Washington DC Auto Insurance (2023)

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. Insurance companies use personal characteristics such as your age, driving record, credit score, and ZIP code to determine your insurance rates. You’ll get the cheapest rates when you compare multiple insurers side by side.

Our guide compares car insurance quotes from the cheapest companies in Washington, D.C., to find affordable coverage for all drivers. Young drivers often pay the most for coverage, but we found that COMPANY offers the best rates for teens while COMPANY has competitive quotes for drivers with accidents.

If you live and commute in Washington, D.C., keep reading to find out how much auto insurance you need and where you can find the best rates for your policy.

The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Washington, D.C.

The cheapest auto insurance companies discussed below are based on average rates. You may find that your insurance quotes are contingent upon where you live and the kind of car you drive, 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., use our free comparison tool above to find quotes from local insurers in your part of the district.

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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., Minimum Coverage 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 auto insurance, which you can use to pay for hit-and-runs or collisions with uninsured or underinsured drivers. 

Here is a breakdown of how much coverage will pay if you’re involved in an accident:

You must maintain this level of coverage to legally drive in Washington, D.C., but we recommend buying more coverage. Liability insurance will not pay for your injuries or property damage, and the uninsured 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 in order to be better protected on the road. For example, you may want to add collision and comprehensive insurance, known as full auto insurance coverage, to pay for your losses.

The optional coverage available in Washington, D.C., includes:

• Collision insurance. This coverage 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. This coverage 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 and rental car reimbursement. 

Coverage availability will vary from company to company. You should compare policies and prices from at least three different insurers to guarantee you’re getting the best rates. Below, we compare D.C. auto insurance rates for minimum liability and full coverage so you can find a policy that fits your budget. 

The Cheapest Minimum Liability Companies in Washington, D.C.

Minimum liability auto insurance 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 companies in the district.

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.

The Cheapest Full Coverage Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C.

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 $114 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.

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.

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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%. 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.

COMPANY offers the best rates to drivers after an accident. 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. 

Cheap Auto Insurance for Young Drivers in Washington, D.C.

Due to inexperience behind the wheel, auto insurance for young drivers 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.

If you’re a teen driver, cheap car insurance in D.C. is hard to come by. You will get better rates 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

According to the Washington, D.C., Department of Insurance (DISB), insurance companies consider your payment history, credit history, debt type, and whether you recently opened any new lines of credit when determining rates. 

Drivers with poor credit also pay double the average rates for car insurance in D.C. COMPANY offers the best rates to drivers with bad credit, but it still charges more than average.

You can still 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., Car Insurance After a DUI

After a DUI charge, your Washington, D.C., auto insurance rates can go up by $2,000 a year. That’s an increase of over 80%. 

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 Time
1st Offense	Six-month license revocation	$1,000 fine and/or 180 days in jail	Mandatory 10-20 days
2nd Offense	One-year license revocation	$2,500-$5,000 fine and/or one year in jail	Mandatory 10-35 days
3rd Offense	Two-year license revocation	$2,500-$10,000 fine and/or one year in jail	Mandatory 12-45 days
4th and Subsequent Offenses	Two-year+ license revocation	$2,500-$10,000 fine and/or one year in jail	Mandatory 45-75 days (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 Insurance

You may be required to file SR-22 auto insurance in Washington, D.C. 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 Acquire an SR-22 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.

How To Find Cheap Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C.

The cheapest auto insurance companies in the district are LIABILITY ONE and FULL COVERAGE, but your 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 rates if you drive at night or more than 11,000 miles per year.

High-risk drivers may find cheaper quotes with ACCIDENT COMPANY, but the easiest way to find more affordable auto insurance in D.C. is to compare these companies against local insurers in your neighborhood.

Take advantage of free insurance resources and online comparison tools like ours below. We can help you find free quotes from local insurance companies in Washington, D.C., so you can compare policy types and find the most affordable coverage for your budget.

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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

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