Understanding Washington State Mandatory Auto Insurance Law

By Author: Michael Scott
Total Articles: 46
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In the State of Washington (WA), one who is driving a motor vehicle has various means of insurance protection. WA law requires any driver to secure any of the following: insurance liability policy, a certificate of deposit, or a liability bond to the required limits. Should you have about 26 vehicles or more, self-insurance is permissible.

Liability policy limits
Under WA law, you liability policy with limits should be at least 25/50/10. This means:
$25,000 for injury to another person
$50,000 for injuries to all other persons
$10,000 for damage to another's property

If you choose to buy a bond instead of an insurance policy, the same limits apply. But in the case of a certificate of deposit, you're required to have a deposit amounting to $60,000 in cash or securities with the Office of the State Treasurer. Meanwhile, the Washington State Department of Licensing accepts your self-insurance if you have 26 or more vehicles.

Carry insurance at all times
While in WA, you must carry a proof of auto insurance at all times. If you're stopped by a law enforcement ...
... officer and you fail to show proof of insurance, the laws of the state consider it as a traffic violation. Failure to present a proof of insurance will cost you about $450 in fines. And while it does not apply to all cases, it may go on your driving record. Also, the courts have the prerogative to add other fees to your fines, including but is not limited to public safety and education assessment. This alone represents 70 percent of all fines in WA.

The proof of insurance comes as an identification card from your auto insurance company. The insurance identification card must include the name of the insurance company, the policy number, and the policy's effective and expiration dates. A description of the insured vehicle(s) and/or the name of the insured driver should also be in the identification card.

Out-of-state drivers must comply
If you happen to be a non-resident driver in Washington, but you enter its borders, it does not excuse you from complying with the state's Mandatory Auto Insurance Law. As an out-of-state motorist who plans to drive in WA, you should check your policy if it satisfies the liability limits of the state.

Exemptions exist
However, the Mandatory Auto Insurance Law also allows exemptions. The vehicles which are exempted from the law's purview are specially licensed antique vehicles over 40 years old, Collector's vehicles over 30 years old, publicly-owned vehicles (vehicles owned, rented or leased by state, federal, city, county, and town governments, school districts and political subdivisions), vehicles registered with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission as common or contract carriers (any truck that hauls for payment), motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, such as motor scooters and mopeds.

Exemptions notwithstanding, all drivers are subject to the WA's Financial Responsibility Law (FRL). The FRL requires the person who might be involved and at-fault in an accident to pay the claims to damages or injuries.
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