Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Kent, WA (August 2024)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.