Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington for 2026

Washington ranks 21st most affordable of 50 states at $109/month for full coverage, which is 10% below the national average. GEICO is cheapest for full coverage at $101/month; State Farm leads minimum coverage at $37/month. American Family is cheapest for young drivers at $188/month and ties with State Farm for speeding and DUI violations at $115/month each.

Pemco, a Pacific Northwest regional insurer, leads the family policy table at every age 16 to 25, with men consistently $1 to $2/month cheaper than women, the opposite of the typical male-pays-more pattern found in almost every other state.

Cheapest in Washington by coverage type

• Full coverage: GEICO, $101/month
• Minimum coverage: State Farm, $37/month

Cheapest by city

• Seattle: Progressive, $120/month
• Spokane: Progressive, $97/month
• Tacoma: American Family, $117/month

Cheapest by driver age

• Teen drivers (age 16) on a family policy: Pemco Insurance, $126/month (female) / $124/month (male)
• Seniors (65+): GEICO, $112/month

Cheapest by driving record and credit score

• Speeding ticket: American Family / State Farm, $115/month
• At-fault accident: State Farm, $123/month
• DUI: American Family / State Farm, $115/month
• Texting while driving: American Family, $99/month
• Bad credit: National General, $148/month

GEICO is cheapest for full coverage in Washington at $101 a month; State Farm is cheapest for minimum coverage at $37 a month. The gap from GEICO ($101 a month) to Allstate ($134 a month), the most expensive, is only $33 a month ($396 a year), one of the narrowest full coverage gaps in this analysis. That narrow range means provider selection matters less here than in most states. Review the best car insurance in Washington to see provider options across coverage types.

Washington requires 25/50/10 minimum liability coverage. The state is at-fault with no mandatory PIP or UM/UIM. Washington's $10,000 property damage minimum is among the lowest available and won't cover most modern vehicle repairs. Drivers should consider adding UM/UIM coverage even though state law does not require it.

The average cost of car insurance in Washington ranks 21st most affordable nationwide because a competitive regional insurer market, lower litigation costs than coastal states and rate variation between the Seattle metro and eastern Washington all keep prices moderate.

Credit scoring is currently permitted; a prior legislative ban was overturned in court. SB 5589 passed the Washington State Senate in 2025, requiring a study with recommendations due in fall 2026.

Minimum coverage averages $50 a month statewide; full coverage averages $109 a month, a $59 a month ($708 a year) gap. With GEICO, the gap is also $59 a month ($42 minimum versus $101 full coverage). Washington's 25/50/10 minimum is barebones: no PIP, no UM/UIM and a $10,000 property damage limit.

Our full coverage benchmark is 100/300/100 liability plus comprehensive coverage and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Washington's heavy rainfall and eastern Washington's winter snowfall make comprehensive coverage especially relevant. Use the car insurance calculator for Washington or figure out how much car insurance you need to choose the right level.

Kent is the most expensive city in Washington at $137 a month; Spokane Valley is the cheapest at $88 a month, a $49 a month ($588 a year) gap. Kent is a dense King County suburb with high traffic and claims intensity; Spokane Valley is a lower-density suburb of Spokane in eastern Washington with much lower claims activity.

Seattle ($120 a month) and its suburbs vary widely. Kirkland ($106 a month) and Vancouver ($106 a month) are much cheaper than the state's largest city; Renton ($128 a month) and Kent ($137 a month) are more expensive. Spokane ($97 a month) and Spokane Valley ($88 a month) are the two cheapest cities. Compare car insurance options to find the best rate for your city.

American Family is cheapest for young drivers in Washington at $188 a month, $41 less than State Farm and Travelers at $229 a month each. Farmers is the most expensive at $291 a month, $103 more than American Family ($1,236 a year).

Pemco, a regional Pacific Northwest insurer, is cheapest on family policies at every age from 16 to 25. Pemco's Washington pricing has an unusual characteristic: boys are consistently $1 to $2 a month cheaper than girls throughout, the opposite of almost every other state. Washington allows gender rating, and Pemco prices boys slightly lower. 

Car insurance rates change by age:

GEICO is the cheapest car insurance for seniors in Washington at $112 a month, $11 above its standard adult rate of $101 a month. State Farm is second at $118 a month. Progressive, Nationwide and American Family tie at $139 a month each, $27 more than GEICO.

American Family and State Farm tie for cheapest after a speeding ticket ($115 a month each) and after a DUI ($115 a month each). State Farm is cheapest after an at-fault accident at $123 a month. American Family is cheapest after a texting while driving violation at $99 a month. National General is cheapest for drivers with bad credit at $148 a month. Review high-risk car insurance in Washington for additional options.

Most violations affect rates for three years; DUI violations typically remain on record longer. After a DUI, Washington requires an SR-22 filing. Our guide to car insurance after a DUI in Washington can help you choose.

American Family and State Farm tie for cheapest after a speeding ticket at $115 a month each. Pemco is the most expensive of the five at $143 a month, $28 more than the tied leaders ($336 a year).

State Farm is cheapest after an at-fault accident at $123 a month, $15 above its standard adult rate of $108 a month. American Family is second at $141 a month. GEICO is the most expensive of the five at $155 a month, $32 more than State Farm ($384 a year). Review high-risk car insurance in Washington for additional options.

American Family and State Farm tie for cheapest after a DUI at $115 a month each. National General is the most expensive of the five at $139 a month, $24 more than the tied leaders ($288 a year). After a DUI, Washington requires an SR-22 filing. Our guide to car insurance after a DUI in Washington covers provider options.

American Family is cheapest after a texting while driving violation at $99 a month. State Farm is second at $115 a month. Farmers and GEICO tie as the most expensive of the five at $141 a month each, $42 more than American Family ($504 a year). Washington treats texting while driving as a distracted driving violation; it can affect rates for up to three years.

National General is cheapest for drivers with bad credit at $148 a month, $32 less than Pemco at $180 a month. National General is a subsidiary of Allstate, not an independent brand.

Nationwide is the most expensive of the five at $228 a month, $80 more than National General ($960 a year). Washington's SB 5589 study may eventually produce credit scoring restrictions, so drivers with bad credit should monitor that development. Our guide to low-income car insurance in Washington covers additional options.