washington had one of the worst car theft rates in the nation in 2022-2023, driven by viral TikTok videos showing how to steal Hyundai and Kia models from 2010-2021. In 2023, over 54,000 vehicles were stolen statewide.

But Washington led the nation in theft reduction in 2024-2025:

• 32% drop from 2023 to 2024 (largest decrease of any state).
• 42% drop in the first half of 2025 compared to first half 2024.
• Theft rates now at their lowest point in 15 years.

The improvement is attributed to police pursuit law changes, targeted arrests of repeat offenders (“Kia Boyz”), and Hyundai/Kia software upgrades. Washington now ranks 10th in theft rate, down from top 5.

If you own a vulnerable Hyundai or Kia model, use a steering wheel lock even if your software has been updated — thieves may still break your window and damage your ignition before realizing they can’t steal it.

Weather Risks

Western Washington faces flooding from atmospheric rivers, winter storms, and occasional landslides. The Cascade passes see heavy snow. Eastern Washington experiences severe thunderstorms and occasional hail.

Comprehensive coverage protects against flood damage, falling trees, and hail. Without it, weather-related damage comes out of your pocket.

How to Lower Your Washington Car Insurance Costs

Shop around aggressively. GEICO averages $96/month for full coverage while other carriers charge $114+. PEMCO offers the cheapest minimum coverage. Get at least three quotes.

Try pay-per-mile insurance. If you drive less than 600 miles per month, pay-per-mile insurers like Metromile (now Lemonade) can save you money. You pay a low base rate plus a few cents per mile driven.

Bundle your policies. Combining auto and homeowners or renters insurance often saves 10-25%.

Improve your credit. With poor-credit drivers paying 79% more in Washington, improving your credit score can cut your premium by hundreds of dollars.

Raise your deductible. Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can cut collision and comprehensive premiums by 15-25%.

Ask about discounts. Common Washington discounts include good driver, multi-vehicle, homeowner, military/veteran, and low mileage.

Protect against theft. Use a steering wheel lock on Hyundai/Kia vehicles. Some insurers offer discounts for anti-theft devices, and you’ll avoid the claim and premium increase if your car is stolen.

MFP Tip: Washington rates jumped 20%+ in 2024 and another 17% increase is projected for 2025. Shop at every renewal to make sure you’re getting competitive rates as the market shifts.

Buying a Car in Washington? Here’s What to Do

Get Insurance First

Washington requires liability insurance to legally drive. While you don’t need to show proof of insurance when registering your vehicle, you must have coverage before you drive it off the lot or away from a private sale.

Driving without insurance is a $550+ fine. If you cause an accident while uninsured, your license may be suspended and you may need to file an SR-22 (proof of insurance) for three years.

Title and Register Within 30 Days (New Residents) or 15 Days (Purchases)

New residents have 30 days to get a Washington driver’s license and register their vehicle after establishing residency.

If you purchase a vehicle, you have 15 days to title and register it. Late fees start at $50 on day 16 and increase $2/day up to $125 maximum.

For registration, you’ll need:

• Washington driver’s license (must get this first).
• Vehicle title (signed by all owners).
• Odometer disclosure statement (for vehicles up to 10 years old).
• Bill of sale (if purchased within 90 days).
• Payment for registration fees and any sales/use tax.

If you buy from a dealer, they handle the paperwork and mail your plates within a few weeks.

No Safety Inspection Required

Washington does not require a safety inspection for passenger vehicles. Some counties in the greater Seattle area (King, Pierce, Snohomish, etc.) may require emissions testing for certain vehicles.

Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Fees

If you live in King, Pierce, or Snohomish County, you’ll pay Regional Transit Authority (RTA) fees based on your vehicle’s value. These fees fund Sound Transit and are in addition to standard registration fees. They can add $100-$300+ annually depending on your vehicle’s depreciated value.

End Note

Washington offers below-average car insurance rates, but the state’s low minimums and high uninsured driver rate create real risks. The $10,000 property damage limit won’t cover most vehicles. The 17-21% uninsured rate means nearly one in five drivers has no coverage to pay for your damages.

The good news: Washington led the nation in reducing car theft in 2024-2025, with rates now at 15-year lows. And credit scoring, while still legal, may face future restrictions as the Legislature studies its impacts.

Key recommendations for Washington drivers:

• Raise your property damage limit above the $10,000 minimum — $50,000+ is safer.
• Add UM/UIM coverage to protect against uninsured drivers.
• Don’t waive PIP without understanding what you’re giving up.
• Use a steering wheel lock on Hyundai/Kia models even with software updates.
• Shop rates aggressively as the market sees 17-20% annual increases.

Use the rate tables above to estimate your costs, then get quotes from at least three insurers. Washington’s low minimums are a floor, not a ceiling — build coverage that protects you.