The vehicle needing coverage is probably the biggest factor when comparison shopping for low-cost coverage for low mileage drivers. Vehicles with high performance features, a lack of modern safety features, or an increased likelihood of liability claims will cost much more to insure than safer, lower-performance models.
The table below outlines coverage premiums for a handful of the most affordable vehicles to buy insurance for.
| Vehicle | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Ford Edge SE 2WD | $1,565 |
| Volkswagen Jetta SE 2.5 Station Wagon | $1,662 |
| Chevrolet Impala LT | $1,686 |
| Ford Explorer Limited 2WD | $1,719 |
| Honda CR-V LX 4WD | $1,743 |
| Ford Escape Limited 2WD | $1,787 |
| Honda Odyssey Touring | $1,806 |
| Nissan Rogue S 2WD | $1,813 |
| Dodge Ram Crew Cab ST 4WD | $1,838 |
| Ford F-150 Lariat King Ranch 4WD | $1,848 |
| Ford Focus S 4-Dr Sedan | $1,890 |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT Crew Cab 4WD | $1,892 |
| Ford Fusion Sport AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $1,925 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 2WD | $1,927 |
| Toyota RAV4 2WD | $1,936 |
| Toyota Prius | $1,938 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 Crew Cab Laramie 2WD | $1,963 |
| Hyundai Elantra GLS 4-Dr Sedan | $2,030 |
| Toyota Corolla XLE | $2,040 |
| Toyota Camry XLE | $2,030 |
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Data variables include single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and Washington minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Estimates do not factor in zip code location which can decrease or increase price quotes substantially.
Based on these rates, you can presume that vehicles like the Ford Edge, Volkswagen Jetta, Chevrolet Impala, and Ford Explorer are going to be the cheapest vehicles to insure for infrequent drivers.
Finding dependable, reasonably-priced car insurance is not easy, and finding out which companies quote the best auto insurance rates for low mileage drivers will involve even more perseverance.
Every auto insurer has their own process to set premium rates, so let’s begin by taking a look at the auto insurance companies with the most affordable rates in Seattle. It’s important that you understand Seattle, WA auto insurance rates are based on many factors that control the price of your policy. This price fluctuation is why it is crucial to perform a complete rate comparison when trying to get the most affordable car insurance quotes for low mileage drivers. Insurance rates can be altered by many factors and can decrease or increase without notice, so the best option when you bought your policy may now be quite expensive.
Find the Cheapest Auto Insurance in Washington
| Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital | $754 |
| 2 | Grange | $822 |
| 3 | PEMCO | $964 |
| 4 | Nationwide | $981 |
| 5 | Travelers | $1,008 |
| 6 | Mutual Enumclaw | $1,054 |
| 7 | The Hartford | $1,058 |
| 8 | USAA | $1,060 |
| 9 | Allied | $1,098 |
| 10 | California Casualty | $1,105 |
| 11 | Chubb | $1,127 |
| 12 | State Farm | $1,176 |
| 13 | American Family | $1,196 |
| 14 | Safeco | $1,216 |
| 15 | Amica | $1,243 |
| 16 | Liberty Mutual | $1,257 |
| 17 | Farmers | $1,329 |
| 18 | Progressive | $1,510 |
| 19 | National General | $1,525 |
| 20 | MetLife | $1,697 |
| Find Your Rate Go | ||
Capital quotes some of the most affordable car insurance rates in Seattle at around $754 a year. This is $658 less than the average premium paid by Washington drivers of $1,412. Grange, PEMCO, Nationwide, and Travelers also make the cut as some of the best Seattle, WA car insurance companies.
In the above rates, if you are currently insured with PEMCO and switched to Capital, you could see savings of around $210. Customers with Nationwide could save as much as $227 a year, and Travelers customers might cut rates by $254 a year.
To get a fast rate comparison, click here to start a quote or click through to the companies below.
Remember that these rates are averaged across all types of insureds and vehicles and do not take into consideration an exact zip code location for low mileage drivers. So the company that can offer the best rates for your situation may not even be in the list above. That is why you need to compare rates from multiple companies using your own personalized driver profile and vehicle information.
For infrequent drivers, one of the more important criteria that are looked at to help calculate the amount you pay each year for auto insurance is where you normally keep your vehicle in Seattle. Cities with more crime and/or more people tend to pay more, whereas areas with less congestion have the benefit of cheaper car insurance.
The illustration below ranks the most expensive places in Washington for low mileage drivers to purchase a policy in. Seattle is ranked #3 with an annual premium of $1,405 for car insurance, which is about $117 each month.
| Rank | City | Premium Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lakewood | $1,434 |
| 2 | Auburn | $1,408 |
| 3 | Seattle | $1,405 |
| 4 | Federal Way | $1,393 |
| 5 | Tacoma | $1,385 |
| 6 | Renton | $1,361 |
| 7 | Shoreline | $1,352 |
| 8 | Kent | $1,337 |
| 9 | South Hill | $1,314 |
| 10 | Marysville | $1,258 |
| 11 | Bellevue | $1,256 |
| 12 | Redmond | $1,251 |
| 13 | Everett | $1,238 |
| 14 | Kirkland | $1,207 |
| 15 | Sammamish | $1,196 |
| 16 | Vancouver | $1,181 |
| 17 | Spokane | $1,093 |
| 18 | Olympia | $1,083 |
| 19 | Lacey | $1,078 |
| 20 | Spokane Valley | $1,065 |
| 21 | Kennewick | $1,041 |
| 22 | Yakima | $1,037 |
| 23 | Richland | $1,023 |
| 24 | Pasco | $998 |
| 25 | Bellingham | $987 |
| Compare Prices Now Go | ||
Premium amounts are approximated as specific Seattle zip code can affect prices substantially.
Impact of violations and accidents on rates in Seattle
The easiest way to receive cheap auto insurance premiums in Seattle for infrequent drivers is to drive attentively and maintain a clean driving record. The information below demonstrates how citations and accidents can impact insurance rates for different age groups. The rates are based on a married female driver, comp and collision included, $500 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.
In the example above, the average cost of an auto insurance policy in Seattle per year with a clean driving record and no accidents is $1,074. Factor in two speeding tickets and the average cost increases to $1,518, an increase of $444 each year. Next add two accidents along with the two speeding tickets and the annual cost of auto insurance for low mileage drivers increases to an average of $3,257. That’s an increase of $2,183, or $182 per month, just for not being more responsible behind the wheel!
Full coverage rates vs. liability-only in Seattle
Buying cheaper auto insurance is important to the majority of people, and one common way to find cheaper insurance for low mileage drivers is to not pay for full coverage. The illustration below visualizes the comparison of yearly insurance costs with and without physical damage coverage, medical payments, and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage. The rates are based on no claims or violations, $100 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are factored in.
If we average the cost for ages 20 through 70, comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy costs an extra $1,693 per year over and above liability coverage. A very common question is if it’s worth it to buy full coverage. There is no definitive rule to delete physical damage insurance, but there is a broad guideline. If the annual cost of coverage is 10% or more of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s assume your vehicle’s settlement value is $9,500 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would get paid by your company is $8,500 after you pay the deductible. If premiums are more than $850 a year for your policy with full coverage, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
There are some situations where removing full coverage is not advised. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you must maintain physical damage coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not consider dropping full coverage.
The diagram below illustrates how your choice of deductibles can change premium costs when quoting cheap insurance for low mileage drivers. The premiums assume a married male driver, full physical damage coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.
The chart above illustrates that a 40-year-old driver could reduce rates by $278 a year by switching the physical damage coverage from a $100 deductible up to a $500 deductible, or save $418 by selecting a $1,000 deductible. Even younger insureds, such as the 20-year-old example, could shave $934 annually by selecting a higher deductible.
When raising deductibles, it is essential to have additional funds in a savings account to offset the extra out-of-pocket expense, which is the one shortcoming of high deductibles.
The agents below can most likely help you decide which car insurance policy is best, as some drivers aren’t sure which coverage they need and prefer to have a professional recommendation when trying to find the best insurance rates for low mileage drivers. It can be challenging to do it yourself, so agents can add satisfaction knowing your coverage gives you adequate coverage when you need it most.
To find a Seattle insurance agency closest to you, click the button after the list or click here to compare prices now.
- Grange Insurance Association
200 Cedar St – Seattle, WA 98121 – (800) 247-2643 - Paulla Suy – State Farm Insurance Agent
900 S Jackson St #213 – Seattle, WA 98104 – (206) 381-3733 - Norwest Insurance Agency
5191 S Spencer St – Seattle, WA 98118 – (206) 965-8140 - Ati Agency Inc
2150 N 107th St # 460 – Seattle, WA 98133 – (206) 522-9200 - Brian Chambers – State Farm Insurance Agent
3206 16th Ave W – Seattle, WA 98119 – (206) 285-3003