Effective July 28, 2019, Washington state motorcyclists must carry liability insurance.
House Bill 1014 (pdf) passed the Washington State House on April 12 and the Senate on April 19. Motorcyclists had been exempt from carrying liability insurance.
Rep. Bill Jenkin, R-Prosser, was the prime sponsor of this bill. It takes effect 90 days after the close of the 2019 legislative session.
Bodily injury and property damage insurance protects the rider should the rider cause damage in an at-fault accident. Many motorcyclists carry insurance because they have a lien on their bikes and the lender requires insurance.
