Legislation has been prefiled in Olympia for the 2024 session that would allow vehicles without liability insurance to be impounded on the third violation. John Sattgast reports.

SATTGAST: It’s bad news if someone crashes into your car. But even worse if you discover the other driver has no insurance. Washington state requires all registered vehicles to meet state-mandated minimums of liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage.

CHRISTIAN: “Our state is one of the highest in the nation with uninsured motorists, even though we have mandatory insurance in this state.”

SATTGAST: That’s Spokane Valley Representative Leonard Christian. When a driver doesn’t have insurance, you or your insurance company may be stuck with the bill. Christian wants to make sure all Washington drivers are carrying insurance. And if they’re not, they could find themselves without a car.

CHRISTIAN: “We decided to make this bill that would at least give the officer the tools to impound the vehicle on the third stop when you don’t have insurance. It also becomes mandated if you have an at-fault accident and you have no insurance.”

SATTGAST: Christian says he doesn’t want to deprive drivers of their vehicles. But he does want to incentivize them to carry liability insurance so that drivers not at fault in an accident don’t get stuck with the bill.

The 60-day legislative session begins January 8.

John Sattgast, the state Capitol.