Cheapest car insurance in Washington for 2024

Washington drivers are required by law to carry at least a minimum amount of auto insurance for their vehicles, but many drivers will opt for higher limits or more coverage types when purchasing a policy to be more fully financially protected. In the state, the drivers pay an average of $1,724 for full coverage and $513 for minimum coverage, both competitive compared to the national averages of $2,458 and $678, respectively.

While looking for cheap car insurance in Washington, it’s important to keep in mind that your unique driving profile may put you above or below these averages. To give you a point of reference as you compare quotes, Bankrate has highlighted the cheapest providers for a variety of rating factors, including age, coverage level and driving record.

Key takeaways

• Cheapest company for minimum coverage: PEMCO
• Cheapest company for full coverage: USAA
• Cheapest company for drivers with prior incidents: PEMCO
• Cheapest company for young drivers: PEMCO

If you have a low income, car insurance in Washington can be cheaper if you buy liability-only insurance. Washington drivers pay an average of $513 for minimum coverage, 24 percent less than the national average of $678. Insurance professionals advise purchasing higher coverage limits for more financial protection, but if minimum coverage is as much as you can afford, PEMCO and USAA are the cheapest insurers in Washington on average.

Minimum coverage requirements for Washington drivers

The state of Washington requires drivers to carry at least minimum limits of liability coverage to drive legally. In Washington, you must have at least the following minimum coverage limits:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

Washington also requires the following coverage to be offered, but policyholders can reject them in writing if they wish:

• $25,000/$50,000 underinsured motorist bodily injury
• $10,000 underinsured motorist property damage
• $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP)

Drivers who opt for minimum coverage car insurance typically pay some of the lowest costs on average. However, most insurance professionals will recommend that you purchase more than the minimum amount of coverage required by law if you are able to do so in order to be better protected financially. If you cause an accident and the damages exceed your policy’s coverage limits, you are responsible for paying the difference out of pocket.

If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, or want a car insurance policy that will cover damage to your vehicle, full coverage car insurance is typically the answer. In fact, nearly all lenders and financial institutions will require you to have full coverage car insurance if you have a loan or lease on your car.

Full coverage auto insurance, which typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage, offers financial protection for at-fault accidents that cause damage to your own vehicle. Full coverage will also compensate you for damage that stems from non-collision events, such as weather, hitting an animal and maybe most importantly, theft. According to the 2023 Annual Report from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, motor vehicle thefts in the state have more than doubled in the last several years, rising from 25,527 instances in 2019 to 54,187 in 2023.

Statewide, the average cost of full coverage car insurance is $1,724 per year. This is 30 percent less than the nationwide average of $2,458. USAA typically offers cheaper-than-average full coverage in Washington.

Your driving record plays a big role in how much you pay for insurance coverage, so finding a cheap policy after an incident is usually more challenging. Depending on the type of incident on your record, the cheapest carrier will vary.

• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a ticket: PEMCO
• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: PEMCO
• Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers: PEMCO

Cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Washington with a speeding ticket: PEMCO

Cheap auto insurance in Washington may be harder to find if you have a speeding ticket conviction on your driving record. The increase to the cost of your car insurance after a speeding ticket conviction varies from one car insurance company to the next, which is why comparing the options may help you find the most affordable policy.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers in Washington with an at-fault accident: PEMCO

If you are found to be at fault in a car accident, chances are good that your car insurance costs will increase at renewal, as you’ll be considered a higher risk to insure. According to Bankrate’s analysis, drivers in Washington pay an average of 50 percent more for full coverage car insurance following an accident. However, every car insurance company calculates rates differently, so it may be helpful to shop around if you have an at-fault car accident on your driving record.

Cheapest rates in Washington for high-risk drivers: PEMCO

Few factors will typically impact your car insurance rates in Washington as much as being considered a high-risk driver who has been convicted of a DUI. Driving under the influence can have a wide range of legal and financial penalties, including a significant uptick in the price you pay for car insurance. Additionally, not all car insurance companies will insure drivers with a DUI on their record, and while there are average rates for high-risk insurance listed below, they are not a guarantee that these companies will insure you with a DUI conviction on your record.

Young people pay far higher average rates for auto insurance than older adults. Teens and young drivers have limited experience behind the wheel, plus they're more likely to drive distracted and not wear seatbelts. These factors make them more likely to get into accidents — and file claims — which can make finding cheap car insurance for young adults more difficult.

Depending on your needs as a young driver, different insurers may offer a better deal.

• Cheapest car insurance for insuring a teen driver: PEMCO
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with a ticket: PEMCO
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: PEMCO
• Cheapest car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: PEMCO

Cheapest Washington car insurance for insuring a teen driver: PEMCO

Teen drivers who do not yet have years of experience behind the wheel are statistically one of the most likely age groups to be involved in accidents and other incidents. Because of this, teen drivers pay, on average, a higher rate for car insurance, whether they have their own policy or are included on their parents' policies. As drivers age and gain driving experience, the average cost of car insurance tends to decline. By shopping around and looking for teen discounts or student discounts, you may be able to find a better deal on car insurance for a teen driver.

Cheapest Washington car insurance for teens with a ticket: PEMCO

If a teen driver gets a ticket for speeding or another infraction, it can cause their already high insurance rates to spike. If that happens to you, PEMCO is likely to offer the cheapest coverage. Our incident rates reflect average premiums for an 18-year-old driver on their own policy.

Cheapest Washington car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: PEMCO

If you get into an accident and are deemed to be at fault, you’ll have to pay for the damages and will see your insurance premiums rise at renewal. If you find yourself in this situation, consider PEMCO for low-cost high-risk coverage.

Cheapest Washington car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: PEMCO

A young adult convicted of a DUI will likely see their insurance premiums skyrocket. While there is no guarantee that a particular company will agree to insure a driver with a DUI on their record, if you find yourself in this situation, consider starting your search with PEMCO for lower average premiums.

There are no state-funded programs for low-income car insurance in Washington. However, one of the easiest ways to find cheap coverage is through car insurance discounts. Discount opportunities are very common, and may save you anywhere from a few dollars to 25 or 30 percent on the cost of your car insurance policy. Here are some car insurance discounts in Washington that you may see listed on your insurer's website:

• Young driver discounts: Drivers under the age of 25 may be able to save if they are full-time high school or college students who maintain GPAs above the threshold set by an insurance company. They may also save if they are on their parents' policy and attend a school more than 100 miles from home.
• Safe driver discounts: Drivers who go without an at-fault accident or moving violation conviction on their records for a certain number of years (usually three to five) may earn a discount. Participating in your insurer's telematics program could also earn you a hefty discount on your premium if the data shows that you're a safe and careful driver.
• Safety features: Many insurers offer a discount for having a car with certain safety features, and you may also be able to save if you install an anti-theft system in the vehicle.
• Military discounts: Discounts for veterans or active-duty military members may also be available from certain car insurance companies.
• Organizational discounts: Some insurers offer discounts to drivers who are members of certain organizations, companies, and/or alumni groups.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.