Washington State Auto Insurance
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Washington Auto Insurance Requirements
Believe it or not, Washington state auto insurance requirements are not only for the 5,000,000+ residents of the Evergreen state. These requirements apply to anyone driving in the state of Washington.
Washington minimum liability insurance limits
The minimum liability insurance limits required by Washington state law are as follows:
- $25,000 for bodily injury expenses, per person
- $50,000 for combined bodily injury expenses, per accident involving multiple persons
- $10,000 for damage to another person’s property, per accident
Bodily injury and property damage expenses
Liability insurance pays the bodily injury and property damage expenses that result from a motor vehicle accident. The insurance company of the at-fault driver pays eligible expenses, up to the insured’s payment limits. Many consumers shopping for new auto insurance try to save money by choosing Washington state mandated limits. However, when accident-related expenses exceed minimum limits, the insured is responsible for paying out of pocket for the amount left unpaid after the insurance company settles the claims. With medical and repair costs on the rise, it’s suggested that drivers should evaluate the benefits of choosing higher-than-minimum limits.
Non-mandated insurance
Another non-mandated insurance worth evaluating is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. This coverage is designed to protect drivers and their passengers in accidents in which the at-fault driver is either uninsured or whose insurance is insufficient to cover all expenses incurred as a result of the accident. It also protects drivers and pedestrians involved in hit-and-run accidents.
Lenders often require that drivers carry Comprehensive/Collision
Comprehensive/Collision coverage is also worth considering. In fact, a lender may require that the driver carry this type of coverage as a requirement of loan approval. Although different, comprehensive and collision are usually offered as a bundle. Collision pays the insured’s vehicle repair expenses when the vehicle is involved in a collision or roll-over. Comprehensive pays the insured’s vehicle repair expenses when the vehicle is damaged by theft, weather, animals and other reasons beyond the driver’s control.
Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance requirements can contact the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner at http://insurance.wa.gov or can get answers by calling 800-562-6900.