Best Car Insurance in Washington for 2024

Driving along Washington’s stunning coastlines and lush forests is a treat for locals and tourists alike. Thankfully, car insurance is affordable for residents of the Evergreen State. Below, we look at the best car insurance in Washington to help you find the right coverage at the right price.

Key takeaways

• The best car insurance in Washington is USAA, which costs $826 a year for comprehensive coverage.
• Drivers with a clean driving record pay an average of $98 per month in Washington.
• Kent drivers generally pay the most for full coverage insurance, an annual average of $1,965.

Best car insurance companies in Washington

The best car insurance in Washington is USAA, which costs an annual average of $826 per year for full coverage and $826 annually for minimum liability coverage.

Farmers had the most expensive minimum coverage in the state, costing $951 per year. It also had the most expensive full coverage, averaging $1,944 annually.

Provider	J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating	Estimated annual full coverage	Estimated annual minimum liability coverage
USAA	875/1,000	$826/year	$318/year
State Farm	821/1,000	$1,043/year	$484/year
Progressive	807/1,000	$1,050/year	$629/year
GEICO	797/1,000	$952/year	$459/year
Farmers	796/1,000	$1,944/year	$951/year
Allstate	783/1,000	$1,487/year	$810/year

USAA: Highest customer satisfaction

USAA had the highest customer satisfaction rating in Washington, earning 875 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction ratings. It has multiple standard policy options, and you can see significant savings on full and minimum coverage policies if you qualify for USAA coverage. However, its policies are only available to current and former military members and their immediate families.

Get a quote now | USAA review

State Farm: Best for new drivers

State Farm’s coverage in Washington averages $1,043 annually for full coverage and $484 for minimum coverage. It has standard and specialty policies and can be a good option for many, especially for families with new drivers. State Farm offers up to 25% in savings specifically for new drivers, and the Drive Safe & Save app can save you up to 30% for safe driving habits.

Get a quote now | State Farm review

Progressive: Best for high-risk drivers

Progressive is a more expensive option in Washington, costing an average of $1,050 per year for full coverage and $629 for minimum coverage. However, it may be a good choice for people with multiple speeding tickets, a DUI, or at-fault accidents on their record since it may offer better pricing to high-risk drivers than some competitors. Progressive can also file SR-22 forms required by the courts.

Get a quote now | Progressive review

GEICO: Most affordable coverage

GEICO’s coverage is the most affordable option available to the general public in Washington. It costs an average of $952 per year for full coverage and $459 for minimum coverage. GEICO has multiple policy options and discounts, but you may need to look elsewhere if you want specialty options like a vanishing deductible.

Get a quote now | GEICO review

Allstate: Best for new cars

Allstate is the second most expensive carrier in the state, costing an average of $1,487 per year for full coverage and $810 annually for minimum coverage — more than double USAA’s minimum coverage costs. However, it offers policies specifically to protect brand-new vehicles, like new car replacement, guaranteed asset protection (gap), and repair provision coverage.

Get a quote now | Allstate review

Washington auto insurance requirements

Washington state requires all drivers to have auto insurance or prove they can take financial responsibility for an accident.

For people who choose to carry insurance, the minimum requirements are:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability for one person
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability for two or more people in any one accident
• $10,000 in property damage liability

If you choose not to have auto insurance, you must be able to prove that you can take financial responsibility for an accident in one of these ways:

• If you have 26 or more vehicles, you can self-insure by contacting the Washington Department of Licensing and completing the required paperwork.
• File a certificate of deposit and make a minimum deposit of $60,000 with the Department of Licensing.
• Provide a liability bond of at least $60,000 from a surety company licensed to do business in Washington to the Department of Licensing.

How to choose a car insurance provider in Washington

If you’re researching a new car insurance provider, consider the following to ensure you get the best deal:

• Check financial stability: Use a website like Standard & Poor’s or AM Best to check each insurance company's financial rating. Before you request a quote, confirm that the company is licensed to do business in Washington by checking the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
• Get multiple quotes: Compare pricing and coverage options from at least three companies and confirm the quoted policies match your current insurance type and limits. Ensure that you are also getting all the discounts you qualify for.
• Ask for reviews: Ask friends and family for recommendations and check review websites like the Better Business Bureau to see how a company responds to customer issues.

How much does car insurance cost in Washington?

The average cost of car insurance in Washington is $1,177 annually for full coverage policies and $665 per year for the state’s minimum coverage.

Kent drivers tend to pay the most for car insurance in Washington, for an annual average of $1,965. Spokane drivers have the lowest average costs for car insurance in Washington, an average of $1,453 per year.

Washington car insurance rates by city

The crime rate where you live can influence your car insurance rates. According to the analytics website NeighborhoodScout, residents of Kent have a one-in-67 chance of having their cars stolen, likely leading to more insurance claims and higher rates.

In contrast, Bellevue residents have a one-in-316 chance of being the victim of car theft, as reflected in their average insurance rates.

City	Avg. annual full-coverage premium
Kent	$1,965/year
Tacoma	$1,887/year
Seattle	$1,820/year
Bellevue	$1,668/year
Vancouver	$1,581/year
Spokane	$1,453/year

Methodology

FAQs about car insurance costs in Washington