Car insurance
Auto insurance for Washington drivers
Washington requires at least $25,000 of bodily-injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 of property-damage liability. Those minimums were set decades ago and are easily exceeded by one modern crash, so most drivers who own a home carry far more — plus underinsured motorist and personal injury protection.
Washington's minimum car insurance requirements
Short answer: State law requires liability coverage of at least 25/50/10: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage.
| Coverage | Washington minimum | Common for homeowners |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 / $50,000 | $250,000 / $500,000 |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 | $100,000+ |
| Underinsured motorist | Must be offered; can be rejected in writing | Matching liability limits |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Must be offered; can be rejected in writing | Included |
$10,000 of property damage won't replace most new cars, let alone a multi-car crash. More in how much car insurance you need in Washington.
Underinsured motorist coverage in Washington
Short answer: Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage pays for your injuries and, depending on the policy, your car's damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little. Insurers must offer it, and you can only decline it in writing.
Given how many drivers carry only state minimums, UIM is one of the most valuable coverages on a Washington policy. Read what underinsured motorist coverage does in Washington.
Liability only vs. full coverage
Short answer: "Full coverage" is shorthand for liability plus collision and comprehensive, which pay to repair or replace your own car. Lenders require them on financed or leased vehicles.
- Collision — damage to your car from hitting another car or object
- Comprehensive — theft, glass, fire, falling trees, hitting a deer
- Dropping both can make sense on an older car worth less than a few years of their premium
Auto insurance works best as part of the household
Short answer: Most of our auto customers also insure a home, condo or rental with us, which can earn a multi-policy discount and sets up an umbrella.
See home and auto bundles or start an auto insurance quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is Washington a no-fault state?
No. Washington is an at-fault state, but insurers must offer personal injury protection (PIP), which pays certain medical costs regardless of fault.
Why did my car insurance go up in Washington?
Repair costs, medical costs, local claim trends, a ticket or claim, a new driver or vehicle, or a lost discount. You have the right to ask your insurer why.
What happens if I'm caught driving without insurance in Washington?
Driving without proof of the required liability coverage is a traffic infraction, and you're personally responsible for any damage you cause.
Sources
- RCW 46.29.090 — Washington minimum liability limits
- RCW 48.22.030 — Underinsured motorist coverage
- RCW 48.22.085 — Personal injury protection must be offered
- Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner — Auto insurance
Explanations on this page are general. Your policy documents control what is and isn't covered.
Keep exploring
- Car insurance quotesGet a car insurance quote from a local agent in Federal Way. What to have ready, how to compare auto quotes fairly, and what happens after you ask.
- Home + auto bundleBundle home and auto insurance with a local Federal Way agent. When bundling saves money, when it doesn't, and how home + auto + umbrella work together.
- Umbrella insuranceUmbrella insurance adds $1 million or more of liability protection above your home and auto policies. What a personal umbrella policy covers, who needs one, and how much to buy.
- Why did my auto insurance go up in Washington?Why auto insurance renewals rise in Washington: repair and medical costs, local claim trends, tickets, new drivers and lost discounts — and how to ask your insurer why.
- Adding a teen driver in WashingtonWhat changes when your teen gets a Washington intermediate license: when to add them, how to manage the cost, discounts, and why an umbrella matters more now.
- Motorcycle insuranceMotorcycle insurance for Washington riders: liability, underinsured motorist, gear and custom parts, and riding season. Quote it alongside your home and auto.
Ready when you are
Get a real quote from a real person.
Two minutes online. A person from the team follows up — typically the same business day — and walks you through options side by side.