Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington 2021

There are more than 5 million licensed drivers in Washington state. Any resident with a vehicle registered in the state is legally required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. The average full coverage car insurance policy costs $1,211 per year and the average minimum coverage policy costs $431 per year.

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View of Seattle highway from the railing of an overpass.

The cheapest car insurance in Washington

Most drivers are conscious of price when shopping for car insurance. Drivers who are looking for the cheapest car insurance in Washington have several options. Here are the cheapest auto insurance companies in Washington state and their average annual rates:

Quadrant Information Services, 2020

USAA

USAA exclusively sells insurance to active duty and retired military personnel. However, the company is highly rated for its customer service, claims handling, coverage options and prices. The average Washington driver will pay $849 annually for a full coverage policy and $261 annually for a minimum coverage policy.

USAA’s website claims that drivers save an average of $707 when they switch from another provider. With a variety of discounts, like taking a driver training course, garaging a vehicle on a military base, being a smart student, insuring a new vehicle and being claims-free for at least five years, drivers can lower their rate even more.

Geico

Geico is often the top pick for drivers who want cheap, basic coverage without added endorsements. In Washington, the average annual full coverage policy costs $876 and the average annual minimum coverage policy costs $321.

Geico’s car insurance endorsement options are limited, but the company does offer a long list of discounts. There are discounts for federal employees, military members, employee/membership groups, having a vehicle with certain safety features, being a good student, being a safe driver and more.

Progressive

Progressive is another popular insurance company in Washington. The company is known for its wide range of coverage options, discounts and online tools. The average full coverage policy from Progressive costs $1,006 per year in Washington and the average minimum coverage policy costs $323 per year.

Progressive offers impressive discounts. Many drivers are familiar with Progressive’s Snapshot safe driver program, which can save drivers an average of $145 on their policy. Progressive also encourages prospective customers to use the Name Your Price Tool to find policies within their personal price range.

State Farm

State Farm is the largest car insurance company in the country, with over 16% of the total market share. With low rates, good coverage options and even better discounts, State Farm is a great option for many Washington drivers. The average full coverage policy costs $914 per year and the average minimum coverage policy costs $340 per year.

With State Farm, drivers get access to two safe driver discount programs, Drive Safe & Save for adults and Steer Clear for drivers under 25. There are also discounts for being a good student, being a student away at school, taking a defensive driving course, being accident-free and having a vehicle with certain safety features.

Travelers

Travelers is one of the cheapest car insurance companies in Washington state. The average annual full coverage policy costs $827 and the average annual minimum coverage policy costs $404, both of which are below the state’s average rate. In addition to low rates, Travelers also offers valuable coverages, like new car replacement and gap insurance.

In Washington, drivers can take advantage of Travelers’ car insurance discounts for an even lower premium. There are discounts for having continuous insurance, owning a hybrid/electric vehicle, being a homeowner, insuring a new car, taking a driver safety course, being a smart student and more.

Affordable coverage for Washington drivers

Washington’s personal liability minimum coverage requirement is 25/50/10, which translates to $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and $10,000 in property damage coverage per accident. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is not required in Washington state.

Drivers who opt for liability only coverage pay some of the lowest rates. However, insurance companies recommend that most drivers purchase coverage beyond the minimum required amount if they are financially able to do so. If a driver causes an accident and damages exceed the policy’s coverage limits, the driver becomes responsible for paying the difference out of pocket.

How to get cheap car insurance in Washington

Besides choosing a cheap car insurance company, there are several other ways that drivers in Washington can get more affordable coverage:

• Get multiple quotes: When researching providers, get quotes from a few different companies and compare them. That way, you can see which provider can offer the lowest rate for the type and amount of coverage you need.
• Raise your credit score: Raising your credit score is one of the best ways to lower your insurance rate. Drivers with poor credit are considered high-risk and pay a higher premium as a result.
• Look for discounts: Seek out insurance companies that offer multiple discounts you can take advantage of. Sometimes you can save money simply by signing up for automatic payments or enrolling in paperless billing statements.
• Choose coverage strategically: It can be tempting to purchase add-on coverages, like accident forgiveness and OEM coverage, but those policies cost extra. If you are going to buy endorsements, choose the coverages you are most likely to use.
• Pay in full: If you can afford to pay your annual premium in full, you may save some money on your policy.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best car insurance in Washington?

The best car insurance company in Washington varies. The best provider is different for every driver. Some drivers might be happiest with Geico, whereas other drivers may find that State Farm better suits their needs. Drivers should spend time shopping around and comparing providers to see which company is the right for them.

What is the average cost of car insurance in the U.S.?

The average U.S. driver pays $1,738 per year for a full coverage car insurance policy. In Washington, the average driver pays $1,211 per year. Drivers in Washington state pay significantly less for car insurance compared to the average American.

How do insurance companies calculate policy rates?

Car insurance rates are personalized. Insurance companies look at factors like a driver’s age, ZIP code, credit score, claims history and the type of car they drive when calculating their rate. Because of that, drivers could pay more or less than the statewide average rate based on their profile.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our sample drivers own a 2018 Honda Accord, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.