Best car insurance in Washington for 2025

To find the best car insurance companies in Washington, we developed a proprietary Bankrate Score system that takes several metrics into account. Our insurance editorial team analyzed average car insurance premiums from Quadrant Information Services and reviewed coverage options, discounts, policy features, customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power and financial strength ratings from AM Best. We also looked at accessibility and ease of use for policy management through online and mobile resources.

Insurance companies are graded on a weighted scale of 5.0 points, with a score closer to 5.0 indicating strong performance across these categories. If you are shopping for the best auto insurance in Washington, our research might help you find a carrier that fits your needs.

Your circumstances play a primary role in determining the best insurer for you. You may, for example, be looking for low-mileage coverage or the best insurance discounts for teen drivers. Some drivers like the convenience of built out digital tools, while others prefer an in-person agency for top-notch customer service. 

If you have a car loan or lease, this is likely to impact your coverage as well, since your lender may require you to carry full coverage, which includes optional collision and comprehensive insurance. They may also want you to have gap insurance or other added endorsements on your policy.

It's not difficult to find online reviews and ratings, although these vary in quality. One highly-regarded source is J.D. Power. They have several rankings for auto insurance, including the U.S. Auto Insurance Study and U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. AM Best is another respected source of information, with its rankings geared toward determining an insurer's financial strength and stability. 

Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), plays a critical role in overseeing insurance regulations. The NAIC Complaint Index is an excellent tool to assess customer satisfaction, as it tracks the number of complaints received for each company relative to its size and the industry complaint rate. 

Large insurance companies, such as State Farm and Geico, are household names and usually have highly convenient online shopping options. But don't assume that small companies aren't worth considering. 

Smaller companies may offer more personalized service with coverage options tailored to the needs of drivers in your region. Small companies don't necessarily have higher rates, and they're more likely to have a presence in the community, supporting local charities and with agents who live in the regions they cover.

Because insurance rates are so personalized, the cheapest car insurance company for your neighbor may not be the cheapest for your own coverage. The best way to find cheap car insurance in Washington is to ask for quotes from a variety of carriers (and make sure you apply all relevant discounts). This is an easy process that takes little time, and will leave you with a range of possible rates. Comparing rates with coverage options and customer service can help you find affordable coverage without sacrificing on quality. 

Although there is no standard definition of full coverage, it generally refers to a policy that includes both the state-mandated liability coverage (along with any other state-required insurance), in addition to optional collision and comprehensive insurance. These two types of coverage help pay for damage to your own vehicle in an at-fault accident or other vehicle mishap — something that liability coverage doesn't do. Some carriers have higher limits or additional coverage types, like rental car reimbursement, included in a full coverage policy, so it's a good idea to look for a breakdown of the coverage types in each quote you get. 

To purchase car insurance in Washington, you will need personal information, including the driver's license number for every driver who will be listed on the policy. You'll also need vehicle details: the VIN and the car's make, model and year. Once you have determined the types and levels of coverage you are buying, you'll also need to give your insurer payment details, such as a credit card number.