Car Insurance Requirements for Washington State

Washington requires all licensed drivers and owners of registered vehicles to have car insurance to protect against property damage and injuries to others in an accident. Like other states, Washington sets a minimum coverage requirement that drivers must meet, with additional optional policies available. A car accident attorney in Kent represents Washington motorists who suffer injuries caused by another driver’s negligent or reckless actions by filing a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance.

What are Washington’s Minimum Requirements for Car Insurance Coverage?

Under Washington RCW 4.22.070, the state’s fault-based, pure comparative negligence system requires car accident victims to file claims against the responsible driver’s insurance. To drive legally in Washington requires at least the following minimum insurance:

• $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, per accident
• $50,000 in total bodily injury coverage per accident (in cases of multiple injury victims)
• $10,000 in property damage coverage per accident

Washington also requires all insurance providers to include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as part of a basic minimum insurance package; however, drivers may decline this additional beneficial coverage by signing a waiver.

If a driver doesn’t have the minimum auto insurance coverage, they may instead provide a liability bond or certificate of deposit for $60,000 to Washington’s Licensing Department. The state holds this amount for the driver and provides it in place of insurance if the driver causes an accident and is held liable for property damage or injuries caused to others. A Kent car accident lawyer can help you understand how these requirements affect your claim.

What Other Coverages Can a Washington Driver Choose?

While all Washington drivers must carry at least the minimum liability insurance or provide a liability bond for the minimum coverage, some drivers choose additional policies for more complete coverage. The following policies are optional, but highly beneficial for Washington drivers:

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance to cover the policyholder’s medical expenses and lost wages after a car accident, regardless of their percentage of fault
• Collision coverage for the policyholder’s property damage in a collision with another driver or obstacle, regardless of fault
• Comprehensive coverage for non-collision damage to a vehicle, such as vandalism, theft, or damage caused by falling trees or tree limbs
• Gap insurance, which covers the difference between the remainder owed on the car loan and the value of the car at the time it’s totaled
• Additional coverage for custom parts added to a vehicle, such as specialty rims, performance brake kits, low-profile tires, or turbochargers
• Rental car reimbursement insurance to pay for a rental vehicle while your car is in repairs after an accident, or while you are shopping for a new car after totaling your vehicle

Finally, some Washington drivers add roadside assistance coverage to provide on-the-spot service for roadside breakdowns, flat tires, or running out of gas. If you’re uncertain about which coverages apply to your accident claim, a car accident attorney can review your policy and explain your options.

How Can a Kent Car Accident Lawyer Help My Claim?

If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident, it’s crucial to have experienced representation on your side. Sometimes, insurance companies attempt to assign injury victims an undue percentage of responsibility for a car accident or shift liability to the injury victim to protect their profits at the injury victim’s expense.

A car accident attorney in Kent can protect you from these unfair tactics and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

An experienced car accident lawyer will investigate the circumstances of your accident, gather evidence to prove liability, negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf, and ensure you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Contact a Kent car accident attorney today at (206) 312-0954 to protect your best interests after a crash, or reach out to our wrongful death lawyers for financial accountability after a loved one’s car accident death.