The Cheapest Auto Insurance in Seattle in 2024

If you’re looking for auto insurance in Seattle, average rates for liability-only and full-coverage policies are $114 and $241 per month, respectively. State Farm offers the cheapest average premiums in the city, at just $103 per month. That said, prospective insurance companies in Seattle will consider your driving record, age, gender, and other factors when offering you a car insurance quote.

Here’s what to know about car insurance in Seattle, which auto insurance companies offer the best rates, and how to get cheaper coverage.

Key Takeaways:

• State Farm offers the lowest average auto insurance rates for Seattle drivers, at $103 per month.
• Washington sets the minimum requirements for car insurance in Seattle, and your policy will need to include bodily injury and property damage liability insurance.
• Car insurance costs in Seattle are typically higher than in the rest of Washington.

In This Article:

• Average Price for Car Insurance in Seattle
• Cheapest Seattle Car Insurance Companies
• Best Seattle Car Insurance Companies of 2024
• Seattle Rate Breakdowns by Driver and Coverage Type
• Washington Auto Insurance Requirements
• Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Is Car Insurance in Seattle?

Our research found that liability insurance costs around $114 per month for Seattle drivers, while full coverage costs $241 per month, on average. But remember that these are simply averages, and your actual insurance rates could be higher or lower based on your unique driving profile.

The following section highlights the companies offering the cheapest car insurance rates in Seattle, on average.

Seattle’s Cheapest Car Insurance Companies

Even though the average car insurance rate in Seattle is $177 per month, you can still take certain steps to get the lowest premiums possible. Comparing quotes from different car insurance companies is a good first step.

Here are the cheapest insurance companies offering affordable coverage for Seattle drivers, according to Compare.com data.

State Farm offers the cheapest rates, on average, with Seattle drivers paying around $103 per month. But different insurers may offer better or cheaper policies for certain types of drivers.

To start, let’s take a closer look at a few of the best insurers in Seattle.

Top 3 Best Seattle Insurance Companies of 2024

There’s no single best auto insurance company for everyone. Instead, the right company and auto policy for you will depend on your unique needs, demographics, and past driving history. The following companies were chosen based on a combination of average rates in Seattle, available discounts, customer ratings and reviews, and available coverage options.

Here’s a look at which insurers could work best for different types of drivers. Again, your premiums may vary.

Best for drivers with spotty records: State Farm

• Average premium: $87 for drivers with a speeding ticket, $91 for drivers with an at-fault accident, $110 for drivers with a DUI
• Compare.com rating: 4.9 out of 5

Pros:

• Relatively cheap rates
• Below-average number of NAIC complaints
• Highly rated on J.D. Power’s 2023 Auto Insurance Study

Cons:

• Below-average customer ratings
• Not the cheapest option for teen drivers
• Relatively expensive full-coverage policies

State Farm is our top pick for Seattle drivers with spotty records. It offers the lowest premiums, on average, if you have a speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or DUI in your driving history.

Besides offering affordable coverage, State Farm also provides an impressive array of discounts. You can take advantage of safe driving discounts, vehicle safety feature discounts, bundling, and age-based discounts. And if you don’t drive often, State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save telematics program could also help lower your rates.

Best for teen drivers: USAA

• Average premium: $114 per month
• Compare.com rating: 4.9 out of 5

Pros:

• Affordable coverage for teens
• Highly rated on J.D. Power’s 2023 Auto Insurance Study
• Plenty of available discounts

Cons:

• Only available to military families
• Below-average customer ratings
• Higher-than-average number of complaints with NAIC

Offering an impressively low average rate of $114 per month for young drivers, USAA is our top pick for Seattle teens seeking car insurance. Teen drivers often pay high rates because of their inexperience behind the wheel, but it’s possible to find an affordable policy with USAA.

Despite its great rates for teens, USAA is only available to people affiliated with the U.S. military. If this doesn’t describe your family, you might not qualify for auto insurance coverage with this company. But if it does, USAA could be a great fit.

Best for maximum coverage: Direct Auto

• Average premium: $120 per month
• Compare.com rating: 3.8 out of 5

Pros:

• Cheap rates for full coverage
• Plenty of available discounts
• Available SR-22 coverage

Cons:

• Below-average customer ratings
• Unranked by J.D. Power
• Higher-than-average number of complaints

Full-coverage insurance can help protect your car to the fullest extent possible, whether you’re parked downtown to grab a bite at one of Seattle’s top restaurants or commuting on Interstate 5. Direct Auto offers the most affordable full-coverage insurance policies for Seattle residents on average. It also provides SR-22 coverage for high-risk drivers if you have a spotty driving history.

Direct Auto offers several car insurance discounts, too. If you qualify, you might be eligible for military, good student, safe driver, senior citizen, multi-car, homeowner, and other discounts.

Cheapest Company for Liability Insurance: State Farm

Liability-only coverage meets the minimum requirements in Washington state, and it’s more affordable than full-coverage insurance because it offers less protection. If you opt for liability-only, you’ll get bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, which protect you financially if you hurt someone else in an accident or damage their property.

Here are some of the best car insurance rates for liability coverage in Seattle, according to Compare.com data.

Drivers with an auto policy from State Farm pay the lowest average rates for liability insurance, at just $68 per month. As mentioned, you can expect to pay a higher rate for more coverage.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at which insurers offer Seattle residents some of the best full-coverage rates.

Cheapest Company for Full-Coverage Insurance: Direct Auto

While liability insurance provides minimal protection, full-coverage car insurance gives you maximum protection. It usually includes liability insurance, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage.

Comprehensive protects your car from damage that’s outside of your control, like fallen tree limbs or severe weather, while collision pays for damages to your car after an accident. Full coverage could also include uninsured motorist coverage, medical payments (MedPay), or personal injury protection (PIP), depending on the state and insurance company.

Seattle drivers pay $241 per month on average for full-coverage insurance, but some insurance companies offer lower prices. Here are some insurers offering the best rates for full-coverage policies in Seattle, according to our data.

Direct Auto offers the cheapest full-coverage policies in Seattle, with the average driver paying $120 per month.

Compare Seattle Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Your driving record has a major influence on your insurance rates, not only in Seattle but also everywhere else. If you have past incidents like speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or driving under the influence (DUI) charges, your insurance company will probably view you as a high-risk driver. That means you’ll likely pay more for car insurance.

Here’s a look at how different incidents can affect your insurance rates, according to Compare.com data.

As you can see, average rates are cheaper with a clean record. Here’s a further breakdown of different incidents and how they affect your insurance costs.

Cheapest car insurance in Seattle after a ticket: State Farm

If you get a speeding ticket, your auto insurance rates will likely go up. National insurance costs increase by 27% with one ticket on your record, based on our recent data. So if you were paying $100 for car insurance each month, your new premiums could be around $127, for example. That’s an increase of more than $300 per year.

We found that State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for Seattle drivers with speeding tickets, with an average monthly cost of $87.

Cheapest car insurance in Seattle after an accident: State Farm

Your car insurance rates will also increase after an at-fault accident, as your insurance company could flag you as a higher risk to cover. Our data indicates that insurance rates go up around 34% on average after an accident.

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for Seattle drivers with an at-fault accident, with an average monthly rate of $91.

Cheapest car insurance in Seattle after a DUI: State Farm

You’ll also pay more for car insurance coverage with a DUI on your record — around 50% more, based on our data. So drivers paying $100 per month with a clean record would see their insurance rates increase to $150 per month. That’s an annual increase of $600.

If you have a DUI on your record, State Farm has the most affordable rates, on average, at around $110 per month.

Washington Auto Insurance Requirements

Washington state requires all drivers to have car insurance. You’ll need to maintain a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance to be roadworthy. Here are the state’s required coverages:

• Bodily injury liability (BI): $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability (PD): $10,000

Remember that these are just minimum requirements. You’ll likely want more auto insurance coverage, especially if you drive often or have a newer vehicle. Getting into a car accident with minimum coverage could be financially devastating if your vehicle (or others) ends up with significant damage.

Compare Seattle Auto Insurance Rates by Age

Your age plays a significant role in your car insurance costs. Young drivers tend to pay the most for coverage, and rates decrease significantly once you reach age 25. Data from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that teens are four times likelier to get into an accident than other drivers. Because of this, their insurance rates are higher.

Here’s how age can affect your premiums in Seattle, according to Compare.com data.

And here’s some deeper insight into how insurance costs change by age in Seattle specifically, as well as which companies offer the cheapest rates for different age groups.

Cheapest car insurance for Seattle teens: USAA

As mentioned, insurance companies view teens as a higher risk to cover based on accident statistics. These new drivers don’t have experience on the road, which is likely one of the reasons they’re statistically more likely to have an accident.

Still, it’s possible to find relatively affordable car insurance policies for teens. USAA offers the cheapest rates on average for teen drivers in Seattle, at around $114 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for Seattle seniors: State Farm

As you approach retirement age, your insurance rates start to decrease even further. This holds true whether you live in Seattle or another city. The IIHS found that older drivers tend to drive fewer miles and avoid night driving when possible. Fewer miles driven can equate to a lower risk of accidents, which leads to cheaper premiums.

State Farm’s average rates for Seattle drivers in their 60s and 70s are the lowest of all age groups, at just $49 and $47 per month, respectively.

How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Seattle

Insurance costs are relatively affordable for most Seattle drivers, though actual rates vary based on your unique situation. If you’re looking for lower-cost coverage, here are some tips that can increase your savings.

• Maintain a clean driving record: Following the rules of the road is the easiest way to get cheaper car insurance coverage — in Seattle or elsewhere. Obey posted speed limits, don’t drive while intoxicated, and be mindful of other drivers behind the wheel.
• Research discounts: Auto insurance discounts are common, but discount options vary by insurer. Research potential discounts to help reduce your rates.
• Opt for a safe vehicle: Many car insurance companies offer safe vehicle discounts if you drive a car with certain features, such as alarm systems, anti-lock brakes, airbags, or driver assist technology.
• Compare quotes: Comparing quotes from different auto insurance companies can offer valuable insight into rates and help you get the best car insurance policy for your money.

Seattle Auto Insurance FAQs

If you’re still wondering about how car insurance works in Seattle, here are some answers to common questions from drivers like you.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Seattle?

State Farm offers the cheapest average car insurance coverage in Seattle, according to our analysis. But the cost of your personal car insurance will depend on a variety of factors, including your driving history and age.

What’s the average cost of car insurance in Seattle?

The average cost of car insurance in Seattle is $177 per month, according to Compare.com data. The average Seattle driver pays $114 per month for liability insurance and $241 for full coverage.

Why is car insurance so expensive in Seattle?

Car insurance is more expensive in Seattle than in many other Washington cities. This is likely because Seattle has the largest population in this state. A large population could increase your likelihood of getting into an accident, which increases your insurance rates.

How much is car insurance per month in Washington?

On average, Washington drivers pay $145 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. Keep in mind this is just an average, and your premiums might be higher or lower depending on your driving record and other demographic factors.

How much car insurance is required in Seattle?

State law requires you to obtain minimum amounts of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. You’ll need $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage, and $10,000 in property damage coverage to legally drive in Washington.

Data Methodology:

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Sources:

1. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “NAIC Complaint Index,” accessed May 21, 2024.
2. J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” accessed May 21, 2024.
3. Washington State Department of Licensing, “Mandatory Insurance,” accessed May 21, 2024.
4. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Teenagers,” accessed May 21, 2024.
5. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Older Drivers,” accessed May 21, 2024.