Car insurance is mandatory in Washington State to legally operate on state roads and highways, though its type and amount depend entirely on your personal needs and budget. While minimum liability policies meet legal requirements, many drivers opt to purchase additional comprehensive and collision coverage in order to protect their cars, themselves and other drivers on the road – though their costs vary by company and policy type.
Washington car insurance policies typically include more than just basic liability protection; most include property damage liability coverage and uninsured motorist protection as well. Liability car insurance covers damages or injuries you cause in an accident up to predetermined limits, while optional coverages like collision and comprehensive offer repairs/replacement for your own vehicle damaged due to accidents or natural disasters; pricing will depend upon coverage limits, deductibles and the insurer you select.
WalletHub research indicates that you can save money by selecting an appropriate level of coverage and company with competitive rates, while shopping around and comparing quotes from different providers before making a decision. A number of factors can impact the cost of car insurance policies in Washington State; such as your driving record, age, gender, marital status status and credit score – below is a table detailing these average costs per factor.
When shopping for auto insurance, be sure to consider all available discounts from insurers. This could include good-driver discounts, anti-theft devices and low annual mileage reduction. Furthermore, increasing deductibles may lower rates by up to 20 percent.
Some of Washington’s leading car insurance providers provide tailored packages for specific groups of drivers, such as college students and seniors. Teen drivers may receive reduced premiums if they remain under their parents’ policies while those with poor driving records might face higher premiums; here is a table displaying average increases in costs due to DUI, reckless driving or speeding tickets in Washington.
No matter your driving history, it is advisable to compare quotes from multiple insurance providers before purchasing car insurance in Washington. Price variations between carriers could be significant – particularly if you are considered high-risk driver.
After comparing prices, it’s also advisable to assess customer satisfaction ratings of each insurer. Washington publishes information on complaints submitted against each insurer so you can judge customer service quality. Furthermore, Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings also help identify which insurance providers have excellent or poor track records – an A+ rating on BBB means excellent customer satisfaction; an F rating indicates serious problems at that company.