Washington Auto Insurance Requirements

The state of Washington has very specific regulations when it comes to the auto insurance amounts they require drivers in their state to acquire to drive legally on public property and roadways. If you are caught not carrying this type of insurance the penalties could be much more costly than a monthly insurance premium.

The minimum amount of liability insurance required by the state is $25,000 for single injury, $50,000 for multiple injuries, and at least $10,000 in coverage for property damage. All drivers must carry proof of this insurance coverage with them at all times during vehicle operation. Types of proof that may be sufficient are the company issued insurance card, a copy of your actual policy, the coverage statement page from your policy or any other document with the information of the company that issued the policy, the policy number, issue date and expiration date of the policy and all vehicle information that is on the registration card.

Failing to provide such proof of insurance could result in fines and possibly suspension of your drivers license or your vehicle’s registration. These penalties and fees could add up to be much more costly than a monthly insurance premium for a policy. Any law enforcement official can request this documentation at any traffic stop or at the scene of an accident.

The minimum amounts of insurance that are required by the state of Washington are not necessarily the recommended amount of coverage to keep on your vehicle. Experts in the area of insurance recommend that you be insured for no less than $1 million to ensure you will be covered in the event of a serious accident. It is also highly recommended, though not required in the state of Washington, that you obtain uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to better protect yourself and your family.