Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington (2024)


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PEMCO offers the most affordable auto insurance in Washington for most drivers. Kemper and Auto-Owners also provide the cheapest rates for certain drivers.

If quality service and affordability matter most to you, we’ve also analyzed the best car insurance in Washington.

Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek is a trusted source for car insurance data analysis. We source our data from Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner and Quadrant Information Services. We also continually update our rates to ensure we are identifying the cheapest lenders for most driver profiles.

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These rates reflect the cheapest car insurance quotes in Washington as of 2024.

81,780Quotes Analyzed
 
15Companies Compared
 
88ZIP Codes

Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Washington

The following companies offer the cheapest car insurance in Washington for a policy with minimum coverage:

  • PEMCO: $184 per year
  • State Farm: $416 per year

Dairyland has the highest minimum coverage car insurance rate in Washington, with an average annual cost of $1,943.

The minimum car insurance requirement in the Evergreen State is liability coverage, which includes bodily injury per person and per accident and property damage per accident.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Minimum Coverage
PEMCO$184$15
State Farm$416$35
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$465$39
Progressive$501$42
Farmers$535$45
Chubb$549$46
Travelers$570$47
Nationwide$580$48
GEICO$619$52
American Family$640$53
Kemper$726$60
Allstate$803$67
National General$990$83
Dairyland$1,943$162

It would help if you had more than a minimum coverage policy to protect your car from damage. Such policies only cover damages or injuries you inflict on others, not damages to your vehicle.

To be fully protected, you'll need to purchase a policy with comprehensive and collision insurance, otherwise known as a full coverage policy.

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Find the Best Car Insurance in Washington for You

 

The cost of your insurance policy may vary depending on your individual preferences and any additional coverage requirements. The rates listed in the table above are for a basic policy with minimum coverage.

Determine how much car insurance you need before purchasing a policy.

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MoneyGeek evaluated the leading insurers in Washington that balance quality service and affordability.

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We conducted research to calculate the average annual car insurance premiums in Washington, allowing drivers to compare costs based on their individual circumstances.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Washington

On average, the most affordable full coverage car insurance providers in Washington are:

  • PEMCO: $605 per year
  • Kemper: $827 per year

At roughly $4,290 per year, Dairyland offers the most expensive full coverage insurance in Washington.

Ensuring your car is adequately covered with comprehensive and collision insurance can come at an extra cost. For instance, PEMCO's full coverage option is $421 more expensive than its minimum coverage option.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
PEMCO$605$50
Kemper$827$69
Progressive$852$71
State Farm$921$77
American Family$995$83
Farmers$1,018$85
Nationwide$1,117$93
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$1,146$96
Travelers$1,163$97
GEICO$1,210$101
Allstate$1,272$106
Chubb$1,311$109
National General$1,997$166
Dairyland$4,290$357

The amount of car insurance you need will impact your rate. MoneyGeek's sample full coverage policy provides liability protection, including:

  • $100,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $300,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $100,000 per accident for property damage

If you'd like to save money on your insurance premium, you can opt for lower liability limits, forgo comprehensive and collision insurance or raise your deductible. However, you would likely need more coverage if you get into an accident.

How to Compare Cheap Washington Car Insurance Quotes Online

Finding the best car insurance quotes in Washington can be time-consuming. Most insurers provide online quote tools, but some of these can take up to 15 minutes to complete, and you still need to repeat the process to multiple provider sites to obtain the cheapest quote.

MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator is designed to help you get a quick estimate of your car insurance premiums without having to provide specific personal information. This is a helpful starting point for comparing car insurance quotes and finding the cheapest policy for your needs.

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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.

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Rates updated:

Dec 05, 2024

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Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington by Age

Age is one of the most significant factors affecting car insurance rates in Washington. Kemper and PEMCO offer the cheapest options, depending on what age group you and your family belong to.

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CHEAPEST CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES BY AGE

Cheapest for teens: Kemper
Cheapest for young adults: : PEMCO
Cheapest for seniors: PEMCO

Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington for Teens and Their Families

In Washington, teen drivers added to their family's policy will receive the cheapest rates from the following companies:

  • Kemper: $1,793 per year for male teens and $1,726 per year for female teens
  • Capital Insurance Group: $2,002 per year for male teens; Allstate: $1,929 per year for female teens

Progressive has the highest average annual premium for families with male and female teens, amounting to $4,323 and $3,912, respectively.

Generally, car insurance rates for teens decrease as they get older. Capital Insurance Group is the cheapest insurer for 19-year-old males in Washington, costing around $1,627 annually.

In Washington, adding a teen to an existing policy only costs $2,723 compared to an individual policy of $5,104 per year.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Gender:
Gender:Female
Age:
Age:16
Kemper$1,726$2,133
Allstate$1,929$6,689
Capital Insurance Group$2,036$2,823
Nationwide$2,047$5,735
Travelers$2,286$4,090
State Farm$2,431$3,039
Farmers$2,812$4,804
GEICO$2,932$6,506
Progressive$3,912$5,988
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On average, car insurance rates for male teens tend to be significantly more expensive than for female teens. This rate difference is not as notable when drivers reach their 20s and beyond.

Families looking to save on car insurance may be able to get discounts for young drivers. Kemper offers a good student discount to drivers who earn good grades in school.

Allstate also offers driver education, distant and good student discounts. Driver education discounts are available to drivers who have taken a teenSMART driver education course, and the distant student discount is available to drivers who live away from home and do not have regular access to a vehicle.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington for Young Adults

The cheapest auto insurers for drivers in their 20s are:

  • PEMCO: $765 per year
  • Progressive: $1,048 per year

At about $6,187 per year, Dairyland is the most expensive insurer for young adults in Washington.

Research shows that drivers in their 20s often pay more than middle-aged drivers, even with the cheapest company. Because they are considered riskier to insure, young adult drivers pay around $431 more than their middle-aged counterparts.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:22-29
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
PEMCO$765$64
Progressive$1,048$87
American Family$1,059$88
Kemper$1,202$100
Farmers$1,227$102
State Farm$1,241$103
Allstate$1,362$113
Travelers$1,381$115
Nationwide$1,676$140
GEICO$1,683$140
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$1,697$141
Chubb$1,766$147
National General$2,466$205
Dairyland$6,187$516

Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington for Seniors

The following companies offer the cheapest auto insurance rates to seniors in Washington:

  • PEMCO: $642 per year
  • Kemper: $739 per year

Dairyland is the most expensive insurance provider for Washington seniors, at an average of $3,850 per year. Older drivers usually get a slight discount on their car insurance premiums compared with middle-aged drivers, though the exact amount depends on the insurer.

Generally, those in their 60s pay about $3 more than those in their 40s. Those in their 70s or older often see higher premiums due to their heightened risk of getting into an accident caused by age-related issues, such as weaker reflexes and decreased eyesight.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:60 +
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
PEMCO$642$54
Kemper$739$62
State Farm$865$72
Progressive$933$78
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$1,022$85
Farmers$1,026$85
American Family$1,026$86
Chubb$1,094$91
Travelers$1,107$92
Nationwide$1,133$94
Allstate$1,370$114
GEICO$1,443$120
National General$2,481$207
Dairyland$3,850$321

Older adult drivers may be able to find discounted auto insurance rates through certain providers. For example, Kemper, GEICO and Allstate offer senior driver discounts. Additionally, seniors should compare companies to find the most affordable option, as insurers consider several factors besides age when calculating rates.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Higher Risk Drivers

In Washington, PEMCO offers the most affordable rates for drivers with driving infractions on their records, such as speeding tickets, at an annual premium of $750, for at-fault accidents at $816 and DUIs at $970. It is also the cheapest provider for those with poor credit with an annual premium of $604. American Family is the most affordable provider for those with sports cars at an annual premium of $937.

To further reduce insurance costs, drivers should consider taking state-approved driving courses and regularly checking their records for errors. They can then improve their profile and access more affordable insurance options.

CHEAPEST CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR HIGHER RISK DRIVERS

Cheapest after a ticket: PEMCO ($750 per year)
Cheapest after an accident: PEMCO ($815 per year)
Cheapest after a DUI: PEMCO ($970 per year)
Cheapest for poor credit: PEMCO ($604 per year)
Cheapest for sports cars: American Family ($937 per year)

Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington After a Ticket

The cheapest car insurance companies for Washington drivers with a speeding ticket are:

  • PEMCO: $750 per year
  • Kemper: $1,044 per year

Dairyland is the most expensive insurer for drivers with tickets, with an average annual premium of $4,990. On average, full coverage car insurance in Washington costs up to $363 more if you have a speeding ticket than if you have a clean record.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
PEMCO$750$63
Kemper$1,044$87
State Farm$1,051$88
Progressive$1,146$95
American Family$1,187$99
Farmers$1,225$102
Allstate$1,415$118
Chubb$1,456$121
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$1,571$131
Travelers$1,623$135
GEICO$1,715$143
Nationwide$1,912$159
National General$2,716$226
Dairyland$4,990$416

Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington After an Accident

Washington drivers with an at-fault accident on their record can still find affordable auto insurance with the following companies:

  • PEMCO: $815 per year
  • Kemper: $1,075 per year

Dairyland is the most expensive insurer for those who have been in an at-fault accident, with an average annual premium of $5,447. Those with an at-fault accident pay around $578 more than those with a clean driving history.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
PEMCO$815$68
Kemper$1,075$90
State Farm$1,148$96
American Family$1,228$102
Farmers$1,464$122
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$1,527$127
Chubb$1,654$138
Travelers$1,700$142
Progressive$1,749$146
Allstate$1,793$149
GEICO$1,910$159
Nationwide$2,181$182
National General$3,122$260
Dairyland$5,447$454

Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington After a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance companies in Washington after a DUI are:

PEMCO: $970 per year State Farm: $1,051 per year

Kemper is the least affordable option for a full coverage policy after a DUI, costing around $4,367 per year. Drivers with a DUI in Washington pay around $725 more per year for car insurance than those with a clean record.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
PEMCO$970$81
State Farm$1,051$88
Progressive$1,062$88
American Family$1,187$99
Farmers$1,324$110
Chubb$1,654$138
Allstate$1,735$145
Travelers$1,897$158
GEICO$2,079$173
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$2,095$175
National General$2,351$196
Nationwide$2,813$234
Dairyland$4,290$357
Kemper$4,367$364

Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington for Drivers With Poor Credit

The cheapest car insurance companies in Washington for drivers with poor credit are:

  • PEMCO: $604 per year
  • Kemper: $827 per year

Dairyland provides the most expensive car insurance policy for those with a low credit score at around $4,290 per year.

Drivers with low credit scores generally pay more for car insurance than those with higher credit scores. In Washington, someone with a credit score above 750 can expect to pay around $64 less for car insurance than someone with a lower credit score.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
PEMCO$604$50
Kemper$827$69
Progressive$882$73
State Farm$954$80
American Family$995$83
Farmers$1,041$87
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$1,146$96
Travelers$1,157$96
GEICO$1,212$101
Nationwide$1,271$106
Chubb$1,311$109
Allstate$1,935$161
National General$1,997$166
Dairyland$4,290$357

Insurers often use a driver's credit history to help determine their risk profile and likelihood of filing a claim. A lower credit rating often indicates a greater likelihood of filing a claim, so insurers may charge higher rates to drivers with poor credit.

To save money, drivers can look for insurers that offer discounts, such as bundling, car safety features and other typical discounts. Over time, improving your credit score will help with car insurance rates.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington for Sports Cars

The least expensive auto insurance providers for sports car drivers in Washington are:

  • American Family: $937 per year
  • Farmers: $990 per year

Dairyland offers Washington's most expensive sports car insurance at around $3,928 per year. Since sports cars tend to be more costly to repair and replace, auto insurance for sports car drivers costs about $127 more than for Toyota Camry LE drivers in Washington.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
American Family$937$78
Farmers$990$82
Kemper$1,006$84
Progressive$1,042$87
Travelers$1,149$96
State Farm$1,182$98
Allstate$1,279$107
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$1,294$108
GEICO$1,408$117
Chubb$1,543$129
Nationwide$1,818$151
Dairyland$3,928$327

MoneyGeek used a Ford Mustang as its sample sports car in this study, but costs may differ depending on your particular car model. Sports, electric and luxury cars are generally more expensive to insure; otherwise, the model may not be a significant factor. However, this may not be true for all states.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington for Military Drivers

PEMCO offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance policy in Washington for active-duty military officers or those with a military background. Its average annual premium is $605.

USAA, with an average annual cost of $702, also offers special coverage benefits and discounts for military personnel.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
PEMCO

Annual premium: $605

PEMCO does not offer a military discount, yet it remains the most competitive in terms of pricing in Washington.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington by City

The cost of car insurance in Washington can vary significantly depending on where you live. Drivers in Spokane can get the most affordable full coverage car insurance from PEMCO at about $690 per year. Car insurance is most expensive in Tacoma, where a full coverage policy from PEMCO averages $963 per year.

BellevuePEMCO$884
EverettPEMCO$836
KentPEMCO$866
RentonPEMCO$913
SeattlePEMCO$899
SpokanePEMCO$690
TacomaPEMCO$963
VancouverPEMCO$822

Car Insurance in Washington: What You Need to Know

Washington state requires that all drivers carry a minimum of bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. This coverage protects against medical expenses and other associated costs in the event of an at-fault accident.

In addition to the compulsory minimums, insurers in Washington also offer optional coverage, such as medical payments coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage and personal injury protection. Although these are not required by law, they provide additional protection in the event of an accident.

Washington Car Insurance Requirements

In Washington, drivers must purchase auto insurance with minimum liability coverage, which includes bodily injury, property damage and personal injury protection. This level of insurance is less expensive but offers less protection in case of an accident.

If you receive a high-risk traffic violation, such as a speeding ticket or DUI, you may need to obtain SR-22 insurance. This specialized coverage is more expensive than regular auto insurance, and your insurance provider submits the SR-22 form to the state on your behalf.

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    Bodily Injury Liability

    Bodily injury liability coverage in Washington helps protect drivers from financial loss if they are found to be at fault for an accident resulting in injury or death to another person. It pays for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses. The minimum limit for bodily injury liability in Washington is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This coverage will not pay for damages to your vehicle or property or any legal fees.

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    Property Damage Liability

    Property damage liability coverage in Washington helps protect drivers from financial loss if they are found to be at fault for an accident resulting in damage to another person’s property. This coverage pays for repairs to the other person’s vehicle and any other property damage. Washington state requires a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability coverage. This coverage will also pay for legal costs if the policyholder is sued.

    The downside of buying only the minimum liability coverage is that it may not provide enough coverage to cover all the expenses associated with an accident. After a serious accident, medical bills and other costs can quickly add up and exceed the minimum coverage limits, leaving you responsible for the difference.

MoneyGeek recommends getting $100,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person and $300,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident. Bodily injury liability insurance helps protect you if you are legally responsible for an accident injuring someone. It pays for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other costs associated with an accident.

MoneyGeek also recommends getting $100,000 in property damage insurance per accident. Property damage liability insurance helps protect you if you are legally responsible for an accident that damages someone else’s property.

Those who finance their car purchase will likely have to buy comprehensive and collision insurance. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car from non-accident causes, such as theft, vandalism and fire. Collision insurance covers damage to your car from an accident with another vehicle or object.

We advise those with valuable cars to consider buying comprehensive and collision insurance even if they didn't take out a loan or lease their car.

Car Insurance Alternatives in Washington

If you own at least 25 vehicles in the state of Washington, you can apply for a certificate of self-insurance to demonstrate your financial stability. This certificate is an annual requirement that must be renewed to remain valid and serves as proof of financial responsibility for operating motor vehicles in Washington.

FAQ: Car Insurance in Washington

Finding affordable auto insurance in Washington can be overwhelming. MoneyGeek answered the most commonly asked questions to help you through the process.

Which company offers the cheapest car insurance in Washington?

Should you buy the cheapest car insurance available in Washington?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

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.


sources
  • Washington State Legislature. "Self-Insurers." Accessed November 21, 2024.