Anamarie Waite, Car Insurance Writer
@anamarie.waite
Washington is an at-fault state, which means that the at-fault driver is responsible for paying for everyone injured in the accident. There are no restrictions on the right to sue after an accident in at-fault states, even if the insured buys personal injury protection (PIP).
Drivers in Washington are required to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, up to $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 in property damage liability insurance. When an insured driver is responsible for an accident, liability insurance covers the other driver’s expenses.
On average, state minimum coverage costs $1,552 per year in Washington, but there are many factors that can affect how much you pay for a policy. Any coverage above and beyond what is required by Washington law is optional, but it’s usually worth the money to get some additional protection. The biggest reason is that state minimum coverage doesn’t protect your personal vehicle. For insurance to pay for damage to your car, you’ll need full coverage.
In Washington, full coverage refers to a policy that includes collision and comprehensive, plus higher coverage limits than what is required by state law. Full coverage car insurance costs about $4,407 per year in Washington. There may be cases when you don’t need full coverage insurance, but Washington drivers should buy as much coverage as they can afford as a general rule.
Most policies offer coverage for six months to one year at a time and can be paid in a variety of ways, including monthly payments. The best car insurance companies in Washington balance affordability with quality coverage and strong customer service. You can easily get a quote from top companies like American Family, State Farm, Farmers, PEMCO and The Hartford online or over the phone, or use WalletHub’s comparison tools to find the best car insurance policy for your needs.
People also ask
What is the minimum insurance requirement in Washington?
Washington car insurance laws require $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, up to $50,000 per accident, as well as $10,000 of property damage liability coverage.
Bodily injury liability insurance pays for any injuries that you accidentally cause with your car, while property damage liability coverage helps pay for any material assets that you damage while driving, like another person’s car or mailbox. Your insurance company pays up to the limit specified by...
read full answerWhat is the penalty for driving without insurance in Washington?
The penalties for driving without insurance in Washington include fines and the suspension of your driver's license. You can avoid these consequences by meeting Washington’s proof of financial responsibility requirements. Washington requires that all drivers have at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, up to $50,000 per accident, along with $10,000 in liability coverage for property damage.
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Car insurance usually follows the car in Washington. The types of car insurance that follow the car in Washington are bodily injury liability, personal injury liability, collision, and comprehensive. You’re required to carry bodily injury liability and property damage liability in Washington.
If you let someone borrow your car and they cause an accident in Washington, bodily injury liability insurance pays for injuries to the other driver and their passengers. Property damage liability insurance...
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