Washington requires every driver to carry auto insurance, but the required minimums are low, and understanding the gap between what a driver is required to carry and what a serious injury actually costs is often the first thing that matters after a crash.
What insurance is Washington actually required to carry?
Washington's mandatory insurance law (RCW 46.30.020) requires drivers to maintain liability coverage, and the minimum limits are set at $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage — often written as "25/50/10" (RCW 46.29.090). A driver can also satisfy the requirement in a few other ways, such as a certificate of deposit or a liability bond, but a standard insurance policy is by far the most common.
Is 25/50/10 actually enough?
Rarely, for a real injury. Consider what $25,000 covers: an ambulance ride, an emergency room visit, imaging, and a few weeks of follow-up care can exhaust that limit before you have addressed lost wages or any lasting harm. When the at-fault driver carried only the minimum, that number is often the ceiling on what their insurer will pay — regardless of how badly you were hurt. This is precisely why your own underinsured motorist coverage is so important: it is designed to cover the gap between a minimum-limits policy and the true cost of your injuries.
What happens if the driver who hit me had no insurance at all?
It happens more than you would think. Driving without the required insurance is illegal, but plenty of people do it anyway. If an uninsured driver hits you, your recovery usually comes through your own uninsured motorist coverage rather than from the driver, who often has no assets worth pursuing. This is one more reason to carry UM/UIM on your own policy.
Should I carry more than the minimum myself?
As a practical matter, yes — and especially your UM/UIM limits. The minimums protect the other person from your mistakes; they do little to protect you and your family. Good UM/UIM and PIP coverage usually costs very little, and raising your UM/UIM is often the single most valuable coverage decision a Washington driver can make, because it is the coverage that responds when someone with little or no insurance injures you.
Talk to a Washington attorney about your coverage
After a crash, one of the first things we do is map every layer of insurance that could apply — the at-fault driver's limits, your PIP, and your UM/UIM — so nothing is left on the table. If you were injured around Federal Way or the South Sound, call or text (206) 429-5227 or contact us here for a free consultation.
Related: Insurance after a car accident in Washington: the full guide · What PIP covers
