Cheapest Auto Insurance in Seattle, Washington (2025)

Home to stunning landscapes, storied professional sports teams, major tech companies, and a thriving coffee culture, Seattle has a little something for everyone.

The trade-off for people in this bustling city is relatively high car insurance rates. The average cost of car insurance in Seattle is $120 per month for liability-only coverage and $219 per month for full coverage, compared to Washington state’s average rates of $92 and $169, respectively, according to Insurify data.

Seattle’s dense population likely contributes to its higher car insurance rates. Traffic congestion on city roads can lead to higher accident rates.

If you live in Seattle, it’s worth comparing car insurance companies like Travelers, USAA, and State Farm to find the best rates and coverage options.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Seattle

The right car insurance company for you may be different from the ones you see below.

“The best advice is to shop around and know how much you can afford for your monthly premium and any out-of-pocket expenses if you have a claim,” says Stephanie Marquis, director of public affairs at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. “Each company prices their coverage differently, and there are many factors that go into what they charge.”

Companies like Travelers, USAA, and State Farm are good starting points for your auto insurance search. Each brings decades of industry experience and affordable rates.

Best insurer for cheap rates: Travelers

Best insurer for military members: USAA

Best insurer for families: State Farm

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Seattle

Finding cheap car insurance doesn’t always mean you’re getting the best policy. It’s important to consider a company’s track record of customer satisfaction, claims handling, financial strength, and coverage options to meet your needs.

But you can still find a car insurance company that checks all your boxes by following these tips:

• Compare quotes. Get quotes from at least three different companies. Ensure that your coverage types and amounts are similar across policies for the most accurate comparison.

• Stack discounts. You can get discounts for bundling insurance products, being a member of an affiliated group, or even putting your policy on autopay. Most insurers advertise discount offerings on their website, but you can contact a company representative to see if you qualify for other deals.

• Keep your risk profile low. While you have little control over several things when it comes to your insurance rates — like where you live, your age and gender, and your driving experience — you can still take steps to lower your risk. For instance, you can keep your driving history clean and drive a safe vehicle.

• Opt for a higher deductible. A higher deductible usually means lower premiums. If you choose a lower deductible for your policy, be sure you can pay it when you file a claim.2

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Seattle: State Farm

Liability-only car insurance covers the other party’s bodily injuries and vehicle repairs if you’re at fault in an accident. It’s generally the most basic coverage offered by car insurance companies and, therefore, the cheapest. But keep in mind that having only minimum coverage can leave you financially vulnerable if your vehicle is damaged or totaled in an accident you caused. And if you finance or lease your vehicle, the lender or leasing company will require you to have full coverage.

Liability coverage costs an average of $120 per month in Seattle. If you only need the minimum required insurance coverage, here are some of Seattle’s cheapest car insurance companies.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Seattle: State Farm

Full-coverage car insurance covers you more thoroughly than liability-only coverage. It offers comprehensive coverage for damages and losses due to non-collision events like theft and natural disasters, as well as collision coverage, which will reimburse you for repairs to your vehicle after a collision, regardless of fault.

Full coverage may be optimal if you commute frequently, drive in a high-risk location, or own a high-value vehicle. Your lender may also require you to have collision and comprehensive coverage if your car has an outstanding loan or lease. On average, Seattle drivers pay $219 per month for full-coverage car insurance.

The following insurers offer affordable quotes for full-coverage auto insurance.

Car insurance requirements in Washington

Washington drivers must carry the state’s minimum liability coverage to drive legally. Liability insurance pays for the other party’s property damages and medical expenses if you’re at fault in an accident.1

Car insurance is an essential financial tool to help you protect your assets if you’re involved in a car accident. Consider these additional coverages to stay financially protected on the road:

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Driving incidents include speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, driving under the influence (DUI), and other moving violations. If you have incidents on your driving record, your auto insurance premiums are likely higher than someone with a clean driving record.

The more severe and frequent the driving incident is, the higher your rates will be. Insurance companies may even refuse to insure you if you have severe or too many traffic violations.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm

A speeding ticket may seem like a minor traffic infraction, but it can increase your insurance premium. Depending on your insurer, a ticket can also stay on your driving record for three to five years, resulting in hundreds of dollars in additional payments.

Seattle drivers with speeding tickets see average car insurance rates of $278 for full coverage and $152 for liability-only policies. Here are a few of the cheapest companies for drivers with speeding tickets on their record.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm

At-fault accidents can result in thousands of dollars in car repairs, medical costs, legal fees, and increased insurance rates. If you’ve recently caused a car accident, you’re not completely out of luck when looking for an affordable auto policy.

An at-fault accident in Seattle can bump drivers' car insurance rates to $291 for full coverage and $159 for liability only. The following insurers offer the most competitive monthly rates if you’re looking for car insurance in Seattle with an at-fault accident in your driving history.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm

DUI convictions can spell major legal and financial repercussions for drivers, including significantly increased insurance rates. Seattle drivers with a DUI will need to obtain an SR-22 certificate or proof that they have the minimum liability coverage in the state of Washington.

Seattle drivers with DUIs on their motor vehicle records face average monthly car insurance rates of $270 for full coverage and $148 for liability only. If you’re a high-risk driver in Seattle, finding a company offering you insurance can be challenging and often expensive. Fortunately, these companies offer affordable monthly car insurance rates to drivers with DUIs.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm

While auto insurance premiums typically fall at age 35, you may see a gradual increase in your rates again after 70. Age-related conditions, such as slower reflexes and decreased vision, increase the likelihood of an accident, so insurance companies account for this risk by making rates more expensive for senior drivers.

Still, Seattle seniors pay the lowest average car insurance rates of any age group in the Emerald City. Full coverage averages $188 per month for seniors, and liability averages $103 per month.

Seniors can still find affordable monthly insurance rates with the following companies.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA

Teenagers usually pay some of the highest insurance rates for car insurance. New drivers have the least experience on the road and, therefore, are often more susceptible to more at-fault accidents. So, insurers charge them higher rates to offset the risk.

Young drivers can lower their rates by staying on their parent’s policy, driving a safe car, and taking advantage of student-away-at school and good student discounts. Comparing auto insurance quotes from car insurance companies can also help you save money. Teens younger than 18 won't be able to get their own policy without the written consent of a parent or guardian.

Seattle teen drivers see average monthly insurance rates of $462 for full coverage and $253 for minimum coverage. You can start your search by reviewing monthly quotes from some of the cheapest car insurance companies for teens featured in the table below.

Seattle car insurance quotes by credit tier

Insurance companies in Washington are allowed to consider your credit history when setting your car insurance rates. Drivers with good credit often pay much less than drivers with bad credit. The table below highlights the differences in full-coverage car insurance quotes for drivers of varying credit levels.

Is car insurance more expensive in Seattle?

Drivers in Seattle can expect to pay $170 per month for car insurance, which is higher than the national average of $144 per month. While car insurance is generally more expensive in Seattle than in other parts of Washington state, car insurance rates can fluctuate based on the city you live in.

Factors such as population density, frequency of accidents, crime rates, and severity of natural disasters contribute to increased rates. For instance, drivers in Washington cities with smaller populations — like Kent, Vancouver, and Olympia — may pay lower rates than drivers in Seattle.3

More cities in Washington

As the table below illustrates, drivers in cities outside Seattle tend to see lower insurance rates. For example, drivers in Spokane pay an average of $151 per month for full coverage car insurance, while the same coverage averages $170 in Vancouver. The following table shows how rates differ among cities in Washington.