Washington Auto Insurance Requirements & Rates

Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and legal costs when you injure someone in an at-fault accident. The state minimum of $25,000 per person can be exhausted quickly given Washington's high healthcare costs — a three-day hospital stay in Seattle often exceeds $20,000. Most drivers in King and Pierce counties carry 100/300 limits to protect personal assets in serious collisions.

Pays for damage you cause to another driver's vehicle, fence, building, or other property. Washington's $25,000 minimum provides limited protection in the Seattle metro area, where the average new vehicle price exceeds $48,000. A collision involving two newer SUVs can easily surpass this limit, leaving you personally liable for the difference.

Protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. Washington insurers must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage equal to your liability limits, though drivers can decline it in writing. With approximately 11% of Washington drivers uninsured — higher in Spokane and Yakima counties — most insurance professionals recommend accepting this coverage at your liability limits.

Washington requires insurers to offer PIP coverage of at least $10,000, which pays medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. Drivers can reject PIP in writing, but it provides valuable first-party protection during the claims process. This coverage is particularly relevant given Washington's tort system, where fault determination can delay compensation for weeks or months after a crash.

Meets Washington's 25/50/25 liability requirement with no collision or comprehensive protection. Appropriate only for drivers with older vehicles of minimal value and sufficient personal savings to absorb out-of-pocket repair costs.

Includes 100/300/100 liability limits, uninsured motorist coverage, and comprehensive protection with a $500–$1,000 deductible. Most suitable for drivers with vehicles worth $8,000–$25,000 who want balanced protection without collision coverage costs.

Comprehensive and collision coverage with 100/300/100 liability, uninsured motorist protection, and typically a $500 deductible. Required by lenders for financed vehicles and recommended for cars worth more than $5,000 or drivers without emergency savings for major repairs.

Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in at-fault accidents. Washington's 25/50/25 minimum often proves insufficient given the state's high vehicle values and medical costs, with most agents recommending 100/300/100 limits.

Bundles liability, collision, and comprehensive protection to cover both damage you cause and damage to your own vehicle from accidents, theft, weather, or vandalism. Industry term for a complete protection package typically required by auto lenders and recommended for vehicles worth more than $5,000.

Pays for vehicle damage from non-collision events including theft, vandalism, hail, falling objects, and animal strikes. Covers glass damage separately in Washington, which is significant given rock chips from winter traction sand on mountain passes.

Covers damage to your vehicle from impacts with other cars or objects, regardless of fault. Pays the actual cash value of your vehicle minus your deductible, making it most valuable for newer cars or those with outstanding loans.

Protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance or limits too low to cover your damages. Covers medical bills, lost income, and vehicle damage when the at-fault party cannot pay.

Pays your medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral costs up to policy limits regardless of who caused the accident. Provides faster payment than waiting for liability claims to settle under Washington's tort system.