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Washington is an at-fault (tort) state. Drivers must carry at least 25/50/10 in coverage, and the average full-coverage premium is $2,835 a year, 3% below the national average of $2,922. This guide covers what Washington requires, what drivers pay, the rules on fault, uninsured drivers, penalties, teen drivers and phone use, and how to pay less.
| Minimum coverage | 25/50/10 |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Average full coverage | $2,835 a year ($236 a month), 3% below the national average of $2,922 |
| Uninsured drivers | 19.1% (2023), the 10th highest rate of 51 |
| Filing after serious violations | SR-22 |
Washington requires $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 property damage liability (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner; Washington State Department of Licensing).
The minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Property damage limits in particular don't go far when a new car can cost more than the limit to replace, and anything above your limits is your personal responsibility. See how limits and deductibles work and every type of coverage explained.
The average full-coverage premium in Washington is $2,835 a year, 3% below the national average of $2,922. That makes Washington the 19th most expensive of 49 (48 states plus D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii aren't in the data) (Experian, "Car Insurance Average Costs by State," published September 9, 2026; full coverage, 12 months to August 2026).
Within Washington, prices still vary a lot by ZIP code, driving record and car, and 19.1% of drivers on Washington roads were uninsured in 2023, so the coverage you choose matters as much as the premium.
Your own price depends on your ZIP code, age, driving record, car and coverage. Try our car insurance calculator with Washington preselected for a personal estimate, and see what determines your car insurance cost.
Washington uses pure comparative fault: your damages are reduced by your share of the blame, but you can still recover something even if you were mostly at fault. (Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, "Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States," updated June 10, 2026)
An estimated 19.1% of Washington drivers were uninsured in 2023, the 10th highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. (Insurance Research Council, uninsured motorist estimates for 2023, via Insurance Information Institute "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists"). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when one of them hits you. See coverage types.
Carry an insurance ID card whenever you drive. It must show the insurer, policy number, effective and expiration dates, and a description of the vehicle or the insured driver's name. Failing to show proof is a traffic infraction, and knowingly giving false evidence of coverage is a misdemeanor. (Washington State Department of Licensing, "Mandatory insurance")
The fine for driving without the required insurance is $550 or more. If you cause a crash while uninsured and don't pay for the damage, your license can be suspended. (Washington State Department of Licensing, "Mandatory insurance")
A conviction for driving uninsured also follows you into your next policy. In CarInsurance.com's rate analysis, it raised the average full-coverage premium in Washington from $1,608 to $1,982 a year, an increase of 23% (CarInsurance.com, "Penalty for driving without insurance in every state," updated March 24, 2026; rate analysis).
Beyond the penalties, driving uninsured leaves you personally liable for any damage you cause. See what happens if you drive without car insurance.
The Department of Licensing requires an SR-22 after certain convictions, unpaid judgments, or a crash involving a vehicle you drove or owned. In most cases it must be kept for three years from the date you become eligible to reinstate your license. (Washington State Department of Licensing, "Financial responsibility (SR-22)")
Washington uses graduated driver licensing (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Graduated licensing laws" table):
Adding a teen is usually the biggest single increase in a family's premium. Keeping them on the family policy, a good-student discount and a safe, modest car help most.
A distracted-driving ticket can count against your record and your premium. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Electronic device laws" table)
See how to compare car insurance quotes, or get quotes for your ZIP code.
For questions about a policy, a claim or an insurer's conduct, contact the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. It handles consumer questions and complaints about insurers in Washington.
AutoInsuranceQuery editorial team. Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.
