How Much Does Auto Insurance Cost in Tacoma, WA?
- State minimum liability on average in Tacoma, WA costs $60 a month or $721 a year. Full coverage auto policies costs around $198 a month or $2,379 a year in Tacoma.
InsuranceQuotes cost rates are pulled from our real-time auto insurance database from recent quotes in Tacoma – Rates are based on a used car driver who is single, middle aged & has a clean driving record. Read on to learn about the cheapest local rates filtered by insurance providers, new cars, vehicle types and age.
Who are the Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Tacoma, WA?
- In Tacoma the cheapest car insurance companies on average are PEMCO Insurance, State Farm and Progressive. State minimum liability car insurance starts at $29 a month or $353 a year with PEMCO Insurance. The cheapest full coverage car insurance starts at $133 a month or $1,599 a year.
Here are the average policy rates from the cheapest local and national insurance providers in Tacoma from our cost database of used-car drivers who are single, middle aged and have a clean driving record:
| Insurance Company: | State Minimum Liability: | SM Monthly: | Full Coverage: | FC Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEMCO Ins. | $353 | $29 | $1,599 | $133 |
| State Farm | $496 | $41 | $1,734 | $144 |
| Progressive | $640 | $53 | $2,160 | $180 |
| Allstate | $728 | $61 | $2,177 | $181 |
Finding a Cheap Auto Insurance Policy in Tacoma, WA
When it comes to auto insurance policy rates in Tacoma, Washington, drivers should be aware of the importance of shopping around for the best deals. By getting multiple free auto insurance quotes and comparing them all in one place with InsuranceQuotes’ easy-to-use quote form and real-time cost comparison tools from our database of the cheapest local and national insurance companies, drivers can ensure they are getting the most affordable coverage possible. With rising costs associated with car ownership, finding a reliable yet budget-friendly insurance provider is crucial. Take advantage of our platform to make an informed decision on your next auto insurance policy purchase.
How Much Car Insurance Do I Need in Washington?
In Washington, drivers are required to carry minimum levels of car insurance coverage to legally operate a vehicle on public roads. The mandatory coverage in Washington includes:
- Bodily Injury Liability Coverage: This coverage pays for injuries or death that you cause to another person in an at-fault accident. Washington requires minimum bodily injury liability coverage of:
- $25,000 per person injured in any one accident
- $50,000 for multiple persons injured in any one accident
- Property Damage Liability Coverage: This coverage pays for damage to another person’s property caused by you in an at-fault accident. Washington requires minimum property damage liability coverage of:
- $10,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident
This coverage is often abbreviated as 25/50/10. It means that your insurance policy must provide at least $25,000 in coverage for injuries to a single person, $50,000 in coverage for injuries to multiple people in a single accident, and $10,000 in coverage for property damage caused by the accident.
These are the minimum coverage requirements mandated by Washington law. However, drivers may opt to purchase additional coverage types, such as collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, medical payments coverage, and more, to enhance their protection.
While the above coverages are required by law, Washington also offers additional optional coverage types for drivers to consider, including:
- Liability Coverage: This coverage is required by law in Washington and helps pay for injuries or property damage you cause to others in an at-fault accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM): This coverage protects you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Also known as “no-fault” insurance, PIP coverage helps pay for medical expenses and other related costs for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault in the accident.
- Collision Coverage: This coverage helps pay for damages to your vehicle caused by a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive Coverage: This coverage helps pay for damages to your vehicle caused by incidents other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or natural disasters.
- Medical Payments Coverage: This coverage helps pay for medical expenses for you and your passengers if injured in an accident, regardless of fault.
- Rental Reimbursement Coverage: This coverage helps pay for the cost of renting a car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered accident.
- Towing and Labor Coverage: This coverage reimburses you for towing and labor costs if your vehicle breaks down or becomes disabled.
Tacoma car insurance averages approximately $120 per month for full coverage in 2026, based on InsuranceQuotes.com’s analysis of market rate data. Comparing quotes from multiple carriers using your exact ZIP code and driver profile is the most reliable way to find your lowest rate.
Car insurance in Tacoma, Washington averages approximately $120 per month for full coverage in 2026, slightly below Seattle but above the Washington state average. Tacoma sits in Pierce County, distinct from King County which covers Seattle and its high-rate suburbs. PEMCO Insurance, a Pacific Northwest-only regional carrier, offers the cheapest full coverage in Washington at $99 per month and is the first carrier any Tacoma driver should get a quote from. USAA is the best option for military families connected to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), located just south of Tacoma.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), located between Tacoma and Olympia, is one of the largest military installations on the West Coast and home to tens of thousands of active duty personnel, reservists, and their families. Military members and their immediate families at JBLM qualify for USAA car insurance, which offers some of the most competitive rates in Washington alongside unique military benefits including deployment pauses and overseas coverage unavailable from civilian insurers. For Tacoma residents with JBLM ties, USAA should be the first quote obtained before comparing PEMCO, GEICO, or State Farm.
PEMCO Insurance offers Tacoma’s cheapest full coverage at $99 per month — a Pacific Northwest-only regional carrier that consistently undercuts national brands and does not appear on most comparison tools. USAA is the best value for JBLM military families. GEICO, State Farm, and Travelers all offer competitive Pierce County rates below the national average. Washington’s prohibition on credit scoring as a primary rating factor means your driving history and Pierce County address carry more weight than your financial profile.
Tacoma in Pierce County consistently carries lower car insurance rates than Seattle in King County, despite being only 30 miles apart. King County’s higher traffic density — particularly on I-405, SR-520, and the downtown Seattle corridors — generates higher accident frequency and claims costs than Pierce County’s more spread-out traffic patterns. Tacoma’s Port of Tacoma creates some industrial freight traffic on SR-509 and SR-167 that influences local rates, but the overall Pierce County risk profile remains more favorable than King County for most driver profiles.
Washington State requires all Tacoma drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of 25/50/10 — $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, plus $10,000 in property damage liability. Washington is a tort state with no mandatory PIP. Washington requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, though drivers can waive it in writing. Given that approximately 21 percent of Washington drivers are uninsured, keeping UM/UIM protection is strongly recommended for all Pierce County drivers.
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Michael Giusti is a senior insurance analyst, business journalist, and university professor with over 20 years of experience. He serves as department chair at Loyola University New Orleans and contributes to Insurance Thought Leadership, U.S. News, and other leading financial outlets.
