Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Tacoma, WA (2024)

In Tacoma, Washington, PEMCO offers the lowest minimum coverage, while Nationwide is the cheapest for full coverage. For families with teen drivers, Kemper leads in affordability. The top-notch customer service provider is Chubb, while PEMCO blends best value with competitive pricing and service.

MoneyGeek found that these companies provide the cheapest car insurance for minimum coverage in Tacoma:

• PEMCO: $439 per year
• Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $461 per year

Dairyland has the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Tacoma, costing $2,236 annually. That's a significant $1,797 difference from the cheapest. This variance highlights the importance of shopping around to ensure you're getting a deal that best fits your budget.

In Washington, from Tacoma to Seattle, state law dictates the minimum car insurance requirements. Here's a snapshot:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person
  
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
  
• $10,000 property damage liability per accident
  

With minimum coverage, if you're responsible for an injury, your policy pays up to $25,000 for each person, capped at $50,000 per accident. But if the cost is higher, every dollar beyond your policy's limit comes out of your pocket.

MoneyGeek found that these providers offer the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Tacoma:

• Nationwide: $902 per year
• Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $933 per year

Dairyland has the most expensive full coverage policy at $4,814 annually, showing a staggering difference of $3,912 compared to Nationwide. This gap underscores the need to compare quotes, as full coverage car insurance generally costs more due to higher liability limits and the inclusion of comprehensive and collision coverage.

Full coverage insurance extends beyond increased liability limits to include both comprehensive and collision coverage components.

• Collision Insurance: This provides coverage for your vehicle in the event of a collision, whether with another vehicle or a stationary object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage insures your vehicle against various types of damage not caused by collisions, including theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer. If you have a new vehicle, opt for full coverage for more robust financial protection. If you're leasing or have a car loan, you are typically required to carry full coverage insurance.

Contrastingly, owners of older vehicles may find the extra premium for full coverage less justifiable due to the car's decreased value. Striking the right balance is key when deciding how much car insurance you need; higher coverage leads to increased premiums, but with lower coverage, you run the risk of being inadequately insured.

MoneyGeek found that in Tacoma, full coverage policies vary based on the specific type of driving offense. Here are the most affordable companies for drivers with a poor driving record:

• Speeding Ticket: Kemper ($1,214 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: Kemper ($1,245 per year)
• DUI: Progressive ($1,277 per year)

Dairyland tends to have the most expensive rates for these offenses. The variation in annual rates between Kemper, the cheapest after a speeding ticket, and Progressive, the cheapest after a DUI, is $63, illustrating how different infractions can influence car insurance premiums.

In Tacoma, insurance rates climb as driving offenses become more severe because insurers assess higher risks of future claims with those who have infractions. For instance, drivers with a DUI can expect average annual premiums around $2,329, comparatively higher than those with a speeding ticket, who face about $1,916. This sizable difference underscores the importance for drivers with offenses to rigorously compare insurance rates, ensuring they secure the most affordable coverage for their situation.

MoneyGeek found that Kemper offers the cheapest car insurance for teens in Tacoma.

• Kemper: $1,865 per year for female teens and $1,938 per year for male teens
• Nationwide: $2,309 per year for female teens and $2,464 per year for male teens

These rates reflect the cost for a policy covering a combination of two parents and a teenage driver. Progressive commands the most expensive teen family policy in Tacoma, with a stark difference in rates — a female teen's annual premium is $4,757, which emphasizes the necessity of comparing insurance quotes. Such rate discrepancies highlight the importance of shopping around, especially for high-risk drivers like teenagers.

In Tacoma, teenage drivers face steep premiums for car insurance, with an average individual annual cost of $6,024 compared to just $3,178 when added to a family plan. The disparity in rates stems from the higher risk insurers associate with inexperienced teen drivers, warranting higher premiums to offset potential claims.

MoneyGeek found that USAA offers the cheapest car insurance for those with military backgrounds in Tacoma:

• USAA: $777 per year
• Nationwide: $902 per year

USAA is not just the most economical, but also prides itself on delivering services that cater specifically to the unique needs of active-duty military members. If you're eligible for their coverage, you'll benefit from both their cost-effectiveness and their military-focused customer experience.

While shopping for the best car insurance rates in Tacoma can lead to significant savings, manually comparing quotes from multiple providers can be arduous, potentially exceeding an hour for just three companies.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator expedites this process. By simply inputting your age, driving history, credit score, preferred coverage level and several other key details, you can receive an accurate estimate instantly.

Finding the best auto insurance is a balancing act between service quality, cost, coverage options and other factors. A comprehensive study by MoneyGeek has identified Tacoma's leading car insurance providers catering to varying consumer preferences.

• Best overall: PEMCO (MoneyGeek score 90 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 86 out of 100)
• Best cheap: PEMCO (MoneyGeek score 90 out of 100)

PEMCO emerges as Tacoma's frontrunner for overall value and affordability, demonstrating a strong mix of service and financial efficiency. Meanwhile, Chubb is the go-to for those prioritizing premier service, ensuring top-tier customer experiences. Ultimately, consumers can choose based on what aspect — overall balance, service quality, or cost savings — they value the most in their car insurance.

MoneyGeek found that PEMCO provides best car insurance in Tacoma.

• PEMCO: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 ($968 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($1,522 per year)

PEMCO distinguishes itself as the leading provider, securing the highest satisfaction and affordability scores among the competition. With a total MoneyGeek score of 90, it shines for its exceptional service and cost-effective rates for a full coverage policy. PEMCO customers can expect a superior blend of quality service and financial value when choosing their car insurance.

MoneyGeek found that Chubb is the best option in Tacoma for car insurance based on customer service.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($1522 per year)
• PEMCO: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100 ($968 per year)

Chubb stands out due to its top-ranking claims score and exceptional satisfaction rating, which are significant contributors to its leading MoneyGeek score. With its blend of reliability and comprehensive service, customers in Tacoma can trust Chubb for their car insurance needs.

MoneyGeek found that PEMCO is the leading provider of affordable car insurance in Tacoma, offering an impressive balance between cost and customer experience.

• PEMCO: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 ($439 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($672 per year)

PEMCO distinguishes itself by achieving the highest MoneyGeek score, mainly due to its exceptional affordability and reliable customer service. Their cost for a minimum coverage policy positions them as a prime option for budget-conscious drivers looking for quality car insurance without compromising on the essentials.

In Tacoma, the average monthly cost of car insurance is $1,523. This is higher than the average car insurance cost in the state of Washington, which is $1,429. Comparatively, the state's average car insurance cost is $353 less than the national average of $1,781.

Car insurance premiums are influenced by a multitude of factors, with location being a significant one. The area's traffic density, the likelihood of accidents, and theft rates can all contribute to how insurers assess the risk and, consequently, determine the cost of car insurance. In Washington, MoneyGeek's analysis showed that Spokane has the cheapest premium at $975, while Renton is the most expensive at $1,283. This highlights a substantial difference within the same state, indicating that rates can be considerably lower in less populated areas with reduced traffic density.