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Crash Course:
- Car insurance in Washington averages $50 per month for minimum-coverage policies and $124 monthly for full coverage.
- PEMCO offers the cheapest average rates in Washington state for minimum coverage, while Mutual of Enumclaw offers the cheapest full-coverage option.
- Washington car insurance is usually more expensive for high-risk drivers with at-fault accidents, DUIs, and speeding tickets on their driving records.
The cheapest car insurance in Washington state generally comes from PEMCO, which has an average rate estimate of $14 per month for minimum coverage. USAA also offers cheap premiums to Washington drivers, making it another excellent choice.
Our team considered cost data, coverage choices, customer scores, and industry reputations to discover which companies offer the best car insurance in Washington. We’ll unpack each provider’s average rates to show where you can find superb coverage and reasonable prices across the Evergreen State.
Best Car Insurance Rates in Washington
Washington Car Insurance Rates at a Glance
You’ll find detailed cost estimates in the sections below, but we’ve listed out the cheapest car insurance companies in Washington for a few driver profiles right here:
- Cheapest full coverage: Mutual of Enumclaw followed by State Farm
- Cheapest minimum coverage: PEMCO followed by USAA
- Cheapest for teen drivers: State Farm followed by Travelers
- Cheapest for drivers with a traffic violation: PEMCO followed by USAA
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Washington
Below, we’ve listed out a few auto insurance providers that offer good prices and exceptional coverage in Washington. While PEMCO has the Evergreen State’s cheapest rates overall, State Farm received the highest score of any company we researched.
| Car Insurance Provider | Overall Rating | Average Monthly Rate: Minimum Coverage | Average Monthly Rate: Full Coverage | Number of Discounts |
| State Farm | 4.6 | $42 | $73 | 12 |
| USAA | 4.5 | $23 | $271 | 13 |
| GEICO | 4.4 | $47 | $100 | 16 |
| Travelers | 4.6 | $39 | $152 | 16 |
| PEMCO | 4.3 | $14 | $111 | 17 |
Cheapest Car Insurance Coverage in Washington
The cheapest car insurance in Washington is pretty much always minimum-liability coverage. While this will meet the state’s basic car insurance requirements, it won’t protect your own vehicle or take care of personal bodily injuries.
Getting a Washington auto insurance policy with full coverage will keep your own car safe and cover personal medical bills. This will cost significantly more than minimum coverage but could lead to savings if you end up in an at-fault accident.
Cheapest Minimum-Liability Car Insurance in Washington
The average rate estimate for minimum coverage in Washington is $50 per month or $598 per year. PEMCO tends to offer the state’s cheapest minimum-liability policies with rate estimates of $14 per month or $168 per year.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate for Minimum Coverage | Average Yearly Rate for Minimum Coverage |
| PEMCO | $14 | $168 |
| USAA | $23 | $276 |
| GEICO | $47 | $567 |
| State Farm | $42 | $505 |
| Farmers | $65 | $776 |
| Mutual of Enumclaw | $50 | $599 |
| Travelers | $39 | $472 |
| American Family | $79 | $946 |
| Progressive | $65 | $783 |
| Allstate | $74 | $884 |
Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance in Washington
In Washington state, the average rate for full-coverage car insurance is $124 per month or $1,487 per year. Mutual of Enumclaw offers the lowest average estimates for full-coverage auto insurance at $62 per month or $742 per year.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate for Full Coverage | Average Yearly Rate for Full Coverage |
| USAA | $271 | $3,254 |
| GEICO | $100 | $1,205 |
| PEMCO | $111 | $1,332 |
| State Farm | $73 | $872 |
| Progressive | $131 | $1,569 |
| Mutual of Enumclaw | $62 | $742 |
| American Family | $106 | $1,275 |
| Farmers | $267 | $3,201 |
| Travelers | $152 | $1,820 |
| Allstate | $163 | $1,959 |
Washington Car Insurance Quotes by Driver Profile
Expect your rates for car insurance in Washington state to vary from the numbers above. That’s because auto insurance companies base individual premiums on several factors such as your age, driving record, and location.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington: Age
Age is one of the largest factors that helps to set the price of car insurance. Young drivers and especially teen drivers pay far higher rates for auto coverage than those in other age groups. In the table below, you’ll find the average rate estimates for Washington drivers of different ages:
| Driver Age | Average Monthly Rate for Full Coverage |
| 16 | $481 |
| 20 | $236 |
| 30 | $128 |
| 40 | $124 |
| 50 | $121 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington: High-Risk Drivers
Your driving history is critical to calculating rates for car insurance in Washington, as those with clean driving records often get cheaper coverage. Any at-fault accidents or traffic violations such as speeding tickets and DUIs can result in far higher premiums.
How much your driving record impacts monthly costs depends mainly on your car insurer. Below is a list of the top car insurers in Washington and their average minimum-coverage rates for good drivers versus those listed as high-risk drivers.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate for Clean Driving Records | Average Monthly Rate for High-Risk Drivers |
| PEMCO | $21 | $30 |
| USAA | $25 | $39 |
| State Farm | $38 | $44 |
| GEICO | $34 | $50 |
| Travelers | $58 | $66 |
| Farmers | $52 | $70 |
| American Family | $68 | $86 |
| Mutual of Enumclaw | $54 | $89 |
| Progressive | $68 | $90 |
| Allstate | $93 | $115 |
Car Insurance Rates in Washington: Speeding Ticket
A single speeding ticket can cause your car insurance premiums to increase significantly. For Washington drivers, PEMCO offers the cheapest coverage after a speeding ticket with average rate estimates of $78 per month or $930 per year. USAA also offers relatively affordable prices for drivers whose recent driving history includes a speeding ticket.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate After a Speeding Ticket | Average Yearly Rate After a Speeding Ticket |
| PEMCO | $78 | $930 |
| USAA | $85 | $1,024 |
| State Farm | $143 | $1,719 |
| GEICO | $181 | $2,173 |
| Travelers | $149 | $1,783 |
| Farmers | $186 | $2,232 |
| Mutual of Enumclaw | $217 | $2,608 |
| Progressive | $129 | $1,545 |
| American Family | $208 | $2,495 |
| Allstate | $193 | $2,319 |
Car Insurance Rates in Washington: At-Fault Accident
Drivers will also likely see steeper costs if they’re found at fault for a car accident. PEMCO generally offers the cheapest coverage to Washington drivers after a recent accident, with an average rate estimate of $83 per month or $1,001 per year. USAA and State Farm also generally sell inexpensive coverage for motorists with an at-fault accident.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate After an At-Fault Accident | Average Yearly Rate After an At-Fault Accident |
| PEMCO | $83 | $1,001 |
| USAA | $103 | $1,235 |
| State Farm | $156 | $1,869 |
| GEICO | $202 | $2,418 |
| Travelers | $155 | $1,856 |
| Farmers | $223 | $2,670 |
| American Family | $217 | $2,598 |
| Mutual of Enumclaw | $259 | $3,104 |
| Progressive | $177 | $2,125 |
| Allstate | $256 | $3,072 |
Car Insurance Rates in Washington: DUI
A violation for driving under the influence (DUI) can make Washington car insurance premiums soar. For those with a DUI on their record, PEMCO offers average estimates of $94 per month or $1,123 per year. While the accessibility of cheap rates plummets after a DUI, it may also be possible with policies from State Farm and Progressive.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate After a DUI | Average Yearly Rate After a DUI |
| PEMCO | $94 | $1,123 |
| State Farm | $143 | $1,719 |
| GEICO | $197 | $2,366 |
| USAA | $150 | $1,803 |
| Farmers | $193 | $2,314 |
| Travelers | $169 | $2,031 |
| Progressive | $118 | $1,421 |
| American Family | $208 | $2,495 |
| Mutual of Enumclaw | $278 | $3,335 |
| Allstate | $235 | $2,816 |
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington
The average cost of car insurance in Washington state comes out to $598 per year for minimum-liability insurance and $1,487 annually for full coverage. These rates are 22% lower than the national average for minimum coverage and just over 25% lower than the national rate for full coverage.
Average Car Insurance Cost in Washington by City
Your location in Washington significantly impacts the car insurance premiums you’ll have to pay. Potential risk factors such as population density, crime rates, and weather patterns vary between ZIP codes, and car insurance rates will reflect that. The table below shows the average rates for auto coverage in some of Washington’s largest cities.
| Cities in Washington | Average Monthly Rate for Minimum Coverage | Average Monthly Rate for Full Coverage |
| Kent | $63 | $155 |
| Federal Way | $63 | $156 |
| Tacoma | $62 | $154 |
| Seattle | $62 | $155 |
| Renton | $61 | $152 |
| Lakewood | $61 | $147 |
| Bellevue | $57 | $140 |
| Everett | $57 | $140 |
| Redmond | $56 | $137 |
| Vancouver | $54 | $133 |
| Olympia | $50 | $123 |
| Spokane | $47 | $126 |
| Bremerton | $47 | $119 |
| Spokane Valley | $45 | $119 |
| Yakima | $44 | $117 |
| Kennewick | $44 | $112 |
| Bellingham | $44 | $112 |
| Pullman | $42 | $118 |
| Wenatchee | $42 | $114 |
| Walla Walla | $42 | $114 |
Washington Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage
According to Washington law, all drivers must either meet or exceed the following minimum coverage requirements:
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
While liability insurance is important, it won’t fully protect you and your vehicle. Both insurance agents and experts recommend going beyond state minimum-coverage car insurance policies. That’s because higher limits could protect you from paying large amounts of money out of pocket after an accident.
If you have collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, you’ll be safe from paying for repair costs to your own car after thefts, vandalism, car accidents, or severe weather. Other types of coverage that could be worthwhile for Washington drivers include underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage along with personal injury protection (PIP). Note that if you don’t own your vehicle, an auto lender may require you to purchase a full-coverage policy.
Cheap Car Insurance in Washington: Conclusion
The cheapest car insurance in Washington typically comes from PEMCO, which offers average rates of $14 per month. It’s important to compare auto insurance quotes from various providers, however, to learn whether you could receive better prices for coverage elsewhere.
You may also want to consider the protection given by a full-coverage policy. The best rates we found for full coverage came in as low as $62 per month from Mutual of Enumclaw. More coverage may mean slightly higher premiums, but it’ll also provide greater financial protection and peace of mind.
Best Car Insurance in Washington: Recommended Providers
While certain companies are known for offering competitive rates for Washington state drivers, it’s best to get car insurance quotes from various providers. We recommend considering PEMCO and USAA as you begin your search for the Evergreen State’s best auto insurer.
PEMCO: 4.3 out of 5.0
As a Seattle-based insurance provider, PEMCO understands the needs of Washington motorists. The company offers the state’s lowest average rates for minimum-coverage policies and is just as affordable as nationwide providers for full coverage. PEMCO holds a strong reputation for customer service and stands as the best local option in Washington state.
USAA: 4.5 out of 5.0
The rate estimates we received from USAA were some of the lowest in Washington, making it a worthwhile choice for qualifying drivers. As with PEMCO, this provider is known for its excellent claims process and high level of customer service. Note that USAA’s coverage is only available to those in the military, veterans, and related family members.
Keep reading: USAA insurance review
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Washington: FAQ
Which company gives the cheapest car insurance?
State Farm generally offers the cheapest car insurance when it comes to national averages. Drivers in Washington often receive their lowest rates from PEMCO and USAA.
How much is car insurance per month in Washington?
The average cost of car insurance per month in Washington is $50 for a minimum-coverage policy and $124 for full coverage. Our team found rates in Washington as low as $14 per month for minimum coverage and $62 for a full-coverage policy.
How to reduce car insurance in Washington?
The quickest ways to reduce your auto insurance cost in Washington are by reducing your amounts and types of coverage, raising your deductible, and seeking out car insurance discounts. Improving your credit score and bundling coverage with homeowners, renters, or life insurance are additional ways to get lower premiums over the long term.
How much is car insurance on average in Washington?
Car insurance in Washington averages out to $598 annually for minimum coverage and $1,487 per year for full-coverage policies.
Is it illegal to drive without insurance in Washington?
Yes, it’s absolutely illegal to drive without car insurance in Washington. If you’re caught as an uninsured driver in the Evergreen State, expect to earn a misdemeanor charge. You could also receive a hefty fee or may even have your driver’s license suspended.
Is it cheaper to pay car insurance every six months or monthly?
You’ll typically pay less if you cover your car insurance policy every six months rather than each month. Many auto insurers give discounts for paying policies upfront, though this way to save isn’t universally offered.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
- Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
