Washington requires at least $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 of property damage liability, often written as 25/50/10. Insurers also have to offer personal injury protection (PIP) and include underinsured motorist coverage, but you can turn either one down in writing.
You can meet the law without an insurance policy by posting a $60,000 certificate of deposit or bond, though most drivers simply buy insurance.
Key Takeaways
- Washington requires 25/50/10 liability coverage, or a $60,000 certificate of deposit or surety bond instead.
- PIP must be offered and underinsured motorist coverage for injuries is included at your liability limits, but a named insured can reject either one in writing.
- Failing to show proof of insurance is a traffic infraction with a $250 base penalty, and the DOL says the fine can reach $550 or more. The ticket is dismissed if you later prove you were insured.
- An uninsured crash can lead to a license suspension if you don’t pay the damages, and an SR-22 usually has to stay on file for three years.
Washington Minimum Car Insurance at a Glance
| Coverage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 per accident |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Must be offered. You can reject it in writing. |
| Underinsured motorist | Bodily injury coverage is included at your liability limits unless you reject all or part of it in writing |
| Collision and comprehensive | Not required by law, but usually required by lenders and lessors |
The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) lists these limits. It also accepts two alternatives to a policy: a certificate of deposit of at least $60,000, or a surety bond of at least $60,000. Owners of 26 or more vehicles may qualify for self-insurance. RateFrog’s guide to liability limits explains how the numbers work.
Personal Injury Protection in Washington
Washington isn’t a no-fault state, and PIP isn’t required. Under RCW 48.22.085, every new or renewed policy must offer it as an optional coverage. If a named insured rejects it in writing, the insurer doesn’t have to include it at renewal unless you ask for it in writing later.
If you keep PIP, RCW 48.22.095 sets the minimum benefits:
- $10,000 for medical and hospital expenses
- $2,000 for funeral expenses
- $10,000 of income continuation, up to $200 a week
- $5,000 for loss of services, up to $200 a week
RateFrog’s guide to PIP insurance explains how PIP works in other states.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Washington
Washington’s underinsured motorist coverage also protects you against uninsured and hit-and-run drivers. Under RCW 48.22.030, the injury part is included in the same amount as your liability coverage unless you reject all or part of it in writing. A few rules to know:
- A driver counts as underinsured when their liability limits are less than the damages you’re legally entitled to recover.
- You can reject the property damage part of the coverage in writing.
- The property damage part can have a deductible of up to $100, or up to $300 when a hit-and-run driver or a phantom vehicle caused the damage.
- If you reject the coverage, it stays off your renewals unless you ask for it in writing.
- A crash caused by a phantom vehicle, one that never touched you or your car, can count if you report it to law enforcement within 72 hours and the facts are backed by evidence other than your own testimony or that of anyone else with an underinsured motorist claim from the crash.
State rules require the rejection form to warn that you could be left without enough coverage if an underinsured driver hits you. RateFrog’s guide to uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage explains how these coverages work.
Proof of Insurance in Washington
Under RCW 46.30.020, you have to show proof of insurance when a police officer asks, and not having it creates a presumption that you’re uninsured. RCW 46.30.030 lets your insurance card be paper or electronic, including an image on your phone. If you show it on a device, the officer may view only the proof of insurance. RateFrog’s guide to getting proof of insurance fast can help if you need a card right away.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Washington
Failing to provide proof of insurance is a traffic infraction. The state’s court rules set a $250 base penalty, not counting the statutory assessments added on top, and the DOL says drivers without insurance “could receive a fine of $550 or more.” If you give the court written proof that you were insured when you were cited, in person or by mail before your court date, the ticket has to be dismissed, though the court can charge $25 in administrative costs.
A Crash Without Insurance
The bigger risk comes after a crash. If you’re uninsured in a crash that causes an injury, a death or enough property damage, the state can require you to post security for the damages. If you don’t, RCW 46.29.070 says your license can be suspended between 20 and 60 days after the notice is sent. The DOL puts it simply: your license “may be suspended if you fail to pay the resulting damages.” RateFrog’s guide to what happens when insurance lapses covers the broader risks of a gap in coverage.
SR-22 Filings in Washington
According to the DOL, you may need an SR-22 if you were convicted of, or forfeited bail for, certain offenses, failed to pay a judgment, or drove or owned a vehicle involved in an accident. The DOL says the requirement lasts “in most cases, 3 years from the date you’re eligible to reinstate your license,” and the policy has to be written for Washington by an approved insurer. RateFrog’s SR-22 guide explains how filings work.
If You Can’t Find Coverage
The Washington Automobile Insurance Plan covers eligible drivers who can’t get insurance in the regular market. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s auto insurance guide says that if your driving record keeps you from getting a policy, your agent or broker will contact the plan for you. The plan’s page on the AIPSO website lists its phone number as (800) 227-4659.
How Washington Insurers Set Rates
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner says your base rate is adjusted for factors such as your age, sex, marital status, driving pattern, claims history, location, credit history and the make, model and year of your car. Credit use has limits under RCW 48.18.545:
- An insurer can deny coverage based on credit history only in combination with other substantive underwriting factors.
- It can’t cancel or nonrenew your policy based on credit history, even in part.
- It can’t deny coverage because you have no credit history, as long as you gave the insurer accurate and complete information.
- If credit leads to an adverse action, the notice has to list the significant factors behind it.
You may have read that Washington banned credit scoring. The Insurance Commissioner tried in 2021 with an emergency rule, but a court ruled against it, so insurers can still use credit within the limits above. RateFrog’s guide to the factors that affect car insurance rates covers the rest.
If your insurer cancels for nonpayment, RCW 48.18.291 requires at least 10 days’ notice. Cancellations for most other reasons need 20 days. RateFrog’s guide to car insurance grace periods explains what usually happens when a payment is late.
Is Washington’s Minimum Coverage Enough?
A $10,000 property damage limit doesn’t go far if you damage a newer car, and injury claims can pass $25,000 per person. If a claim is more than your limits, you could owe the rest. Before you reject PIP or underinsured motorist coverage, think about how you’d pay your own medical bills after a crash. RateFrog’s guide to how much car insurance you need can help you choose, and you can compare car insurance quotes at several coverage levels.
Where to Get Help
The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s consumer advocacy line is 800-562-6900, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also file a complaint online through its complaint page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PIP Required in Washington?
No. Insurers must offer it, but a named insured can reject it in writing. Underinsured motorist coverage works the same way.
What Is the Fine for Driving Without Insurance in Washington?
The court rules set a $250 base penalty, not counting statutory assessments, and the DOL says you could receive a fine of $550 or more. The ticket is dismissed if you prove you were insured when you were cited.
Can I Show Proof of Insurance on My Phone in Washington?
Yes. Washington law accepts an electronic insurance card, and the officer may view only the proof of insurance on your device.
Can I Use a Bond Instead of Insurance in Washington?
Yes. The DOL accepts a certificate of deposit or surety bond of at least $60,000, and owners of 26 or more vehicles may qualify for self-insurance.
Sources
- Washington DOL: Mandatory Insurance
- RCW 46.30.020
- RCW 46.30.030
- RCW 46.29.070
- RCW 48.22.030
- RCW 48.22.085
- RCW 48.22.095
- RCW 48.18.291
- RCW 48.18.545
- Washington Courts: IRLJ 6.2 Monetary Penalty Schedule (PDF)
- Washington OIC: A Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance (PDF)
- Washington OIC: Court Ruling on Credit Scoring Rule
- AIPSO: Washington Automobile Insurance Plan
- Washington OIC: File a Complaint