Fact CheckedNerdy takeaways
Kemper has the cheapest car insurance in Washington, with an average rate of $90 per month and $1,079 per year for full coverage.
In Washington, full coverage car insurance costs an average of $194 per month or $2,333 per year for someone with a good driving record.
We can show you what car insurance may cost you in Washington based on your coverage, age, driving history and location, but you’ll need to compare quotes for your exact price.
The cheapest car insurance in Washington, at a glance
These are median rates from NerdWallet's September 2026 analysis, but your rate will vary based on your personal information, location and insurance provider. Not all companies offer policies in every state.
NerdWallet’s editors analyzed rates for 20 auto insurers in Washington to find which company has the cheapest car insurance for different driving profiles.
Although Liberty Mutual is one of the largest insurers in the country, it’s not included in our analysis because it doesn’t make its rates data public.
For more detailed information about how we found the cheapest car insurance companies in Washington, please check our full methodology at the bottom of this page.
Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Thorough rating guidelines for evaluating auto insurance companies.
More than 120 million rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 130 insurance companies analyzed in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
You can trust the prices we show because our data analysts eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data. We look at rates from every ZIP code in a state where coverage is offered and data is available. And we change only one variable at a time when comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds. That means you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Cheapest car insurance in Washington for full coverage
Kemper has the cheapest car insurance in Washington for full coverage, with an average rate of $90 per month or $1,079 per year.
What full coverage is: After a crash you could rely on full coverage to help pay for the damage to your car (even if you’re the at-fault driver), as well as any injuries and property damage that you caused. Your full coverage would cover thefts and most other types of damage to your car.
Who needs it: Washington doesn’t require full coverage, but you probably need it if you drive a lease or you’re paying off an auto loan for your vehicle. You can always drop full coverage to lower your insurance costs if you drive a car you own outright, but we don’t recommend it unless you could afford to repair or replace your vehicle on your own.
| Company | NerdWallet rating | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Kemper | 3.0/5 | $90 |
| CIG | 3.3/5 | $122 |
| GEICO | 5.0/5 | $129 |
| National General | 3.4/5 | $154 |
| Progressive | 4.8/5 | $161 |
Rates refreshed September 2026.
Cheapest car insurance in Washington for minimum coverage
CIG has the cheapest car insurance in Washington for minimum coverage, with an average rate of $26 per month or $314 per year.
What minimum coverage is: Washington requires drivers to have two kinds of liability insurance. Unlike full coverage, a basic policy wouldn’t provide any coverage for your vehicle after a crash you're responsible for, though it would help you pay for the injuries and property damage that you cause to others.
Who needs it: All drivers need to be ready to show proof that they have auto insurance. Since Washington requires less coverage than many states, it’s a good idea to carry more coverage if you can afford it. It costs only a small amount to increase your coverage compared to the protection a stronger policy offers.
| Company | NerdWallet rating | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| CIG | 3.3/5 | $26 |
| GEICO | 5.0/5 | $33 |
| State Farm | 4.8/5 | $35 |
| Grange Insurance Association | 3.6/5 | $41 |
| Chubb | 4.0/5 | $41 |
The minimum auto liability limits in Washington are:
$25,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$50,000 bodily injury liability per crash.
$10,000 property damage liability per crash .
Bodily injury liability insurance helps to pay for the medical expenses of the people you injure in a crash. The other part of your liability insurance, your property damage liability, covers the cost to repair or replace other people’s damaged cars and property.
While this will be enough to drive legally, it’s usually wise to select more than the bare minimum because a serious crash could easily leave you owing more than $10,000 for property damage. You might also want common optional coverages such as collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist protection — the last of which covers you after an accident with an uninsured driver.
More Nerdy Perspective
If you look up the minimum amount of car insurance that Washington requires, you might see some alternatives and wonder if they’re worth it. Washington allows a certificate of deposit or liability bond to stand in for auto insurance if you don’t want to buy a policy. These alternatives involve having cash or securities of $60,000, far beyond the cost of a standard auto insurance policy. For most drivers, auto insurance is the most affordable and easiest option for coverage.
If you look up the minimum amount of car insurance that Washington requires, you might see some alternatives and wonder if they’re worth it. Washington allows a certificate of deposit or liability bond to stand in for auto insurance if you don’t want to buy a policy. These alternatives involve having cash or securities of $60,000, far beyond the cost of a standard auto insurance policy. For most drivers, auto insurance is the most affordable and easiest option for coverage.
Andrew HurstLead Writer & Licensed Insurance ProCheap car insurance in Seattle
Your ZIP code is one of the key factors in determining what you’ll pay for auto insurance. Here are the cheapest rates for car insurance in Seattle for a 35-year-old driver.
Cheapest auto insurance in Washington by age
Age is one of the most important factors in determining how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Below you'll find full and liability coverage rates from the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers across a range of ages. All rates are for drivers with clean driving records and good credit.
Prices can be sky-high in your 20s, but tend to come down as drivers get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them. Read more about car insurance for teens and young drivers.
Rates refreshed September 2026 .
Pemco is the cheapest car insurance company in Washington for 20-year-olds who join their parents’ existing policy. Pemco has an average rate of $153 a month or $1,837 a year for a full coverage policy that covers the new driver and two parents, according to NerdWallet’s May 2026 analysis.
You’re likely to pay more for car insurance once you add a newly licensed driver to your policy. This cost increase could be hard to avoid since insurers usually require a policy to include all drivers in the house. But your rates may become cheaper if the young driver gets good grades, lives at school away from home or has taken a safe driving course.
Company
Monthly rate
Monthly increase from two-adult policy
Pemco
$153
$21
$229
$101
$231
$88
$264
$102
$279
$99
*USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
For comparison, the average cost to insure only two adults in Washington is $280 per month, according to our analysis of full coverage rates for a 50-year-old male driver and 45-year-old female driver sharing one policy.
By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Kemper 3.0/5$93 CIG 3.3/5$132 GEICO 5.0/5$133 National General 3.4/5$159 Progressive 4.8/5$163 Rates refreshed September 2026.
While insurance rates vary by age and gender, drivers in their 40s can often expect to get cheap insurance rates from most companies. However, you may find even cheaper rates from smaller or regional insurers.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Kemper 3.0/5$88 CIG 3.3/5$122 GEICO 5.0/5$127 National General 3.4/5$150 Progressive 4.8/5$154 Rates refreshed September 2026.
Car insurance costs may start to rise for older drivers, so it’s wise to shop around for the cheapest rates. You can also check for senior discounts. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.
Rates refreshed September 2026.
Our analysis shows that older drivers with a good credit score and clean driving history enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates, but car insurance rates for senior drivers start to creep up once you reach your 70s.
Rates refreshed September 2026.
Cheapest car insurance in Washington by driving record
Having a driving violation on your record is likely to increase your car insurance premium. How much more you’ll pay depends on the type of violation, your car insurance carrier and other personal characteristics.
NerdWallet found the companies offering the lowest car insurance rates for 35-year-old Washington drivers with different driving records. If you have multiple violations on your record, consider looking into the best high-risk car insurance companies.
In most cases, a speeding ticket affects the cost of car insurance — but insurers calculate prices differently. If your rate went up after a recent ticket, you may still be able to get cheaper coverage by shopping around.
Rates refreshed September 2026.
An accident can affect your car insurance costs for up to three years, depending on your location and your insurer. But not all insurance companies use the same pricing model, so it can be hard to predict how much insurance will increase after an accident. You might find cheaper options if you shop around.
Rates refreshed September 2026.
A DUI on your driving record can significantly increase how much you pay for car insurance. Our analysis showed that a 35-year-old in Washington with a clean driving history could get full coverage insurance for $90 a month, while that same driver could pay $183 for the same coverage after a DUI. This makes it especially valuable to shop for cheap car insurance after a DUI.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate National General 3.4/5$183 Progressive 4.8/5$191 CIG 3.3/5$211 Chubb 4.0/5$219 State Farm 4.8/5$237 Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate CIG 3.3/5$48 Chubb 4.0/5$51 Progressive 4.8/5$52 State Farm 4.8/5$55 National General 3.4/5$59 Rates refreshed September 2026.
More Nerdy Perspective
Think carefully about whether to drop collision coverage when it’s no longer required. When my car loan was paid off, I got into an accident before I got around to reducing my coverage. The insurance payout was enough to replace my totaled vehicle with a newer-model used car. Opting for less coverage can lower your premium, but in Washington, where car insurance rates are typically below the national average, some drivers may prefer to keep full coverage.
Think carefully about whether to drop collision coverage when it’s no longer required. When my car loan was paid off, I got into an accident before I got around to reducing my coverage. The insurance payout was enough to replace my totaled vehicle with a newer-model used car. Opting for less coverage can lower your premium, but in Washington, where car insurance rates are typically below the national average, some drivers may prefer to keep full coverage.
Lisa Greenmanaging editor on Insurance
Think carefully about whether to drop collision coverage when it’s no longer required. When my car loan was paid off, I got into an accident before I got around to reducing my coverage. The insurance payout was enough to replace my totaled vehicle with a newer-model used car. Opting for less coverage can lower your premium, but in Washington, where car insurance rates are typically below the national average, some drivers may prefer to keep full coverage.
Cheapest car insurance in Washington by credit history
Your credit history can impact your auto insurance rates in Washington. Insurers use a credit-based insurance score, which is different from your regular credit score, to determine the likelihood you’ll file a claim.
NerdWallet found the companies offering the lowest car insurance rates for 35-year-old drivers with poor credit.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Kemper 3.0/5$90 CIG 3.3/5$122 GEICO 5.0/5$129 National General 3.4/5$154 Progressive 4.8/5$161 Rates refreshed September 2026.
Cheapest car insurance in Washington for military families
Full coverage
$105 /month
Min. coverage
$24 /month
USAA offers auto insurance to active military, veterans, certain federal employees and their families only.
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
More than expected
Available in: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, & WY.
If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or you have an immediate family member who is — chances are you'll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company whose policies aren’t available to the general public.
Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the others, but it was among the cheapest three auto insurance options for 68 of the 70 driver profiles we examined. Read our USAA auto insurance review for more details.
Insurance companies with a focus in the Pacific Northwest, like CIG or Pemco, may be a good place to start when looking for cheap car insurance in Washington. Regional or even local insurers can be more affordable than larger insurers, but the only way to know for sure is to compare car insurance quotes and see which is cheapest for you.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
A perk for Washington drivers
One benefit of being a Washington driver is access to roadside assistance through the Incident Response Program. This program combines resources from emergency responders, towing services, highway clean-up and other groups to deal with anything from flat tires to multi-vehicle accidents.
If you need assistance, dial 911 and the call responder will direct the proper team to help you.
Alternative car insurance in Washington
Drivers who are denied coverage on the voluntary market because of a spotty driving record or other factors can apply for a policy through the Washington Automobile Insurance Plan.
Or you could forgo auto insurance entirely by posting a certificate of deposit with the state for at least $60,000 to prove your financial responsibility under Washington law.
For more help finding great rates on your Washington auto coverage, try NerdWallet’s tool for car insurance comparisons.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.Washington State Department of Licensing. Mandatory Insurance. Accessed Sep 18, 2026.
Methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for 35-year-old men and women for all ZIP codes in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Unless otherwise stated, our analysis was based on our base driver profile, which has the following characteristics and coverage levels:
35 years old
Single. Male or female.
2023 Toyota Camry LE
12,000 annual miles driven.
Good driving record and credit
No moving violations.
"Good driving" discount applied.
Good credit-based insurance score.
Bodily injury liability coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Property damage liability coverage
$50,000 per crash.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Collision coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
For all other driver profiles, we used the same assumptions, with the following exceptions:
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for drivers with poor credit. These rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
For young drivers, we considered 20-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For millennial drivers, we considered 40-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For senior drivers, we considered 70-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider. Sample drivers had the minimum required coverage by law in each state. Some policies include additional coverage at the insurer’s discretion.
Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
Young drivers methodology
In May 2026 we found the cost of adding a newly licensed driver to an existing full coverage policy. Our base profile assumes two existing policyholders — a 50-year-old male driver and 45-year-old female driver — sharing one policy.
We showed the cost effect of adding a 20-year-old driver to this policy, to stay consistent with our 20-year-old young driver profile that is covered by a standalone policy. The 20-year-old shares a 2023 Toyota Camry with the family, and the new driver uses the vehicle 20% of the time.
