Washington, D.C. Auto Insurance (2024)
Washington, D.C. auto insurance averages $138 monthly. State Farm and Geico offer cheap D.C. car insurance rates, while the Nationwide auto insurance company in D.C. is very expensive. Below, we'll help you find cheap car insurance quotes in Washington, D.C. from the best D.C. auto insurance companies.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 2, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 2, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Washington, D.C. drivers must meet car insurance requirements, including 25/50/10 in bodily injury and property damage liability and 25/50/5 in uninsured motorist coverage
- Auto insurance in D.C. costs around $58/mo for liability and $138/mo for full coverage
- Geico and State Farm offer the cheapest D.C. auto insurance rates, while Nationwide is the most expensive
Finding cheap auto insurance quotes in Washington, D.C. will come down to your habits as a driver and the kind of company you shop with. D.C. insurance companies consider various factors that affect auto insurance rates, such as age, driving record, credit score, and ZIP code.
You’ll get the cheapest car insurance in D.C. when you compare multiple insurers side by side. Our guide compares car insurance rates from the cheapest companies in Washington, D.C. to find affordable coverage for all drivers.
Keep reading to find out how much auto insurance you need and where you can find the best Washington, D.C. car insurance rates for your policy.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Cheapest Washington, D.C. Auto Insurance Companies
The cheapest D.C. auto insurance companies discussed below are based on average rates. You may find that your Washington, D.C. auto insurance quotes are contingent on location and car type, so use the top companies in this guide as a place to start your quote comparison.
Once you compare the cheapest car insurance companies in Washington, D.C., enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool above to find cheap D.C. auto insurance quotes.
Cheapest Washington, D.C. Auto Insurance Companies for Liability Coverage
Minimum liability auto insurance coverage in Washington, D.C. includes uninsured motorist coverage, which can raise your rates. However, rates remain cheaper than the national average of $55 per month. Below are the most affordable liability auto insurance companies in the District:
Liability Auto Insurance Average Rates From Top Providers
| Insurance Company | Monthly Rates |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $160 |
| American Family | $117 |
| Auto-Owners | $87 |
| Farmers | $139 |
| Geico | $80 |
| Liberty Mutual | $174 |
| Nationwide | $115 |
| Progressive | $105 |
| State Farm | $86 |
| Travelers | $99 |
| USAA | $59 |
| U.S. Average | $119 |
If you choose to carry higher liability limits on your policy, expect your average quotes to be higher than these. Your car insurance quotes will also go up if you have an accident or speeding ticket, so shop around with multiple companies before you buy.
Cheapest Washington, D.C. Auto Insurance Companies for Full Coverage
Full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. includes minimum liability, uninsured motorist, collision, and comprehensive auto insurance policies. Rates are double that of liability-only at around $138 per month, but they are still cheaper than the national average.
Compare full coverage auto insurance from the cheapest companies in Washington, D.C. to get the best prices.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates From Top Providers
| Insurance Company | Monthly Rates |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $160 |
| American Family | $117 |
| Auto-Owners | $33 |
| Farmers | $87 |
| Geico | $80 |
| Liberty Mutual | $174 |
| Nationwide | $115 |
| Progressive | $105 |
| State Farm | $86 |
| Travelers | $99 |
| USAA | $59 |
| U.S. Average | $119 |
The average quotes above are for good drivers with clean records. You will face rate hikes if you’ve been in an accident or have multiple traffic violations. You’ll also pay more than average if you’re a young driver or have a poor credit score.
Scroll down to see how these D.C. auto insurance companies raise rates for young drivers and drivers with auto accidents or poor credit.
Washington, D.C. Auto Insurance Rates by Driver
Washington, D.C. car insurance companies are able to offer competitive rates to good drivers because the number of traffic fatalities in the District is so low. Safe driving habits reward all local drivers with cheap rates as long as they’re able to maintain a clean record and a good credit score.
Keep reading for side-by-side comparisons of auto insurance quotes in Washington, D.C. by driving record.
Cheap Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C. With an At-Fault Accident
Unfortunately, one accident can raise your D.C. car insurance rates by 30%.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates: One Accident vs. Clean Record
| Insurance Company | One Accident | Clean Record |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | $220 | $180 |
| Allstate | $225 | $166 |
| American Family | $176 | $116 |
| Farmers | $198 | $140 |
| Geico | $132 | $95 |
| Hartford | $230 | $175 |
| Liberty Mutual | $234 | $177 |
| Nationwide | $161 | $140 |
| Progressive | $186 | $120 |
| State Farm | $150 | $105 |
| Travelers | $200 | $160 |
| U.S. Average | $172 | $123 |
Geico offers the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. to drivers after an accident, averaging $106 monthly. However, insurers like Allstate and Nationwide offer accident forgiveness policies that won’t raise your rates after a covered collision. You may pay slightly higher monthly rates for this perk, but you won’t see that 30% increase other at-fault drivers see after an accident.
Read More:
- Geico Auto Insurance Review
- Allstate Auto Insurance Review
- Nationwide Auto Insurance Review
Compare insurance quotes from as many companies as possible to find the absolute best rates if you have one or more accidents on your record.
Cheap Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C. for Young Drivers
Due to inexperience behind the wheel, auto insurance for young adults comes with the highest rates. Car insurance companies in Washington, D.C. charge teens double the rates they charge drivers in their 30s and 40s, and most young drivers won’t see their rates go down until they turn 25.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Age and Gender
| Insurance Company | 18-Year-Old Male | 18-Year-Old Female | 30-Year-Old Male | 30-Year-Old Female | 45-Year-Old Male | 45-Year-Old Female | 55-Year-Old Male | 55-Year-Old Female | 65-Year-Old Male | 65-Year-Old Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | $378 | $328 | $103 | $99 | $86 | $88 | $81 | $83 | $84 | $86 |
| Allstate | $203 | $180 | $79 | $74 | $59 | $59 | $56 | $56 | $57 | $58 |
| American Family | $414 | $305 | $137 | $116 | $117 | $115 | $111 | $109 | $114 | $113 |
| Farmers | $629 | $597 | $167 | $160 | $139 | $139 | $131 | $132 | $136 | $136 |
| Geico | $254 | $220 | $87 | $90 | $80 | $80 | $76 | $76 | $78 | $78 |
| Hartford | $469 | $407 | $133 | $126 | $113 | $115 | $107 | $109 | $109 | $112 |
| Liberty Mutual | $626 | $626 | $200 | $174 | $174 | $171 | $165 | $162 | $170 | $96 |
| Nationwide | $387 | $303 | $136 | $124 | $115 | $113 | $109 | $107 | $114 | $113 |
| Progressive | $662 | $591 | $136 | $131 | $105 | $112 | $100 | $106 | $103 | $109 |
| State Farm | $284 | $229 | $103 | $94 | $86 | $86 | $82 | $82 | $84 | $84 |
| Travelers | $740 | $530 | $108 | $99 | $99 | $98 | $94 | $93 | $97 | $96 |
| U.S. Average | $501 | $416 | $139 | $128 | $119 | $119 | $113 | $113 | $117 | $117 |
If you’re a teen driver, cheap car insurance in D.C. is hard to come by. Auto insurance for teens in Washington, D.C. is cheaper if you can add yourself to a parent, guardian, or roommate’s policy. Their rates will go up too, but you will still pay much less than you would be buying an individual policy.
Cheap Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C. With Bad Credit
How credit scores affects auto insurance rates depends on your payment history, credit history, debt type, and whether you recently opened any new lines of credit. Drivers with poor credit usually pay double the average rates for car insurance in D.C.
Geico and Nationwide offer the best rates to drivers with bad credit but still charge more than average.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Credit Score
| Insurance Company | Poor Credit | Fair Credit | Good Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | $245 | $165 | $135 |
| Allstate | $296 | $197 | $166 |
| American Family | $203 | $136 | $116 |
| Farmers | $269 | $161 | $140 |
| Geico | $148 | $100 | $82 |
| Hartford | $230 | $155 | $120 |
| Liberty Mutual | $355 | $226 | $177 |
| Nationwide | $166 | $133 | $120 |
| Progressive | $206 | $138 | $109 |
| State Farm | $200 | $118 | $91 |
| Travelers | $194 | $128 | $107 |
| U.S. Average | $226 | $148 | $123 |
You can find cheap auto insurance quotes in Washington, D.C. with bad credit by shopping around and working toward improving your score. Paying insurance bills on time and making regular payments to your existing debt will slowly but surely lower your auto insurance rates.
Cheap Washington, D.C. Auto Insurance After a DUI
After a DUI charge, your Washington, D.C. auto insurance rates can go up to $224 monthly, an increase of over 62%.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record
| Insurance Company | One Accident | One DUI | One Ticket | Clean Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | $220 | $240 | $220 | $180 |
| Allstate | $225 | $225 | $195 | $166 |
| American Family | $176 | $176 | $131 | $116 |
| Farmers | $198 | $198 | $176 | $140 |
| Geico | $132 | $132 | $125 | $95 |
| Hartford | $230 | $250 | $215 | $175 |
| Liberty Mutual | $234 | $234 | $217 | $177 |
| Nationwide | $161 | $161 | $175 | $140 |
| Progressive | $186 | $186 | $160 | $120 |
| State Farm | $150 | $102 | $138 | $105 |
| Travelers | $200 | $139 | $205 | $160 |
| U.S. Average | $172 | $173 | $152 | $123 |
Even the cheapest car insurance companies in the District still raise your rates after a DUI. You may even lose coverage if this is your second or third offense, so compare rates from multiple companies to get the most affordable coverage.
Washington, D.C. DUI Laws
On top of increased insurance rates, you also face fines and penalties. The table below goes into the details of Washington, D.C. DUI laws and penalties.
Washington, D.C. DUI Laws & Penalties
| Offense | Penalty | Fines | Jail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st offense | Six-month license revocation | $1,000 fine and/or 180 days in jail | Mandatory 10-20 day sentence |
| 2nd offense | One-year license revocation | $2,500-$5,000 fine and/or one year in jail | Mandatory 10-35 day sentence |
| 3rd offense | Two-year license revocation | $2,500-$10,000 fine and/or one year in jail | Mandatory 12-45 day sentence |
| 4th and subsequent offenses | Two-year license revocation | $2,500-$10,000 fine and/or one year in jail | Mandatory 45-75 day sentence (plus 30 days for each subsequent offense) |
You will lose your driver’s license after your first offense, and multiple offenses can cost you up to $10,000. In addition, drivers under 21 caught with alcohol face additional mandatory minimums and fines of up to $1,000 for having false or altered IDs.
Washington, D.C. SR-22 Auto Insurance
Washington, D.C. may require you to file SR-22 auto insurance if you lose your license after a DUI or reckless driving accident. SR-22 forms do not provide any insurance coverage but act as proof that you carry minimum coverage.
District of Columbia insurance law requires high-risk drivers to carry SR-22 for three years. Your insurance rates will go up when you file, and you have to pay a fee of $15-$25 to have your insurance company file the SR-22 form on your behalf.
How to Get SR-22 Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C.
Filing SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C. is easy — call your insurance company and ask them to file the form with your local DMV.
If your current insurer cannot file for you or cancels your policy for increased risk, you can shop for SR-22 insurance quotes online. Just choose “yes” when asked if you need an SR-22.
Make sure you have your license and vehicle information ready when you shop online for auto insurance quotes. Each insurance company charges different rates for these offenses, and you will find the most affordable Washington, D.C. auto insurance by comparing at least three different insurers.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Washington, D.C. Auto Insurance Laws
The District of Columbia follows no-fault auto insurance laws, meaning you typically carry higher insurance limits because you cannot sue other drivers for damages except for very specific exceptions. However, unlike other no-fault states, drivers are allowed to choose between no-fault and liability policies when they buy coverage.
If you buy no-fault auto insurance, you still have up to 60 days after an accident to switch and file a claim against the at-fault party. This is something to consider if you’re involved in a serious accident, as no-fault insurance will not cover pain and suffering claims.
No matter which type of policy you choose, in Washington, D.C. car insurance laws require drivers to carry at least liability and uninsured motorist coverage. Therefore, you must surrender your vehicle tags and registration before the policy end date if you decide to cancel your car insurance. Failing to do so will result in a fine of $150 per day of driving uninsured, up to $2,500.
Driving without car insurance in D.C. will also raise your insurance rates, and you may have a hard time finding new coverage. Maintaining at least liability coverage is the only way to avoid these penalties and get the cheapest Washington, D.C. auto insurance.
Washington, D.C. Auto Insurance Requirements
Washington, D.C.’s minimum coverage operates in the amounts of 25/50/10 to cover any damage you cause to other drivers in an accident. You must also carry 25/50/5 in uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which you can use to pay for hit-and-runs or collisions with uninsured or underinsured drivers.
Take a look at the table below to see D.C. car insurance requirements:
Washington, D.C. Auto Insurance Minimum Requirements
| Coverage | Limits |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability | $25,000 per person $50,000 per accident |
| Property Damage Liability | $10,000 minimum |
| Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury | $20,000 per person $50,000 per accident |
| Uninsured Motorist Property Damage | $5,000 per accident w/ $200 deductible |
You must maintain this level of coverage to legally drive in Washington, D.C., but we recommend buying more coverage. Liability auto insurance in D.C. won’t pay for your injuries or property damage, and the unisured coverage required in the District is very low.
Optional Auto Insurance Coverage in Washington, D.C.
The District requires drivers to carry minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage, but you can choose to have more for better protection on the road. For example, you may want to add collision and comprehensive insurance, known as full coverage auto insurance, onto your D.C. car insurance policy.
Comprehensive is often called "other than collision" insurance, and it's what you need if you're worried that a hurricane could damage your car🚘. It also covers vandalism🔨 and theft. https://t.co/27f1xf1ARb has a guide you can check out here👉: https://t.co/ii0sdamKtX pic.twitter.com/IAYBLUdO8B
— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) September 20, 2023
The optional coverage available for car insurance in Washington, D.C. includes:
- Collision insurance: Collision auto insurance pays for your property and vehicle damage in an accident or collision.
- Comprehensive coverage: This coverage pays for claims unrelated to collisions, including weather damage, theft, and fire.
- Gap insurance: Gap insurance pays the difference you owe on an auto loan if your vehicle is totaled after a claim,
- Medical payments (MedPay): This coverage pays for your medical bills after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Insurance companies can also offer unique coverages for different situations, including roadside assistance coverage and rental car reimbursement.
Coverage availability varies from company to company. Compare policies and prices from at least three different D.C. auto insurance companies to guarantee you’re getting the best rates. Comparing auto insurance rates in Washington, D.C. for minimum liability and full coverage is the best way to find a policy that fits your budget.
How To Find Cheap Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C.
The cheapest auto insurance rates can vary based on where you live in Washington, D.C. and the kind of car you drive. Your daily commute may also raise your D.C. car insurance rates if you drive at night or more than 11,000 miles per year. You could also get affordable high-risk auto insurance in D.C. by comparing quotes from various companies if you have a DUI or speeding ticket on your record.
Enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below to find the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is car insurance in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C., auto insurance costs around $58 per month for liability-only and $138 for full coverage.
Is car insurance expensive in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C. auto insurance costs around $138 monthly, 16% higher than the national average. D.C. car insurance rates are expensive due to the District’s high population density and traffic.
What is the minimum car insurance in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C. car insurance requirements include 25/50/10 in minimum liability and 25/50/5 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Is car insurance cheaper in D.C. or Baltimore, Maryland?
Baltimore is a much larger city with higher traffic and auto theft rates, so average Washington, D.C. auto insurance rates are considerably less. Drivers in Baltimore pay over $200 per month for full coverage compared to drivers in the district, who pay around $100 monthly.
Does Washington, D.C. require car insurance?
Yes, drivers must show proof of insurance to register and legally drive a vehicle in Washington, D.C. Driving without auto insurance can result in fines, jail time, or loss of license.
Is Washington, D.C. a no-fault state for auto accidents?
Yes, D.C. is a no-fault auto insurance state, meaning you must file with your own policy first after an accident.
How are auto insurance premiums determined in Washington, D.C.?
Auto insurance premiums in Washington, D.C. are determined by various factors, including the driver’s age, driving record, type of vehicle, coverage limits, and deductibles. Insurance companies also consider factors like the driver’s credit history and the area where the vehicle is primarily kept.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.