Washington Auto Insurance

"Being insured is the law in Washington"

Consumers have questions and so did we...

• What are the types of insurance coverage and what are the amounts required for the state of Washington.

• What does the law say pertaining to minimum insurance coverage in Washington?

Washington has strict mandatory policies about vehicle registration, insurance coverage minimums, and financial responsibilities pertaining to every vehicle owned, operated, or parked on its roadways. In Washington, you can obtain your learner’s permit at fifteen and your restricted license at sixteen, with a full license at eighteen.

To adhere to Washington's auto insurance rules, you must...

In Washington, you must maintain a current insurance policy with a registered insurance company or broker carrying the minimum insurance requirements or greater. There are many different types of insurance, at competitive rates, so shop around for the best price. Be aware that once insured, if you miss a payment on your policy, your insurance could be cancelled, without notice.

1. Washington requires each driver to carry third party liability insurance, also called PLPD, accidental benefits coverage, and uninsured and unidentified driver’s coverage, which insures you, in case you injure someone, cause a death, or damage someone’s property in a motor vehicle accident.

In Washington, you must have third party liability insurance for bodily injury with each person allowed $25,000.00, up to maximum of $50,000.00, as well as an additional $10,000.00 for property damages. If there are more than two people injured, whoever files first gets the settlement.

2. In Washington, you must carry your driver’s license and proof of insurance, which has not expired, in your motor vehicle. If you driver’s license has been suspended, or your insurance has expired, your vehicle could be towed to the compound by the police. You driver’s license can also be suspended if you owe back child support.

Important facts about auto coverage in Washington:

• Your driver’s license can be suspended, if you are caught driving without adequate insurance, with too many fines, or driving while under the influence of alcohol or refusing to take a blood-alcohol test, and leaving the scene of an accident or failing to file an accident report. Seat belts are mandatory in Washington.
• You are required to change your driver’s license, if you move, within seven days.
• Your insurance agent has access to your driving record to check for fines, suspensions, and accidents that can cause your policy to increase or be cancelled.
• If you are in an accident, and do not have the minimum insurance, you are financially responsible for all injury and damage settlements awarded by the courts.

Comprehensive or collision insurance does NOT meet minimum requirements.

Used Cars in Washington

Auto Insurance FAQ

Question: Can a Washington State Court check to see if I have valid Auto Insurance?
some sort of database they check?

Answer: yes, and if they take your license, the other 49 states will have that fact also, so you can not just cross to another state for a new one

Question: What is the penalty for giving invalid auto insurance information at the scene of an accident?
In the state of Washington what happens when invalid auto insurance is given at the scene of a minor traffic accident?

Answer: The other party if they do not obtain current insurance information from you has the right to take you to civil court, and will most likely be awarded a much higher amount of money then they would have if you had just given them up-to-date insurance information.

Question: In Washington State, are you required to buy auto insurance for each vehicle, or for each driver (or both)?

Answer: You buy insurance on each vehicle, choose what coverage you want (i.e. liability only, liability & comprehensive, liability, comprehensive & collision), then you list all the drivers in the household that do not have policies of their own. The company may still ask you for the information on all the drivers in the household, even if they have their own coverage (they want to be sure there isn't someone with a really bad driving record that has access to your vehicle), but will not rate them on the policy. I hoe this helps you.

Question: do i have to disclose a 3 year old accident to insurance?
I'm shopping for new auto insurance and it appears that many insurance companies want me to disclose violations and accidents up to five years old. I was told that here in the state of Washington that insurance agencies are only allowed to request two years of driving history. So do i have to disclose an accident that I was involved in three years ago? I did some research and discovered that Washington driving records for INSURANCE purposes can only go as far as 3 years back. My accident was a little over 3 years ago, so am i legally required to disclose that accident

Answer: Best to contact an insurance broker and ask since requirements vary. However, if 5 years history is required, you must disclose all accidents/claims/convictions within that period. Failure to disclose relevant information will void your policy - even after you have payed for it. A criminal offence would also be comitted.

Question: auto accident other insurance company wants me to sign a release?
I have this question in to my insurance company also, but it always takes longer to get a response. I was in an accident in May in Washington state. There was no police report filed because the accident happened out of cell phone coverage areas. The other driver is fighting the at fault even though he hit me on my passenger side while trying to pass me over a double yellow line while i was turning. The case is beyond the insurance now and fault is being decided. I had about $1000 worth of damage to my car, but my husband and I both have had to go to chiropractic care since. I recently stopped though since I don't want to deal with an attorney. The other insurance company has been trying to get me to sign release papers and get updates on my medical information. I told them today I am not telling them anything, they can talk to my insurance. Are they being shady? Or do they have the right to push for my information? Isn't that why I pay my insurance? sorry I said passenger side, I meant drivers side. A couple things to add. My insurance company has given the other parties insurance a total for the expenses charged for medical. My PIP has paid for my medical charges. The form they are asking me to sign has to do with releasing my medical records to their offices. I don't feel the need to give them anything at the moment until fault is finalized. My insurance has access to the information and they will fight for the expenses from my PIP that they have paid. I would assume if my insurance company wanted to send them an itemized list of my medical costs they would have. They sent them the totals only. That is why I feel they are trying to get around my insurance company. Ok When fault is decided I will release the HIPPA to the other insurance company. Or if my insurance says to sign I will. As they have accepted NO RESPONSIBILITY for their client, I see no reason to release the information. AS it is they are trying to screw me by saying that their client is only 10% at fault after he tried to pass me illegally. I don't trust a word they say right now. Sorry to those who are insurance adjusters, but it is really interesting to see how shady some insurance companies are.

Answer: If you want the other company to pay you then you HAVE to release medical records. No release -- no check. If you want your insurance company to handle the claim just say so. Then you do not have to deal with the other company directly.

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