Before you buy, it's up to you to decide what coverages best fit your needs. This may mean choosing more coverages than you need to meet requirements. Your agent should work with you and your needs to come up with a personalized policy.
Don’t find yourself in a position where you assumed something was covered and it’s not. Read your policy thoroughly and familiarize yourself with these types of coverages to know what’s covered under your auto policy.
What a typical auto insurance policy covers
These are fairly standard types of coverage on most auto insurance policies in Washington, although each policy is specific to the needs of the policyholder. Some have to be offered to you by your agent or broker according to state law, and some might be part of the policy you buy unless you opt out of them.
Collision
This pays for damage to your car if you collide with another car or object or your car flips over. It can also pay for damage to your car due to driving over potholes. A deductible may apply when you use collision coverage.
Comprehensive
This will reimburse you for loss due to theft or damage caused by something other than a collision with another car or object. This could include fire, vandalism or contact with an animal, such as a deer. A deductible may apply when you use this coverage.
Bodily injury liability
This covers injuries that you, the designated driver or policyholder cause to someone else. It also covers you and the family members you list in your policy when driving someone else's car or motorcycle (with their permission). Carrying bodily injury liability coverage is mandatory in Washington state.
Property damage liability
Drivers in Washington are required to carry at least $10,000 of property damage liability coverage. This coverage helps pay for damages you cause to another vehicle or property destroyed in an accident. Property damage liability typically won’t cover damage to your car or motorcycle, which is why some drivers choose to also add collision coverage to their policy.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
This reimburses you if you, a family member or your designated driver is hit by an uninsured driver, a hit-and-run driver or an unidentified vehicle that forces you to have an accident. You should report any accidents involving a hit-and-run or unidentified vehicle to local law enforcement within 72 hours. Try to get contact information from witnesses who saw the accident. Be sure to talk with your agent and check your policy for specific requirements. Note: Insurance agents and brokers must also offer this type of coverage to motorcycle drivers.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Among other things, PIP pays for treating injuries to the driver and other people in the car after an accident. Note: State law does not require insurance agents and brokers to offer PIP to motorcycle drivers.
Additional coverages you can add to your policy
Most insurers offer other types of coverage, which will likely increase your premium. Consider carefully what you need and talk it over with your insurance agent or broker.
Driving to nearby foreign countries
Your auto insurance typically will cover you if you drive into Canada, but check with your insurance agent before you make the trip. To drive into Mexico, you’ll need to buy Mexican auto insurance. Be sure to ask your agent about other requirements.
Gap insurance
The typical auto policy only covers the value of your car, not your auto loan. You can buy gap insurance through your insurance agent or broker. It pays off your auto loan in the event your vehicle is totaled in an accident.
Rental reimbursement coverage
Rental reimbursement helps ensure you have a vehicle to drive after an accident if yours is in the shop for repairs.
Roadside assistance coverage
In case your vehicle breaks down, if often covers the cost of the towing service and the per-mile fees up to a specified amount. If you pay the towing company at the time of service, your insurer reimburses you after it processes your claim.
Umbrella liability policies
These are separate policies that provide an extra layer of protection. They are applied after you've exhausted your liability protection in your auto and/or homeowner policies. It protects you from financial liability if you cause damage to another person or their property.
Auto coverage if you're leasing or financing a vehicle
Most lenders require you to have comprehensive and collision coverage and leave the choice of the insurance company up to you.
If you don't maintain coverage, the lender can buy coverage to protect its interest and charge you for it.
Auto coverage and young drivers
Most insurance companies require all drivers in the household to be listed on the policy. This includes all family members of driving age, regardless of whether they'll be driving your vehicle.
Ask your agent about good student discounts. Some companies offer discounts to young drivers who get good grades in school.
Auto coverage and military service
There are a lot of active duty servicemembers in our state. If you're serving in the military, contact your agent or company to find out if your policy covers you while driving in the area where you'll be stationed. Make sure you provide your agent with your current address so the agent can send you information about your policy.
If you get orders for a deployment, it's a good idea to add a check-in with your insurance agent or broker to your predeployment checklist.
Auto coverage if you drive a friend's car
Whether you're covered depends on your friend's policy. Before you drive someone else's car, check to find out if their insurance covers you as a driver. If their policy doesn't cover you, then review your policy with your agent or company.
Ways you can lose your auto coverage
Insurance companies can non-renew or cancel your auto policy.
Non-renewed auto policies
If your insurance company doesn't renew your auto policy, it must give you 20 days advance notice before the non-renewal date takes effect. It must also provide you with a reason for its decision.
Cancelled auto policies
Your insurance company can cancel your auto policy if:
- You fail to pay the premium. However, the company must give you 10 days advance written notice.
- The Department of Licensing suspends or revokes your driver license or the driver license of someone else in your household.
- It's been 30 days or less since you bought the policy.
What to do if you change or cancel an auto policy
There are several reasons why you may want to change or cancel your policy, such as finding cheaper rates or maybe you sold your car and no longer need auto insurance.
It's a good idea to ask your insurance company or agent about their cancellation policy and if there are any cancellation fees. Make sure you have a replacement policy in place before you cancel an existing policy avoid any gaps in coverage — as gaps can lead to higher rates.