7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Contributor to top media, including USA Today
A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Though not technically a state, Washington, D.C., has a larger population than Vermont and Wyoming. Around 670,000 people live in the nation’s capital, which is home to numerous museums and historical landmarks.
Car insurance in D.C. costs $266 per month on average. Drivers in the city tend to find the cheapest auto insurance rates through GEICO, Travelers, and Erie. Insurance companies consider several factors to determine your premiums, like your age, driving record, and vehicle type.
Here’s how to find cheap coverage in Washington, D.C.
Quick Facts
Though Washington, D.C., uses a no-fault accident system, injured drivers who choose to purchase PIP coverage have the option to receive no-fault benefits or file a claim against the at-fault driver.[1]
Auto insurers in Washington, D.C., can consider your credit score when determining your premium.[2]
On average, D.C. drivers pay $310 per month for full-coverage car insurance.
Find Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.
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4.8/5
Best car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Because each vehicle owner has a unique driver profile and desired coverage level, car insurance rates can vary widely across insurance companies. However, some of the cheapest car insurance companies in the state offer cheap rates for many types of drivers.
The best way to find cheap coverage that matches your needs is to shop around for quotes from multiple insurers. You can start your search with a few of the best car insurance companies below.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
834
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$90/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$145/mo
GEICO offers drivers in Washington, D.C., some of the lowest average rates for liability-only insurance. Besides liability coverage, GEICO also offers medical payments, PIP, uninsured motorist, collision, comprehensive, rental reimbursement, and emergency road service coverage. A long list of discounts can help you earn even lower insurance costs.
Pros
Many discounts available
A++ (Superior) A.M. Best financial strength rating
Cons
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
No rideshare or gap insurance
Good communication
John - February 4, 2023
Verified
They offer the best rate.
Shannon - February 1, 2023
Verified
Any time I called them, they were on top of it and gave me an answer right away.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
860
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$147/mo
On average, Travelers offers drivers in Washington, D.C., some of the cheapest rates for full-coverage car insurance. In addition to relatively low rates, the insurance company offers a wide selection of optional coverages, such as rental, gap, rideshare, and roadside assistance coverage. Travelers provides multiple discounts for customers to benefit from.
Pros
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
Many discounts available
Cons
No rideshare coverage
Some poor customer reviews on Trustpilot
They have the lowest rates I could find.
Elise - September 11, 2023
Verified
They are one of the few companies writing policies for a full year. All these "discount companies " miss lead you by quoting 6 month policies.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
867
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$91/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$147/mo
Erie has been providing quality insurance to customers for nearly 100 years. The company offers several insurance products, including auto and homeowners insurance. If you opt to bundle your home insurance and auto insurance policies through Erie, you can potentially save between 16% and 25% on your insurance costs. The company also offers the Rate Lock feature, which keeps your coverage costs the same until you make changes to the policy.
Pros
Top J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region
Rate Lock feature can prevent rising rates
Cons
Must finalize your policy with an agent
Some poor customer reviews on Trustpilot
Over the years, they have always gone over and above what I would have expected. They are fair and prompt in customer service issues. They have always tailored my policy to meet my needs at a very fair price.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Washington, D.C.
After an incident, liability car insurance kicks in to help you pay for vehicle damage or injuries you caused the other driver in an accident. This insurance won’t help you repair your own vehicle or cover your medical costs.[3]
Here are some of the cheapest auto policy options for liability-only coverage in Washington, D.C.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C.
Full-coverage car insurance includes comprehensive, collision, and liability coverages. After an accident, collision coverage will help you pay to repair or replace your own vehicle. For non-collision incidents, like damage from a fallen tree or natural disaster, comprehensive insurance can provide coverage.
Though this type of insurance isn’t mandatory, your auto lender may require you to carry it if you finance or lease your vehicle. Drivers with a new or valuable vehicle may want to purchase this optional coverage for extra financial protection.[4]
You can find the cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in Washington, D.C., below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Car insurance requirements in Washington, D.C.
The Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act in the District of Columbia requires you to have a minimum amount of auto insurance when registering a vehicle. In addition to the required coverage, D.C. auto insurers must offer all drivers personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which can cover your medical expenses following an accident-related injury.
You can find the specific D.C. requirements below:
In some cases, you might decide to carry more than the minimum coverage for more vehicle protection. Here are a few common optional coverages you may want to consider:
Comprehensive coverage
Following a non-collision incident, comprehensive coverage can help you repair or replace your vehicle. This includes damage from fire, vandalism, and severe weather.
Collision coverage
Collision insurance covers your vehicle after an auto accident, regardless of fault.
Roadside assistance coverage
Though specifics vary by company, roadside assistance coverage typically includes services for a reduced rate, including towing, tire replacement, jump-starts, gas delivery, and more.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Making a mistake behind the wheel can have an effect on your driving record. Drivers with incidents on their record tend to pay higher rates for auto insurance coverage than people with a clean record. Insurers view drivers with speeding tickets, driving under the influence charges, or at-fault accidents as a higher risk to insure.[5]
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.
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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket
The Washington, D.C., area has an above-average number of street racers. The nation’s capital has approximately 8.9 street racers per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 7.4, according to Insurify data. The higher number of street racers makes speeding a common issue in D.C.
If you get a speeding ticket in D.C., you’ll likely face higher car insurance rates than drivers with a clean record. The severity of the offense can influence how much you pay in an initial fine and future increased rate. For example, an infraction related to street racing will likely increase your rates more than a ticket for going over the speed limit by 10 miles per hour.
Here are the average monthly quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket in Washington, D.C.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident
An at-fault accident can have a more significant effect on your car insurance than a single speeding ticket. In general, insurers charge drivers with an at-fault accident on their record higher insurance premiums to offset the perceived risk posed by the prior incident.
Here are the average monthly quotes for D.C. drivers with an at-fault accident on their record.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI
A DUI is a serious traffic violation that comes with expensive consequences. Most drivers with a DUI on their driving record pay significantly more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record or another type of incident, like a speeding ticket.
You can find the cheapest average monthly quotes for Washington, D.C., drivers with a DUI below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors
Insurance companies usually consider your age when determining premiums. Between the ages of 35 and 75, experienced drivers tend to see average rates decrease with time. Senior drivers older than 75 can start to expect slightly higher rates because auto insurers may account for risk factors related to aging.
Average rates for senior drivers vary by insurance company, which makes shopping around critical. Find some of the cheapest insurers for senior drivers in D.C. below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for teens
Teenagers and young drivers face the highest car insurance costs due to limited driving experience. Many insurance companies view teenagers as high-risk drivers with a greater likelihood of having an accident or filing a claim.
The good news is that teen drivers can find ways to avoid overpaying for coverage. Some strategies to lower your car insurance costs include picking a safe vehicle, increasing your deductible, joining your parents’ insurance policy, and maintaining good grades to earn a good student discount.[6]
Young drivers in Washington, D.C., can find some of the cheapest car insurance options below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C.
“A driver can save money on car insurance by shopping with different companies, maximizing discounts, decreasing annual mileage, increasing deductibles, and reviewing optional coverage,” says Nick Schrader, insurance agent and owner of Second Western Insurance.
Stick with minimum coverage. You must carry a minimum amount of coverage to drive in D.C. legally, but you don’t need to purchase optional coverage. If you have an old or inexpensive vehicle, you may only need liability coverage.
Shop around. You should always compare multiple quotes when seeking out the most affordable car insurance costs.
Bundle policies. If you have multiple insurance needs, bundling coverage under one insurance company can lead to savings. Many companies offer bundling opportunities for your homeowners and auto insurance.
Find Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.
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Washington, D.C., car insurance quotes by credit tier
In some cases, working to improve your credit score can lead to lower car insurance rates. You can do this by remembering to pay your bills on time and reviewing your credit report to identify any potential mistakes.
Here are the average full-coverage auto insurance quotes by credit tier in D.C.
Rates by Credit Tier
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Washington, D.C., car insurance FAQs
Before purchasing insurance, you should decide on the right amount of coverage for you. The information below should help you navigate the process of finding cheap insurance from a quality insurer in D.C.
How much is car insurance in Washington, D.C.?
On average, drivers in D.C. pay $266 per month for car insurance. Full-coverage insurance costs $310 per month on average, while liability-only coverage is $221 per month. Your specific rate depends on your driver profile, including your driving record, credit history, age, vehicle type, and more.
What are the best car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.?
With a 4.4 Insurify Quality (IQ) Score, A+ A.M. Best financial strength rating, and above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ranking, Erie is the best car insurance company in Washington, D.C. Other top insurers include GEICO and Travelers.
Is car insurance required in D.C.?
Yes. Drivers must carry the following minimum amounts of car insurance:
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability
$10,000 per accident in property damage liability
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury liability
$5,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage liability
Do you need to purchase PIP coverage in D.C.?
No. PIP coverage is not mandatory in D.C., but auto insurers must offer the coverage to every driver purchasing insurance. If you do purchase PIP coverage and have an accident, you have 60 days to decide whether you want to receive no-fault benefits or file a claim against the at-fault driver.
Insurify Insights
How Washington Dc Drivers Measure Up
While most drivers know that car insurance quotes are determined in part by your personal driving history, many may be unaware that rates are also impacted by the average risk of the drivers around you as well. Check out Insurify's latest analysis of driving records in Washington Dc below:
Methodology
Drawing from an internal database of over 4 million car insurance applications, the research team at Insurify analyzes patterns in car ownership and driver behavior - including how Washington Dc drivers measure up to their fellow motorists across the United States in areas including speeding, DUIs, and more. Insurify Insights publishes data-driven articles, trend analyses, and national rankings each week on all factors related to cars and those who drive them.
Nissan Altima
Most Popular Car in Washington Dc
#9
State with the Most Speeding Tickets Rank
#18
State with the Moving Violations Rank
#34
State with the Most DUIs Rank
#46
State with the most Suspended Licenses
While car accidents are a sadly unavoidable feature of time spent on the road, rates of accidents do vary from city to city and from state to state. Washington Dc is the #20 state in the country for drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record.
Rank among states: #20
Percent of drivers in Washington Dc with an accident: 8.9%
While driving while intoxicated is never acceptable, it’s a more common offense than many assume. Washington Dc is the #34 state in the country for drivers with a prior drunk driving conviction.
Rank among states: #34
Percent of drivers in Washington Dc with a DUI: 1.1%
Reckless driving refers to a specific traffic violation: when drivers willfully act dangerously in spite of the risks they’re imposing on both themselves and others. Washington Dc is the #37 state in the country for drivers with a reckless driving offense on record.
Rank among states: #37
Percent of drivers in Washington Dc with a reckless driving offense: 1%
The Insurify team classifies rude drivers as those who commit one or more of the following driving offenses: failure to yield or failure to stop, improper backing, passing where prohibited, tailgating, street racing, or hit-and-run. Washington Dc is the #38 state in the country for drivers with a rude driving violation on record.
Rank among states: #38
Percent of drivers in Washington Dc with a rude driving violation: 1.1%
Exceeding the speed limit can endanger others and have a serious impact on your insurance costs. Washington Dc is the #9 state in the country for drivers with a speeding ticket on record.
Rank among states: #9
Percent of drivers in Washington Dc with a speeding ticket: 11%
Failing to yield the right of way isn’t just frustrating for other drivers; it’s dangerous, too. Washington Dc is the #24 state in the country for drivers with a failure to yield violation on record.
Rank among states: #24
Percent of drivers in Washington Dc with a failure to yield violation: 0.1%
Insurify Insights
Insurify's team of data scientists and content specialists presents Insurify Insights, a series of automotive, home, and health studies focusing on the topics that impact us all. through expert analysis of over 4 million car insurance applications and an array of top data sources, the Insurify Insights team produces new data-driven articles, trend analyses, regional superlatives, and national rankings every week. See Insurify Insights as featured in Forbes, Fox News, USA Today, NPR, and more.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
GEICO
Travelers
Erie Insurance
