Best rates on car insurance

If you’re looking for cheap Washington car insurance, you already know that finding the best deal can be challenging. Quotes from various companies for the same policy can land all over the map, so comparing rates is crucial.

To help Washingtonians find the best deal, NerdWallet tested rates from the nine largest car insurance companies in the state and found the three cheapest options for these driver types:

Cheapest for good drivers

For drivers with no at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations; range of average prices: $806 to $1, 832

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Price

Apply now USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families. Apply now USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families.

The average for good drivers among the three cheapest options was $887 per year. USAA was the most affordable company in our test, but keep in mind that only former or active military members and their families qualify. For non-military shoppers, PEMCO and State Farm are solid options with relatively competitive costs of their own, about $7 to $13 more per month than USAA.

Cheapest for young drivers

For drivers in their early 20s; range of average prices: $476 to $1, 466

Apply now USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families. Apply now USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families.

Drivers in their early 20s often don’t need as much coverage as older motorists, who may have families or extensive assets to protect. This explains why young drivers can get some of the cheapest Washington car insurance. Both the military-affiliated USAA and PEMCO scored rates lower than $45 a month. State Farm was a bit higher — roughly $58 a month — but as a larger insurer with deeper coffers and a wider service area, they may be able to offer perks and convenience that help make up for the price difference.

Cheapest for families with one teen driver

For middle-aged couples with one teen driver; range of average prices: $1, 131 to $6, 995

Apply now USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families. Apply now USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families.

This category had by far the biggest range of average prices of any we tested: nearly , 000 between the lowest and highest. That goes to show how important it is for drivers with a teen on the policy to compare as many quotes as they can. For those who qualify, USAA notched the lowest estimate by a healthy margin. Geico and State Farm are solid choices for teen-oriented policies, as both have multiple discount options for first-time drivers.

Cheapest for drivers with poor credit

For those placed in the lowest credit tier as determined by the industry; range of average prices: 7 to , 251

Apply now USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families. Apply now USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families.

Frustrating as it can be, your credit score makes a difference when getting a Washington car insurance quote. Many companies in the industry see a direct link between credit and future accident claims, and may charge more if you have credit problems. That said, Washington drivers still have fairly affordable options. The lowest average quote for this category, from Safeco, was only about $14 per month more than the lowest quote for good drivers with no credit issues.

Cheapest for low-mileage drivers

For drivers who travel 5, 000 miles per year; range of average prices: $705 to $1, 832 per year.

Get a quote USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families.

Low-mileage drivers who log 5, 000 miles a year can often find relatively cheap car insurance. We tested rates for 30-year-old drivers who traveled half as much as most of our other groups. Metromile, which charges customers on a per-mile basis, offered the cheapest average quote at $705 per year, or roughly $59 a month. USAA and State Farm had the next lowest estimates, respectively.

Cheapest for retired drivers

For drivers in their mid- to late 60s who no longer use their car for commuting; range of average prices: $710 to $1, 955

Apply now USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families. Apply now USAA is open only to active military members, veterans and their families.