Washington State Auto Insurance

The Washington auto insurance industry is a state mandated institution regulated by the Office of Insurance Commission.  If you are found in violation of driving without proof of auto insurance, they could be fined $450.  Washington follows a tort system that, in essence, requires someone to be found at fault in the event of an accident. The responsible party’s insurance company is then obligated to take responsibility for the claim. Here's what you need to know to ensure that's you're covered, no matter who is at fault.

Washington State Car Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements

Washington State uses a 25/50/10 rule.  The twenty five represents $25,000 in liability per person.  The fifty thousand represents $50,000 per accident in the event of two or more injured parties.  The ten thousand represents $10,000 for property damage.  Although PIP or personal injury protection is not a requirement, it should be included in your policy in the event you, the driver are injured.  Comprehensive coverage should be included as well.

Declaration Page And Coverage Details

Your Washington insurance policy should have a declaration page which lists the details of your coverage.  Your policy should be detailed to your driving needs.  If you need to keep your payments low for instance, maybe you should request a higher deductible.  If you have collector’s car or antique car that is driven less than 5,000 per year, you need special coverage.

If you have a lien on your Washington auto, your lien holder may require full coverage to include comprehensive coverage.  Comprehensive coverage protects against the expense of vandalism, theft, and certain acts of nature.  Some people may opt to obtain gap coverage which covers the difference between the value of the vehicle after an accident and the balance on the loan.

As a part of detailing one’s coverage, discounts may also be available to you.  AAA members and military personnel are usually entitled to a discount.  Certain auto features such as security systems and airbags entitles the policy holder to discounts as well.  All possibilities should be discussed with your insurance agent.

How Your WA Car Insurance Rates Are Determined

Insurance rates in Washington State are comparable to the rest of the nation. The availability of Internet quotes impacted the decline in rates. In 2003 an average rate for one auto in Washington was approximately $900 per year. Today an inquirer can expect to pay somewhere around $815.

A base rate is established by the state and the insurance carrier establishes the final rate based on several factors.  Some of those factors include:

• Age
• Driving record
• Marital Status
• Credit history
• Claims history
• Make and model of auto

If an insurance carrier wants to increase the base rate, they must submit justification to the commission for approval. Some factors are well within your control while others are not. The driving records of other household members and the area where you live may not be things you can change.

However, you may be eligible for discounts that work in your favor. If all discount possibilities are not explored, you could end up paying too much for your Washington auto insurance policy.  Ask about age based discounts, good student discounts, and safety discounts among others.

Using Your Personal Car For Business

Many home based businesses are cropping up all over America.  Washington State is no exception.  This is called livery in the insurance industry.  Some examples of businesses that require the use of the owner’s personal vehicle are, home health care, florists, real estate, insurance, outside sales, and many others.  If the usage of your personal auto for business is limited, you may not need additional coverage; however, if you do, you may need business coverage.  If you use more than two personal vehicles for business, you could be considered to have a fleet.  It is best to have further discussion with your Washington insurance agent to find out what best suits your individual needs.  Otherwise you could just do an online search for Washington State business auto insurance by using the quote tool at the top of the page.

Find Cheap Washington State Car Insurance Quotes Online

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