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Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Shopping for automobile insurance
whose services you choose, it is important to do
your homework in advance. You should:
• Know what types and limits of coverage
you need.
• Ensure you’re dealing with an authorized
company and a licensed agent or broker.
• Make sure you have the make, model and
other details of the vehicle you wish
to insure.
• Answer any questions about your driving
record and accident history fully and
accurately.
• Shop for customer service and price.
Agents and brokers selling insurance in Washington
must be licensed with our agency. We regulate
nearly 85,000 licensees. Some are employed
exclusively by a specific insurer, while others work
independently. You can find agents and brokers:
• In the Yellow Pages of your local phone book
• Through referrals from friends and family
• On the Internet
To find out if an agent, broker or company is licensed
in our state, go to: www.insurance.wa.gov.
Insurance can be a sophisticated product. You
need to do your homework and shop the market,
regardless of whether you buy in the traditional
manner or online.
Many insurers offer auto insurance in Washington state. Under state law, insurers may
consider your age, driving record, where you live, credit history, and other factors to decide
if they will offer you coverage. Not every insurer will offer you coverage or charge you the
same premium for the same coverage.
If an agent or broker is unable to find coverage
for you, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t an insurer
willing to cover you. No single agent or broker will
have access to all auto insurers doing business in
Washington state.
There are three segments of the auto insurance
market you should know about:
Preferred market -- This market features the
lowest premiums and it is available to low-
risk drivers with exceptional driving records.
Standard market -- This market refers
to the average driver who uses family-type
cars and has a reasonably good
driving record.
Non-standard market -- This market
includes young drivers with less experience,
drivers with multiple tickets or accidents,
and drivers with reckless or drunk driving
histories.
Most insurers offer coverage that falls into
the standard or the preferred markets. A few
corporations have several companies within their
group and establish tiers that range from the
preferred market to the non-standard market.
We cannot recommend or suggest specific
companies, but we can offer tips to help you shop
for auto insurance. Regardless of how you shop or