Washington Auto Insurance Guide

Washington is one of the few states in the union that takes financial responsibility for driving an automobile to a generous level. Rather than requiring that you purchase a standard insurance policy at set minimums as most states do, Washington state actually allows its drivers to provide for their financial liability in an accident in other various methods as well. This freedom affords drivers in Washington with several options for staying legal on the roads.

Washington Insurance Regulations

In addition to being generous with the types of responsibility available to drivers in Washington, the state is also somewhat lenient in penalizing those who do not drive with insurance or another method of responsibility in place. There is a $450 fine levied against drivers who are stopped and cannot provide proof of financial responsibility. Unlike other states, Washington does not immediately seek to suspend the driver's license or revoke vehicle registration or threaten to impound a vehicle for the first offense.

Mandatory Minimum Coverage in Washington

Washington state law allows you to show financial responsibility for driving in one of four ways. You can either:

• Get a certificate of deposit for $60,000 or more with the State treasurer's office or in a bank account with a bank located in the state of Washington.
• Insure yourself (only if you are a car dealer and you have at least 26 vehicles).
• Obtain a liability bond of a minimum $60,000 with a surety company that is authorized by the state.

• $25,000 - in liability insurance to cover the bodily injury of one person you are involved in an accident with.
• $50,000 - in liability insurance to cover the bodily injury (or deaths) of multiple persons you are involved in an accident with.
• $10,000 - in liability insurance to cover any property damage caused by an accident you are involved in.

These amounts are the minimum required coverage by state law, not the recommended amounts. Be sure to speak with your insurance agent to determine if greater coverage amounts would be best for you.

Motorcycle Coverage Requirements

In Washington, insurance is not required for motorcycle riders at all. It is not recommended that you ride without insurance, however, for while motorcycles are generally capable of doing significantly less damage than autos, they can still cause some damage or injury that you would be personally liable for if you had no insurance policy.

Washington State Auto Insurance Advice

While auto insurance requirements in Washington are not extreme, it would not be wise to take advantage of that fact to either drive without insurance or to drive with too little (or just the minimum). Insurance regulations in the state help to keep the price of auto insurance policies reasonable.