Reader’s Question:
How much automotive insurance coverage should a motorist get in the state of Washington?
Wally
Seattle, WA
Financial accountability laws in the state of Washington dictate that every resident motorist must have the capacity to offer monetary compensation to the injured party for any bodily harm or property damage he or she may cause in an accident. This is the underlying rule that makes liability automotive insurance a requirement in this state. Unforeseen mishaps such as road accidents tend to be expensive and therefore disruptive to one’s financial stability. With this policy in hand a driver would not have to worry about losing his or her personal material assets.
The state of Washington will hold liable a motorist guilty of causing an accident for at least twenty five thousand dollars worth of medical expenses for the other motorist. If there were more than two injured parties, a total of fifty thousand dollars of combined medical expenses for all occupants will be due. As recompense for property damage which may include but is not limited to the victim’s automobile, ten thousand dollars will be owed by the guilty motorist to the injured party. Remember these amounts when purchasing Washington automotive insurance. They are the minimum liability coverage every motorist should have. Buying anything less would make a motorist underinsured.
Another type of automotive insurance which is not required but highly advisable to acquire is comprehensive coverage. While liability covers the other motorist’s injuries and property damage, comprehensive insurance in the meantime pays for the damages to your own property and that includes necessary repairs to your automobile.
Your insurer will carry the repair costs up until the Blue Book value of your automobile. Exceeding that, your insurer will pay you the total cash value of your automobile instead.
A readily available source of information for Washington automotive insurance matters is the state’s insurance regulator, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Don’t hesitate to contact this agency or visit its website to get more details and familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of automotive insurance in this state.
