Washington Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Washington

The purchase of car insurance is regulated through legal means, helping vehicle owners stay protected in case of accidents. Whether they are using their vehicle for personal or professional purposes, having insurance is mandatory. Without a valid insurance policy, they will have to pay fines of up to $1,000 or might have their driver's license and vehicle registration suspended, for up to six months. If you are looking to discover more information on the topic of auto insurance in Washington, just keep on reading this article.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in Washington?

According to the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act, all Washington residents who want to operate a moving vehicle must purchase a liability insurance policy. If the mandatory insurance is absent or has not been renewed, the respective vehicle registration might be suspended for several months or more. An online insurance verification system allows the local authorities to determine whether a vehicle is insured or not.

For a resident to operate a vehicle in the state of Washington, the associated car insurance must meet several requirements. These include: bodily injury liability ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), property damage liability ($10,000 per accident), uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), basic personal injury protection ($10,000 per accident). The full coverage insurance is more beneficial than the minimum liability coverage, as one can add options such as comprehensive and collision insurance. The best thing to do is choose a higher liability coverage limit than the one imposed by law in Washington. Thus, one will benefit from the best possible protection, should the worst-case scenario occur.

The sums mentioned above refer to the amounts insurance providers are able to pay, should one be involved in an at-fault accidents, for which he/she was responsible. According to the current laws, vehicle owners are required to carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. Naturally, it is illegal to drive without insurance in Washington. Consequences include not only legal fines but also the suspension of one's driving documents, meaning the driver's license and vehicle registration. If one continues to driver without a valid insurance policy, jail time might be the next logical consequence.

Average cost of auto insurance in Washington

The state minimum auto insurance policy in Washington has a value of $519. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,224 per year. Collision and comprehensive insurance options are not included in this policy, which means you will have to calculate your budget accordingly. Several factors influence the overall insurance rates, such as: type of vehicle, presence of prior insurance, number of miles driven, location, driving record, age, gender, and marital status. The best insurance policy is the one offering a wide coverage, in contrast to one that is suspiciously affordable.

It is a known fact that the average cost of car insurance varies from one state to the other. Differences are present for both the minimum coverage and the full version, including with options such as comprehensive and collision insurance. The factors influencing these values include: accidents caused by weather elements or conditions, at-fault accidents, number of drivers in accordance with the general population, how many uninsured drivers there are in the city, road conditions, etc.

Washington has a lower rate for the average car insurance than the national median, which is around $1,770. Some of the states with the most expensive auto insurance policies include: Pennsylvania, New York, Nevada, Michigan, Louisiana, Florida, Colorado, and California. The most affordable states are the following: Wisconsin, Washington, Tennessee, Oregon, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nebraska, and Maine. New York has some of the most expensive rates to offer, with $1,339 for the minimum policy and $2,996 for the full coverage. Maine, on the other hand, is the most affordable, with $227 for the minimum policy and $876 for the full version.

Within the state of Washington, you might also notice differences between the various cities. Spokane has some of the most attractive rates to offer, while Tacoma stands at the top of the list in terms of costs. The average annual premiums are as follows: Spokane - $1,757; Vancouver - $1,899; Bellevue - $1,954; Seattle - $,2157; Tacoma - $2,201.

The average cost of auto insurance in Washington is $1,160 per year, which is slightly less when compared to national average cost of car insurance. Which factors do auto insurance companies in Washington typically consider when determining the cost of car insurance? Here are some of the key factors commonly used by auto insurance companies in Washington when determining the cost: age of the driver, gender, marital status, credit score and driving history.

The driver's age represents one of the factors influencing the value of auto insurance. Young drivers typically have to pay more for this type of insurance, as providers perceive them as immature and more likely to cause accidents. A teenage driver expects an annual premium of over $7,700, as opposed to a middle-aged driver, who might expect a premium that is close to $2,000. Slight differences between genders are present, with men benefitting from more attractive rates. The same thing can be said for married couples, in contrast to those who are single, divorced, or widowed.

The value of a potential coverage policy might also be analyzed in accordance with the driver's credit history. A driver with an exceptional credit might save important sums on his/her car insurance premium, while someone with a poor credit history will struggle to pay the high rates. High rates are seen in those with prior driving offenses, such as DUI/DWI, at-fault accidents, speeding, and reckless driving. The overall rates might also vary in accordance with the type of coverage. One can add both comprehensive and collision insurance to the state minimum policy, which is a significant advantage to consider.

Car insurance cost in the State of Washington can differ from one auto insurance provider to the next and the best way to get the most affordable car insurance in Washington is by getting a free quote from reputable auto insurance companies. Getting a car insurance quote is a great way to check rates from different auto insurance providers and to find the most reasonable option. Being smart about choosing the most appropriate car insurance for your individual situation can help you to feel protected while saving a significant amount on car insurance costs.

Find best car insurance rates in Washington by city, county or even by zip code.

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Finding the right auto insurance in Washington

If you are having trouble finding the right insurance policy, perhaps we might be of help. Thanks to the years of experience and knowledge accumulated in the field of auto insurance, we can match vehicle owners with the best policies for their needs and budget. All you have to do is give us a call and we will be more than happy to offer the necessary support. This service is free of charge.