The vehicle to be insured is probably the biggest factor when consumers are trying to find the most affordable coverage for low income drivers. Vehicles with high performance, poor crash test ratings, or a track record of large liability claims will cost quite a bit more to insure than safer models.
The data below illustrates auto insurance costs for some of the most economical vehicles to buy insurance for.
| Vehicle Insured | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Honda CR-V EX-L 4WD | $1,464 |
| Toyota Tacoma 4WD | $1,608 |
| Chevrolet Silverado LT Extended Cab 4WD | $1,695 |
| Volkswagen Jetta S 4-Dr Sedan | $1,700 |
| Ford F-150 XLT Crew Cab 4WD | $1,728 |
| Ford Escape Limited 4WD | $1,780 |
| Ford Edge Limited AWD | $1,785 |
| Toyota Corolla XRS | $1,818 |
| Honda Odyssey Touring | $1,825 |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD SLE Extended Cab 2WD | $1,850 |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT Crew Cab 4WD | $1,905 |
| Honda Civic DX 4-Dr Sedan | $1,911 |
| Chevrolet Malibu LS | $1,940 |
| Toyota Prius | $1,954 |
| Dodge Ram Crew Cab Sport 4WD | $1,973 |
| Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD | $1,975 |
| Ford Focus S 4-Dr Sedan | $2,038 |
| Start a Quote Go | |
Data based on single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and Washington minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, and homeowner. Information does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can affect insurance rates substantially.
Based upon the rates shown, we can expect models like the Honda CR-V, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevrolet Silverado will definitely be some of the most economical vehicles to insure for poor drivers.
One of the more important criteria that help determine car insurance rates is where you choose to live. Regions with larger populations or more claims are more likely to have higher rates, whereas areas with lower crime rates and fewer weather claims have the benefit of cheaper auto insurance prices.
The next table shows the highest-priced places in Washington for low income drivers to purchase auto insurance in. Seattle shows up at #5 with the yearly price of $1,405 for the average policy, which is approximately $117 per month.
| Rank | City | Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tacoma | $1,441 |
| 2 | Federal Way | $1,435 |
| 3 | Lakewood | $1,434 |
| 4 | Auburn | $1,408 |
| 5 | Seattle | $1,405 |
| 6 | Renton | $1,389 |
| 7 | Kent | $1,350 |
| 8 | South Hill | $1,340 |
| 9 | Shoreline | $1,326 |
| 10 | Everett | $1,250 |
| 11 | Marysville | $1,221 |
| 12 | Bellevue | $1,219 |
| 13 | Redmond | $1,214 |
| 14 | Kirkland | $1,207 |
| 15 | Sammamish | $1,196 |
| 16 | Vancouver | $1,157 |
| 17 | Lacey | $1,122 |
| 18 | Olympia | $1,105 |
| 19 | Spokane | $1,093 |
| 20 | Yakima | $1,068 |
| Compare Prices Now Go | ||
Premium amounts are comparative as the garaging address in Seattle can influence coverage rates substantially.
Finding out which company quotes the lowest-priced car insurance rates for low income drivers requires a little more effort in order to find the best price. Every auto insurer has their own formula to determine rates, so we will examine the car insurance companies with the overall best prices in Washington.
It’s important to understand that Washington car insurance rates are influenced by many factors that will increase or decrease the cost of a policy. Simply having a birthday, having a teenage driver, or getting a couple of tickets can produce rate changes resulting in some companies being cheaper than competitors.
Cheap Insurance Rates in Washington
| Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital | $761 |
| 2 | Grange | $813 |
| 3 | Nationwide | $961 |
| 4 | PEMCO | $974 |
| 5 | Travelers | $1,028 |
| 6 | The Hartford | $1,048 |
| 7 | Mutual Enumclaw | $1,054 |
| 8 | USAA | $1,082 |
| 9 | Chubb | $1,083 |
| 10 | Allied | $1,098 |
| 11 | California Casualty | $1,105 |
| 12 | State Farm | $1,130 |
| 13 | American Family | $1,172 |
| 14 | Safeco | $1,180 |
| 15 | Amica | $1,219 |
| 16 | Liberty Mutual | $1,257 |
| 17 | Farmers | $1,355 |
| 18 | Progressive | $1,465 |
| 19 | National General | $1,540 |
| 20 | MetLife | $1,681 |
| Find Cheaper Rates Go | ||
Capital has some of the cheapest car insurance rates in Seattle at around $761 a year. This is $651 less than the average rate paid by Washington drivers of $1,412. Grange, Nationwide, PEMCO, and Travelers also qualify as some of the cheapest Seattle, WA car insurance companies.
In the rate table above, if you currently have coverage with Grange and switched to Capital, you could realize yearly savings of roughly $52. Customers with Nationwide might save as much as $200 a year, and PEMCO insureds might see rate reductions of $213 a year.
To see if your current coverage is too expensive, click here to start a quote or click through to the companies below.
These policy rates are averages across all ages of drivers and types of vehicles and do not factor in an exact zip code location for low income drivers. So the insurer that is most affordable for your situation may not even be in the top 25 companies shown above. That point stresses why you need to quote rates from as many companies as possible using your own specific driver and vehicle information.
Seattle car insurance company ratings
Finding the highest-rated insurer is difficult considering how many choices drivers have in Seattle. The ranking data in the next section may help you select which companies you want to consider putting your business with.
The ratings below are only made up of companies with a nationwide focus, so smaller companies are not included in these rankings. If you’d like to compare prices from these top insurers and more, click here.
Top 10 Large Auto Insurers in Seattle Ranked by A.M. Best Rating
- USAA – A++
- Travelers – A++
- GEICO – A++
- State Farm – A++
- The Hartford – A+
- Esurance – A+
- Nationwide – A+
- Allstate – A+
- Titan Insurance – A+
- Progressive – A+
Reckless driving habits raise car insurance rates
One of the best ways to snag low car insurance rates in Seattle for poor drivers is to drive carefully and avoid getting tickets or having accidents. The information below demonstrates how traffic citations and at-fault accidents impact car insurance costs for each different age group. The premiums are based on a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, $100 deductibles, and no policy discounts are applied.
In the chart above, the average cost of auto insurance in Seattle per year with no accidents or violations is $1,885. Receive two speeding tickets and the average cost surges to $2,507, an increase of $622 each year. Now add in two accidents along with the two speeding tickets and the 12-month cost of car insurance for low income drivers jumps again to an average of $4,613. That’s an increase of $2,728, or $227 per month, just for not driving carefully!
The benefit of shopping around
Washington car insurance rates are determined by lots of factors that control the price you have to pay. Simply turning a year older, filing a claim, or getting a DUI may prompt premium changes resulting in some companies being cheaper than others. Not only that, but companies modify rates without warning in order to offset underwriting gains or losses. Significantly higher losses may result in price increases, while less frequent claims can produce lower-priced Seattle car insurance rates.
For instance, the graph below shows rates for the cheapest car insurance in Seattle, WA for a 35-year-old male driver with a good driving record, no prior claims, and great credit. If we estimate rates based on his current risk profile, Capital might offer the best car insurance rates in Seattle at $1,066 per year. This is $346 less than the average price paid by Washington drivers of $1,412. Grange, PEMCO, Nationwide, and Mutual Enumclaw round out the rest of the most affordable Seattle, WA auto insurance companies.
The chart below compares rates after we give the driver from the above example a chargeable claim, poor credit, and a few traffic violations. Due to the fact that each insurance company uses their own method for filing rates in each state, comparing quotes may result in a new list of the cheapest companies as shown below.
The Hartford now has the cheapest auto insurance in Seattle with Chubb, USAA, California Casualty, and State Farm also having competitive pricing. This shows why consumers need to take the time to shop around when trying to find the best insurance quotes for low income drivers. Car insurance prices are determined by many factors and change substantially, so the best option three years ago may now cost much more than other companies.
The agents shown below can help you make a decision which coverages and limits you need, as lots of drivers aren’t clear which coverage they need and would like to have a little guidance when shopping for cheaper insurance for poor drivers. It can be time-consuming to do it yourself, and using a licensed agent can add peace of mind knowing you have enough protection. To locate a Seattle auto insurance agent closest to you, click the button at the bottom of the list.
Forrest Dawson – State Farm Insurance Agent
3509 NE 45th St – Seattle, WA 98105 – (206) 526-2747
Jeffrey Taylor – State Farm Insurance Agent
4850 Rainier Ave S – Seattle, WA 98118 – (206) 725-8008
Melinda Elkin – State Farm Insurance Agent
7104 Greenwood Ave N – Seattle, WA 98103 – (206) 784-6560
Christopher Togawa Insurance Agency
222 Etruria St # 110 – Seattle, WA 98109 – (206) 838-9450
View more Seattle, WA insurance agents
Tips for finding more affordable auto insurance for low income drivers
Lowering your rates is not difficult, and here are some money-saving ideas that can help drivers buy cheap car insurance.
- Violations and traffic tickets increase rates
- Avoid accidents
- If your vehicles are older, consider dropping full coverage
- Drivers with good credit often pay less
- Get cheaper liability coverage by choosing a safer vehicle
- Increase your physical damage deductibles
- Compare rates once a year for cheaper prices
That final tip is certainly crucial, as was affirmed in this piece. Car insurance prices in Seattle can change in a short period of time, so don’t be hesitant to buy from a new company if a better rate can be found. Having brand loyalty is commendable, but we do not recommend it if it’s costing you thousands of dollars over several years. Take a few minutes and compare prices to find cheaper insurance for low income drivers.