Washington lowlands, where most Washington cities such as Tacoma are located, and the mountainous plains, make this beautiful terrain also one of the most treacherous for driving. It is absolutely necessary that residents have proper Washington auto insurance coverage. Even though Washington had the highest increase than the rest of the nation on average in 2007, Washington auto insurance still remained below the average in the country as it stood at $1860 by year-end. The national average was $1896 for that year.

Washington Auto Insurance Requirements

The State of Washington requires a minimum coverage of 25/50/10 for Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability for all of its motorists. This basic protection will offer some coverage for the insured should he/she be found to be at fault in an accident. The breakdown is as follows:

• Bodily Injury Liability – With minimum Washington auto insurance for Bodily Injury Liability, the maximum amount of $25,000 will be paid out for medical expenses required by one injured victim in the other car.
• A total amount of $50,000 will be paid out for more than one injured party in the other car.
• Property Damage Liability – A total amount of $10,000 will be paid out for damage to the other driver’s vehicle, as well as public property such guardrails. This coverage is necessary for each vehicle owned by the insured.

These minimum Washington auto insurance requirements would not cover most major accidents today. The State of Washington recommends that its insured take out greater than minimum Washington auto insurance liability coverage.

Washington recommends that its motorists take out Comprehensive and Collision coverage for repairs to their own vehicle should they be deemed to be at fault. Comprehensive and Collision coverage would also cover damages sustained by wildlife or natural causes such as a violent storm.

Washington State also recommends that it driver’s carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection in order to have funds available for repairing their vehicle should the driver deemed to be at fault not have sufficient liability coverage to do so, or the insured becomes a victim of a hit and run accident.