Car insurance in Washington (25/50/10)
- Minimum car insuranceWashington requires at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage. Insurers must offer personal injury protection and underinsured motorist coverage; you can reject either one, but only in writing. Source
- Fault systemWashington is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver who causes a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and damage. Source
Business insurance rules in Washington
- Workers’ compensationWashington is a monopolistic state: private workers' compensation insurance is not allowed, so employers must buy coverage from the state fund run by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) or be certified by L&I as self-insured, which is open only to large employers. Source
- Contractor licensingContractors must register with L&I and post a surety bond ($30,000 for general contractors, $15,000 for specialty contractors, the amounts since July 1, 2024). They must also carry liability insurance of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. Source
Home insurance in Washington
- Home insurer of last resortThe Washington FAIR Plan, set up in 1968 and funded by the state's licensed property insurers, provides basic property insurance for dwellings and commercial buildings that can't get coverage in the standard market. Earthquake is the main catastrophe risk standard homeowners policies leave out, and it requires separate coverage. Source
High-value homes in Washington.
Disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes in Washington
| Measure | Washington | Rank among the states | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal major disaster declarations since 2000 | 32 | #21 (tied) of 51 | Most often for severe storm (15), flood (8), fire (7). Lewis County has been in 18 of them. |
| National Flood Insurance Program claims, 2005–2025 | 8,325 | #20 of 51 | $265.8 million paid; 24% of claims with a known flood zone were outside FEMA’s high-risk zones. |
| Hail reports, 2016–2025 | 55 | #46 of 51 | 2 of them 2 inches or larger. Largest stone 2.75 inches, Spokane County, August 2022. |
| Tornadoes, 2016–2025 | 22 | #40 of 51 | 1 rated EF2 or stronger; 136 recorded since 1950. |
| Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, 2000–2025 | 23 | #12 of 51 | Largest: magnitude 5, 18 km N of Satsop, Washington, June 10, 2001. |
From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.
Look up the storm history of any county in Washington.
Worth knowing in Washington
Washington is one of the few states where businesses cannot buy workers' compensation from a private insurer; it comes only from the state fund through L&I unless the employer qualifies to self-insure.
Washington’s insurance regulator
Insurance in Washington is regulated by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, which handles consumer complaints and licenses insurers and agents.
Common questions
What is the minimum car insurance in Washington?
Washington requires at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage. Insurers must offer personal injury protection and underinsured motorist coverage; you can reject either one, but only in writing.
Is Washington a no-fault state?
Washington is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver who causes a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and damage.
Do employers in Washington need workers’ comp?
Washington is a monopolistic state: private workers' compensation insurance is not allowed, so employers must buy coverage from the state fund run by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) or be certified by L&I as self-insured, which is open only to large employers.
What can a Washington homeowner do if no insurer will write the house?
The Washington FAIR Plan, set up in 1968 and funded by the state's licensed property insurers, provides basic property insurance for dwellings and commercial buildings that can't get coverage in the standard market. Earthquake is the main catastrophe risk standard homeowners policies leave out, and it requires separate coverage.
Sources
- Washington: Minimum car insurance
- Washington: Fault system
- Washington: Workers’ compensation
- Washington: Home insurer of last resort
- Washington: Contractor licensing
- Washington: insurance regulator
General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.