What is the minimum car insurance requirement in Washington?

Washington requires liability limits of at least 25/50/10. $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 total per accident for injuries, and $10,000 for property damage.

Is Washington an at-fault or no-fault state?

Washington is an at-fault state for car insurance claims.

Field report · WA

Car insurance in Washington

Washington is an at-fault state with a minimum liability requirement of 25/50/10. Here's what that means, what it costs, and what to check before you buy.

Minimum coverage25/50/101

Fault systemAt-fault1

Uninsured motoristMust be offered1

RegulatorWashington State Department of Licensing (DOL) - Washington has no agency literally named 'DMV'

What the minimums actually mean

$25,000 per injured person, $50,000 total per accident for injuries, and $10,000 for property damage.

Insurers must offer UM/UIM, and it is included by default unless the driver rejects it in writing - effectively required unless waived. PIP is also offered but not mandatory.

Estimated cost

$589 a year for minimum coverage, $1,919 for full coverage2

Average annual premiums in Washington for a 40-year-old with a clean record and good credit, driving a 2023 Toyota Camry. Full coverage here means 100/300/50 liability plus collision and comprehensive.

Why this is an average, not a quote

Rates depend heavily on your driving record, exact ZIP code, vehicle, and the insurer's own pricing model — two neighbors can legally pay very different amounts for the same coverage. Use our cost calculator for a figure based on your own details, or get matched with carriers directly.

SR-22 & high-risk filings

Typically required after a DUI, failure to pay a judgment, or an at-fault accident while uninsured, generally maintained about 3 years.

Local conditions worth knowing

The I-5 corridor through Seattle-Tacoma is repeatedly identified by state crash-data studies as Washington's most congested and highest fatal/serious-injury-crash concentration.

Frequently asked

What is the minimum car insurance requirement in Washington?: Washington requires liability limits of at least 25/50/10. $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 total per accident for injuries, and $10,000 for property damage.
Is Washington an at-fault or no-fault state?: Washington is an at-fault state for car insurance claims.
Do I need an SR-22 in Washington?: Typically required after a DUI, failure to pay a judgment, or an at-fault accident while uninsured, generally maintained about 3 years.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Washington?: Insurers must offer UM/UIM, and it is included by default unless the driver rejects it in writing - effectively required unless waived. PIP is also offered but not mandatory.

Sources

MoneyGeek, Minimum car insurance requirements by state, October 1, 2026.
Bankrate, using Quadrant Information Services rates (November 2025), Average cost of car insurance, updated June 5, 2026.

Figures checked against these sources on October 2, 2026.

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