Inexpensive Washington Car Insurance
When seeking out inexpensive car insurance it is first good to know what is the minimum coverage required by law. In the state of Washington the minimum auto insurance coverage is:
- $25,000 for injury to another person
- $10,000 for damage to another person’s property
- $50,000 for injury to all other persons.
There are four vehicle categories which are exempt from carrying the mandated auto insurance in the state of Washington.They are:
- Collector vehicles - built before 1978
- Antique vehicles - built before 1968
- All government vehicles - mopeds, scooters, motorcycles and Washington Utilities vehicles.
The second consideration is to decide if you prefer purchasing your auto insurance on the internet or through a local agent or broker? Comparative shopping for both is recommended because one method is not necessarily more expensive than the other for the exact same coverage and services purchased. Do extensive comparative shopping of both agent quotes and internet quotes selecting the top three from both arenas.
Next verify if they are a legitimate and reputable licensed agent, broker or insurance company and they are offering you a legitimate state licensed products by contacting the state of Washington’s Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Hotline 1-800-562-6900.
In order to find inexpensive auto insurance you have to be sure they are being given quotes for the same coverage. You can’t get the correct information comparing apples to oranges. So be clear to double check what they are including and excluding in the policy they are offering to you for the rate discussed.
Please remember Washington is the only state in the union which frowns upon using your credit history as a factor when considering your premium rate. It is allowed but legislation has been passed restricting the weight it is allowed to carry in determining your premium rate. So make sure the company is complying with state law and profiling you in a fair an equitable manner. It could mean less expensive auto insurance to you.
You know what the minimum is now let’s discuss different discounts they will consider offering to you. The top seven are: age, driving record, model of your car, live close to your work, good student, features on your car: airbags, anti lock brakes, and if you are 55 or over and have graduated from the “55Alive Program” offered by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission for an additional discount. (For more information call them at: 360-753-4175 or go to their website www.wt.sc.wa.gov) The law mandates you be given a discount.
Now let’s take a look at the policy itself. Once you’ve asked for the identical components in your policy ask the agent or broker to go through the policy with a fine tooth comb to see if there is any duplication of coverage; if so to please eliminate it thus providing you with a new quote. This equals less expensive auto insurance. Common areas to ask your agent or broker to review are the uninsured motorist property damage, collision and medical.
The work multiple can be used for two separate categories when it comes to finding inexpensive auto insurance. The first is a discount for insuring more than one vehicle with the same company and the second is purchasing more than one type of insurance from the same company. This can be auto and home insurance or auto, boat, life and health insurance. There are dozens of combinations. So if you’re interested in reducing less expensive insurance then this may be one of the supporting factors to this desired goal.
By being thorough in your research now you save later. Remember to access your Washington car insurance needs against your existing policies every year and this way you are able to take advantage of any new variables you may now qualify for such as turning 55, paying off your car loan or buying a 1961 Corvair.