Updated: May 20, 2024
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Generally, high-risk drivers pay pricier auto insurance rates. The best way to find an affordable policy is to shop around and compare the cost between different companies.
State Farm is MoneyGeek’s top pick for high-risk drivers in Washington. It is also the most affordable provider, costing roughly $1,040 per year. The next cheapest option for high-risk drivers is GEICO, costing $1,319 per year. Keep in mind that your rate depends on your needs and driver profile.
Best & CheapestAuto InsuranceHigh-RiskBest Companies for High-Risk Drivers in 2023
Teen drivers or students often lack experience on the road, so auto insurance providers consider them high-risk. Additionally, individuals with a DUI, tickets or at-fault accidents are also seen as high-risk drivers. Your driving history heavily impacts your car insurance quotes in Washington.
Insurance companies charge high-risk drivers pricier rates to balance out the potential costs when a high-risk policyholder files a claim. In Washington, high-risk drivers should expect to pay roughly 30% more for auto insurance than a clean-record driver.
There are various driving profiles that are considered high-risk. One example is driving with a suspended or revoked license. Even if you have a clean driving record, there are still some instances when you are considered risky, such as being a young, inexperienced driver.
The following are high-risk driver profiles:
According to MoneyGeek’s analysis, State Farm provides the cheapest auto insurance quotes for high-risk drivers in Washington. On average, a policy for a high-risk driver profile costs $1,040 per year.
Check out MoneyGeek’s comprehensive State Farm review to understand its perks and downsides. That can help you decide whether it's a good fit for your needs.
| State Farm | Annual Premium$1,040 |
| GEICO | Annual Premium$1,319 |
| Allstate | Annual Premium$1,428 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$1,566 |
| Travelers | Annual Premium$1,736 |
| American Family | Annual Premium$2,139 |
| Farmers | Annual Premium$2,355 |
Drivers usually have to get SR-22 insurance after committing a serious traffic offense like a DUI. Your insurance provider files the SR-22 form in Washington on your behalf to confirm that your car insurance policy adheres to the state’s minimum requirements.
In Washington, those caught driving with a suspended license, driving without insurance coverage, engaging in reckless driving, or after a DUI must file an SR-22.
MoneyGeek chose State Farm as the best auto insurance company for high-risk drivers in Washington; the insurer garnered a MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100. We created a State Farm auto insurance review so you can learn more about its average rates, coverage types and customer satisfaction scores.
GEICO is our next-best pick in Washington; it earned a MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100. However, its average rate is noticeably more expensive.
If you’re a high-risk driver in Washington, State Farm auto insurance costs around $1,040 per year. Compared to drivers with a clean record, high-risk drivers pay around 11% more.
State Farm consistently offers cheap rates for high-risk drivers, especially those with a DUI. It also has add-on rideshare insurance and multiple available discounts. However, State Farm doesn’t offer unique add-on coverages like OEM or deductible modification.
In Washington, GEICO provides car insurance for high-risk drivers at around $1,319 per year. The premium is roughly 38% more expensive for high-risk drivers versus those with clean records.
With GEICO, you can get roadside assistance and mechanical breakdown insurance as add-on coverages. Policyholders might be able to get a discount when they have airbags and/or anti-lock brakes. GEICO also offers reasonable rates for different driver profiles, such as a low rate for high-risk teen drivers.
Even if you’re on a budget, you should reconsider sacrificing good customer service for a low cost. MoneyGeek encourages you to shop around for different low-income auto insurance in Washington to find a suitable policy.
Please note that Washington doesn’t offer a government-backed car insurance program for low-income drivers.
MoneyGeek discovered that State Farm offers the most affordable rate in Washington for drivers with a DUI. Its average cost is $1,011 per year. You can uncover State Farm’s pros and cons, discounts, customer satisfaction and more in MoneyGeek’s review.
Eligible military members with a DUI in Washington may also be able to get a low rate for high-risk car insurance with USAA.
| State Farm | Annual Premium$1,011 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$1,172 |
| Allstate | Annual Premium$1,496 |
| Travelers | Annual Premium$1,889 |
| GEICO | Annual Premium$1,954 |
| American Family | Annual Premium$2,555 |
| Farmers | Annual Premium$2,570 |
If you have a DUI on your record, chances are it has a look-back period. A look-back period is the time frame wherein your DUI reflects on your driving record, affecting car insurance rates, and it varies by state. Look-back periods are meant to accommodate long criminal sentencing and to deter repeat offenders. Washington’s look-back period is seven years.
For students or teen drivers in Washington, GEICO offers the most affordable quote at $2,848 per year. Your premium is affected by personal factors like your age.
Learn more about GEICO to inform your decision-making. MoneyGeek dives into GEICO’s advantages and disadvantages and other pertinent features in our review.
| GEICO | Annual Premium$2,848 |
| State Farm | Annual Premium$3,779 |
| Allstate | Annual Premium$5,198 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$7,916 |
While auto insurance is usually expensive for teens and students, MoneyGeek suggests that you purchase full coverage. If you choose minimum coverage, you won’t get the comprehensive coverage that offers peace of mind should an accident occur. Select the best and most affordable car insurance policy for teen drivers based on your specific needs.
Car insurance companies compute your quote by assessing your driving profile and history. To account for possible loss, insurance providers charge high-risk drivers a more expensive rate.
In Washington, drivers with a clean record pay roughly $1,139 per year, while high-risk drivers pay around $1,655 per year. That is around a 30% increase.
Low-Risk Driver
$1,139High-Risk Driver
$1,655This is 45% more expensive.
Estimate your premium in Washington with MoneyGeek’s auto insurance calculator. Simply input your driving record, car type, coverage requirements and age to get a personalized ballpark figure. Plus, our calculator will reveal which factor has a big influence on your quotes in Washington.
MoneyGeeks'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:
Jul 26, 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.
Unfortunately, auto insurance providers can deny you a policy if you’re deemed as too high risk. That is because insurance is a voluntary market. An alternative is an Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO) residual market plan.
Since 1972, AIPSO has protected high-risk drivers. It is a non-profit corporation that services policyholders nationwide.
In Washington, the Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans (WAAIP) provides the Washington Automobile Insurance Plan. The WAAIP is a center that connects high-risk drivers with insurance companies that are willing to insure them. Applicants are eligible if they are currently looking for coverage but are unable to obtain a policy in the voluntary market.
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
waaip@aipso.com
Phone
800-227-4659
Fax
800-827-6260
Mailing Address
Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans, P.O. Box 6530, Providence, RI 02940-6530
Shopping around for car insurance can be overwhelming for some, especially for those who are considered high-risk. To help you throughout the process, MoneyGeek outlined answers about high-risk car insurance in Washington.
MoneyGeek’s analysis shows that State Farm is the best auto insurance company in Washington for high-risk drivers.
We found average quotes for the following high-risk driver profiles:
High-risk drivers are typically considered as people with multiple tickets, at-fault accidents, teen drivers or students and DUI-convicted drivers.
If you are unable to purchase insurance through the voluntary market, consider the Washington Automobile Insurance Plan that the Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans (WAAIP) offers. You can contact the office at 800-227-4659 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email waaip@aipso.com.
MoneyGeek calculated average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance and comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Minimum coverage car insurance policy rates were calculated based on each state’s minimum car insurance requirement.
To calculate rates for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek averaged the premiums insurance companies charge for three of the most common driving violations: speeding, at-fault accident and DUI.
To determine the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek scored companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction and complaints — obtained from J.D. Power surveys and NAIC complaint scores — and financial strength ratings as calculated by AM Best. Affordability received the greatest weighting in our calculations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick 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.
