Auto Insurance Obligations In Washington State: What You Need To Know

Washington state law requires all drivers to have auto insurance. This means that if you drive a vehicle registered in Washington, you must have motor vehicle insurance or another way to assume financial responsibility for damages. The state requires drivers to have a minimum of bodily injury protection and property damage liability coverage. This means that drivers must have at least $25,000 of bodily injury or death coverage per person and $50,000 total per accident, as well as $10,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident.

Minimum insurance requirements

Washington state law requires all drivers to have auto insurance. The state requires drivers to have a minimum of bodily injury protection and property damage liability. This means that it covers damages and injuries that you cause to another driver or their passengers.

The minimum insurance requirements in Washington state are as follows:

• $25,000 bodily liability coverage per person
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• $10,000 underinsured property damage
• $10,000 basic personal injury protection (PIP)

Bodily injury liability coverage is mandatory in Washington state. This covers injuries that you, the designated driver, or policyholder cause to someone else. It also covers you and the family members you list on your policy when driving someone else's car or motorcycle (with their permission).

Property damage liability coverage is also required for drivers in Washington. Drivers must carry at least $10,000 of property damage liability coverage to help pay for damages caused to another vehicle or property in an accident. Property damage liability typically won't cover damage to your car, which is why some drivers choose to add collision coverage to their policy.

In addition to the minimum insurance requirements, all Washington state drivers are required to carry proof of insurance when driving. If you are caught driving without insurance in Washington, you may be subject to legal fines of up to $550 or more and may be required to have an SR-22 for three years. Failing to show proof of insurance is considered a traffic infraction, and providing false information is a misdemeanor.

Proof of insurance

Washington state law requires all drivers to have auto insurance. This includes liability coverage, which is mandatory, and other types of coverage, which are optional.

Washington state drivers must carry proof of insurance when driving. This can be shown from a physical copy of your auto insurance ID card or from your phone. In 2013, Washington state Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5095 into law, allowing drivers to provide proof of insurance from their "portable electronic device" to law enforcement officers.

Your auto insurance ID card will be provided to you by your auto insurance company when you buy a policy. It must include the following:

• Name of the insurance company
• Effective date of the policy
• Expiration date of the policy
• Description of the year, make, and model of the insured vehicles, or the name of the insured driver

Failing to show proof of insurance is a traffic infraction. Knowingly providing false evidence of coverage is a misdemeanour.

Other Ways to Prove Insurance

Some drivers may choose to opt out of Washington's insurance requirements by:

• Giving a Certificate of Deposit (CD) to the Department of Licensing for $60,000
• Setting up a surety bond of $60,000
• Self-insurance (if you have 26 or more vehicles)

Fines for driving without insurance

Driving without insurance in Washington State can result in a fine of up to $550 or more. The exact amount of the fine will depend on the specific circumstances of the violation. If you are caught driving without insurance, you will be subject to a fine of up to $450 for a first offense. If you are unable to provide proof of insurance when requested by law enforcement, you will be issued a ticket for a traffic infraction, which could result in additional fees and penalties. Failing to show proof of insurance is considered a traffic infraction, and providing false information about your coverage is a misdemeanor.

In addition to the fine, you may also face other consequences such as license suspension, increased insurance coverage rates, and community service. If you are caught driving without insurance and are involved in an accident, the consequences can be even more severe. If you are at fault in an accident and do not have insurance, your license may be suspended if you fail to pay for the resulting damages and injuries.

To avoid these penalties, it is important to maintain continuous insurance coverage and to always carry proof of insurance when driving. The penalties for driving without insurance in Washington State can be costly and can affect your driving privileges, so it is crucial to prioritize maintaining the appropriate levels of liability insurance.

Self-insurance

In Washington state, it is illegal to drive a car without liability insurance or another way to assume financial responsibility for damages. The state requires drivers to have a minimum of bodily injury protection and property damage liability per accident.

However, if you have 26 or more vehicles, you may qualify for self-insurance. To apply for self-insurance, you must contact the Driver Records Department of Licensing at PO Box 9030 Olympia, WA 98507-9030.

To be approved for self-insurance, you must meet certain requirements. The self-insurance certificate may be printed on any size paper and must include the following:

• Self-insurance certificate number issued to you
• Effective date of the certificate
• Description of the year, make, and model of the covered vehicles, or the name of the covered driver
• The word "fleet" may be used in place of the vehicle description

Any time you drive in Washington, you must be prepared to show your self-insurance certificate to law enforcement. Failing to show proof of self-insurance is a traffic infraction. Knowingly providing false evidence of coverage is a misdemeanor.

Insurance for young drivers

In Washington state, it is illegal to drive a car without liability insurance or another way to assume financial responsibility for damages. The state requires drivers to have a minimum of bodily injury protection and property damage liability per accident. This means that insurance is mandatory and that it covers damages and injuries that you cause to another driver or their passengers.

Young drivers in Washington state are required by law to have liability coverage once they obtain a license and start driving. Parents or guardians typically add their teen to their existing car insurance policy. The minimum level of liability insurance is mandatory in Washington, and this can get quite pricey for teenagers. The premium can more than double when adding a teen driver, especially a male teenager.

There are a few ways to save money on insurance for young drivers:

• Good student discounts: Some companies offer discounts to young drivers who receive good grades in school.
• Taking a driver safety course: Some insurance companies offer discounts for new drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course.
• Agreeing to mobile tracking: Some insurance companies give discounts after evaluating driving habits and usage through apps.
• Bundling car insurance with other policies: Buying all insurance policies from the same company can lead to discounts.

It is important to note that purchasing the minimum level of insurance may not be sufficient when adding a teen driver. They are considered risky drivers, so increasing liability limits and adding an umbrella policy for extra liability coverage may be a good idea.

Additional Insurance Policies

While bodily injury liability is the only requirement in Washington state, there are several other types of insurance coverage that drivers may want to consider:

• Comprehensive: Covers non-collision-related damages to your vehicle, such as weather damage or theft.
• Collision: Covers damages to your vehicle following an accident, regardless of fault.
• Loan/lease payoff: Covers leftover payments if your vehicle is totalled.
• Medical payments: Covers your medical bills following an accident, regardless of fault.
• Rental car reimbursement: Covers the cost of renting a vehicle while you wait for repairs or replacement.
• Roadside assistance: Covers the cost of calling a tow truck or having tire problems.
• Uninsured/underinsured coverage: Covers your damages or medical bills if you're in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Frequently asked questions