From the hustle and bustle of Seattle to the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, the scenery across the state of Washington can change dramatically. One thing that doesn’t change however, are the car insurance requirements. Whether you are new to the state or are interested in changing your insurance company, you should know the Washington auto insurance requirements and how they will cover you in the event of a claim.

Minimum Limits for WA Auto Insurance

While Washington State offers a few options when it comes to automobile coverage, the easiest way to meet the state’s requirements is with an auto insurance policy through a licensed company. If you choose this option then you must maintain the minimum coverage limits of:

$25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person

$50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident

$10,000 of property damage coverage per accident

These limits are often represented as 25/50/10 and while they are the lowest amount you need to be in accordance with WA car insurance requirements you may want to consider higher limits to ensure you aren’t liable for costs you can’t afford after an accident.

Optional Coverages for Washington Insurance

While liability auto insurance is required in the state of Washington, there are other insurance options available if you are interested in additional protection.

• Personal injury protection, or PIP coverage, is a required inclusion on all car insurance policies in Washington; however you can decline this coverage in writing. PIP coverage will help pay for your personal medical expenses if you are in an accident regardless of who was at fault.

• Physical damage is a coverage which includes collision and comprehensive insurance. Collison coverage will cover any damage to your vehicle that results from a collision with another vehicle or object regardless of who was at fault. Comprehensive coverage will help pay for damages to your vehicle that occurred from anything other than a collision, such as a theft or a tree falling on your car.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage helps to pay for your damage and injuries should you get in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance

Washington State drivers can be fined $500 or more if they drive without the required insurance coverage. The situation can get even worse if a driver causes an accident while driving without proper auto insurance. Washington financial responsibility law requires that uninsured drivers pay for any collision damages and injuries that result from an accident if there is a reasonable possibility that a judgement would be made against them in court. If an uninsured driver is unable to pay for the damages and injuries then they are subject to a license suspension for three years.

Washington Auto Insurance Alternatives

Other automobile coverage options include self-insurance, certificate of deposit or a liability bond. Self-insurance would only be an option for you if you have 26 or more cars registered under your name. A certificate of deposit involves depositing $60,000 with the WA Department of Licensing. A liability bond involves working with a licensed surety company to issue a $60,000 bond.

How to Find the Right Car Insurance

Washington has a variety of options for automobile coverage, but the most important thing is to select an option that will protect your assets in the event of an accident. While you may be on the hunt for the cheapest car insurance in WA, be sure to select a policy that works with your needs and don’t run the risk of driving without insurance as the penalties are far greater than the potential savings.