Washington Car Insurance: Requirements for Car Insurance

Unlike Washington D.C. Washington state is not home to five million people crammed onto three major highways; however, auto insurance is no less important. For complete information regarding auto insurance in Washington consumers can contact the Office of the Insurance Commissioner at 800-562-6900 or by visiting their website at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/.

Washington requires that all of its drivers purchase at least a minimum liability policy for their vehicle. Liability will pay for the damages suffered by the other driver and their passengers in the event that the insured is responsible for an accident, and minimum levels of coverage are twenty five thousand dollars for medical expenses for a single occupant, fifty thousand dollars for the combined medical expenses of all of the occupants of the vehicle and ten thousand dollars for any property damage resulting from the accident, including repairs to the victim’s vehicle.

As medical expenses and repair costs can quickly rise above these limits, and the insured will be held liable for the excess, it is strongly recommended that when purchasing liability insurance the consumer choose a level that is greater than the minimum. In addition, it is strongly suggested that every driver purchase comprehensive coverage for their vehicle (if a vehicle has been purchased with an auto loan this will probably be required). WA Comprehensive coverage will pay for damages to the vehicle following an accident the insured was responsible for, and should the cost of repairing the damages exceed the Blue Book value of the vehicle the car will be totaled and the owner awarded the full cash value of the car.

With every state having a different policy on insurance requirements it is very important that all drivers purchase an WA uninsured motorist policy; this is not required by the state, however. Uninsured motorist coverage will pay for damages to body and vehicle of those persons unlucky enough to be involved in an accident with a driver who does not possess liability; it also helps those who are the unfortunate victims of a hit and run.