Mandatory Auto Insurance Requirements in Washington State The state of Washington has mandated that anyone driving a vehicle in the state must do one of these: Take responsibility for others by carrying at least liability insurance limits on your car; Offer proof of auto insurance before you can even get onto the road. If you are caught without insurance and you are convicted of a moving violation you could face serious trouble. The repercussions of not having coverage could be deadly.
What is Liability? This is the minimum amount of coverage required by Washington drivers. It is expressed as the maximum amount of coverage that will be paid for in the case of an accident or collision. Washington has made it very clear that if a driver has no liability coverage, you can be arrested. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) tells drivers that if they have no liability coverage and you are caught, you face criminal charges for being uninsured in a car accident.
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What about Medical Expenses? Washington drivers also must carry the minimum coverage of $15,000 for personal injury and property damage. But if you were not carrying this amount of medical expenses coverage then you could be sued for the medical expenses you incur. If you are a minor then you can get approved for additional dental and hospital bills which you can claim under this coverage. No matter what type of coverage you are carrying on your car at the time of an accident, you must still carry the mandatory auto insurance requirements.
Why is the Premium So High? The rate of your premium depends on many factors including, your age, gender, driving experience, marital status and the type of vehicle you are insuring. The new rules implemented by the DMV will affect your premium differently depending on these factors. For instance, the rate of your premium will be higher for male teens than for females. Also, the rate of your premium will be higher for drivers who have been involved in more accidents than others.
How Will You Know If You Are Passing Your Mandatory Auto Insurance Requirements? As mentioned above, under new federal regulations, insurers will now assess your risk by calculating your driving record, age, marital status and your car make and model. Based on this information, your premium will be calculated and you will either be given the chance to raise or lower the amount of your mandatory auto insurance requirements. Many insurers are already making changes to their rates, so you do not have to worry if you are not meeting the required liability coverage limits.
What About the New Car Insurance Requirements? According to the DMV, some new stipulations have been added to the mandatory coverage rules for drivers. For instance, some carriers are now making it mandatory for drivers to have at least PIP insurance. This is a kind of medical protection that covers serious health risks, like heart attacks, cancer, diabetes and bodily injuries. It is required for all drivers, even the most experienced ones.