Washington State Car Insurance (Coverage, Companies, & More)

Full of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and forests, Washington state invites adventure.

Whether it’s hiking and cycling or kayaking and windsurfing, the Evergreen State has something for every outdoor enthusiast. If the great outdoors isn’t your thing, how about checking out Seattle’s world-famous Pike Place Market or the Space Needle?

Whether you call the Evergreen State home or are just visiting, it’s important to know the rules of the road and the best insurance coverage to keep you safe and legal traveling to your next adventure.

We know finding this kind of information can be frustrating, so we’ve pulled together everything you need to make an informed decision about your insurance coverage. Keep reading to learn more. To get you started, you can get a free quote right now with just your zip code.

Washington Car Insurance Coverage & Rates

Looking at the stats summary table at the top of this article, you can see there are a lot of options for different kinds of insurance. Liability, collision, and comprehensive are just some of what is available to you. But with so many choices, how do you know how to pick the right coverage mix for your lifestyle and needs?

We can help! Keep reading to find out more about Washington’s state insurance laws and requirements, coverage types, rates, and more. Let’s start with what the average resident of the Evergreen State pays annually in car insurance compared to the national average.

As you can see, drivers in Washington spend on average $1,110 per year in car insurance, which is about 15 percent less than the national average.

Washington’s Car Culture

In Washington, drivers are most often focused on enjoying and protecting the natural beauty of the state.

To better experience the wild, many residents choose vehicles that support the outdoor adventurer lifestyle so prevalent in the state. This is one reason why the Subaru Outback, with its ability to off-road and haul whatever gear you may need, is such a popular vehicle.

Residents also choose to make environmentally responsible choices when purchasing their vehicles. Washington is one of the top three states for the percentage of electric vehicles on the road, with an average of 4.06 per 1,000 people.

The Evergreen State has announced they plan to have 50,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2020. To support this, the state is even offering incentives for drivers, including tax breaks and rebates.

Washington Minimum Coverage

Like every state, Washington has minimum car insurance coverage requirements to ensure everyone on the road is financially protected.

In lieu of the above-described liability insurance requirements, Washington drivers also have the option to:

• Reach out to the Department of Licensing to apply for a certificate of deposit guaranteeing financial responsibility for an accident, or
• Maintain a minimum liability bond of $60,000

As you can see, Washington requires drivers to be prepared in the event of an accident. However, you have several insurance options beyond what is covered in the liability requirements shown above.

Keep reading to learn more about how much disposable income you can expect to spend on car insurance and what other coverage you may want to consider.

Forms of Financial Responsibility

According to AAA, Washington requires drivers to keep a copy of their proof of insurance with them at all times when driving. If you are stopped at any time without this proof, you will automatically be fined $450 (this also applies to anyone visiting the state).

Since 2014, electronic insurance cards have been accepted as proof of insurance in the Evergreen State, in addition to the standard paper version. However, drivers should be aware that they are fully liable for any damage to their phones when handing them to a law enforcement officer to show electronic proof of insurance.

Premiums as a Percentage of Income

How much can you expect to pay per year for car insurance? What does that look like compared to your disposable income?

Looking at the above table, it is clear residents of the Evergreen State spend about 12 percent less of their disposable income on car insurance than the average American.

But how does Washington compare to its closest neighbors?

Based on the above table, drivers in Washington spend less on car insurance than two-thirds of their neighbors (only Idaho residents spend less of their disposable income on car insurance than Washington). If you live in Washington, this is good news!

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates in WA (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive)

As we mentioned earlier, liability insurance is not your only option for coverage in Washington. What other choices do you have? How much can you expect to pay for each? Knowing both the coverage types and average rates can help you start formulating your insurance coverage strategy.

If you want to learn more about core coverage basics, the below video is a good place to start.

Please note that while the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) rates in the above table are based on the Evergreen State’s minimum insurance coverage requirements, the information is still helpful in providing a baseline for you to start looking at rates associated with your coverage needs.

Additional Liability

As we mentioned earlier, according to the Insurance Information Institute, Washington ranks seventh in the nation for uninsured drivers, with 17.4 percent driving without insurance.

With this in mind, you might wonder if you need additional coverage to protect yourself if you ever get in an accident with one of those drivers. If this is a concern, you can add an uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your policy.

In addition to uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, other liability coverage options include:

• Personal Injury Protection (also called no-fault insurance), which provides additional coverage for medical costs for everyone involved in an accident, no matter who is at fault.
• Medical Payments (MedPay), which provides additional coverage for medical costs for you and anyone listed on your policy, no matter who is at fault for the accident.

All this additional coverage is great, but does your insurance company have a good record for paying claims? A company’s loss ratio can help determine this by looking at the ratio of claims paid to premiums earned.

A loss ratio over 100 percent means the insurer is not taking in enough premium to cover loses and is a good indicator that the carrier may soon seek a rate increase. A loss ratio under 40 percent means that the carrier collected more premium than it needed for the claims it received or that it got fewer claims than projected.

NAIC does not currently provide loss ratio information for personal injury protection, but they do provide averages for MedPay and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, listed in the below table.

Based on this NAIC data, Washington drivers can feel confident that if they ever need to file an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim, because insurance companies in the state have a good record for paying out claims while still maintaining financial stability.

However, the loss ratio average for MedPay is not as positive. With an average of 130 percent loss ratio from 2013 – 2015, Washington insurance companies are losing money on the MedPay line of coverage.

Add-Ons, Endorsements, & Riders

If the core coverage options we discussed earlier are not enough for your needs, you can discuss other add-ons, endorsements, and riders with your insurance agent. Some of these are listed below.

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance
• Pay-As-You-Drive or Usage-Based Insurance

Male vs. Female Rates

How are your insurance rates derived? One factor that some insurance companies use to set rates is gender. While several states have banned this practice, for the time being, it is legal for insurance companies in Washington to take gender into account when setting your rates.

However, there is speculation that this will change, since Washington is one of several states to add a third gender option on driver’s licenses for those who do not identify as either male or female. Given this, insurance companies will likely reevaluate the use of gender in adjusting rates, whether the state changes laws or not.

Since the use of gender to adjust rates is still legal in Washington for now, let’s look at what this means for you. This table shows how your age, gender, and marital status can affect your insurance rates in Washington.

Read more:

• Farmers Insurance Company of Washington Car Insurance Review
• Top 10 Washington Car Insurance Companies

You’ll get the best rates if you are a married, 60-year-old female. It is also worth noting that not all insurance companies put as much weight on gender as others, especially once you hit 35. Gender seems to have the largest effect when it comes to 17-year-old males compared to 17-year old-females, though, at age 17, both males and females have exorbitantly higher rates than they do at age 35.

This data, compiled and generated by Quadrant, is based on actual, purchased coverage by Washington residents and includes rates for:

• Additional liability coverage
• High-risk drivers
• Those drivers who elect to purchase more than the state minimum.

Cheapest Rates by Zip Code

Where you live can also have an effect on your insurance rates, which is important to know when shopping for insurance.

Read more: Maple Valley Mutual Insurance Company Car Insurance Review

Check out this table to see the average rates for the top insurance companies in Washington for every zip code in the state. Search your zip code to see what the average is in your area.

Read on to see how rates may also vary based on your city of residence.

Cheapest Rates by City

Now that we’ve looked at average rates for zip codes, let’s look at the average rate in every city. These rates are ranked most to least expensive and are compared to the state’s average annual premium rate of $2,986.69.

While all of Seattle’s average rates are higher than the state average, depending on which zip code you live in within Seattle, your rate can vary as much as $512.

Read more: Stratford Insurance Company Car Insurance Review

Rates in Washington’s 10 Largest Cities

The average premiums for the 10 largest cities in Washington are in this table.

The average premiums were calculated by averaging the rate for each zip code in a city.

Looking at this data, it is clear that the highest average premiums are in Federal Valley (population 97,044), rather than in Seattle (as you might expect), which has a population of 744,955.

Best Washington Car Insurance Companies

When you shop for anything, do you consider price only? Or does the customer experience matter to you?

It probably depends on what you are considering purchasing. If you’re buying a product, customer service may not be a primary consideration. However, if you are purchasing a service, the level of customer service is probably in your list of considerations because you know there’s a good chance you’ll have to make use of that customer service.

Looking at car insurance companies is no different. We’ve spent some time looking at the price, but what about customer service?

Another item to consider is the financial stability of the company. Are they going to be around long-term? Are they going to be able to payout, should you file a claim?

Keep reading to find more about the options you have for the best car insurance companies in Washington and how they stack up for customer service and financial stability.

The Largest Companies’ Financial Rating

AM Best, a global credit firm focused on the insurance market, rates companies based on their financial stability. We collected their ratings for the largest auto insurance companies in the Washington market and put them in the below table.

AM Best states that any company with a rating of an A-minus or better has both a solid loss ratio and is financially stable. There are exceptions for slightly lower ratings, however, as you can see with PEMCO Mutual Insurance Company, which is rated at a B++ but still has a financially stable outlook.

Why does this matter? Remember what we said previously: financial stability is an indicator you can use to help determine if a company will be able to pay out on a claim if you ever need to file one. If a company is financially stable, you have a better chance of the company not denying your claim.

Companies with Best Ratings

What about customer service? Are current customers satisfied with the service they receive from their car insurance companies? J.D. Power ranked the major car insurance companies across the nation based on customer satisfaction.

Their rankings for the Northwest region of the country are below.

Companies with Most Complaints in Washington

Another factor to consider is complaints. It is rare for any company to get by with no complaints lodged against them. However, it is important to know how the companies in Washington compare to each other in terms of how many complaints they receive.

A complaint ratio is a number indicating the number of complaints a company receives against the average. The baseline number representing the average is 1.0. If a company’s complaint ratio is above 1.0, they have had more than the average number of complaints lodged against them. If a company’s complaint ratio is less than 1.0, they receive less than the average number of complaints.

Most of the major car insurance companies in Washington have lower than the average number of complaints lodged against them, which is good news for you.

The exceptions are Liberty Mutual and Hartford Fire & Casualty Group. In Hartford’s case, it is important to compare their complaint ratio of 4.68 with their market share of 2.47 percent. With such a small percentage of the market, any complaints made against them are concentrated in a small number of policies, rather than being spread across a much larger share of the market.

If you find you need to file a complaint, you can do so through the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. If you would prefer to send your complaint via snail mail, you can do so by filling out the appropriate forms and mailing them to Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255. If you have questions, you can call their office at 1-800-562-6900 or 360-725-7080.

Armed with information on complaints and customer service satisfaction, it’s time to start looking at rates in Washington.

Cheapest Companies in Washington

Price is probably the biggest factor you look at when considering car insurance. Can I afford this? Does it fit in my budget? Which company offers the best rate with the most effective amount of coverage for my needs? These are all questions you’ve probably asked yourself.

Let’s start with average rates for the major companies in Washington compared to the annual state average of $2,986.69.

These average rates can give you a baseline for comparison. But how are these rates derived? How might your rates vary from the average? Insurance companies look at several factors that can affect your rates, including driving record, commute length, and even credit score.

Keep reading to learn more about how these can change your rates.

Commute Rates by Companies

Did you know the amount of time you spend on the road every day can increase your rates? The longer you spend commuting to and from work, the higher your rates may be adjusted because more time on the road means a higher chance of you getting in an accident.

This table compares rates from insurance providers in Washington for a commute of 10 miles and a commute of 25 miles. Check it out to see what this may mean for your average rates.

We’ve calculated the percent difference for each company’s rates for 10-mile versus 25-mile commutes, so you can see just how much your commute length may affect your rates.

Based on the average rates for State Farm, American Family, Geico, and USAA, it appears these companies do consider your commute when adjusting your rates. However, the remaining six companies do not appear to use commute length to help determine your rates (at least not at those mileages).

Coverage Level Rates by Companies

What is the right coverage level for you? How much will you pay for that coverage level? This table outlines the average rates for low, medium, and high coverage levels in Washington, by company.

Most of the companies compare well in terms of how much their rates increase depending on the level of coverage. For all but one of the companies, the percent increase from low to high coverage ranges between 11 and 14 percent. However, Progressive’s rate increase from low to high coverage is significantly higher, at 23 percent.

Credit History Rates by Companies

Your credit score can affect more than your ability to secure a loan or get the best interest rates on that loan. It can affect your insurance rates because some providers use it as a factor when determining your premiums.

According to Experian, residents of the Evergreen State have good credit, with an average credit score of 693.

What does this mean for you?

• Good Credit (670+) = average annual premium: $2,431.55
• Fair Credit (580 – 669) = 7 – 29 percent increase: $2,782.04
• Poor Credit (300 – 579) = 35 – 115 percent increase: $3,746.49

Driving Record Rates by Companies

Do you pay attention to your surroundings when you drive? Do you feel a need for speed? Unsurprisingly, your driving record can have a significant impact on your rates. But how much of an effect? Check out this table to see how much your rates can increase for different violations and road incidents.

If you find yourself driving a little too fast, Geico may be a good option for you because they don’t increase their rates for the first speeding violation.

To look at this data another way, we’ve calculated the percent increase in average premium rates for each violation below:

Based on the data in this table, you can see there is no increase in rates for your first speeding violation if Geico holds your insurance policy.

Most insurance companies have a greater rate increase for the first DUI than they do for the first speeding ticket. Most even have higher rate increases for a DUI than for accidents (like Nationwide, USAA, and Geico).

However, there are a couple of exceptions. State Farm’s rate increase for the first speeding violation and first DUI are the same, while Progressive’s rate increase for DUI is lower than their speeding violation rate increase.

Largest Car Insurance Companies in Washington

Does company size matter when shopping for car insurance? Yes. This is something to keep in mind when making your decision.

You want to know that a company can pay a claim, should you ever need to file one. The best way to determine this is to look at the loss ratio and complaint ratio data, which we’ve already discussed, combined with how much of the market each company has in the Evergreen State.

This table provides the market share for the largest insurance companies in Washington.

Number of Insurers by Washington

How many options do you have to choose from when shopping for insurance in Washington?

There are a total of 861 insurance providers in the Evergreen State. That’s a lot of options! Of those companies, seven are domestic (i.e. incorporated in Washington) and 854 are foreign (i.e. incorporated in a different state).

To legally be able to sell insurance in Washington, every provider must follow the insurance laws set out by the state, regardless of where the companies are incorporated. Knowing those laws can help you be a more informed consumer. Read on to learn more.

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Washington Laws

We know how frustrating, confusing, and intimidating legalese can seem. It can make it difficult to research and find out exactly what the laws are and how they apply to you.

To make it easier, we have put together information on key laws that can affect you and the insurance providers you can choose from when shopping around.

Keep reading to find out more.

Car Insurance Laws

As you learned earlier, Washington has requirements for the minimum amount of insurance you must have to drive on the road, as well as laws regarding what you must be able to provide as proof of financial responsibility.

Those laws are just the beginning. We’ve pulled together all the information you need to understand the laws related to car insurance, registering your vehicle, and staying safe on the road. That way, you can make informed decisions regarding your insurance.

How Washington Laws for Insurance are Determined

Insurance and driving laws in Washington are enacted through the typical legislative process. This means a committee will draft a bill, which is then presented to the state legislature. If the legislature in the Evergreen State determines the requirements outlined in the bill are both necessary and beneficial for residents, it becomes law, at which point you, as a driver in Washington, are expected to follow it.

To make sure you are safe on the road, the Evergreen State has enacted laws of which you need to be aware, both to ensure you are safe and to keep your driving record clean (which, as you’ve already seen, can dramatically affect your insurance rates).

Windshield Coverage

Washington does not have any specific laws regarding whether or not you can drive with chipped or cracked windshields. However, you cannot legally (or safely) drive with an obstructed view, so if you have cracks or chips that hinder your view, you may still be ticketed if you are stopped by a law enforcement officer.

If you need to replace your windshield at any point:

• Aftermarket and used parts of similar type and quality are acceptable.
• If you would prefer new parts, you may have to pay the difference (your insurance will likely only cover the cost of aftermarket or used parts, since these are acceptable).
• You can choose whoever you would prefer to make the repairs.
• There is no state law requiring insurance companies to include windshield coverage as part of their policies, though they can include it with comprehensive coverage if they so choose.

High-Risk Insurance

Are you a high-risk driver? If your driving record is considered poor, you’ve had a DUI, etc. you may be considered a high-risk driver. This means you may have trouble obtaining insurance through traditional means.

However, like many states, Washington has a program to help drivers who are considered high-risk obtain insurance coverage. The Evergreen State’s program is called the Washington Automobile Insurance Plan (WAIP).

The program matches applicants with insurance providers and requires them to offer coverage to the applicants. The percentage of applicants an individual insurance company is required to cover is equal to the percent of their market share. For example, State Farm has almost 17 percent of the market share in Washington, so they would be expected to cover 17 percent of WAIP applicants.

To qualify for WAIP, you must:

• Be a Washington state resident
• Have a valid Washington driver’s license
• Have a record of paying premiums within the past two years
• Confirm you have tried and been unable to obtain insurance through traditional means for the previous 60 days

WAIP typically offers the same coverage as traditional insurance. However, it usually costs more. WAIP must include the minimum liability coverage required by the state. If you would like additional coverage, that is an option.

In general, a policy you obtain through WAIP covers you for three years. At the end of each year, you have the opportunity to evaluate your options and choose whether or not to continue with your WAIP-provided policy or attempt to find insurance through traditional means. If you are still considered high-risk at the end of the three years, and you are again unable to obtain insurance for 60 days, you can re-apply to WAIP.

In most cases, you cannot apply for WAIP on your own. Instead, an insurance company will need to work with you to apply for the program, which is managed through a company called AIPSO.

If you have questions, you can call the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner at 1-800-562-6900.

If the state requires you to maintain and be able to show you maintained insurance coverage for a specified amount of time, you will need an SR-22 form. This form is filled out and submitted to the Washington State Department of Licensing by your insurance provider. However, the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner warns that not all insurance providers will handle SR-22 forms.

If you are a high-risk driver, this is something to consider when shopping for car insurance.

Low-Cost Insurance

While Washington has a WAIP for high-risk drivers, it does not have anything similar to assist low-income drivers in obtaining insurance.

California, Hawaii, and New Jersey are the only states that currently have government-funded programs to help low-income families pay for their car insurance.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Washington

According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance fraud is a crime in Washington and will be prosecuted as such.

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s Criminal Investigations Unit (OIC CIU) is responsible for handling insurance fraud in the state. They receive over 200 fraud referrals and tips every month. They maintain a most-wanted page for perpetrators of insurance fraud in the state, and you can contact local law enforcement or OIC CIU if you have information on anyone included on the page.

If you need to report insurance fraud, you can do so through the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. If you have questions, you can call them at 360-568-2566 or email them through an entity account on their website.

Statute of Limitations

There is a statute of limitations of three years for both personal injury and property damage insurance fraud.

State Specific Laws

It seems every state in the country has specific laws, both logical and bizarre, and the Evergreen State is no exception.

Did you know in Washington it is illegal to hug someone while driving? At first, this one sounds odd, but upon further reflection, it makes sense when you consider the importance of staying focused on the road and facing forward to maintain optimal visibility.

Recently, the state also changed their motorcycle insurance laws to require anyone driving a motorcycle to maintain liability insurance coverage and proof of insurance. Before this change, motorcycles were considered exempt from Washington’s minimum liability coverage requirements.

Another recent law change means residents who register their vehicles in nearby states to avoid paying taxes and fees associated with Washington state registration (or do not change their vehicle registration to Washington when they move there), also known as vehicle license fraud, can defer their sentence.

Vehicle license fraud is a gross misdemeanor and can result in up to a year in jail and a $1,529 fine. Under the new law, if you are caught as a first-time offender, your sentence may be dismissed if you attend your court date, obtain a Washington driver’s license, properly register your vehicle in the state, and pay a $500 fine.

Vehicle Licensing Laws

Making sure you are following the proper procedures, laws, and regulations for maintaining your license and vehicle registration is key to avoid fines, suspensions, and even jail time.

According to the Washington State Department of Licensing, if you reside in Washington, any vehicle manufactured in 2009 or later must meet the Clean Car Law standard, which states your vehicle must be certified to California emission standards.

If your new vehicle does not meet the California emission standard, it cannot be registered, leased, rented, licensed, or sold in the Evergreen State. It is your responsibility as the buyer to ensure your new vehicle is compliant before you make the purchase.

For used vehicles, you will need to find out if it is California-certified. You can find this on the Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) label located in the engine compartment. If the label notes the vehicle is California-certified, 50-state certified, or Northeast-certified, you can move forward with the registration process.

If your vehicle is California certified, you are not required to emissions-test it. To renew your registration, you will still be required to have your vehicle emissions checked through the end of 2019. However, starting January 1, 2020, you will be able to renew your registration without an emissions test.

If you move to Washington, you are required to obtain a Washington driver’s license and register your vehicles within the first 30 days of residency. Vehicle registration requirements vary depending on the age and type of your vehicle, which county you live in, how long you have owned the vehicle, and more.

To find out the steps you need to take and the associated fees, visit the Vehicle Licensing Office website to select your county and call the applicable office.

Once you’ve determined what is required, you must:

• Fill out and submit the vehicle title application (either in the office or through the mail)
• Submit the Certificate of Title for your vehicle
• Send the appropriate fees

Once you’ve submitted the correct paperwork, you will get your Washington state vehicle plates and register your vehicle to a License eXpress account. This allows you to keep track of when your vehicle registration needs to be renewed, update your address, and more.

Now that your vehicle is appropriately registered, you can also register with the Department of Transportation to obtain a Good to Go! Account, which allows you to manage your toll payments, should you find yourself needing to travel the toll routes regularly.

REAL ID

As of October 2018, the Department of Homeland Security has confirmed the Evergreen State is compliant with the REAL ID Act. A REAL ID–compliant form of identification allows you to travel by airplane within the United States, and if you have an approved need, access military facilities and nuclear power plants.

To move the state forward to continued compliance, Washington has created the ID2020 campaign.

Washington offers its residents two options for licensing: a standard driver’s license and an enhanced driver’s license.

• The standard license is not REAL ID–compliant
• The enhanced license is REAL ID–compliant and will state “enhanced driver license” to indicate this (rather than the gold star many states are using to indicate compliance)

Starting July 1, 2018, standard license renewals will include a marking that states “federal limits apply,” which indicates they may not be REAL ID–compliant. However, this marking will not provide any indication of immigration or citizenship status.

If you choose to obtain an enhanced license, you will need to work through the Washington Department of Licensing. You will need to visit one of the Driver Licensing Offices in the state and bring:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Proof of identification
• Proof of valid social security number
• Proof of Washington residency

The state also reminds residents if they do not wish to obtain an enhanced license, there are still other forms of documentation are acceptable for air travel and nuclear power plant and military facilities (if you have the appropriate need). These include:

• Valid U.S. passport
• U.S. Military ID
• Green Card
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

Driving without insurance in Washington can come with serious consequences. If you are stopped for any reason and are unable to provide proof of insurance (whether or not you are insured), you will be subject to a $450 fine. If you do not pay the fine, your license will be suspended.

If you are in an accident without insurance, you will have to pay for the resulting costs out-of-pocket. Additionally, if it turns out the damages from the accident include more than $1,000 in property damage or injuries of any kind, your driver’s license will be suspended for up to three years.

If you have insurance but did not have proof with you at the time of the accident, you can avoid your license being suspended if you provide the following to the Washington Department of Licensing:

• Proof you had insurance at the time of the accident,
• Signed releases from everyone involved in the accident stating they will not hold you responsible for damages,
• A written agreement with all parties pursuing damage reimbursement, and
• Either proof of financial deposit equal to the cost of the damages or a certified copy of a civil court decision that states you are not liable for any damage claims

Teen Driver Laws

For teenagers, there are laws related to driving that must be followed to be legal on the road.

To obtain a driver’s license for the first time in the Evergreen State, there are several steps you will need to follow.

• To apply for a Washington Instruction Permit, you must be at least 15 years old. You must maintain the instruction permit for a minimum of six months (although the permit is valid for a year, should you need more time).
• While holding the instruction permit, you must take and pass a state-approved driver’s course and rack up a minimum of 50 supervised driving hours. Of that, 10 hours must be at night.

Once you have obtained the necessary driving hours, and you are at least 16, you can apply for an intermediate license (if you are under 18, this is required), which must be held for at least a year.

• For the first six months that you hold the intermediate license, you can drive on your own, but cannot drive unsupervised between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. You cannot drive with any passengers younger than 20 (except family members).
• For the second six months of the intermediate license, you have the same restrictions regarding driving at night and you cannot have more than three passengers younger than 20 in your vehicle.

All restrictions are lifted at 18 or when you have held the intermediate license for at least one year.

Older Driver License Renewal Procedures

Most driver license renewal procedures are the same for drivers in the general and older population in Washington. The one exception is mail or online license renewal.

For the general population, this is permitted at every other renewal (with drivers being required to renew their license in person on the opposite renewal). However, if you are 70 or older, you are not permitted to renew your license online or by mail. You are required to conduct all license renewals in person at a driver licensing office.

New Residents

The Evergreen State mandates new residents to obtain a Washington license within 30 days of moving to the state. To do this, you will need to complete the following:

• Establish Washington residency
• Choose to obtain either a standard driver’s license or an enhanced driver’s license
• Pre-apply online (if applicable; not everyone qualifies for this option)
• Visit a driver licensing office

When you visit the driver licensing office, there are documents you will be required to bring, including:

• Proof of identity, including your out-of-state license
• Proof of Washington state residence
• Fees

License Renewal Procedures

In Washington, you can renew your license in person or online with License eXpress. There are some restrictions associated with online renewals, however.

You cannot renew your license online if:

• You are under 24
• You are 70 or older
• You need to pass a vision screening
• You need a new photo taken
• You renewed your last license online

If you must renew in person, you can visit a driver licensing office.

You can renew your license between one year before it expires and 60 days after it expires with no late fees. You will still have to pay standard fees, however. The state charges $9 a year, so your fee can range between $18 and $54, depending on the length of your renewal (between two and six years).

If your license is expired for more than 60 days but less than six years, you will be required to pay an additional $10 fee. If your license has been expired for at least six years, you will have to obtain a new license, rather than renewing.

If you are in the military, your license will remain valid no matter the listed expiration date, as long as you remain on active duty.

If you have questions regarding the renewal process, you can email the Department of Licensing at CustomerCare@dol.wa.gov or call them at 360-902-3900.

Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)

Unlike many states, Washington does not track driving infractions through a points system. However, each infraction is added to your record, and if you obtain too many infractions within certain periods, your license will be suspended.

For example, if you are ticketed for speeding (also called a moving violation) six times in 12 months or seven times in 24 months, your license will be suspended for 60 days. Once your license is reinstated, you will be on probation for one year.

For your license to be reinstated, you must provide the Washington State Department of Licensing with an SR-22 insurance certificate, which acts as proof of financial responsibility and pay a $75 fee and other associated fees.

For questions, you can email the department of licensing at CustomerCare@dol.wa.gov or you can call them at 360-902-3900.

Rules of the Road

To keep you and other drivers safe, you need to be aware of Washington’s rules of the road. Knowing these not only keeps you safe, but can also help you avoid fines, understand what coverage your insurance includes in certain circumstances, and more.

Keep reading to find out more.

Fault vs. No-Fault

Washington is considered a “comparative fault” state, which means insurance companies consider the fault of everyone involved in an accident when looking at who is responsible for paying damages. This means, for example, if you are 50 percent at fault for an accident and the other driver is 50 percent at fault, the responsible insurance companies will each cover 50 percent of the damages resulting from the accident.

This is important to know, so you are aware of what your insurance may or may not cover in the event you are in an accident.

Seat Belt & Car Seat Laws

Seat belt laws are put in place to keep you safe on the road, and as an extra measure of protection should you be in an accident of any kind. Washington state takes seat belt laws seriously. Everyone in a vehicle is required to be properly belted (or in a compliant child safety seat, if applicable) at all times. If you are found violating these laws, you may face a $124 fine for your first offense.

Child safety seat requirements include:

• Any child younger than two must be in a rear-facing child safety seat until they reach the manufacturer limit for weight and/or height
• Any child younger than four who is not still required to be in a rear-facing child safety seat will be required to be in a properly secured forward-facing child safety seat until they reach the manufacturer limit for weight and/or height
• Any child older than four and less than 4 feet 9 inches in height must be in a booster seat
• Any child taller than 4 feet 9 inches must be belted with an adult seat belt

If possible, all children 12 and younger should be seat belted in the back seat of the vehicle.

Washington has no state laws regarding riding in the back of pickup trucks.

Keep Right & Move Over Laws

All drivers must move out of any lane considered closest to parked emergency vehicles, tow trucks, maintenance vehicles, and utility vehicles if the road structure and safety allows. If there is no space to move over, drivers must decrease their speed to 10 or more miles below the speed limit.

Additionally, if you find yourself driving slower than the average speed of the traffic around you, you are expected to drive in the right lane.

Speed Limits

In Washington, the highest posted speed limit allowed by the state is 70 mph. Across the state, the maximum speed limits for various road types include:

• Rural freeways and interstates: 70 mph
• State highways and freeways: 60 mph
• County roads: 50 mph
• City and town streets: 25 mph
• Residential streets: 20 mph

Ridesharing

Do you use ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft? If so, it is important to know the laws they are required to comply with to keep you safe and to make sure they have appropriate insurance coverage in the state.

In Washington, transportation network companies’ (TNCs) drivers must maintain a minimum of $1 million in liability and uninsured/underinsured coverage at any time they are acting as a TNC driver. Any time they are logged into the TNC application but are not yet providing a ride, they must also have minimum liability insurance of $50,000 per person for injury, $100,000 for all involved people for injury, and $30,000 for property damage.

To ensure passenger safety, the state also requires TNCs to conduct background checks on all their drivers.

While these laws are managed at the state level, some cities in Washington have significantly more specific laws. For example, in 2014, Seattle passed an ordinance requiring TNC drivers to:

• Have a valid Washington driver’s license
• Have a valid for-hire driver’s license
• Have a TNC vehicle endorsement
• Allow the city to inspect their vehicles
• Carry proof of affiliation with the TNC
• Have a valid City of Seattle business license
• Accept electronic payment through the TNC application only

The city ordinance also outlines standards for conduct, customer relations, cruising, and requirements for background checks, driver training and testing, vehicle inspections, and more.

Automation on the Road

Through an executive order signed in 2017, Washington allows the testing of autonomous vehicles on the road and requires applicable agencies to support this. Liability insurance is required for an autonomous vehicle being tested on the road in Washington.

However, there is currently no requirement for companies to provide any information on when and where they plan to test their autonomous vehicles. Companies are only required to fill out a form that certifies they will comply with any safety requirements for testing. As a result, the Washington Department of Licensing does not have any data on where testing has taken place, how many vehicles were involved, etc.

To better understand how much testing is taking place and how safe the vehicles and vehicle testing is, the state is considering changing the laws to require companies to provide more information in the future.

Safety Laws

Want to learn more about the laws Washington has in place to keep you safe on the road? Keep reading.

One example is window tinting (read our full “How to Tint Car Windows” for more information). To make sure you have enough visibility to safely drive on the road, the Evergreen State has specific laws regarding how much window tinting is allowed, depending on the type of vehicle.

If you drive a sedan:

• Windshield: non-reflective tint can be placed on only the top six inches
• Front and back side windows: a minimum of 25 percent of outside lighting must filter into the vehicle and tint reflection cannot be more than 35 percent reflective
• Rear window: a minimum of 25 percent of outside lighting must filter into the vehicle and tint reflection cannot be more than 35 percent reflective

If you drive an SUV or van:

• Windshield: non-reflective tint can be placed on only the top six inches
• Front side windows: a minimum of 25 percent of outside lighting must filter into the vehicle and tint reflection cannot be more than 35 percent reflective
• Back side windows: any darkness is permitted and tint reflection cannot be more than 35 percent reflective
• Rear window: any darkness is permitted and tint reflection cannot be more than 35 percent reflective

In addition to the percentage of light and reflectiveness, there are several other laws to keep in mind.

• If the back window is tinted, dual side mirrors are required
• Yellow, red, and amber tint colors are not permitted
• A sticker on the driver’s side is required to certify the tint meets Washington’s legal requirements

If you are found in violation of the window-tinting laws, you may be required to pay a $124 fine.

DUI Laws

Driving under the influence is not only foolish, but dangerous, and can come with deadly consequences. And yet, it still happens every day. Responsibility.org reports there were 178 alcohol-related fatalities in Washington in 2017.

The blood alcohol (BAC) limit in Washington is 0.08 and a high BAC (HBAC) is 0.15. If you are caught driving under the influence in Washington, you may face the penalties in the below table.

If you are convicted of a DUI, it will remain on your record for seven years in Washington, and you can face everything from fines to jail time. You may even lose your driver’s license, and your insurance premiums will almost certainly increase.

If you are planning to celebrate, have a few drinks, and have some fun, please plan ahead. You have plenty of alternative transportation options, including designated drivers and numerous ridesharing companies. There is no excuse for driving while under the influence.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

Both recreational and medical marijuana use is legal in Washington. However, it is illegal to drive while you are considered under the influence of marijuana.

Similar to driving after have been drinking, if you are convicted of a marijuana DUI, you may:

• Have your driver’s license suspended
• Have your Washington state driving privileges removed
• Pay fines of between $350 – $1,000
• Spend between 24 hours and one year in jail
• Be under house arrest
• Attend court-required addiction treatment or education

Distracted Driving Laws

Driving while using your phone is dangerous. Everyone has heard tragic stories about people who died in accidents involving texting and driving.

What is Washington state doing to keep you safe on the road when it comes to phone usage? Under the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics (DUIE) Act, it is illegal in the state to hold your phone or interact with it in any way while driving, except for “one-touch” application activation. This includes texting and using your phone at stop signs or red lights.

If you have an instruction permit or an intermediate license, you may not use your phone at all while driving.

Your first offense will result in a fine of $136, while your second offense will result in a fine of $235. Additionally, if you are ticketed under DUIE, it will be reported to your insurance company and counted against your driving record.

Driving Safely in Washington

Has your car been stolen? Has someone you know had their car stolen? It is important to know crime rates to better understand how this can factor into your insurance premiums.

No one likes to think about it, but driving can be dangerous. Knowing the fatality rates in Washington and where and when fatalities are most common is important for your safety and situational awareness when on the road.

Keep reading to find out more about theft, fatalities, and teen drinking and driving in Washington.

Vehicle Theft in Washington

Is your car attractive to thieves? What are the most popular vehicles for theft in Washington?

The number-one vehicle stolen in the Evergreen State is a Honda Accord. The below table looks at the 10 most-stolen vehicle types in the state.

Keep in mind that the column with the number of a particular make/model that was stolen includes all model years for that make, even though a specific year is listed. That year indicates the most popular model year for that vehicle make, but the list includes all model years.

To learn more about the coverage you may be able to purchase to protect yourself if your vehicle is ever stolen, talk to your insurance provider.

Now that we’ve looked at the most popular vehicles stolen in the state, let’s take a look at the amount of vehicle theft occurring across the state. In the below table, we have put together FBI data on the number of vehicles stolen in cities across the Evergreen State.

Road Fatalities in Washington

It is tragic, but driving can be dangerous and sometimes fatal. We tend to think of fatalities as being the result of reckless driving or breaking the law. This is often true, but they can also be the result of weather and road conditions.

To make sure you are prepared when you are driving in Washington, we’ve compiled data on when and where road fatalities are most likely to happen. Keep reading to find out where you need to be most aware when on the road.

Most Fatal Highway in Washington

The busiest and most fatal highway in Washington State is the I-5, which has an average of 25 fatal crashes each year.

Fatal Crashes by Weather Condition & Light Condition

Like we mentioned earlier, fatal crashes are not always caused by reckless driving or breaking the law. Sometimes they are the result of poor lighting and weather conditions like rain or snow. The number of fatalities in Washington in 2017 are broken down by weather and light condition in the below table.

To decrease your chance of experiencing a crash during poor lighting or weather conditions, be sure to drive slowly and pay attention.

Fatalities (All Crashes) by County

This table, populated by data from the NHTSA Crash Report, provides the total number of road fatalities from 2013 – 2017 in Washington by county.

For all five years, the two counties with the most traffic deaths remained the same. Their five-year fatalities are:

• King County – 483
• Pierce County – 286

Both counties have experienced an upward trend in fatalities over the five years.

Traffic Fatalities

Whether you are in the city or country, traffic fatalities are a fact of life. The number of urban and rural traffic fatalities in Washington from 2013 – 2017 is listed in the below table.

No matter where you are driving, drive defensively, focus on the road, and follow the rules of the road.

Fatalities by Person Type

The Washington NHTSA Crash Report provides the number of fatalities for 2013 – 2017 based on person and vehicle type.

Fatalities by Crash Type

The Washington NHTSA Crash Report provides the number of fatalities for 2013 – 2017 based on crash type.

The information in the above table indicates fatalities involving speeding are one of the top three crash types in Washington. Stay safe by following the posted speed signs and adjusting your speed when road conditions make it necessary to do so.

Five-Year Trend For the Top 10 Counties

The Washington NHTSA Crash Report collected data on the five-year trend for road fatalities in the top 10 most-fatal counties in the state.

Around three-quarters of the top 10 counties show an upward trend in vehicle fatalities, while the remaining quarter held steady with some spikes in 2017.

Fatalities Involving Speeding by County

We already know speeding is one of the top three reasons for road fatalities in Washington, but where is speeding the biggest problem? The Washington NHTSA Crash Report provides data on speeding fatalities by county from 2013 – 2017, which we’ve collected in the below table.

Based on the data in the table, speeding is a more significant problem in Clark, King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.

Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver by County

It is clear just how deadly drinking and driving can be when you look at the Washington NHTSA Crash Report data in the below table.

Based on the data in the table, driving under the influence is a more significant problem in King and Pierce Counties.

Teen Drinking & Driving

To legally drink in Washington, you must be 21 years old. However, many teens do not wait until 21 to have their first, second, or third drink. According to Responsibility.org, the average for under-21 driving fatalities in Washington is 0.7 deaths per 100,000 population, compared to the national average of 1.2.

The FBI reports that Washington ranks 29th in the nation for underage DUI arrests, with 121 teens under the age of 18 arrested for DUI in 2018.

While the state law for BAC is 0.08, if you are under 21, driving with a BAC of 0.02 or higher will result in a DUI. If you are convicted, you will face up to 90 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. You may also have to attend addiction education and treatment.

EMS Response Time

According to the NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, there were 218 crashes in rural areas in 2017 and 309 crashes in urban areas. However, no data is currently available on EMS response times for either rural or urban areas in Washington.

Transportation in Washington

As we’ve already noted, commute times can affect your insurance rates. Other information to consider when looking at insurance options is how you compare to average car ownership in the Evergreen State and traffic congestion you can expect when driving in Washington.

Read on to learn more.

Car Ownership

Data USA reports that in 2017, the average Washington household owns two cars.

Commute Time

Data USA reported the average Washington resident spent 26.1 minutes traveling. This is 0.6 minutes more than the national average of 25.5 minutes spent commuting.

Commuter Transportation

In the same 2017 report, Data USA collected the below data on what percent of Washington residents drive alone versus the percentage that uses various alternative forms of transportation.

Despite the state’s focus on environmentally conscious choices, 71.7 percent of Washington drivers still commute alone. However, this is 4.7 percent less than the national average of 76.4 percent.

Traffic Congestion

What does traffic look like in Washington state? We put together data from TomTom on the traffic congestion in Seattle in the below table.

Seattle ranks fifth in the country for traffic congestion, behind Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and San Jose. To make sure you stay safe on the road, regardless of the congestion level, you should maintain situational awareness at all times on the road and always drive defensively.

You know making informed decisions about your insurance coverage is important. There are a lot of factors to consider to make sure you get the best deal for the coverage that suits your particular needs and lifestyle.

We’ve collected all the information here regarding Washington’s insurance and driving laws to make sure you stay safe on the roads and have what you need to make that educated and informed insurance decision. We hope this guide was helpful. Questions or comments? Be sure to let us know.

Before making any final decisions on your insurance company, it is important to learn as much as you can about your local insurance providers, and the coverages they offer. Call your local insurance agent to clear up any questions that you might have. Questions to consider asking include, “What is the best coverage plan for me/my family/my situation?” “What are the minimum coverage requirements in my state and what form of coverage do you recommend?” “Do you guys offer any bundle discounts if I take out both my auto insurance and home insurance with you?” and “What is the average rate of insurance quotes you guys offer?”

Before making any big insurance decisions, use our free tool to compare insurance quotes near you. It’s simple, just plug in your zip code and we’ll do the rest!

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