Best Car Insurance In Washington
We chose State Farm as Washington’s best car insurance provider based on the company’s coverage options and affordable rates for students and teen drivers.
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Key Points:
- The top five car insurance companies in Washington are State Farm, Geico, USAA, Progressive, and PEMCO Mutual Insurance.
- State Farm offers affordable and flexible full coverage for most drivers, with notably low rates for students and teens.
- Drivers interested in a local car insurance option should look into PEMCO for full coverage car insurance.
Recently, we ranked the best car insurance companies in the industry on things like coverage options, customer service, price, and financial stability. Read on to find out which providers we recommend in Washington, how much auto insurance in Washington costs, and what coverage is required.
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What Is The Best Car Insurance Company In Washington?
To find the best Washington auto insurance, we reviewed the industry’s top providers list in light of Washington state laws and guidelines. Based on our research, we recommend State Farm for most Washington drivers. For those looking for an alternative to State Farm or quotes to compare, we also recommend Geico, USAA, Progressive, and PEMCO Mutual Insurance Co.
Washington Car Insurance Company Comparison
In the chart below, we compare the providers at the top of our list of best Washington car insurance companies:
| Washington
Auto Insurance Provider | Overall Rating
(Out of 5.0) | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 1. State Farm | 4.7 | Best Overall Provider |
| 2. Geico | 4.5 | Best Full Coverage Options |
| 3. USAA | 4.5 | Best For Military Members |
| 4. Progressive | 4.5 | Best For High-Risk Drivers |
| 5. PEMCO | 4.3 | Superior Local Service |
5 Best Washington Auto Insurance Providers
Learn about our top picks for Washington car insurance coverage, as well as each company’s ratings and average costs below:
#1 State Farm Auto Insurance: Best Overall Provider
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,463 per year, $120 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $514 per year, $43 per month
Washington Customer Service Rating: 821/1,000 points
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 891/1,000 points
State Farm has a financial strength rating of A++ with AM Best. The company is the largest insurance provider in the nation and offers a range of affordable car insurance coverage options for drivers from all walks of life. State Farm also offers Drive Safe & Save and Steer Clear which are programs that can help young drivers practice safe driving and save money on their Washington auto insurance policies.
To learn more about the auto insurance provider, check out our review of State Farm insurance. For a direct comparison of State Farm vs. other providers, check out our review of State Farm vs. USAA.
#2 Geico: Best For Full Coverage Insurance
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,442 per year, $95 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $544 per year, $45 per month
Washington Customer Service Rating: 797/1,000 points
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 891/1,000 points
Geico has some of the best ratings from the Better Business Bureau (A+) and AM Best (A++) of any provider on our list. The provider also offers some of the cheapest full-coverage car insurance rates in Washington for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record. With a large number of car insurance discounts, most Washington drivers can find an affordable policy with some unique policy options, including rideshare and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Learn more about coverage in our full Geico review.
#3 USAA: Best For Military Members
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,032 per year, $86 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $345 per year, $29 per month
Washington Customer Service Rating: 875/1,000 points*
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 900/1,000 points*
If you or a close relative is an active or former military member, you can work with USAA to take advantage of some of the cheapest car insurance rates in Washington. Eligible drivers can get discounts for even lower rates. And while the company isn’t eligible for ranking, USAA consistently has high scores in most J.D. Power insurance satisfaction studies.
Read our comprehensive USAA insurance review to learn more.
*USAA is excluded from rankings in J.D. Power studies because the provider doesn’t meet study eligibility requirements.
#4 Progressive: Best For High-Risk Drivers
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,565 per year, $130 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $877 per year, $73 per month
Washington Customer Service Rating: 807/1,000 points
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 870/1,000 points
High-risk drivers include young drivers and people with a recent at-fault accident, DUI, or speeding ticket. These drivers typically have higher auto insurance rates. Fortunately, Progressive offers affordable rates for high-risk drivers through competitive discounts and tools like Name Your Price® and the Snapshot® safe driving program. The company also offers an accident forgiveness policy through its customer loyalty program.
Read our Progressive insurance review to learn more about what the company offers.
#5 PEMCO Mutual Insurance Co.: Best Local Coverage
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,063 per year, $89 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $291 per year, $24 per month
Washington Customer Service Rating: 831/1,000 points
Claims Satisfaction Rating: N/A
In business since 1949, PEMCO Mutual Insurance is a Seattle-based company that has a long history of providing affordable car insurance for drivers in the Northwest. PEMCO has low minimum coverage rates and positive customer service ratings in regional insurance studies. PEMCO also offers unique coverage options, including pet, rideshare, and rental coverage.
What Are Washington Auto Insurance Requirements?
All states have automobile financial responsibility laws. These laws ensure that victims of car accidents are compensated by at-fault parties. You can fulfill financial responsibility laws in a few ways, but the easiest way is by purchasing a policy that meets state minimum car insurance requirements.
In Washington, you’re required to carry liability insurance with a minimum of 25/50/10 coverage. Here’s what that means:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| $25,000 bodily injury liability per person | Covers medical bills, lost wages, and death benefits for other parties in accidents you cause up to a maximum of $25,000 per person |
| $50,000 bodily injury liability per Accident | Covers medical bills, lost wages, and death benefits for other parties in accidents you cause up to a maximum of $50,000 per accident |
| $10,000 property damage liability | Covers car repairs and property damage for other parties in accidents you cause up to a maximum of $10,000 per accident |
Liability coverage addresses the minimum requirements of the state and typically carries the cheapest rates. However, when you shop for a car insurance policy, you’ll find a few more coverage options that aren’t required but can be good to have:
- Collision: Repairs your car after an accident no matter who was at fault
- Comprehensive: Repairs your car after a non-collision event like a flood or vandalism
- Personal injury protection: Covers medical bills, lost wages, and death benefits for you, no matter who caused the accident
- Medical payments: Covers medical bills no matter who was at fault
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Pays for medical bills for you and your passengers and pays for repairs to your car when you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver
If you get caught driving without car insurance in Washington, you could be fined $550 or more. Also, if you cause an accident and don’t have insurance, you could have your license suspended.
In Washington, you have a few more ways of satisfying the state’s financial responsibility laws, according to the WADOL:
- You can qualify for self insurance if you own at least 26 vehicles
- You can purchase a liability bond for $60,000 or more
- You can deposit at least $60,000 in an account with the state of Washington or the Department of Licensing
In each of these scenarios, you would compensate accident victims with your own money rather than relying on an auto insurance company.
What To Know About Driving In Washington
In 2022, Washingtonians drove 12,837 miles on average. That’s a bit less than the national average of 14,425 miles, and it’s one reason why Washington auto insurance is more affordable than insurance in many other states. Also in 2022, according to the WSDOT, there were 103,316 car accidents in Washington. Fortunately, that number fell to 84,789 car accidents in 2022.
Watch Out For Uninsured Drivers
Washington auto insurance laws don’t require underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. These coverages pay for repairs to your car and medical bills for you and your passengers when you get hit by someone without insurance (or without enough).
The chance of running into an uninsured motorist is pretty high in Washington. In fact, it was the state with the fifth highest percentage of uninsured drivers in 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute. You may consider getting underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage if you’re a Washington driver.
How To Save Money On Car Insurance In Washington
Which company offers the best cheap car insurance will depend on several factors. Good drivers with strong credit scores typically qualify for the lowest insurance premiums. However, drivers with poor credit, a recent accident, speeding ticket, or DUI can still find affordable rates.
For most drivers, bundling policies or opting for a lower deductible on a full-coverage policy are easy ways to save. Learn more below:
Best Car Insurance In Washington: Our Take
The Evergreen State has it all–a beautiful coastline, forested mountains, and one of the biggest cities in the United States. When you’re out exploring, you want to be protected. Fortunately, Washington auto insurance is more affordable than coverage in other states.
Whenever you shop for car insurance, we recommend getting quotes from multiple providers so you can compare coverage and rates. If you’re searching for companies to compare car insurance quotes from, our team likes State Farm, Geico, USAA, Progressive, and PEMCO for Washington drivers.
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FAQ: Best Car Insurance In Washington
Below, we cover some of the most frequently asked questions about the rates and options offered by the best car insurance companies in Washington:
Which company offers the best car insurance in Washington?
Based on our research, State Farm is the best insurance company currently offering policies in Washington state. State Farm offers a strong selection of insurance coverage options at affordable rates for most drivers, especially teens and student drivers.
How much does car insurance cost in Washington?
The average cost of car insurance for Washington drivers is $1,471 per year or $123 per month for full coverage. Minimum coverage costs an average of $616 per year or $51 per month for drivers in the state.
Is Geico better than Progressive?
While Geico offers a wide variety of discounts and coverage options suited to most drivers, we find Progressive offers competitive full-coverage car insurance rates for high-risk drivers. Ultimately, which company is best will depend on your driving history and other factors.
Who offers the cheapest car insurance in Washington?
While USAA’s full coverage rates in Washington are the most affordable at just $86 per month or $1,032 per year, the company’s policies aren’t available to every Washington driver. For those not eligible for USAA coverage, PEMCO offers full coverage at an average rate of $89 per month or $1,063 per year.
How We Rate Auto Insurers
Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
- Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
- Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
- Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
