Sometimes getting the best car insurance means adding extra coverage in order to get more protection or guard against unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
Here are some other auto insurance types to consider.
Washington state only requires Liability insurance. Car liability insurance pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others. A good rule of thumb is to buy enough liability insurance to cover what can be taken from you in a lawsuit.
Uninsured Motorist coverage (UM) is mandatory in some states but optional in Washington. Uninsured motorist insurance pays for you and your passengers’ medical bills and other expenses if someone crashes into you and they don’t have enough (or any) liability insurance.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is also equired in some states but not in Washington. This coverage will cover injury claims for you and your passengers up to the limits you chose.
Collision and Comprehensive insurance is usually required by the bank if you have a car loan or lease. They are two separate coverage types often sold together. Collision and comprehensive insurance pay for your vehicle repair bills due to problems such as car accidents, car theft, fires, floods, severe weather, falling objects, vandalism and collisions with animals.
The best car insurance is the one that has the coverage you want at a price you can afford. Some drivers might want the most basic Washington car insurance, others might want more coverage, and still others might be looking for an auto insurance company they know they can trust. Let us help you customize your Washington car insurance.
Personalize your car insurance with the coverages you need.
We make it easy to customize your car insurance to fit your needs.
Required auto insurance coverages.
Liability Insurance pays for damages or injuries to other people and/or their property caused by an accident you're found at fault for.
Additional car insurance coverages.
Although Uninsured Motorist and Personal Injury Protection may not be required, they can provide you with an extra layer of protection. These coverages take care of damages to your car and/or injuries to you and your passengers.
We can help you pick what coverages you want.
We get it. Car insurance isn't the easiest thing to deal with. We're here to help answer any questions you may have.
An insurance policy is more than just car insurance. It's personalized help from agents who help keep you driving forward. Get a car insurance quote and begin saving on your insurance needs.
Coverage & PoliciesAsk us about all the different ways we can help protect your car.
DiscountsLearn how you can save on car insurance by asking for discounts.
ClaimsGet helpful information about filing an auto claim from your insurance agent.
Shopping around for car insurance can result in savings, but many car owners rarely get price quotes from other insurance companies.
The three reasons people shop around:
To accurately compare auto quotes across insurers, you'll want to select the same set of coverages, limits and deductibles for each quote.
Choose your coverage
Consider your state's requirements and any specific coverage types you might want, like collision or comprehensive.
Consider your limits
Think about your personal needs as well as state laws when choosing your coverage limits.
Select your deductible
Coverage can come with a deductible, or the amount you'll pay toward a claim.
So, do you really need car insurance? Only if you want to protect your assets and drive legally. Your other option is to get friendly with your local bus or uber driver.
Your insurance rates will be affected by both the seriousness of the traffic ticket you received and how many other tickets you have received in the last 3 years. How much depends upon the infraction’s seriousness and your insurer’s rating criteria in Washington. According to OffTheRecord.com, 2300 traffic tickets are issued in Washington state each day. If you are one of the unlucky, your car insurance rates will most likely go up. Every insurer uses different rating factors but, for example, a speeding ticket will probably raise your rates about 10% and a second one will raise it even more than the first. If the speeding tickets were for more than 15mph over the limit then they will increase your rates even more. And, if your company was giving you a discount for safe driving, you will also lose that discount and see a corresponding increase.
A Driving While Suspended ticket will probably raise your rates by at least 20% and a single accident could raise your rates 25% and cost you your accident-free discount, raising rates another 5-10%. So, the more severe the violation and the number of violations will end up driving your insurance rates higher. What to do if your rates go up because of a ticket? It is time to shop around. If you are insured with an independent agent like Mid-Columbia Insurance, we can do the shopping for you and move you to a different company if they are offering better rates. If you are not insured with us, why not? Call today and let us give you a quote! (509)783-5600
Anyone who regularly drives your vehicle should be added as a driver on your policy so there is no question of coverage should an accident happen. Anyone in your household or who has regular access to your car should also be added since almost every policy requires you disclose them and either add them as a driver or exclude them from coverage.