Washington Auto Insurance Requirements: 25/50/10 and the UM Coverage You Have to Reject in Writing

Quick Answer: Is Auto Insurance Required in Washington?

Yes. Under RCW 46.30.020, no one may drive a vehicle that is subject to registration in Washington unless they are insured under a liability policy with at least the limits in RCW 46.29.090, or hold one of the approved alternatives. Washington is a tort (at-fault) state: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the damage.

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Washington Minimum Coverage at a Glance

This is commonly written as 25/50/10—the minimum liability limits in Washington State (RCW 46.29.090). See how that compares with minimum auto insurance in other states.

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What Each Coverage Type Means

Bodily Injury Liability ($25,000/$50,000)

$25,000 per person is the most your insurance pays for any one person's injuries after a crash you cause — their medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

$50,000 per accident is the total cap for everyone injured in that crash, combined.

Example: You cause a collision injuring four people, with medical bills totalling $80,000. Your insurance pays at most $50,000, and the injured people can pursue you personally for the remaining $30,000.

Property Damage Liability ($10,000)

Covers damage you cause to other vehicles, buildings, fences, guardrails or other property. $10,000 is low against the cost of repairing, let alone replacing, a late-model car, so a single moderate crash can exceed it.

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Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Washington does not require you to buy uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, but it makes it the default. Under RCW 48.22.030, a liability policy on a vehicle registered or principally garaged in Washington must include UIM coverage — at the same limits as your liability coverage — unless you reject it in writing. You can also reject part of it and choose lower limits.

That matters here: the Insurance Research Council estimated that 19.1% of Washington drivers were uninsured in 2023, the 10th-highest rate in the country and above the national estimate of about 15%.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

PIP is also optional, and also offered by default — Washington is one of the states where PIP is offered rather than required. RCW 48.22.085 requires insurers to offer PIP on every auto policy unless you reject it in writing. The minimum PIP package insurers must offer (RCW 48.22.095) is:

• $10,000 of medical and hospital benefits
• $2,000 of funeral expenses
• $10,000 of income continuation, up to $200 a week
• $5,000 of loss-of-services benefits, up to $200 a week

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Who Must Carry Insurance in Washington?

The requirement attaches to driving, not to owning: anyone who operates a vehicle that is subject to registration in Washington must be covered. In practice that means:

• Anyone driving their own car, a borrowed car or a company car must be covered by a policy (theirs or the vehicle owner's)
• Leased and financed vehicles — lenders will also require comprehensive and collision
• Teen drivers, usually added to a family policy

Not covered by the mandatory-insurance law: mopeds, motor-driven cycles, wheeled all-terrain vehicles, horseless carriages over 40 years old, publicly owned vehicles, and common or contract carriers registered with the Utilities and Transportation Commission. Motorcycles are not exempt.

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Alternatives to Standard Insurance

Instead of a liability policy, the Department of Licensing accepts:

1. Certificate of deposit — at least $60,000
2. Liability bond — at least $60,000, from an authorized surety company
3. Self-insurance certificate — for owners of 26 or more vehicles

For most drivers, a standard liability policy is the practical option.

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Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Washington

What Washington does not do: there is no electronic insurance verification system, and DOL does not suspend a vehicle registration because your insurance lapsed. A 2023 Senate bill report states that "there is no current authority for DOL to verify insurance coverage." Bills to create a verification system have been introduced — SB 5326 in 2023–24 and SB 5864 in 2026 — and neither has passed. Enforcement happens at traffic stops and after collisions.

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Proof of Insurance

Your insurer issues an insurance ID card, and you must show it if an officer asks — the same basic proof of insurance rule most states use. Under RCW 46.30.030 the card may be paper or electronic — an image displayed on a phone counts.

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Why Minimums Aren't Enough

The 25/50/10 floor pays other people up to those limits and nothing more. A serious injury, several injured people, or a crash involving a newer vehicle can exceed it quickly, and the at-fault driver is personally responsible for the rest.

Commonly suggested levels: many insurance professionals suggest at least 100/300/100, especially in high-traffic areas such as Seattle, Tacoma or Spokane, and keeping UIM at the same limits.

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How to Get Compliant

1. Compare quotes from multiple insurers
2. Buy at least 25/50/10 liability
3. Decide on UIM and PIP deliberately — both are included unless you reject them in writing
4. Keep your insurance ID card in the vehicle or on your phone
5. Don't let coverage lapse while you are driving
6. Update your policy when buying or selling vehicles

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FAQ

What happens if I'm caught driving without insurance in Washington?

It is a traffic infraction, and DOL says the fine can be $550 or more. If you cause a collision while uninsured, your license is suspended unless you resolve the damages within 60 days, and you may then need an SR-22 to reinstate.

Does Washington require full coverage?

No. Washington only requires liability coverage (25/50/10). Comprehensive and collision are optional unless your lender requires them.

Do I have to buy uninsured motorist coverage?

No, but it is on your policy by default. Insurers must include UIM at your liability limits unless you reject it — fully or partly — in writing (RCW 48.22.030).

Can I use out-of-state insurance in Washington?

Visitors can drive on a valid policy from their home state. Once you live in Washington and register your vehicle here, you need a policy that meets Washington's requirements.

Is Washington a no-fault state?

No. Washington uses a tort system — the at-fault driver is financially responsible for damages. It also uses comparative fault: under RCW 4.22.005, your own share of fault reduces the damages you can recover proportionately, rather than barring recovery.

What is SR-22 insurance in Washington?

An SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with DOL to prove you carry insurance. Washington requires it after certain convictions, unpaid judgments, or a collision you were uninsured for — in most cases for 3 years from the date you are eligible to reinstate your license.

Does Washington verify insurance electronically?

No. Washington has no insurance verification database, and DOL has no current authority to check coverage at registration. Proposals to create one (SB 5326, SB 5864) have not passed.

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Important Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about insurance requirements based on publicly available sources. This is not legal advice. Insurance requirements can change, and individual circumstances vary. Always verify current requirements with the Washington State Department of Licensing or Office of the Insurance Commissioner, and consult with a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your situation.

Last verified: December 2025
Sources: RCW 46.30.020, 46.30.030, 46.29.090, 48.22.030, 48.22.085, 48.22.095 and 4.22.005; Washington Department of Licensing (mandatory insurance; financial responsibility; SR-22); Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner; Senate Bill Report SB 5326 (2023); Insurance Research Council via the Insurance Information Institute (uninsured motorists, 2023)