How Much Is Car Insurance in Washington? (2023 Averages)
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Your profile and preferred coverage level determine how much you spend on car insurance. For example, drivers in Washington pay an average premium of $1,264 per year for full coverage, but those who purchase minimum coverage only spend around $728. A violation raises the full coverage rate to roughly $1,522 annually, and adding a young driver to the policy affects the price the most — costing roughly $2,731 annually.
Rates also vary between car insurance companies in Washington. For example, you can purchase a full coverage policy from PEMCO for around $800 per year, but Farmers charges roughly $1,704 for the same policy.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington
MoneyGeek has considered the most critical factors while classifying the average car insurance costs in Washington.
Your age and credit score have the highest impact on car insurance costs in the state.
You can click to find out more about costs based on different driver profiles.
Average Costs of Car Insurance in Washington
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- DriverAverage Annual PremiumAverage Monthly Premium
- The Average Driver$1,264$105
- Drivers Buying Minimum Coverage$728$61
- Adding a Young Driver$2,731$228
- Drivers With a Violation$1,522$127
- Drivers With Poor Credit$2,073$173
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Why Are Car Insurance Rates Reasonable in Washington?
Our analysis shows that Washington is ranked 32nd among all states when it comes to the average annual car insurance rates in the country. This is a moderate ranking.
MoneyGeek’s research shows that Washington ranks fifth among all states when it comes to the percentage of uninsured drivers and also has a relatively high percentage of urban population as a share of its total population. The state ranks 11th in the country for theft and vandalism.
All the above factors contribute to average annual car insurance costs in the state.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington: Full Coverage vs. Minimum Coverage
The cost for a minimum coverage policy in Washington is $728 per year on average, whereas a full coverage policy costs $1,264 on average per year. These figures are based on MoneyGeek’s methodology.
The difference between the minimum and maximum average annual cost of car insurance is $536.
The cost of car insurance in Washington can vary considerably based on the type of coverage you opt for. You will have to pay more for a policy with more features and higher coverage.
There are a variety of car insurance policies available, such as liability coverage, collision insurance and comprehensive coverage. If you buy full coverage car insurance, you get maximum coverage, but it will cost you more.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington by Coverage Level
A state minimum policy In Washington is the most affordable auto insurance coverage option. However, you can adjust your coverage levels to 50/100/50 or 100/300/100, for example, to get more protection.
Those numbers represent the liability coverage limits on your Washington auto policy. To explain, 50/100/50 means you have:
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 in property damage liability per accident
A full coverage policy also gives you comprehensive and collision insurance which covers the cost of damage to your car.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington By Company
Your annual car insurance expenses depend on the insurer you choose. Progressive provides the cheapest liability-only car insurance in Washington, while PEMCO offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance policy.
MetLife offers the most expensive minimum coverage and full coverage car insurance policies.
USAA is also a cost-effective option, but it is only available to military families.
Average Annual Costs of Car Insurance in Washington - By Company
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- CompanyMinimum CoverageFull Coverage
- $324$638
- PEMCO$460$800
- $451$821
- $442$920
- $501$956
How Much Is Car Insurance in Washington by Age?
Age is a crucial factor that determines car insurance rates in Washington. Car insurance companies consider young drivers high-risk applicants as they are more likely to be involved in accidents than their older counterparts leading to higher insurance costs.
MoneyGeek’s research indicates an average annual difference of $1,467 between the cost of adding a 16-year old to a policy compared to a 40-year old buying their own policy.
If you are a young driver, you can save on car insurance costs by getting added to your parent’s insurance plan. If you have just started driving, your insurance rates would be similar to those extended to teenagers since first-time drivers are treated the same as young ones.
Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in Washington - By Age
How Does Driving History Affect Car Insurance Costs in Washington?
Drivers who have been involved in road accidents or have multiple violations against their names are categorized as high-risk and will have to pay more as compared to those with a flawless history. Such drivers can still get affordable car insurance options in Washington.
Our research shows that drivers with a speeding ticket will have to pay $258 more per year on average than those who have a clean history. Car insurance costs become more expensive depending on the severity of the violation.
Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in Washington - By Driving History
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- Driving ViolationAnnual Premium
- Safe Driver$1,264
- Speeding Ticket$1,522
- At-Fault Accident$2,186
- DUI$2,172
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Credit Scores and the Cost of Car Insurance in Washington
If you live in Washington, your credit score will play a significant role in determining your average annual car insurance costs.
MoneyGeek analyzed that drivers with a poor credit score in Washington pay an average of $804 more per year compared to those with a good credit score. With an excellent credit score, you’ll pay an average of $212 less per year than those with a good credit score.
You can save significantly on car insurance costs with a good credit score. While having a bad credit score means you’ll have to pay more, you can still find affordable insurance plans in Washington.
Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in Washington - By Credit Score
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- Credit ScoreAnnual Premium
- Excellent$1,057
- Good$1,269
- Fair$1,495
- Below Fair$1,769
- Poor$2,073
How Much Is Car Insurance in Your City?
While car insurance costs do differ from one state to another, they may also vary considerably within a state.
Our analysis shows that Spokane has the lowest average annual car insurance costs while Tacoma has the highest car insurance rates in Washington.
The cost of car insurance in Spokane is $1050 per year on average, whereas in Tacoma, the average cost is $1,358.
Densely populated cities or those with higher chances of road accidents and natural disasters tend to have higher car insurance rates.
Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in Washington - By City
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Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Car Insurance Rates
The following questions are frequently asked by drivers who are interested in knowing more about car insurance rates in Washington.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed September 15, 2021.
- Insurance Information Institute. "What is covered by a basic auto insurance policy?." Accessed September 15, 2021.