Ben Luthi has been writing about personal finance for over a decade with the intent to help people improve their finances and lifestyle. He’s covered just about every personal finance topic under the sun for a variety of publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Fortune Recommends, Yahoo Finance, Experian, Credit Karma, NerdWallet, and many more. Ben lives near Salt Lake City with his two kids and two cats.
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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Shopping for car insurance can be difficult, and each person has different priorities when it comes to car insurance coverage.
To help you find the right fit, Insurify analyzed 50 car insurance companies to determine the best car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Here are our top five picks and why we chose them.
Best car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
The best car insurance company for you depends on several factors, such as your coverage needs, budget, driving record, and age. As you shop around, it’s also a good idea to consider each insurer’s coverage options, discounts, and track record for customer satisfaction and claims handling.
Here’s a quick look at our top choices to help you and other Washington, D.C., drivers get started on your search.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.4 /10
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.
$191/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.
$251/mo
4.0
Best choiceBased on 375 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Erie Insurance
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High customer satisfaction
Competitive rates
Optional coverages
How drivers feel about Erie Insurance
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High customer satisfaction
Competitive rates
Optional coverages
Reviews (193)
Stephen
Verified Review
Solid Traditional Company, Less Competitive Than They Used To Be
Reviewed in North Carolina on August 2025
Loyal for 25+ years, but premiums are becoming quite high, even for my low risks. Agents are excellent, and the claims process is fine. They don't seem particularly innovative, but that's okay.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
713
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.68
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+
Why we picked this company
Whether you need liability only or full coverage, Erie Insurance offers some of the cheapest auto insurance rates in Washington, D.C. The insurer has also received the top ranking for customer satisfaction in the Mid-Atlantic region for the past three years, according to J.D. Power.[1] It was also ranked third nationally for claims satisfaction.
The company offers a wide range of insurance products and even boasts a discount of up to 25% if you bundle your auto insurance with your home coverage.
Pros
No. 1 J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.3 /10
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.
$205/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.
$270/mo
4.1
Best choiceBased on 11,501 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about State Farm
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
How drivers feel about State Farm
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Reviews (6,120)
Lemuel
Verified Review
Too Much
Reviewed in Ohio on August 2025
They raise the premium constantly.
Scott
Verified Review
State Farm: Unbelievable Agent
Reviewed in Florida on August 2025
When my wife and I were in an accident in the Blue Ridge Mountains and were airlifted to a trauma center in Tennessee, I called my agent to report the accident while laying flat on my back. She told me I needed to call the corporate number. I explained that I was flat on my back with IVs in me, and she said, "Don't worry, I will take care of everything. Call me back when you are better." They handled everything for us. When we returned home and went to see them, it was unbelievable. They said, "Bring all your bills in, and we will handle it for you."
Julio
Verified Review
Claims!!!
Reviewed in North Carolina on August 2025
I had a bad experience with a claim because both parties used the same insurance company.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
652
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.84
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++
Why we picked this company
Other than Erie, State Farm is the only insurer on this list with an above-average rating for claims satisfaction, according to J.D. Power. The insurance company has more than two dozen local agents in Washington, D.C., and it offers affordable rates for both liability insurance and full coverage.
State Farm also offers a host of discounts to help you maximize your savings.
Pros
Strong network of local agents
High J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
Many discounts available
Cons
Accident forgiveness not available
Gap coverage not available
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.2 /10
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.
$225/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.
$288/mo
3.9
A solid optionBased on 12,148 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (6,477)
Deanna
Verified Review
Finding Low Rates
Reviewed in Texas on August 2025
I went in looking to lower my rate with the same coverage. Geico had the lowest. The only other one was USAA, and they were the same.
Patrick
Verified Review
Easy, Quick, and Worth It
Reviewed in California on August 2025
Make sure all coverages are correct and then compare prices. Geico was the lowest.
James
Verified Review
GEICO is good, Safe Driving App is NOT
Reviewed in Texas on August 2025
The Safe Driving App does not accurately track driving, and I lost the discount because of it.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
647
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.59
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++
Why we picked this company
Among our top picks for best insurance companies in Washington, D.C., GEICO offers some of the lowest rates in the District, both for liability-only and full coverage. The insurer also provides more transparency about potential savings from discounts compared to other companies.
GEICO also offers a host of other insurance products, making it easy to keep all your coverages under one proverbial roof.
Pros
Low average rates
Many discounts available
Easy policy management
Cons
Rideshare coverage not available
Gap insurance not available
Below-average J.D. Power claims and customer satisfaction ratings
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.5 /10
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.
$97/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.
$184/mo
4.7
Best choiceBased on 922 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Travelers
Customers appreciate the insurer’s communicative customer service and efficient claims process. But they’re dissatisfied with the consistent and sometimes significant price increases, even for those with clean driving records.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
Gap insurance
Rideshare coverage
How drivers feel about Travelers
Customers appreciate the insurer’s communicative customer service and efficient claims process. But they’re dissatisfied with the consistent and sometimes significant price increases, even for those with clean driving records.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
Gap insurance
Rideshare coverage
Reviews (477)
David
Verified Review
Car insurance: A necessity
Reviewed in New Jersey on August 2025
It's fine, but every year they increase too much.
Salvatore
Verified Review
Travelers have the best rates
Reviewed in Florida on August 2025
Best rates for auto insurance by far for myself and my wife with our situation and where we live. Rates don't get much better if we bundle our home, so I have a separate policy with a different insurer for my home. Customer service is almost non-existent; 95% of any contact has been through the app or online. I haven't needed to make any claims yet, so I can't comment on that aspect. I have shopped coverage with the competition and have found them to cost more and offer less coverage. So I'll put up with the lack of agent contact to save on premium and stay with Travelers for auto insurance.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
628
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0
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++
Why we picked this company
Travelers doesn’t offer the cheapest rates, but its premiums are more competitive than many other insurers in Washington, D.C. What’s more, the insurance company’s good student, student away at school, and driver training discounts can make it an affordable option for young drivers.
Travelers also offers several other discount opportunities, and it has nearly three dozen agents in Washington, D.C.
Pros
Multiple discounts for younger drivers
Discount for hybrid and electric vehicles
Many local agents
Cons
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction and customer satisfaction ratings
Must work with an agent to get a quote
Rideshare coverage not available in Washington, D.C.
USAA: Best for military members and their families
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.1 /10
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.
$210/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.
$277/mo
4.9
Best choiceBased on 2,153 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about USAA
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
How drivers feel about USAA
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
Reviews (1,215)
Bob
Verified Review
Solid Insurance Company
Reviewed in Alabama on August 2025
I'm a 68-year customer. That should tell you everything.
Randall
Verified Review
USAA not recommended
Reviewed in Texas on August 2025
I had my debit card hacked, and the bank had to create a new account, which caused all of the autopayments to be rejected until I got a new card and account number. Since it was a hack used to purchase bitcoin, the bank fraud investigators took longer than normal to get everything switched over. Just about every company was great about the failed charge once they heard about the reason. Not USAA. They sent major emails the second the charge was rejected and kept piling on. I called them, and they were unapologetic and rude. I asked them if they kept track of how long a person has been a customer. They told me I had been a customer for 37 years. They could not have cared less and then started trying to intimidate me by asking if I was still active duty and needed to update their records with this info, which they had for 25 years. They have poor customer service and high rates. Not the company they used to be. They were the only company I left through the whole experience. I would not recommend them, especially after all of the fraud that has come out of the company in recent years.
John
Verified Review
Not recommended for vehicle insurance
Reviewed in New Jersey on August 2025
Very difficult to deal with if you have a vehicle insurance claim; very good though with homeowners insurance.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
743
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.31
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++
Why we picked this company
USAA specializes in working with the military community, including U.S. military members, veterans, pre-commissioned officers, and their families. The company offers competitive rates for full coverage for many D.C. residents.
As a member, you can also take advantage of several other financial products and services, including insurance, banking, loans, and investing. USAA also offers a variety of member perks and discounts, making it a good option for the more than 20,000 veterans living in Washington, D.C.[2]
Pros
Offers banking and other financial products and services
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region
Discount for vehicles garaged on base
Cons
Available only to members of the military community
No local agents
No 24/7 customer support
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national auto insurance companies that sell policies in Washington, D.C., to assess which offer the best rates, coverage options, customer service, and savings to drivers. We prioritized competitive rates, 24/7 customer service, low-mileage discounts or programs, safe driving discounts, homeownership discounts or bundling options, and specialty or supplemental coverages.
How to get the best car insurance in Washington, D.C.
While our top picks can help you get started with your hunt for the best car insurance, it’s important to do your own research to ensure you get the best of the best.
Here are some tips you can use.
Consider how much coverage you need
Insurers may differ in the types of coverage they offer, so you’ll want to consider your coverage needs, including the types and limits you choose.
Read reviews from policyholders
Take some time to read reviews from current and previous policyholders on websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. These reviews can give you an idea of what your experience might look like and help you avoid potential red flags.
It’s a good idea to read both positive and negative reviews to get a full picture.
Look at discounts and perks
While many auto insurers offer a variety of discounts, some may provide savings that are more tailored to you. For example, if you have young drivers at home, a company with more discounts aimed at them can help you mitigate some of the costs of insuring them.
You can also consider other benefits, such as accident forgiveness and vanishing deductible, that can help you save money in the event of a claim.
Shop around and compare quotes
Every insurer is different in how it sets rates, so it’s crucial that you take the time to shop around and get quotes from multiple companies. As you go about the process, make sure you use the same coverage information with each insurer so you’re comparing apples to apples.
Find the Best Coverage at the Right Price
Liability policies start as low as $81 per month in D.C.
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 7,669+ reviews
4.8/5
Average cost of car insurance in Washington, D.C.
The average cost of car insurance in Washington, D.C., is $229 per month for liability-only coverage and $314 per month for full coverage, according to Insurify data. That’s quite a bit higher than the national monthly averages of $104 and $184, respectively.
Over the past two years, car insurance rates in the District have spiked, with average full-coverage rates jumping 24% since 2023, according to Insurify’s latest study. That’s substantially higher than the 15% average increase nationwide.
Best car insurance in Washington, D.C., FAQs
As you consider your options for car insurance, here are some answers to common questions to help you make a decision.
How much is car insurance in Washington, D.C.?
The average D.C. driver pays around $272 per month for car insurance. Breaking things down a bit further, drivers pay around $229 for basic liability coverage or $314 for a more robust full-coverage policy.
What are the best car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.?
Insurify’s top choices for the best car insurance companies in D.C. include Erie Insurance, State Farm, GEICO, Travelers, and USAA.
What is the required auto insurance coverage amount in Washington, D.C.?
The minimum coverage requirements for drivers in Washington, D.C., include:[3]
Ben Luthi has been writing about personal finance for over a decade with the intent to help people improve their finances and lifestyle. He’s covered just about every personal finance topic under the sun for a variety of publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Fortune Recommends, Yahoo Finance, Experian, Credit Karma, NerdWallet, and many more. Ben lives near Salt Lake City with his two kids and two cats.
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.