Car Insurance in Washington

Looking for Cheap Car Insurance in Washington?

Washington is notorious for its steep car insurance rates. Drivers in Washington have to fork over more money for car insurance than most other states. But you don't have to do that with Carlay.

Rates for auto insurance vary from insurance provider to provider, whether you live in Seattle, Spokane, or anywhere in between. The good news is there are ways to lower your car insurance bill, like shopping around for the best quotes. And Carlay makes shopping around easy.

Carlay is a free service to help consumers find the best provider available in their area. Once you download our app, all you need to do is answer a few short questions and Carlay will automatically provide a list of top-rated providers near where you live or work. What's even better is that Carlay will send new quotes when your policy is up for renewal, so you can be sure that you're getting the best prices on your insurance when the time comes.

Here are some quotes from a recent survey of residents in Washington who have purchased insurance from Carlay:

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Washington?

The average cost of liability-only coverage in Washington is $2,083 per year. If you choose to pay for full coverage, however, you can expect to pay an average of $2,223 per year.

The national average is $1,783 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,485 total per year to purchase full-coverage car insurance.

What contributes to the insurance rates in Washington?

There are many things that affect the cost of car insurance in Washington:

• High theft rates

Washington robberies, burglaries, and auto thefts are higher than in the rest of the US. This makes Washington a high-risk state for theft, which leads to higher home insurance rates.

• High number of uninsured drivers

Washington ranks near the bottom for safety drivers, and it's not just because of all of the tourists steering rental cars. Drivers may be wary of the high number of uninsured drivers in the state.

• Severe weather leading to more accidents

Severe weather causes a significant increase in accidents. Washington Drivers need to be aware of how these powerful storms can affect their driving, especially when they are not prepared for them.

Here's how Washington stacks up in terms of the insurance cost compared to the average American's premium cost:

Top auto insurance providers in Washington

Washington residents can choose from many different insurance companies, including top companies like State Farm, GEICO, PEMCO, and Progressive.

When you get quotes from several different insurance companies, one of those quotes will probably be much higher than the others. The differences are due to varying formulas each insurance company has for calculating premiums. Insurance companies in Washington consider factors like your age, driving history, the location where you drive, and the type of vehicle you drive before setting a quote.

In Washington State, for example, thieves and vandals may target your car for theft or damage due to an availability of targets. Unfortunately, this could leave you struggling to find affordable coverage.

These are some of the most popular carriers in Washington:

What Car Insurance Do You Need in Washington?

Washington state requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. The following are the minimum coverage requirements:

Washington state requires all drivers to maintain car insurance to cover injuries and damages in case of a collision.

If you let your auto insurance coverage lapse or buy no insurance at all, here are some things that could happen to you:

• An expensive ticket
• A driver's license suspension
• A towed and impounded car
• A lack of financial protection if you get into an accident

While having the minimum required liability coverage might seem enough, it's better to have more coverage than you need. There are a few additional types of coverage that drivers in Washington should consider:

Saving money on auto insurance shouldn't be hard. Carlay makes it easy. At Carlay you are provided with a variety of options to meet their needs.

With Carlay's help, you can easily purchase new car insurance—from the top name-brand companies— and cancel your old policy. Carlay will remind you when your insurance policy is up for renewal and will offer you a new quote at that time.

How is Your Cost of Car Insurance Determined in Washington?

A number of factors influence your car insurance premium, including your age, driving record, address, and the type of vehicle you own.

• Cost to insure your car in Washington by age

Younger drivers may have higher car insurance rates due to the fact that they are more likely to speed, drive distractedly, and be involved in accidents. For young drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 in Washington, accidents are the leading cause of death. Research shows that younger people have poor decision-making skills while riding in a car. Another reason why rates for young drivers are higher is because of the added risk they pose.

However, if you're a young driver, don't despair. While you probably won't enjoy the same low rates as your parents, you can still get affordable car insurance by shopping around and maintaining a clean driving record.

Regardless of your age, shopping with Carlay is a great place to start. Here are the prices Carlay users pay by age:

• Cost to insure your car in Washington with a poor driving record

If you have had any at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs on your driving record, you will likely pay more for car insurance. If you receive a traffic violation within the next five years, it will stay on your driving record for that period of time, and if you are deemed a high-risk driver by your insurer, they may increase your insurance rates accordingly.

Carlay can help you find a competitive and affordable auto insurance policy, even if you have a less-than-perfect driving record.

• Cost to insure your car in Washington based on where you live

Car insurance rates vary by state, city, and ZIP code. For example, drivers in dense urban centers tend to pay more than drivers in rural areas because urban drivers have higher rates of accidents, thefts, and claims.

Washington's insurance rates are comparable to the average across the rest of the country. Washington isn't very densely populated, but theft is the major factor contributing to the high rates.

In the Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma areas, the rate of car thefts is high. This means that people who live or drive in those areas are more likely to file claims for stolen cars. As a result, insurance premiums are higher for everyone living in or near those cities.

Here are the average rates for car insurance as reported by Carlay users in Washington cities:

• Cost to insure your car in Washington based on the type of car you drive

While you might be able to take a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon through Washington's Cascade mountain range for a fun adventure, it's not going to help you get the lowest insurance premium. If you're looking for that, then you need to take a look at the Honda Accord or Honda Civic.

If you want to save money on car insurance, buy a car that is inexpensive to fix after an accident. The fewer miles you drive, the less chance you will have an accident, which may save you money on your insurance policy.

Here are the average insurance rates for some popular new car makes and models from insurer Carlay:

How to Save Money On Car Insurance in Washington?

There are a few ways in which you can find affordable car insurance that does not compromise on the coverage.

• Shop around for quotes

When you compare car insurance quotes from different companies, you can usually reduce your premiums. Taking the initiative to shop around on your own can be a big help—and cutting down the paperwork and phone calls is a plus. That's why Carlay is here.

Carlay lets you compare car insurance quotes within minutes. Simply enter some basic information on your car, coverage needs and drivers, and our system pulls in real prices from top companies! Buying an auto insurance policy can be complicated and time consuming. Carlay's mission is to make it as easy as possible so you can focus on what matters most - driving!

Keeping track of your car insurance renewal date can be hard, especially when you're busy with your own responsibilities. That's why Carlay offers flexible, six-month premium renewals for customers like you.

• Look for discounts

When you're looking for cheap car insurance, be on the lookout for any discounts that might be offered by your insurer.

Here are some of the most common ones to watch out for:

To make sure you have the right coverage at the right price, review your car insurance when major life changes occur. If you're married, for example, you may be offered lower rates. The perception is that married people are safer drivers. Or if you've moved to a rural area, you may qualify for reduced rates because you're less likely to get in an accident and file a claim.

• Increase your deductible

Declare a loss when you file a claim, and the deductible is the amount of money that you pay out of pocket first before insurance coverage kicks in to cover the remaining balance.

If you increase your deductible, your monthly car insurance premium will likely go down—but you'll have to pay for most of your car repairs out of pocket.

Registering Your Car in Washington

When you buy a car in Washington, you are required to show the following documents at the time of registration:

• A driver's license or ID card
• Proof of insurance
• Proof of sales tax payment
• A car title or signed lease agreement
• Proof of a safety inspection
• Proof of a smog test, depending on the age of the vehicle

Once you've gathered your paperwork, head to the DMV. It's usually best to make an appointment first. At the DMV, bring your registration form with you and fill it out. You'll have to provide some personal details as well as information about your vehicle.

Washington drivers must renew their vehicle registrations annually.