Washington state Car Insurance Legal Requirements
If you want to drive a car or any other vehicle in the state of Washington, it is necessary to purchase Washington auto insurance. While Washington state may not have as many as five million vehicles like in the case of Washington D.C, there are quite a few distinct requirements that the stat has in terms of car insurance.
Legal Requirements for getting Auto insurance in Washington state:
The legal or mandatory requirements to drive an automobile in Washington are indicated by the term 25,000/50,000/10,000 which can be expounded or explained as below:
- Insurance cover of $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person arising out of one accident
- Insurance cover of $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident
- Cover of $10,000 towards damage and injury, or destruction of property of others, arising out of one accident.
The above are in the form of financial responsibility that the automobile driver has to carry out, before being eligible to drive an automobile. These laws are necessary to discourage and prevent unauthorized and ineligible driver from venturing out on the roads, and endangering the life and property of self and others.
Proof of Insurance:
Drivers in the state of Washington need to be specific documented proof of car insurance at the time of driving the car. This must be presented to law enforcement authorities and officers in the case of an accident and must also be duly furnished, when asked for, at a traffic light, or during routine checks conducted by law enforcement or the Department of Revenue. Those who fail to provide documented proof of insurance are assumed to have no insurance and if someone deliberately provides falsified or fraudulent info, it is a misdemeanor.
Documents covered in proof of insurance:
- Name of Insurance company from which the insurance policy has been issued
- Insurance policy number
- Effective date of the policy and expiration date of the policy.
- Description of the model, year and make of the insured car and the name of the insured driver (s),
It must be noted that when insurance policies are renewed, new policy cards are issued ad hence the date of expiration always has to be prospective and not retrospective.
Penalties for not having insurance
People who fail to provide documented proof of their automobile insurance could be fined up to $450. The fine is valid for all automobiles, other than designated exempt automobiles under Washington state law. This is why it is essential for drivers to keep documented proof of car insurance readily available.
Optional Car Insurance in Washington state
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage: UM is covered under UIM, and it is offered to automobile owners. The UIM should be required for bodily injury coverage. In case of UIM coverage, if the UM is taken in addition to what is required, the UIM should also be of the same amount.
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