The good news about taking auto insurance in Washington State is that it is lower than the national average. Even though it is lower than the national average, there still is a lot of potential to save on your car insurance in Washington. Across the Evergreen State, you can drive over 174,731 miles and you need to make sure that you have appropriate auto insurance in Washington State.
It is very important to have car insurance in Washington State. This is because Washington has among the highest rates of drivers that are uninsured in the country.
This would make you assume that the insurance rates should be high. The reason that the insurance rates are lower in Washington as compared to other states in the United States is that there are very few fatal crashes per year. This makes insuring a car a safer bet. Since it reduces the risk for the insurance company, the savings translate into a lower premium amount for you.
As with most other places across the United States, the rates are higher in urban areas and lower in rural areas. This is because urban areas have a higher population which could lead to more accidents.
Like every other state, Washington State has a minimum requirement when it comes to the coverage that you need to take. I have mentioned below the minimum that you will need when you take insurance in Washington State:
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Property Damage $10,000 per accident
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
In the state of Washington, liability coverage is legally required. This means that if you are at fault, you will need to pay the other driver and the passengers for any injury. You will also have to pay for lost wages. Finally, you will need to pay for any damage that is caused to the car. This is the reason why you should have auto insurance liability coverage which is much more than the minimum that is set by the state. If the damages are much higher than what your insurance company covers then you will need to cover the difference with your own money.
Since the amounts above are normal in most states of the U.S., it makes sense to check for the best auto insurance rates online and get the best deal.
When it comes to the location within the Washington State, cities like Seattle and Tacoma tend to have the highest insurance premium rates. The most expensive cities in terms of insurance premium rates are in the King and Snohomish Counties. This is because the chance of accidents is higher in the cities as mentioned earlier.
Types of Coverage for Auto Insurance in Washington State
Along with the minimum car insurance insurance in Washington State that you have to take as we mentioned above, you can also choose Comprehensive cover, Loan/Lease Payoff cover, Collision cover, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) cover, Roadside Assistance cover and Rental Car Reimbursement.
Since there are a lot of uninsured and underinsured motorists in the state, taking Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage insurance is a good idea.
Factors that Determine Car Insurance in Washington State
Though the state you live in is important, your insurance premium is determined by many additional factors. When it comes to your car, the age, make and model of the car is important. The safety features of your car and the car alarm system are important. When it comes to you as a driver, your age and your driving record are important. Another important factor is the number of vehicles that you insure. Since the calculation varies depending on the insurance company, it is best to get quotes from many auto insurance companies. You can also check the best car insurance companies in the United States.
Finally, you can check the complaint list of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. They have unbiased ratings. Generally, when you read reviews online for an insurance agency, you will encounter negative reviews. This is because most of the reviews are written by irate customers. A happy car owner will rarely write a review as if their insurance is paid on time without any hassle, they will go ahead with their life. Checking NAIC ratings helps you to understand which insurance company is best suited for your needs.
