Finding the cheapest or best car insurance in Kent, Washington, depends on coverage and driver specifics. For minimum and full coverage, PEMCO offers the most affordable rates, while families with teens find Kemper the cheapest. Chubb leads customer service, though PEMCO is the overall best pick.
Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Kent, WA (2024)
PEMCO offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Kent, Washington, at $394 annually. PEMCO is also the best insurance provider for its affordability and service, with a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100.
Updated: November 19, 2024
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Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Kent
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We analyzed 81,780 quotes, six sources and original research from 15 companies in Washington to rate the cheapest insurance and develop a scoring system for Kent providers based on ZIP codes in the city. Our scores are based on affordability, customer satisfaction, claims experience, coverages offered and financial stability.
These rates reflect the cheapest car insurance quotes in Kent, WA, as of August 2024.
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Kent
MoneyGeek found that PEMCO offers the cheapest car insurance option for minimum coverage in Kent. The two most cost-effective providers with their annual premiums are:
- PEMCO: $394 per year
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $482 per year
Dairyland has the priciest minimum coverage policy, costing $2,703 annually. The stark difference of $2,309 between PEMCO and Dairyland makes comparing car insurance rates crucial in securing your financial advantages.
- 22-29
- 30-59
- 60 +
- Full Coverage
- Minimum Coverage
PEMCO | $394 | $33 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $482 | $40 |
Farmers | $523 | $44 |
State Farm | $529 | $44 |
Nationwide | $554 | $46 |
Progressive | $578 | $48 |
Travelers | $621 | $52 |
Chubb | $642 | $54 |
GEICO | $736 | $61 |
American Family | $789 | $66 |
Kemper | $848 | $71 |
Allstate | $888 | $74 |
National General | $1,183 | $99 |
Dairyland | $2,703 | $225 |
State Minimum Liability Requirements
From Seattle to Kent, your car insurance coverage minimums are set by Washington state law. Here’s what the baseline coverage looks like:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
Suppose you’re at fault in an accident, and the other person’s medical costs totaled $30,000. With minimum coverage, your insurance would cover up to $25,000 for that individual’s injuries, but the remaining $5,000 would come directly out of your pocket.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Kent
MoneyGeek found that PEMCO offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Kent, with significant savings for drivers.
- PEMCO: $880 per year
- Nationwide: $908 per year
Dairyland is the most expensive option at $5,555 annually. The gap of $4,675 between the cheapest and the priciest option shows why it's crucial to compare rates. Full coverage is more costly than minimum due to its comprehensive protection.
- 22-29
- 30-59
- 60 +
- Full Coverage
- Minimum Coverage
PEMCO | $880 | $73 |
Nationwide | $908 | $76 |
Kemper | $939 | $78 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $944 | $79 |
Progressive | $993 | $83 |
Farmers | $1,043 | $87 |
State Farm | $1,073 | $89 |
American Family | $1,209 | $101 |
Travelers | $1,234 | $103 |
Allstate | $1,400 | $117 |
GEICO | $1,436 | $120 |
Chubb | $1,513 | $126 |
National General | $2,290 | $191 |
Dairyland | $5,555 | $463 |
Do You Need Full Coverage in Washington?
A full coverage policy includes coverage for damage to your own vehicle in the form of comprehensive and collision coverages. It usually also includes increased liability limits.
- Collision Insurance: This provides coverage for your vehicle in the event of a collision, whether with another vehicle or a stationary object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.
- Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage insures your vehicle against various types of damage not caused by collisions, including theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.
Opting for full coverage if you have a new vehicle, are on a lease or have a car loan. However, the high annual premium of broader protections may not be justifiable for older cars. When deciding how much car insurance you need, balance the cost of premiums and the risk of being underinsured.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Kent After a Driving Offense
MoneyGeek found that the companies in Kent with the most affordable full coverage policy for drivers with poor records depend on the type of offense:
- Speeding Ticket: PEMCO ($1,098 per year)
- At-Fault Accident: PEMCO ($1,203 per year)
- DUI: State Farm ($1,230 per year)
Dairyland is the most costly insurance provider for drivers post-incident. Different violations can also affect rates, with the disparity between the cheapest after a speeding ticket and the cheapest after a DUI being $132.
- 22-29
- 30-59
- 60 +
- Full Coverage
- Minimum Coverage
- Accident
- DUI
- Speeding
PEMCO | $1,098 | $92 |
Kemper | $1,194 | $100 |
State Farm | $1,230 | $103 |
Farmers | $1,262 | $105 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,305 | $109 |
Progressive | $1,350 | $112 |
American Family | $1,459 | $122 |
Allstate | $1,561 | $130 |
Nationwide | $1,576 | $131 |
Chubb | $1,684 | $140 |
Travelers | $1,737 | $145 |
GEICO | $2,070 | $172 |
National General | $3,127 | $261 |
Dairyland | $6,479 | $540 |
In Kent, the severity of a driving infraction increases auto insurance rates due to the risk perceived by insurers. A driver with a speeding ticket may face an average annual premium of $1,966, but someone with a DUI could see rates up to $2,360. Drivers with offenses must diligently compare insurance quotes to get a cost-effective deal.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Kent for Teens and Their Families
MoneyGeek found that Kemper is the cheapest car insurance for teens in Kent, both female and male. Here's how the two most cost-effective companies line up:
- Kemper: $1,839 per year for female teens and $1,911 per year for male teens
- Allstate: $2,138 per year for female teens and $2,248 per year for male teens
Progressive has the most expensive policy in Kent at $4,624 for females. The difference between that and the cheapest is $2,785. It's important to shop around for the best rates when insuring teenage drivers, as they are considered high-risk due to inexperience.
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- Female
- Male
Kemper | $1,839 | $2,430 |
Allstate | $2,138 | $7,285 |
Nationwide | $2,273 | $6,508 |
Capital Insurance Group | $2,408 | $3,343 |
Travelers | $2,591 | $4,539 |
State Farm | $2,816 | $3,602 |
GEICO | $3,319 | $7,997 |
Farmers | $3,573 | $6,051 |
Progressive | $4,624 | $6,923 |
In Kent and other cities, individual policies for young drivers have higher premiums than a family plan. The average annual individual premium for teens is $5,930, whereas a family plan only costs $3,139. This variance stems from insurers associating inexperienced drivers with higher risks. For the same reason, teens struggle to secure an individual policy. Opting for family plans provides cost savings and eases the process of obtaining coverage.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Kent for Military Drivers
MoneyGeek found that USAA is the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds.
- USAA: $780 per year
- PEMCO: $880 per year
USAA offers specialized services that cater to the needs of active duty military members and their families.
- 22-29
- 30-59
- 60 +
- Full Coverage
- Minimum Coverage
USAA | $780 | $65 |
PEMCO | $880 | $73 |
Nationwide | $908 | $76 |
Kemper | $939 | $78 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $944 | $79 |
Progressive | $993 | $83 |
Farmers | $1,043 | $87 |
State Farm | $1,073 | $89 |
American Family | $1,209 | $101 |
Travelers | $1,234 | $103 |
Allstate | $1,400 | $117 |
GEICO | $1,436 | $120 |
Chubb | $1,513 | $126 |
National General | $2,290 | $191 |
Dairyland | $5,555 | $463 |
How to Compare Cheap Kent Car Insurance Quotes Online
Securing Kent's best car insurance rates requires diligent comparison, which can be time-consuming. However, MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator can streamline this process by considering crucial details like age, driving record, credit score and desired coverage. Users can promptly receive rate estimates to save on costs.
Car Insurance Calculator
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Dec 06, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Best Car Insurance in Kent: Overview
The right auto insurance is a balance of service, cost, coverage and other factors. MoneyGeek used a distinct scoring system to analyze the top insurers in Kent for varying needs based on multiple criteria.
- Best overall: PEMCO (MoneyGeek score 90 out of 100)
- Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 86 out of 100)
- Best cheap: PEMCO (MoneyGeek score 90 out of 100)
PEMCO takes the lead for both the best overall and the best cheap as it blends value and affordability without compromising service quality. For those seeking unparalleled customer service, Chubb should be the top pick.
Best Overall Car Insurance in Kent
PEMCO is overall the best car insurance in Kent.
- PEMCO: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 ($880 per year)
- Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($1,513 per year)
PEMCO shines in Kent for its high satisfaction and affordability. It not only delivers exceptional service but also ensures accessible full coverage policies.
PEMCO has essential coverages like rental car and/or travel reimbursement and roadside assistance. Although it does not offer rideshare insurance, it still provides rare benefits, including up to $500 for personalizations under custom parts coverage and $1,000 for pet coverage.
PEMCO excels by offering a suite of valuable coverages that support a range of driver needs. Adding to the excellent satisfaction and affordability ratings, PEMCO becomes the top choice for consumers with a high MoneyGeek score.
- Ranks first in city for cost; $880 average annual premium for full coverage
- Ranks second for claims satisfaction
- Offers custom parts and pet coverage; ranks third for key coverages
- Does not offer OEM or gap insurance
MoneyGeek ranks Kent car insurance based on customer satisfaction, affordability, claims, coverage and financial strength.
Best Car Insurance in Kent for Customer Service
MoneyGeek found that Chubb offers the best customer service in Kent based on general satisfaction, claims handling and coverage options.
- Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($1,513 per year)
- PEMCO: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100 ($880 per year)
Chubb gets high scores for claims satisfaction and financial stability, which are crucial for customers who need reliable and responsive service.
Chubb offers common rental car and/or travel reimbursement and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coverage. For rare coverages, Chubb has antique/classic car insurance, ideal for collectors who want to protect their vehicles, and diminished value coverage, which accounts for the potential loss in value after a car accident.
These various coverages illustrate Chubb's commitment to comprehensive protection, reflected in a solid claims score of 30 (out of 30) and coverage score of 11 (out of 20). A high satisfaction score of 40 (out of 45) highlights customer contentment.
- Ranks second for general customer satisfaction
- Ranks fist for claims satisfaction
- Offers rare OEM coverage and common rental car reimbursement
- Does not offer gap insurance or roadside assistance
MoneyGeek ranking prioritizes customer satisfaction, claims processing, coverage options and financial health.
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Kent
MoneyGeek found that PEMCO is the best cheap car insurance in Kent.
- PEMCO: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 ($394 per year)
- Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 ($642 per year)
PEMCO's affordability significantly boosts its MoneyGeek score, emphasizing its appeal to consumers seeking minimum coverage policies. In addition to competitive rates, it prioritizes claims handling and customer satisfaction.
The average annual premium for PEMCO is a mere $393.74 for minimum coverage. While it may not offer a range of discounts, its affordability and customer satisfaction merits cannot be overlooked. PEMCO achieves a MoneyGeek affordability score of 40 (out of 40) and a satisfaction score of 25 (out of 25).
- Offers rare discounts
- Ranks first in the city for cost; average premium of $393.74 for minimum coverage
- Tops city for general customer satisfaction
- Ranks second for claims satisfaction, indicating reliable service
- Does not offer gap insurance or roadside assistance
MoneyGeek ranks minimum coverage based on affordability, client satisfaction, claims efficiency, options and financial health.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Kent
The average cost of car insurance in Kent, Washington, is $1,553, which is higher than the state's average of $1,429. This suggests that Kent residents pay approximately $125 more for vehicle coverage. Compared to the national average of $1,781, Washington's average is $352 less.
Multiple factors influence insurance costs, and location plays a substantial role. Insurers assess a place's traffic density, accident rates and theft occurrences. For instance, according to MoneyGeek's analysis, Spokane has the most affordable car insurance premium in Washington at $1,203, while Kent has the highest. Moreover, insurance rates could be more economical in rural or less populated non-city areas with low traffic density.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.