Cheapest Auto Insurance in Tacoma, Washington (2025)

Located just south of Seattle, Tacoma is home to one of the largest ports in the U.S. and a growing population. The average monthly cost of car insurance in Tacoma is $164, according to Insurify data.

The cost of Tacoma car insurance is higher than the national average and also higher than in some other cities in Washington. Fortunately, this article can help you reduce your insurance spending in Tacoma by showing you what’s raising your costs and how you can limit these factors.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Tacoma

The best car insurance company for you depends on your unique circumstances. That’s why it’s always important to compare rates from several different insurers before making a decision. The three insurers highlighted below are some of the most popular in Tacoma and make a great place to start with your comparison shopping. You’ll also find their statewide average monthly quotes here.

Best insurer for low rates: State Farm

Best insurer for drivers with a DUI: GEICO

Best insurer for military members: USAA

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Tacoma

Car insurance rates differ based on the insurance company, your driving record, ZIP code, and other factors. To get the cheapest car insurance in Tacoma, consider the following tips:

• Choose a higher deductible. You typically qualify for a lower premium if you choose a higher deductible, which is your portion paid out of pocket. However, make sure to only choose a deductible you can afford should you need to file a claim.

• Bundle policies. Insurance companies typically reward you with a discount if you purchase more than one policy. So, if you need home insurance or renters insurance in addition to your auto policy, you may qualify for more savings by buying them together.

• Review options. Tacoma drivers have many insurance companies to choose from. Do your research and review all your options, including rates, discounts, and other benefits.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Tacoma: State Farm

Drivers in Tacoma must meet minimum coverage requirements to drive legally, per Washington state law.6 This is called liability insurance, and it covers any bodily injury and property damage suffered by the other driver in an accident you cause.

The average cost of liability insurance in Tacoma is $120. Below are the insurance companies offering the cheapest liability insurance in the area.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Tacoma: State Farm

Full-coverage car insurance includes liability coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage.

Full coverage offers reimbursement for you in the event of an accident or damage, whereas liability coverage only reimburses the other driver. As such, full-coverage insurance is more expensive, with an average monthly rate of $208 in Tacoma.

Here, you can see the cheapest full-coverage car insurance options from top insurers.

Car insurance requirements in Washington

Washington state requires drivers to obtain the minimum coverage levels outlined below.6 Typically referred to as liability coverage, this includes bodily injury and property damage. If you cause an accident, this coverage pays for the other driver’s damages.

It’s also important to note that Washington operates under a tort system, or at-fault system.7 This means the driver judged to be at fault could be required to cover more of the accident costs or even be sued by the victim of the crash.

Aside from mandated liability coverage, you can also choose optional coverages for greater benefits, including:

Automobile Insurance Plan

The state of Washington created the Automobile Insurance Plan to ensure that all drivers can get car insurance coverage. The program is designed to help Washington drivers who can’t get coverage from a conventional insurer due to their driving record. If you fit the bill, check out the Automobile Insurance Plan to review your coverage options.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Having an incident on your driving record can increase your car insurance rates, sometimes dramatically. This is because insurers view drivers with an incident on their record as being an added risk. Incidents can vary and include moving violations, speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and the most severe of them all, DUIs.

In Washington, most convictions and court findings stay on your driving record for five years.8 A speeding ticket alone may lead to you paying $800 more in insurance premiums.9 In the sections that follow, you’ll see how individual incident types affect the rates you pay for car insurance.

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

A speeding ticket typically comes with a fine based on how fast you were going over the limit, and the amount you must pay can add up fast.

However, it’s not just the fine you’ll end up paying, as a speeding ticket can also spike your car insurance premiums. The average rate for car insurance for Tacoma drivers with a speeding ticket is $208 per month.

Here, you can see how adding a speeding ticket to your record affects the rates you’re offered by several top insurers.

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

Having an at-fault accident on your driving record can raise your risk profile and lead to higher insurance rates. Drivers in Tacoma pay an average monthly premium of $218 with an accident on their record.

Here are the cheapest car insurance options for drivers with an at-fault accident.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm

Getting a DUI in Tacoma can lead to a suspended license, arrest, court conviction, and more. In addition to potential fines, one of the other major costs associated with a DUI is an increase in car insurance rates. In fact, some insurers may drop you altogether. Those that do keep you will likely raise your rates to something near the area average of $202 per month.

If you have a DUI and are looking at higher-than-average rates, here are the top insurance companies with the cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm

In the city of Tacoma, 13.8% of residents are 65 or older, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimate in 2022. Seniors may drive less if they’re in retirement and have a limited budget, which makes finding cheap car insurance a must. The good news is that car insurance premiums are typically lower for seniors than for other age groups.

However, beginning at age 70, rates climb upward again, as there may be some additional risk factors associated with reduced faculties and increased medical costs in the event of an accident. 

The average car insurance rate for seniors in Tacoma is $141 per month. To get the cheapest car insurance for seniors, check out the options below.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA

Teens and young adults are just starting to learn the rules of the road and how to navigate driving. This inexperience and lack of a driving history mean that car insurance for teens tends to be the most expensive.

These high rates are also due to the fact that data over time has shown teens also engage in risky driving behaviors, like speeding and distracted driving. All of this causes teens to pay an average of $346 per month for insurance in Tacoma.

To get the cheapest car insurance as a teen, remain on your parents’ insurance policy and see if you qualify for a good student discount.

Here, you can see quotes for Tacoma teens by insurance company and compare liability and full-coverage insurance.

Tacoma car insurance quotes by credit tier

The state of Washington uses credit history as a factor that can influence your car insurance rate. Washington Commissioner Mike Kreidler attempted to ban this practice in 2022; however, it was overturned by the court, so for now, credit history is still a viable tool for insurers.

If your credit is considered poor, you’ll pay double what someone with excellent credit pays. Here, you can see the difference in Tacoma car insurance quotes based on credit tier.

Is car insurance more expensive in Tacoma?

Car insurance in Tacoma averages $120 per month for liability coverage and $208 per month for full coverage.

These rates are higher than the national average, which is $104 per month for liability coverage and $184 per month for full coverage, based on Insurify data.

Within the state of Washington, rates for car insurance vary by city. Factors that influence rates include crime, population density, cost of living, and more. For example, car insurance in a major city like Seattle costs 7% more than insurance in Tacoma.

More cities in Washington

Compared to other cities in Washington, Tacoma is fairly average. Certain cities have higher rates, and others are on the lower end.

The table below illustrates the rates you can expect to pay in other major Washington cities.