Question 1

What is the minimum car insurance required in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Washington requires liability insurance of at least 25/50/10: $25,000 for injuries or death to another person, $50,000 for injuries or death to all other people, and $10,000 for damage to another person's property. Alternatives are a certificate of deposit with the Department of Licensing, a liability bond of at least $60,000 from an authorized surety, or self-insurance for owners of 26 or more vehicles. The requirement also applies to motorcycles.

Question 2

Is Washington a no-fault car insurance state?

Accepted Answer

Washington uses the at-fault (tort) system: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, paid through liability insurance. The Alabama Department of Insurance's national table of state auto insurance laws lists Washington among the "Tort States." Personal injury protection (PIP) is not mandatory in Washington, but insurers must offer it with every new or renewed auto liability policy; a named insured may reject it in writing, and the rejection carries over to renewals unless coverage is later requested in writing.

Question 3

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Must be included unless rejected in writing. New and renewed auto liability policies must include underinsured motorist coverage (including hit-and-run and phantom vehicles) for bodily injury, death and property damage. A named insured or spouse may reject it in writing; once rejected, it is not added to renewals unless requested in writing. Choosing property damage UIM limits lower than the liability limits does not require a written rejection.

Question 4

Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Drivers must show proof of insurance when a law enforcement officer asks; failing to display it creates a presumption of no insurance. Proof can be shown on a portable electronic device, and the officer may view only the proof. Insurers issue a proof-of-insurance card at the start or renewal of a policy. A cited driver who shows the court that coverage was in effect at the time gets the citation dismissed (court may charge $25 administrative costs).

Question 5

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Driving without required insurance, or failing to provide proof, is a traffic infraction, with the penalty set by Washington Supreme Court rule (RCW 46.63.110) or community restitution.

Question 6

How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Washington?

Accepted Answer

For private passenger auto policies, cancellation by the insurer requires at least 20 days' written notice with the reason (10 days for nonpayment of premium or during the first 30 days of coverage). After a policy has been in effect 60 days, the insurer may cancel only for nonpayment or suspension, revocation or cancellation of the license of the named insured or a regular driver. For nonrenewal, the insurer must send written notice with the actual reason at least 60 days before expiration (with listed exceptions, such as nonpayment).

Question 7

Can car insurance companies use your credit score in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Insurers may not cancel or nonrenew personal insurance based in whole or in part on credit history or insurance score, may use credit to deny coverage only together with other substantive factors, and may not deny coverage for lack of credit history or based on the number of credit inquiries. If credit leads to adverse action, the insurer must give written notice of the significant factors. The Insurance Commissioner notes that there is currently no ban on using credit information to set premiums.

Question 8

When is a car a total loss in Washington?

Accepted Answer

A total loss is when a car isn't repairable or repairs cost more than it's worth. The insurer owes actual cash value plus taxes, license fees and transfer fees, valued under state total loss rules (replacement with a comparable local car or the cash value of comparable cars). Insurers must report total-loss vehicles to the Department of Licensing within 15 days after settling the claim; owners must report a destroyed vehicle within 15 days. For vehicles six years or older, the report must state whether the pre-loss value was at least the market value threshold ($6,790 or higher as set by rule).

Question 9

How do you transfer a car title in Washington?

Accepted Answer

A buyer (or gift recipient) must transfer ownership within 15 days; late transfers cost $50 on day 16 plus $2 per day after (up to $125). The seller gives the current title signed by all owners; the buyer completes a Vehicle Title Application (signed in front of a licensing agent or notary) and an odometer disclosure if applicable, at a vehicle licensing office. Driving an unplated car before registration requires a $36, 3-day trip permit.

Question 10

How long do you have to register your car after moving to Washington?

Accepted Answer

New residents have 30 days after moving to get a Washington driver license and register their vehicles; the driver license must be obtained first. Bring the current title (and odometer reading) to a vehicle licensing office.

Question 11

How do you file a complaint against a car insurance company in Washington?

Accepted Answer

File a complaint online with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, or call 800-562-6900 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday).

Minimum coverage required	Washington requires liability insurance of at least 25/50/10: $25,000 for injuries or death to another person, $50,000 for injuries or death to all other people, and $10,000 for damage to another person's property. Alternatives are a certificate of deposit with the Department of Licensing, a liability bond of at least $60,000 from an authorized surety, or self-insurance for owners of 26 or more vehicles. The requirement also applies to motorcycles. Statute: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.29.090 Source: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 46.30.020, 46.29.090; Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Washington state's mandatory auto/motorcycle insurance law
At-fault or no-fault	Washington uses the at-fault (tort) system: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, paid through liability insurance. The Alabama Department of Insurance's national table of state auto insurance laws lists Washington among the "Tort States." Personal injury protection (PIP) is not mandatory in Washington, but insurers must offer it with every new or renewed auto liability policy; a named insured may reject it in writing, and the rejection carries over to renewals unless coverage is later requested in writing. National table: https://aldoi.gov/consumers/StateAutoLaws.aspx Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 48.22.085; Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Auto insurance
Uninsured motorist coverage	Must be included unless rejected in writing. New and renewed auto liability policies must include underinsured motorist coverage (including hit-and-run and phantom vehicles) for bodily injury, death and property damage. A named insured or spouse may reject it in writing; once rejected, it is not added to renewals unless requested in writing. Choosing property damage UIM limits lower than the liability limits does not require a written rejection. Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 48.22.030
Proof of insurance	Drivers must show proof of insurance when a law enforcement officer asks; failing to display it creates a presumption of no insurance. Proof can be shown on a portable electronic device, and the officer may view only the proof. Insurers issue a proof-of-insurance card at the start or renewal of a policy. A cited driver who shows the court that coverage was in effect at the time gets the citation dismissed (court may charge $25 administrative costs). Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 46.30.020; Office of the Insurance Commissioner, mandatory insurance law

Cancellation and nonrenewal	For private passenger auto policies, cancellation by the insurer requires at least 20 days' written notice with the reason (10 days for nonpayment of premium or during the first 30 days of coverage). After a policy has been in effect 60 days, the insurer may cancel only for nonpayment or suspension, revocation or cancellation of the license of the named insured or a regular driver. For nonrenewal, the insurer must send written notice with the actual reason at least 60 days before expiration (with listed exceptions, such as nonpayment). Nonrenewal rule: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=48.18.2901 Source: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 48.18.291, 48.18.2901
What insurers can use to set rates	Insurers may not cancel or nonrenew personal insurance based in whole or in part on credit history or insurance score, may use credit to deny coverage only together with other substantive factors, and may not deny coverage for lack of credit history or based on the number of credit inquiries. If credit leads to adverse action, the insurer must give written notice of the significant factors. The Insurance Commissioner notes that there is currently no ban on using credit information to set premiums. OIC page: https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/auto-insurance/credit-and-insurance/credit-scores-and-insurance Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 48.18.545; Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Credit scores and insurance
Total loss rules	A total loss is when a car isn't repairable or repairs cost more than it's worth. The insurer owes actual cash value plus taxes, license fees and transfer fees, valued under state total loss rules (replacement with a comparable local car or the cash value of comparable cars). Insurers must report total-loss vehicles to the Department of Licensing within 15 days after settling the claim; owners must report a destroyed vehicle within 15 days. For vehicles six years or older, the report must state whether the pre-loss value was at least the market value threshold ($6,790 or higher as set by rule). Reporting duties: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.12.600 Source: Office of the Insurance Commissioner, What happens after your car gets totaled; Rev. Code Wash. § 46.12.600
Complaints about an insurer	File a complaint online with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, or call 800-562-6900 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday). Source: Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner, File a complaint or check your complaint status

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