What auto insurance covers in Washington
Every Washington auto policy is a bundle of separate coverages. Some are required, some are optional but strongly recommended, and understanding each one is how you buy smart rather than simply buying cheap.
- Bodily injury liability. pays others' medical bills and legal costs when you're at fault — the core coverage in an at-fault state, and the one to carry well above the minimum
- Property damage liability. pays for damage you cause to other vehicles and property
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist. covers you when the at-fault driver has no or too little insurance — offered in Washington and only waived in writing
- PIP (personal injury protection). optional in Washington; it pays your own medical costs regardless of fault, and carriers must offer it unless you decline it in writing
- Collision and comprehensive. repair or replace your own vehicle after a crash (collision) or after theft, fire, hail, or an animal strike (comprehensive)
Washington's minimum requirements
Washington is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver responsible for a crash is financially liable for the resulting injuries and damage. The legal minimums are low relative to what a serious accident actually costs, which is why we rarely recommend stopping there.
| Requirement | Washington |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 |
| System type | At-fault (tort) |
| PIP | Optional — must be offered, declined in writing |
| Uninsured motorist | Offered; can be declined in writing |
Because Washington is at-fault, a single injury crash can generate claims far beyond $25,000. We generally recommend bodily-injury limits of at least $100,000/$300,000 with matching uninsured-motorist coverage, and pairing higher limits with an umbrella policy if you own a home or have savings to protect.
What affects your Washington rate
Washington sits closer to the national average on auto premiums than many states. Notably, Washington restricts the use of credit-based insurance scoring more than most states, so your driving record, location, vehicle, mileage, and chosen coverages carry more of the weight. Each carrier weighs these differently, which is exactly why comparing several companies so often uncovers a better price for the same coverage.
How to lower your premium in Washington
- Bundle home, renters, or condo with auto for a multi-policy discount
- Raise collision and comprehensive deductibles if you can absorb the smaller losses
- Ask about safe-driver and low-mileage (telematics) programs
- Keep continuous coverage — even a short lapse raises rates for years
- Re-shop at renewal, which an independent agent does for you automatically
Why buy Washington auto insurance through Maru
Buy direct from one carrier and you only ever see that company's price. Maru re-shops your policy across our carrier network at renewal, applies every discount you qualify for, and gives you a licensed local advisor instead of a call-center queue — at no added cost, because our compensation is already built into standard rates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Washington a no-fault or at-fault state?
What are Washington's minimum car insurance requirements?
Does Washington use my credit score to set my rate?
Do I need uninsured motorist coverage in Washington?
Licensed independent insurance agent · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by a licensed Maru advisor. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (WA License WAOIC #1365574, FL License #G363233) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.
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