Making the most of auto insurance in Washington requires that you choose the right auto insurance company. You will need to ensure that your auto insurance is able to handle your claims efficiently, fairly and quickly. You may want to check a database of national claims for any complaints on a company. Another strategy is to check with your state's insurance department for the number of consumer complaints on a company compared to the number of policies it sold.

You should also feel comfortable with your method of purchasing car insurance in WA. You can buy insurance from a local agent, directly from the company or online. Auto insurance consists of the following types of coverage:

1. Liability coverage for personal injury and property damage; Washington vehicle insurance should provide the minimum coverage that the state requires;
2. Property coverage; this pays for damages and theft of your vehicle;
3. Medical coverage that pays for treating injuries and rehabilitation; this may also cover funeral expenses and lost wages.

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Find out more about WA auto insurance

Each state has its own laws regarding auto insurance. These laws cover such issues as the minimum liability coverage, acceptable proof of financial responsibility and the procedure for obtaining license plates in Washington.

I recommend: WashingtoniInsurancequotes.net provides a summary of the auto insurance requirements for Washington. InstantCarInsurance.com offers the specific auto insurance requirements for Washington and also offers other information on auto insurance.

Get Washington auto insurance quotes

There are many websites that provide insurance quotes online based on specific information about your vehicle. These websites may also provide other information on car insurance.

I recommend: Washington Auto Insurance offers quotes on auto insurance in Washington by zip code and information on minimum insurance requirements. Auto Insurance in Washington uses a clickable map of Washington to find auto insurance quotes by county.

Find more information on auto insurance from Washington auto insurance companies

Car insurance companies in Washington frequently may be more familiar with local insurance regulations than national competitors. They may also offer articles on car insurance in Washington.

I recommend: American Family Insurance offers auto insurance in Washington and also has insurance-related resources. Pemco Insurance specializes in providing auto insurance in the Northwest and also hosts articles and tips on car insurance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get price quotes from at least three different Washington auto insurance companies. You may also be able to get a comparison of prices charged by major providers of auto insurance. WA premiums will also be partially based on your vehicle's sticker price, repair costs, safety record and likelihood of theft.
• •  Join a state assigned risk pool if you have difficulty finding car insurance in Washington. Each insurer in a state assigned risk pool must accept the drivers that are assigned to it and keep the profit or pay the loss associated with that customer.

Washington requires all who drive on their roads and highways, including those from out of state, to carry auto insurance. The state's Mandatory Auto Insurance Law dictates minimum levels of liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage. Those with a fleet of at least 26 vehicles can legally self insure in lieu of carrying Washington car insurance.

Those who choose to self insure must carry a bond or certificate of deposit to cover minimum liability requirements. Although not having to pay Washington vehicle insurance premiums sounds appealing, the potential financial risks often outweigh the benefits, particularly for employers for whom transportation is a vital business component.

Although Washington car insurance rates are typically above the national average, purchasing insurance allows employers to:

1. Cover accident related expenses
2. Receive discounts on other business insurance
3. Opt to cover rented, leased or financed vehicles

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Carry car insurance in WA that meets minimum requirements

Complying with state liability coverage requirements not only saves you hundreds of dollars in potential fines, but also ensures the safety and well-being of employees and valued community members.

I recommend: Buy a policy that meets state requirements, in accordance with the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. The Mandatory Auto Insurance law requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 coverage for bodily injury to another, $50,000 coverage for injury to all others, and $10,000 coverage for damage to another's property.

Relax if you have bad credit history

Washington state auto insurance companies cannot use many negative credit factors to determine coverage.

I recommend: Before purchasing auto insurance in Washington, get a copy of your credit report. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are entitled to one free credit report per year. Visit Annual Credit Report.com to receive reports from the three major credit reporting agencies. The Washington Credit Scoring Law prohibits companies from determining Washington auto insurance rates or refusing coverage based on some credit information, like medical bills in collection or available line of credit.

Cover your assets with additional coverage

If you only carry the minimum amount of car liability insurance in Washington, one significant at-fault accident can prove financially devastating for you and your employees. Cover your bases and your rear with additional car insurance in Washington.

I recommend: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance in Washington covers a set amount of lost wages, medical and funeral expenses for the insured individual, members of his household and any other involved pedestrians or passengers. Uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is another option that makes sense for employers with large fleets. UM/UIM provides coverage for coverage for those in an accident with an at-fault, uninsured driver.

Get multiple quotes before purchasing car insurance in Washington

Receiving a quote for auto insurance in Washington is often as easy as a few clicks of the mouse or a quick phone call to an agent.

I recommend: Some Washington insurance companies offer fee quotes. Simply enter your ZIP code at the Allstate to quickly receive your Washington car insurance rate. With the same information, Progressive Commercial provides a regional list of agents who sell car insurance in WA. Cheap premiums are great, but also consider other factors like the type of vehicle and driver coverage and policy options available before choosing between Washington auto insurance companies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check the Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner's guide to Washington auto insurance complaints. The state compares the number of consumer complaints against insurance companies in individual markets.
• •  Adding PIP to auto insurance in WA woes not cover all types of vehicles, such as farm equipment and recreational vehicles.

If you plan to work with car insurance in Washington, you will first need some training in order to be a successful insurance professional. You might be great at offering car insurance in WA, but in order to offer excellent customer service, you will need to educate yourself about policies and insurance rules specific to your state. Auto insurance in Washington education and training not only benefits your career, but also your customers.

When it comes to auto insurance, WA has similar rules and regulations to other states. However, you need to be aware of any differences or changes that occur, however minute. Stay informed by taking the following course of action:

1. Attend training seminars that offer tips about Washington auto insurance.
2. Take continuing education insurance courses periodically to stay up to date.
   
3. Read literature related to car insurance often.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find seminars that educate about Washington car insurance

Whether you find a seminar to attend in person, or just listen to a webinar online, training workshops can be very informative. Seminars will help you stay up to date on WA auto insurance rules and regulations, and learn everything you can about your profession.

I recommend: Attend seminars, such as Lessons Learned From Key Bad Faith Court Rulings, offered in Seattle by TrainUp.com. Insurance professionals can also register for seminars like Automobile Litigation: Strategic Issues and Answers offered in Washington through FindaSeminar.com.

Stay informed with continuing education classes that teach about Washington state auto insurance

Washington requires all insurance agents to take 24 hours of continuing education classes before they can obtain or renew their license, and three of those hours must focus on ethics. Even after you receive your license, it is a good idea to continually take classes related to different aspects of the business.

I recommend: Order self-study materials for the Foundations of Insurance Production class, which is required for the Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI) certification, at ABTrainingCenter.com. ProSchools offers several property and casualty courses for Washington car insurance professionals seeking or renewing licensure.

Read publications regarding Washington vehicle insurance

If there are few seminars near you or you don't currently have time for classes, read about your profession in your spare time. Whether you want to pick up a book, manual or even audio book about car insurance, Washington has plenty of resources for you to choose from.

I recommend: Whether you are preparing for your licensing exam or just want a refresher, read the Washington Property and Casualty License Exam Manual, available from Kaplan Financial. American Agent & Broker is a monthly publication that provides tips for both new and advanced agents when it comes to the insurance business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many employees and owners of Washington auto insurance companies keep themselves updated by subscribing to at least one publication about car insurance. Obtaining new tips monthly is a great way to stay in the know about your profession.