Washington Car Insurance

Washington requires just $10,000 in property damage liability coverage, which is rarely enough to pay for repairs if you are unlucky enough to hit a newer car. Bodily injury limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident are relatively low as well. Consider increasing these levels as your income and assets grow.

Spokane, Yakima and Seattle-Tacoma rank among the 20 worst hot spots in the country for car thefts, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. You're not covered for theft unless you've bought comprehensive coverage.

Washington thieves' favorites, in order: Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Acura Integra, Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, Chevrolet full-size pickup, Nissan Sentra, Saturn SL, Chevrolet compact pickup and Toyota Corolla.

Stricter rules for young drivers: Washington drivers under 18 may not have any passengers under the age of 20 for the first six months of driving, and no more three passengers under 20 afterward (family excepted). They can't use cellphones at all, and they can't drive between 1 and 5 a.m.

Those "Traffic Safety Project" signs: Washington's Corridor Safety Program identifies the most trouble-prone sections of highways and helps arrange low-cost ways to make them safer. That could include new signs, flashing lights, improved crosswalk markings and increased patrols.

A DUI for pot: Washington made marijuana use legal in 2012, but driving while under the influence is still a crime (and a serious one at that). The state is still establishing standards for measuring intoxication.