Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1959 NO. 38 >

(1)  The increased financial responsibility insurance requirements provided under the 1959 amendment do not apply to persons who have previously proven their ability to respond in damages under the prior law until application for operators' license renewal.(2)  A blanket endorsement from an affected insurance carrier covering all its insured whose proof of financial responsibility has been shown by certificate of that carrier, will suffice as proof of the insured's ability to respond in damages in the increased amount.(3)  An individual involved in an accident after the 1959 amendment becomes effective cannot be excused from depositing security to cover damages or injury by showing that at the time of the accident he had liability insurance with coverage limits lower than that required by the amendment but greater than any claimed damages or injuries.

AGO 1958 NO. 170 >

A person who has been convicted of, or forfeited bail for, operating a motor vehicle without a license cannot obtain a license to operate a motor vehicle during a three‑year period following such offense, unless he furnishes proof of financial responsibility during such period.

AGO 1958 NO. 225 >

The operator of a motor vehicle who has had his license suspended makes the necessary proof of ability to respond in damages required under the financial responsibility act by presenting a certificate of the state treasurer showing that there has been deposited with him collateral approved by him in the amount of $11,000, based upon the same standards imposed by statute as acceptable security for state deposits.

AGO 1956 NO. 348 >

Operators of motorcycles and farm tractors operated on the public highways are subject to the Financial Responsibility Act (chapters 46.24 and 46.28 RCW) since the definition of motor vehicles contained in said act (RCW 46.24.010 as derived from § 4 (b), chapter 158, Laws of 1939) and not the definition contained in RCW 46.04.320 (1955 Supp.) defines the motor vehicles to which it is applicable.