Getting onboard the Pineapple Express can wreak havoc on vehicles and homes. If you're not properly insured, these slippery systems can wash away your most valuable assets and drain your savings account. To protect your vehicle from threatening storms and pricey premiums, it's important to consider additional coverage by gathering multiple quotes for Washington auto insurance rates.

Beef Up Your Security
You must purchase a liability auto insurance policy that includes at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person per accident, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people per accident, and $10,000 for property damage per accident to drive legally in Washington. But minimum coverage can mean hefty out-of-pocket costs if you're involved in an accident. The insurance industry recommends you increase your liability insurance to cover a minimum of $100,000 for bodily protection per person and $300,000 per accident. If you own or are considering purchasing a new car it's good to know what coverages are offered and sometimes required on your Washington auto insurance policy. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you see how little this additional coverage affects your Washington auto insurance rates.

Bang Up Buffers
Collision and comprehensive auto insurance covers physical damage to a vehicle. Policyholders are more than likely required to purchase these coverages if they are financing their car. Collision coverage helps pay for damages done by things like other vehicles, objects or road damage. Damage resulting from vandalism, theft, fire, and weather damage are covered with comprehensive insurance. Your Washington auto insurance rates will rise a bit with these coverages, but their benefits outweigh hefty out-of-pocket alternatives.

Personalize Your Protection
Whether or not you are at fault, personal injury protection (PIP) will help cover medical expenses, wage loss and funeral expenses caused from an auto accident. The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner reports that PIP coverage The Evergreen State provides these minimum benefits:

  • Up to $10,000 for reasonable and necessary medical expenses for each person injured in an auto accident. This is available for up to three years from the date of the accident.
  • Up to $200 per week for income replacement coverage. This is limited to one year after a person has been disabled for 14 consecutive days after the accident.
  • Up to $2,000 for funeral expenses.
  • Up to $5,000 for loss of services, which is payment to others for work you can't do.

Minding the Gap Insurance
It's a fact: The value of a new vehicle depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot. Your car loan financer requires you to purchase collision, comprehensive and liability insurance so you're covered, right? Not necessarily. If your vehicle is totaled soon after purchase, you could end up paying more than you owe to your lender. Adding GAP insurance to your policy would cover the gap between what you owe for your car and what your Washington auto insurance company determines its cash value to be. Say you have a five year loan with a $500 deductible for a $20,000 vehicle, and it is totaled when you still owe $19,000. Your insurance company determines the actual cash value of your car is $17,000. GAP insurance would pay the remaining $2,000 you owe and possibly the cost of your deductible. But keep in mind, you will still be responsible for any interest, late fees or missed payments you owe to your lender.

Buy and Bye
Ride the storm by investing in additional auto insurance coverage. LocalInsurance can help find Washington auto insurance rates that accommodate your needs and wants. Just fill out a quick and easy form and LocalInsurance representatives will match you with several local insurance companies that fit your profile for free.

To find more information on the auto insurance requirements in Washington, visit these useful links: