Washington Auto Insurance Guide
Whether you’re following the Cascadia Maritime Trail around Puget Sound, exploring the Emerald City, taking the road to Mt. Rainier, catching a ferry from
Port Townsend to Whidbey Island, heading east to Grand Coulee or south to Yakima. From Bellingham to Walla Walla, Bremerton to Spokane, Vancouver to
Colville, sightseeing or commuting,
car insurance
is crucial to being a responsible Washington driver.
Auto Insurance Resources for WA State Residents
There are 558,136 licensed drivers in the First State in 2010. The Insurance Research Council estimates that 10% of
As of 2010, there were nearly 4.5 million drivers in the Evergreen State. The Insurance Research Council estimates that 16% of Washington
drivers are uninsured. Distracted, drunk and reckless drivers are good reasons to make sure you have enough car insurance while living and
driving in the Evergreen State.
Washington State Minimum Car Insurance
Washington state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance or face severe penalties. The Evergreen State has a tort-based
system. That means if you cause an accident, you can be sued. While Washington does not require you to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist
coverage, additional personal liability or Collision and Comprehensive, if you own property or other valuable assets, you would be wise to
supplement the minimum requires shown below:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person per accident
- $50,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident
- $10,000 property damage liability
Washington Car Insurance Laws
Washington law requires that you carry proof of Washington auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to
see it. Driving without the required Washington car insurance is a traffic violation and you can be fined a minimum of $250. You may face other
fees and required to attend traffic school. And points will be assessed on your driving record.
If you are the driver or owner of an uninsured vehicle that is involved in a collision causing at least $700 in property damage or any bodily
injury, your license will be suspended. You will have 60 days to prevent this by providing the Washington Department of Licensing with proof that
you had insurance in effect when the infraction happened, furnishing a signed release from all involved showing you won’t be held financially
accountable for damages, provide a written agreement that you will take financial responsibility that has been signed by all injured parties;
file an SR-22 demonstrating financial responsibility; provide a certified copy of the civil court decision showing your are not liable.
If your license is suspended the suspension remains in effect for 3 years from the collision date.
Regulating Agency and References
Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
This agency is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in Washington. For more information, visit their website at
www.insurance.wa.gov/
Washington Department of Licensing
This is the agency responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles. You can learn more about Washington auto insurance
requirements, penalties and related information at
www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
This is an organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. NAIC
provides a forum for the development of uniform policies when appropriate. NAIC members are elected or appointed state government
officials who regulate the conduct of insurance companies and agents in their respective states or territories.
Visit NAIC at www.naic.org
Insurance Information Institute (III)
This organization’s mission is to improve public understanding of insurance – what it is and how it works. Visit III at
www.iii.org/
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