Fact CheckedNerdWallet’s editorial team collected data on 21 auto insurers in Washington state and scored them for a variety of factors, including customer experience, online features and discounts. We chose GEICO for the top spot, but plenty of other car insurance companies in Washington also earned high ratings.
Our February 2026 picks for the best car insurance companies in Washington are:
Category winner | NerdWallet star rating |
|---|---|
Best overall car insurance company: GEICO | |
Best budget pick: Travelers | |
Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm | |
Best for coverage add-ons: Progressive | |
Best for bundling: American Family |
For our list of the best car insurance companies in Washington, we only considered insurers that achieved a minimum NerdWallet star rating of 4.5. As we continue to evaluate more insurance providers and receive fresh market data, our list of best car insurance companies may change.
NerdWallet’s editorial team considers these factors when choosing the best auto insurance companies:
Financial strength. We use AM Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims.
Consumer experience. These ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). We also look at survey data from J.D. Power’s yearly national and regional studies.
Digital ease of use. This category looks at how easily consumers can interact with an insurer through its mobile app and website. This includes the quality of information offered online, mobile app scores based on Apple and Google Play store ratings, and whether a user can start and track a claim, or get a quote online.
Ways to save. We look at the kinds of discounts a company offers and the total number of discounts available.
You can read our full auto insurance methodology to learn more.
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 take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which includes rates from every locale in a state where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
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Best overall for car insurance: GEICO
Full coverage
$154 /month
Liability only
$43 /month
With nationwide availability and a raft of discounts, GEICO is a popular, and often affordable, choice for car insurance.
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
Fewer 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.
Why GEICO is the best: GEICO is the best car insurance company in Washington because of its financial stability, digital features and reputation for providing a quality customer experience. GEICO’s online quotes feature — where you can get coverage without speaking to an agent — and its straightforward coverage could be a fit for drivers looking for convenience and simplicity.
Notably, GEICO may have better rates than average in Washington for good drivers as well as drivers with a recent accident or driving violation on their records. GEICO also offers a wide range of discounts that could provide even more ways to save.
While GEICO may be fairly affordable in Washington, it’s always a good idea to compare car insurance rates to be sure.
Don’t pick GEICO if: You want a wide selection of optional types of car insurance. GEICO offers a few add-ons, including mechanical breakdown coverage, but other insurers may offer a greater variety.
How much is car insurance from GEICO in Washington? The average cost of car insurance from GEICO for someone with a clean driving record is $154 per month, or $1,845 per year in Washington. That’s compared to the statewide average, which is $2,320 per year.
» Read the full review: GEICO auto insurance review
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $1,845 $510 One speeding ticket, good credit $2,506 $615 One at-fault crash, good credit $2,764 $684 One DUI, good credit $3,389 $841 Clean driving record, poor credit $2,283 $602
Best for shopping on a budget: Travelers
Full coverage
$104 /month
Liability only
$38 /month
Travelers offers a broad range of coverage options and discounts to help you customize your car insurance policy.
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Available in: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, & WI.
Why Travelers is the best: We found that Travelers may have some of the lowest rates in Washington for good drivers and those with a past accident or speeding ticket on their records. Travelers also offers a great set of discounts that could help lower rates even more.
Drivers in Washington may personalize a basic Travelers policy with add-ons like gap insurance, new car replacement, rideshare insurance and one of two accident forgiveness plans. Many other insurers offer fewer optional types of coverage.
Don’t pick Travelers if: You think customer experience is an insurer’s most important quality. Travelers earns fewer complaints than expected for its size, but it scores below average on the J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and on the Northwest region of the Auto Insurance Study.
How much is car insurance from Travelers in Washington? The average cost of car insurance from Travelers for someone with a clean driving record is $104 per month, or $1,246 per year in Washington. That’s compared to the statewide average, which is $2,320 per year.
» Read the full review: Travelers auto insurance review
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $1,246 $461 One speeding ticket, good credit $1,852 $662 One at-fault crash, good credit $1,644 $633 One DUI, good credit $3,584 $1,229 Clean driving record, poor credit $2,039 $729
Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm
Full coverage
$172 /month
Liability only
$37 /month
State Farm is a popular insurer that provides personalized service to its customers.
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
Available in: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, & WY.
Why State Farm is the best: It's possible that State Farm may provide a smoother claims process than many other car insurance companies in Washington. State Farm scores better than average on the J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study, and it earned the top spot in the Northwest section of the Auto Insurance Study.
State Farm may also be a relatively cheap option in Washington. We found rates could be better than average for good drivers, as well as drivers with a single accident or driving violation on their records. And State Farm offers a great set of discounts.
Don’t pick State Farm if: You want to add lots of coverage to a policy. State Farm offers fewer optional types of car insurance than many of its competitors.
How much is car insurance from State Farm in Washington? The average cost of car insurance from State Farm for someone with a clean driving record is $172 per month, or $2,060 per year in Washington. That’s compared to the statewide average, which is $2,320 per year.
» Read the full review: State Farm auto insurance review
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $2,060 $449 One speeding ticket, good credit $2,398 $523 One at-fault crash, good credit $2,596 $590 One DUI, good credit $2,924 $697 Clean driving record, poor credit $4,121 $983
Best for coverage options: Progressive
Full coverage
$127 /month
Liability only
$42 /month
Progressive offers a variety of discounts and insurance products to cater to most people, though there’s room for improvement when it comes to customer satisfaction.
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
Fewer 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.
Why Progressive is the best: We rated Progressive highly in Washington because of its variety of add-ons. You could improve a basic policy with gap insurance, custom parts coverage and coverage for your car’s mechanical systems. If you have collision coverage, your policy will include insurance for some of your pet’s injuries.
Progressive is a particularly good pick in Washington because of its rates. It often costs good drivers less than average in the state, which means drivers could more easily afford to upgrade a basic policy.
Don’t pick Progressive if: A company’s service is the most important factor to you. Progressive receives fewer complaints than expected for its size, but it scores below average on the J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and on the regional Auto Insurance Study in the Northwest.
How much is car insurance from Progressive in Washington? The average cost of car insurance from Progressive for someone with a clean driving record is $127 per month, or $1,522 per year in Washington. That’s compared to the statewide average, which is $2,320 per year.
» Read the full review: Progressive auto insurance review
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $1,522 $503 One speeding ticket, good credit $1,809 $625 One at-fault crash, good credit $2,027 $754 One DUI, good credit $1,712 $569 Clean driving record, poor credit $2,502 $738
Best for bundling car insurance: American Family
Full coverage
$236 /month
Liability only
$77 /month
American Family offers a wide range of coverage, including rideshare and gap insurance, but doesn’t sell policies in all states.
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Available in: AZ, CO, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, NV, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, & WI.
Why American Family is the best: American Family is our top choice for drivers in Washington who want to bundle auto and home policies. That’s partly because of the savings that could be available to bundlers — American Family offers a bundling discount of up to 40% on the combined policies.
American Family is also notable for its coverage options, which may include gap coverage, original parts coverage and accidental death and dismemberment insurance for your auto policy, as well as hidden water damage and inland flood coverage for your home.
It’s also worth calling out American Family’s reputation for customer satisfaction. The insurer's auto and home policyholders submit fewer complaints than expected to state regulators compared to similar-sized companies.
Don’t pick American Family if: You want to find the insurer with the lowest rates in Washington. While American Family’s bundling discount is attractive, its car insurance may be more expensive than average in the Evergreen State.
How much is car insurance from American Family in Washington? The average cost of car insurance from American Family for someone with a clean driving record is $236 per month, or $2,826 per year in Washington. That’s compared to the statewide average, which is $2,320 per year.
» Read the full review: American Family auto insurance review
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $2,826 $919 One speeding ticket, good credit $3,813 $1,281 One at-fault crash, good credit $4,163 $1,472 One DUI, good credit $4,297 $1,476 Clean driving record, poor credit $3,970 $1,387
All of the top-rated insurance companies in Washington
The best car insurance company depends on a person’s insurance needs, personal details, driving history, vehicle and location. For this reason, it’s hard to recommend a single auto insurance company to every one of Washington’s drivers.
Instead, these are the top-rated companies we think may be good picks for certain drivers:
Category winner | NerdWallet star rating |
|---|---|
Best overall pick: GEICO | |
Best for budget shoppers: Travelers | |
Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm | |
Best for coverage add-ons: Progressive | |
Best for bundling: American Family | |
Best small-market insurer: Country Financial | |
Best usage-based insurer: Nationwide | |
Best for teachers: Liberty Mutual | |
Best for military families: USAA* | |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families. | |
Here is the full list of car insurance companies reviewed by NerdWallet. Not all insurers offer policies in every state, however.
What to know about car insurance in Washington
For the most part, car insurance works similarly in Washington as it does in most other states.
State law requires drivers to carry an insurance policy, or obtain a certificate of deposit or liability bond for $60,000. Washington requires these types of insurance:
Bodily injury liability insurance. After an accident that was your fault, bodily injury liability insurance would help pay for the injuries of the drivers and passengers of the other car.
Property damage liability insurance. This coverage would help pay for the damaged property of other people that your at-fault accident caused.
Most people likely need more car insurance than Washington requires. A basic policy wouldn’t cover damage to your own car if you’re at fault for an accident. If someone hits your car and doesn’t have insurance, you could be left covering the damage on your own. We recommend most drivers get:
Comprehensive and collision coverage. These types of insurance pay for most types of damage to your own vehicle, including theft. Unlike a basic policy, you receive coverage even if you’re at fault.
Uninsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance helps to pay for damage from an uninsured driver.
Underinsured motorist coverage. Similar to uninsured motorist coverage, this helps pay for damage done by drivers who don’t have enough insurance.
The average cost of car insurance in Washington is $2,320 a year, but it depends on how much coverage you have and your driving record. Other details like your age, where you live, your car and your insurance company can also affect your price.
If you’re interested in seeing what you might pay for car insurance in your area, you could estimate your insurance costs by using our calculator.
Estimate full coverage rates by ZIP codeEnter your ZIP code to find the average monthly car insurance rate for your area. Rates are for policies that include full coverage for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record.
Average monthly car insurance rate in your ZIP code:
$0If you’ve tried and failed to get car insurance because of your driving record, you may have to turn to the Washington Auto Insurance Plan (WAIP). The WAIP isn’t an insurance company; instead, it’s an association of the car insurance companies that operate in Washington. The state requires insurers in the plan to provide insurance to high-risk drivers who can’t find coverage on their own.
How to get the best car insurance in Washington
There are many more insurance companies in Washington than the ones mentioned here. If you want to do some more research on your own before you buy a policy, follow these steps to find your best car insurance.
Understand the coverage you need. Car insurance is already expensive. While NerdWallet recommends getting more insurance than what Washington requires, you don’t want to pay for coverage you don’t need.
Know the type of company that you’re looking for. Some insurers are best suited to drivers looking for cheap rates; others are better for drivers who want robust coverage options or consistently reliable service. Having a handle on what you prefer can help you decide on the right insurer.
Consider other factors. One particular detail can greatly influence which insurer is the best for you. Your list of top companies may change if you work from home and almost never drive, want to bundle policies or need coverage for a new driver in your family.
Shop around at least once a year. The cost of car insurance changes regularly. Before you buy a policy, shop around and compare rates from a few car insurance companies to be sure that yours is still the best choice for your budget.
Don’t shy away from smaller insurers. A small, regional insurance company in Washington may line up best with your coverage needs and budget. An agent or broker could help you find local insurance companies in your area.
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.J.D. Power. 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Accessed Feb 9, 2026.
- 2.J.D. Power. 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Accessed Feb 9, 2026.
- 3.Washington State Department of Licensing. Mandatory Insurance. Accessed Feb 9, 2026.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
Here’s how we evaluated each car insurance company and the weights we placed on each category:
Financial strength (30%).
Consumer complaints (30%).
Ease of use (20%).
Affordability (20%).
The best auto insurers excel at all of these categories. They provide the information people need to make a purchase without any surprises along the way. They offer insurance at a fair price and provide more than one way to buy and manage a policy. They're financially strong and able to keep their customers happy throughout the relationship.
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022-2024. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Average rates methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in any of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. 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.
In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.
Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.
$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.
Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect only the minimum coverage required by law in the state.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
We used a 2023 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
