Yes, in general Washington State's auto insurance rates are higher than the State of California. In 2004 - 2005 the NAIC found the average expenditure of auto insurance in Washington was $541 while in California the average cost was only $487.

To calculate average expenditures the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) used the assumption that all insured vehicles carry liability coverage but not necessarily collision or comprehensive coverage. The average expenditure measures what consumers actually spend for insurance on each vehicle. It does not equal the sum of liability, collision and comprehensive expenditures because not all policyholders purchase all three coverages.

The NAIC notes that urban population, traffic density and per capita income have a significant impact on premiums. The latest report shows that high premium states tend also to be highly urban, with higher wage and price levels and greater traffic density. Tort liability and other auto laws, labor costs, liability coverage requirements, theft rates and other factors can also affect auto insurance prices.

Insurance.com did a pricing for auto insurance that took in account the first half of 2007. Their information came from actual auto insurance quotes consumers received from over a dozen of the nation’s leading auto insurance. This report showed Washington's auto insurance cost at $1860 and California's expense only at $1771.

CarInsurance.com's pricing report for 2007 showed the average annual premium in California at $1,218.44. The average premium paid in Washington on CarInsurance.com for 2007 was $1,373.32. In 2008, the CA CarInsurance.com Average Premium report is at $1,131.44 and Washington is $1,610.82.

Insurance pricing fluctuates and goes through cycles. The regulatory cycle appears tight in CA and a little less stringent in WA.

Keep in mind that auto insurance is more expensive in urban areas because of the higher density of traffic, increased likelihood of theft and vandalism, and greater incidence of fraud. So Los Angeles, CA comes up with an average cost of $3027 and ranks within the top 5 most expensive cities to insure a vehicle.

Whether you need insurance for either Washington or California, follow this link for instant car insurance quotes.