Washington State Auto Insurance: Understanding The Requirements

Washington State requires all drivers to have car insurance. The minimum coverage includes $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage liability per accident. This basic coverage protects drivers financially if they are at fault in an accident, covering damages and injuries up to these limits. Failure to show proof of insurance when pulled over or in an accident can result in fines, license suspension, and even jail time.

Minimum insurance requirements

Washington state mandates drivers to carry minimum car insurance, which includes specific liability coverage limits. These are set at $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 in total bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 for property damage per accident. This basic coverage is essential for legal and financial protection in the event of an accident.

The minimum coverage requirements in Washington are in line with the state's status as an at-fault state, meaning drivers found responsible for accidents are liable for associated damages and injuries. The average monthly premium for state minimum coverage auto insurance in Washington is about $49.

While comprehensive insurance is not mandatory, it is recommended to provide additional protection in the event of a more serious accident requiring extensive repairs and/or hospital bills.

Washington is distinct from other states in that it offers multiple options for insurance coverage. Aside from the standard auto insurance policy, drivers in Washington can also choose from the following alternatives:

• Certificate of Deposit: This option requires a large sum of money, at least $60,000, to be held by the state in case of an accident.
• Liability Bond: Similar to the certificate of deposit, this option requires a minimum coverage of $60,000, filed by a state-authorised surety bond company.
• Self-Insurance: This option is available for those with 26 or more vehicles.

Proof of insurance

In Washington state, it is illegal to drive a car without liability insurance or another way to assume financial responsibility for damages. If you drive a vehicle registered in Washington, you must have motor vehicle insurance with the following minimum coverage:

• $25,000 of bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident
• $50,000 of bodily injury or death of any two people in any one accident
• $10,000 of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident

You must be prepared to show your auto insurance ID card to law enforcement at any time while driving in Washington. This card will be sent to you by your auto insurance company when you buy a policy, and 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

The word "fleet" may be used for more than five vehicles owned by the same person or business. Failing to show proof of insurance is a traffic infraction, and knowingly providing false evidence of coverage is a misdemeanour.

If you have 26 or more vehicles, you may qualify for self-insurance. In this case, you must be prepared to show your self-insurance certificate to law enforcement at any time while driving in Washington. The 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

Again, failing to show proof is a traffic infraction, and providing false evidence of coverage is a misdemeanour.

You can also apply for a certificate of deposit to pay for your liability insurance with the Department of Licensing. To do this, you must complete a Financial Responsibility Application and Affidavit. If you qualify, you will be notified and must submit the following within 30 days:

• Assignment of Monies or Securities for Financial Responsibility form
• Financial statements

The certificate of deposit must be for at least $60,000, and you can make a deposit of collateral with the Department of Licensing or in a bank account set up for the State of Washington. Any time you are driving in Washington, you must be prepared to show proof of your certificate of deposit to law enforcement. This can be printed on any size paper and must include the certificate number and the name of the covered driver.

Finally, you can obtain a liability bond of at least $60,000 filed by a surety bond company authorized to do business in Washington. As with the other forms of proof of insurance, you must be able to show this to law enforcement at any time while driving in Washington. The information may be printed on any size paper and must include the name of the company that issued the bond and the name of the covered driver.

Fines for driving without insurance

Driving without insurance in Washington State can result in serious penalties. If you choose to drive without the appropriate levels of liability insurance, you are subject to a fine of up to $450 for a first offense, with subsequent offenses carrying potential license suspension. The exact amount of the fine varies across sources, with some indicating a minimum fine of $450, while others state a maximum fine of $250, with a total of $37 in related fees, amounting to $287 in total. In any case, the fine for driving without insurance in Washington State is at least several hundred dollars.

If you fail to present valid proof of active insurance when requested by law enforcement, police officers may assume that you are driving uninsured and issue you a ticket for a traffic infraction. This could result in a penalty of community restitution, such as community service, and at least two fees totaling $15, in addition to other penalties. Failing to show proof of insurance is considered a traffic infraction, and providing false insurance information when you are, in fact, uninsured is a misdemeanor.

If you are caught driving without insurance and are involved in an accident, you will be responsible for paying for the collision damage. If you fail to provide proof of insurance at the scene of an accident resulting in more than $1,000 worth of property damage or any kind of personal injuries, your driver's license will be suspended for up to three years, with a $75 fee required for reinstatement.

In Washington State, it is illegal to drive a car without liability insurance or another way to assume financial responsibility for damages. The state's mandatory liability insurance law, under the authority of the Washington State Department of Licensing, requires anyone driving a motor vehicle or a motorcycle to carry liability insurance with minimum liability limits of $25,000 for injuries or death to another person, $50,000 for injuries or death to all other people, and $10,000 for damage to another person's property.

Self-insurance

Washington state law requires all drivers to have liability insurance or another way to assume financial responsibility for damages. This applies to both cars and motorcycles. However, self-insurance is an option for those with a large number of vehicles.

• The self-insurance certificate number issued to you
• The effective date of the certificate
• A 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 if there are multiple vehicles.

To apply for a self-insurance certificate, you must complete a Financial Responsibility Application and Affidavit. The Department of Licensing will review your application, and if you qualify, they will notify you and request additional documentation within 30 days. This includes the Assignment of Monies or Securities for Financial Responsibility form and your financial statements.

The minimum deposit amount for self-insurance is $60,000, which can be made as a deposit of collateral with the State Treasurer's office or in a bank account set up for the State of Washington. This is an alternative to the traditional auto insurance policy and allows those with a large number of vehicles to assume financial responsibility directly.

Comprehensive insurance

In Washington State, it is illegal to drive a car without liability insurance or another way to assume financial responsibility for damages. If you drive a vehicle that is registered in Washington, you must have motor vehicle insurance.

Most lenders in Washington State will mandate that you carry physical damage coverages. Even if your vehicle is paid in full, it's still wise to add comprehensive insurance if your vehicle holds any significant value. Comprehensive coverage can pay for the repair or replacement of your car if it's in an accident, gets stolen, or is otherwise damaged as a result of a covered incident.

In 2019, Washington State ranked 5th for most uninsured drivers, at 21.7%. In 2020, the state ranked 5th for most vehicle thefts. Given these statistics, it is advisable to add comprehensive coverage to protect your vehicle against theft or damage.

Frequently asked questions