Auto Insurance Minimums for Washington

Driving without auto insurance in the state of Washington is a serious problem. Sixteen percent of the 705,000 drivers in the state drive without coverage. Don’t let that be you. In the Evergreen state all drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance in the amount of $25,000 in Bodily Injury coverage per person and $10,000 in Property Damage coverage per accident.

In the event that you decide not to get an auto insurance quote or have proof of coverage, you may risk more than you might think. The initial cost of insurance is just a small price to pay for ensuring your safety and the safety of others while on the road. If you are caught without coverage you may be cited for a traffic violation that is a minimum fee of $450.

So why wait on that auto insurance quote? Your safety is just a click away, with simple and affordable coverage from some of the best auto insurance companies out there. Compare with ease online, and don’t let fees get the better of you later on down the road.

Washington DUI Law

If you drive under the influence in Washington, you will face severe consequences. DUI in Washington includes intoxication from alcohol, marijuana, drugs like cocaine, inhalants and even certain prescription medications. Those who are convicted of a DUI may spend up to a year in jail, have their license suspended for as many as 36 months and pay fines up to $5,000. They must also install an interlock device on their vehicle(s) at their own expense.

Washington follows the implied consent law, which means that just by driving, you consent to submit to a chemical test if a police officer suspects that you are under the influence. To refuse this test would result in losing your license for one year.

The BAC limit, or blood alcohol content level limit, in Washington is 0.08%. If you are caught with a BAC of 0.15% or higher, you may face extra charges or sentencing.  For drivers under 21, the limit is 0.02%.

Washington Teen Driving Laws/Auto Insurance Requirements

A large percentage of accident related deaths in Washington involve teenagers—two thirds, in fact. As with many other states, Washington has adopted the graduated driver licensing (GDL) program and has put more restrictions on teen drivers in order to curb these disturbing statistics.

Teenagers in Washington need to pass two different stages before obtaining an unrestricted driver’s license. The first step they must take is to obtain a learner’s permit. To earn this permit, a teen must be at least 15 years old, be enrolled in a driver education class, take a vision and hearing test, take a skills test, be a resident of Washington and provide proof of identity, including a social security number.

Teens must be in possession of a driver’s permit for at least six months before applying for an intermediate license. During this time they must keep a clean driving record. They will then apply for the intermediate license, which is the second step toward obtaining a license. To obtain an intermediate license, teens must be at least 16 and under 18. Once all of the requirements of the intermediate license have been met, and a driver’s test has been passed, teens may apply for a regular unrestricted license.

Washington state teens must carry the minimum amount of insurance, just as adults. However, because teenagers are more likely to get into an accident than adults, it is recommended that teens carry more insurance than the minimum requirement.