Insurance in Washington, from an agency just south of the river
We are an Oregon agency that is licensed and appointed in Washington. That is worth saying plainly at the top, because it shapes how we work with you. This page is about what we can actually do for someone in Washington, how it works, and what is worth knowing about coverage in this state.
How working with us works when you are in Washington
Our office is in Salem, Oregon, about an hour south of the Columbia. We hold a non-resident license in Washington and are appointed to write coverage there.
Almost everything happens by phone, email and secure e-signature. Quotes, applications, policy changes, ID cards, certificates and payments all move without paperwork in the mail. When a claim happens you call us first, and we get it moving with the carrier and stay on it.
What we cannot do for most of Washington is sit across a desk from you, and we would rather say that plainly than pretend otherwise. If you want an agent you can visit in person, that is a fair thing to want and we will tell you so.
One thing this arrangement is particularly good for: if you are moving between Oregon and Washington, which a lot of people do, your coverage can move with you and you keep the people who already know your file.
What Washington requires, and why it is a floor
Bodily injury liability
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$10,000 per accident
Also required
None
Minimum limits verified August 2026. These are the statutory minimums Washington requires, not what we recommend you carry. Minimums change from time to time, so ask us to confirm before relying on them.
Washington’s property damage minimum is the lowest of the five states we serve, and it has not kept up with what vehicles cost. Ten thousand dollars does not go far against a newer car, let alone two. Nothing beyond the basic liability limits is required, so uninsured motorist and PIP are choices, and worth making deliberately. Here is how to work out the number that actually fits.
Things worth asking about in Washington
Not a list of things to buy. A list of things to ask about, so nothing surprises you later.
Earthquake. The Cascadia fault runs off the Washington coast too. Earthquake damage is generally not covered by a standard home policy. Coverage exists separately, and it should be a decision rather than an oversight.
The property damage gap. With a $10,000 state minimum, hitting one modern car can leave you personally responsible for the difference. Property damage liability is inexpensive to raise. This is the first thing we would look at on a Washington auto policy.
Uninsured drivers. Washington does not require uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. It is the coverage that pays for you when the other driver cannot, and it is worth more than it costs.
Anything you use for work. Vehicles, tools and equipment used commercially often fall outside a personal policy. If some of what you own earns money, tell us so it gets covered by the right policy.
Start with understanding, not a quote
Most people would rather understand their insurance than be sold more of it. That is what these are for. Read whichever one matches the question you actually have.
What insurance actually does
The three jobs a policy is doing, and why most people buy one well and underbuy the other two.
How much liability coverage do you actually need
The number that matters most, and a ten minute way to work yours out.
How to keep insurance affordable without making it thin
What really moves the price, where the deductible is real money, and what never to cut.
Designing coverage around your actual life
What “enough” looks like at different points in life, and how a review with us actually goes.
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. Coverage terms, availability and pricing vary by carrier and policy. State minimum requirements were verified in August 2026. Corey Benson Insurance Agency is licensed in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Arizona.
