Seattle drivers pay $1,312 on average for car insurance, more than the average annual premium in the state. The cheapest widely-available company is Geico, which offers an average rate of $809. MoneyGeek analyzed the cheapest across coverage levels and different types of drivers. For those concerned about cost and quality, MoneyGeek recommended the best carriers in Seattle.
bestauto insuranceSeattle2021The Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Seattle
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Seattle
Based on affordability, the best auto insurers for Seattle drivers looking for full coverage are:
- USAA: $655 annually (only available to current and former military members)
- GEICO: $809 annually
Among the car insurance companies in Seattle, USAA offers the most affordable premium at an average of $655. However, most people can’t buy policies from USAA because this company only sells insurance to armed forces members, veterans and their families. The next cheapest option is GEICO with an average annual premium of $809, which is still about $503 lower than the Seattle average and less than one-third as much as MetLife charges for the city’s most expensive average rate.
For this study, MoneyGeek analyzed insurance rates for a 40-year-old male driver with a full coverage policy, which includes liability insurance and comprehensive and collision insurance.
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- CompanyAmountper year
- 1.$655
- 2.$809
- 3.PEMCO$848
- 4.$962
- 5.$982
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Seattle
Seattle$1,312
Washington$1,264
U.S.$1,424
In Seattle, drivers pay an average annual car insurance rate of $1,312, which is about 3.8% more expensive than the average annual premium of $1,264 in Washington State. Even so, the city’s rate is about 7.9% more affordable than the national average, which stands at $1,424 a year.
The Best Car Insurance Companies in Seattle
If you’re a driver looking for a balance of affordability and quality service, MoneyGeek recommended the best options in Seattle. MoneyGeek’s scoring system found that the best car insurance providers in Seattle are:
- Hartford: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100
USAA received the highest score in Seattle by MoneyGeek's rating system. However, because USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families, it is not listed as best overall.
The final scores are out of 100 and based on various factors, such as J.D. Power user satisfaction, affordability and financial stability.
1
USAA
Score:100
2
Hartford
Score:93
3
GEICO
Score:85
4
Allstate
Score:83
5
American Family
Score:80
6
State Farm
Score:80
7
Farmers
Score:80
8
Progressive
Score:80
9
Safeco
Score:78
10
Liberty Mutual
Score:78
11
Nationwide
Score:75
Personalized Quotes to Get You the Cheapest Car Insurance in Seattle
There are various factors that influence car insurance rates, including your marital status, age, gender, driving history and credit history. That’s why it’s essential to get personalized car insurance quotes in Seattle because your circumstances may be unique to you. Regularly getting a quote is also recommended as you may be eligible for discounts, promos or rebates when your circumstances change.
Shopping around for car insurance in Seattle could save you $503, which is enough to buy:
168Cups of Coffee
39Months of Your Favorite Streaming Service
Cheapest Car Insurance in Seattle by Coverage Amount
When it comes to car insurance costs in Seattle and elsewhere, the amount of coverage you buy is an important factor. A state minimum liability-only policy in Seattle costs an average of $759 per year, while a full coverage policy with higher liability limits costs $552 more for an average of $1,312.
Washington Minimum Liability Requirements
- ItemDescription
- Bodily Injury and Property Damage$25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage. A more protective level is 100/300/100.
Drivers in Seattle can opt to buy a policy that covers only the state minimum liability requirements. That coverage costs $449 on average from GEICO, and it covers the other driver if you happen to be the one who’s at fault in an accident. For added protection, such as uninsured motorists, you have to pay extra. The most affordable widely available full-coverage policy in the city is the $739 average from GEICO as well.
Getting insurance means you want to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. While a state minimum liability-only policy is the most affordable, opting for full coverage and comprehensive insurance is advisable if you can afford it. A 50/100/50 full-coverage policy means you get $50,000 for one person’s injuries (up to $100,000 for each vehicle) and $50,000 for property damage. It costs an average of $222 more than the liability-only policy from GEICO, which may be worth it considering the benefits you’ll receive.
Average Car Insurance Premiums: Liability-Only vs. Full Coverage
Liability Only
- CompanyState Minimumper year50 / 100 / 50per year
- 1.$338$388
- 2.$449$517
- 3.PEMCO$494$557
- 4.$468$543
- 5.$520$619
Full Coverage
- Company50 / 100 / 50per year100 / 300 / 100per year
- 1.$601$655
- 2.$739$809
- 3.PEMCO$785$848
- 4.$794$962
- 5.$885$982
Cheapest Car Insurance in Seattle if You Have Driving Violations
Clean driving history will help you get the best car insurance rates in Seattle. The more violations you have, the more the premiums will cost. For instance, GEICO offers the cheapest policy at an average of $809 if you have no violations.
However, PEMCO is the cheapest option if you have at-fault accidents on your record, as they charge $1,149 per year on average. If you have a DUI violation, your best bet is State Farm, as they charge just $1,071 on average annually, which is significantly less expensive than every other car insurance company in Seattle for drivers who have a DUI.
- CompanySpeeding Ticketper yearAt-Fault Accidentper yearDUIper year
- 1.$767$927$1,369
- 2.$1,071$1,161$1,071
- 3.PEMCO$1,049$1,149$1,395
- 4.$809$1,172$1,939
- 5.$1,291$1,610$1,560
Average Cost of Car Insurance by Postal Code
Down to the ZIP code, location matters in how car insurance companies in Seattle calculate their rates. If your ZIP code has high levels of crime, accidents and theft, then you’ll pay more on premiums. Seattle drivers living in ZIP code 98103 pay the cheapest average annual rate at $1,250, which is about $184 lower than the auto insurance rate in ZIP code 98118.
- Zip CodeState Minimumper year
- 98103$1,250
- 98115$1,287
- 98133$1,291
- 98125$1,296
- 98118$1,435
top ratedCar Insurance agentsSeattle2021Top Agents Offering Affordable Car Insurance in Seattle
1. Northwest Insurance Group5431B California Ave SW, Seattle, WA, 98136
2. Jeff Kalvelage - State Farm Insurance Agent315 N 36th St, Ste 201, Seattle, WA, 98103
3. Spangler Insurance431 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA, 98112
4. Christopher Togawa Insurance Agency3837 13th Ave W, Ste 103, Seattle, WA, 98119
5. Michael Wong Insurance Agency1200 Westlake Ave N, Ste 607, Seattle, WA, 98109
Insurance Providers That Serve Seattle
Factors That Impact Insurance Costs in Seattle
In addition to individual driver needs and history, location-specific factors like the percentage of uninsured motorists and the rate of car thefts also contribute to car insurance rates in Seattle. How Seattle ranks compared to the 300 most populous cities in the United States can have a significant impact on premium costs.
Methodology and Assumptions
MoneyGeek’s average premium rates for Seattle are based on 100/300/100 comprehensive collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible for a 40-year-old male driver. The average driver profiled drives a 2010 Toyota Camry LE and has no tickets or accidents on their record. Additional premiums are added based on coverage type, location and driving record. Learn more about MoneyGeek’s data and methodology here.
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