Cheapest Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C. (2025)
CSAA is the cheapest insurer for D.C. drivers, with liability rates as low as $81 per month.
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Written bySarah Sharkey
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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.
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Edited bySara Getman
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Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
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Reviewed byMark Friedlander
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
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Table of contents
Like many big cities, Washington, D.C., has higher auto insurance rates. For example, the average monthly cost of a full-coverage policy in D.C. is $335, compared to the average in nearby Arlington, Virginia, of $194 per month.
Liability-only policies in D.C. are high, too, with an average monthly premium of $231 compared to the national average of $105.
But since each insurance company has its own underwriting process, it’s a good idea to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before deciding on a policy.
Here’s how to find cheap coverage in Washington, D.C.
Quick Facts
Drivers in Washington, D.C., pay an average of $4,023 per year for full-coverage insurance.
Though Washington, D.C., uses a no-fault accident system, injured drivers who choose to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage have the option to receive no-fault benefits or file a claim against the at-fault driver.
CSAA offers the cheapest liability rates for D.C. drivers, at $81 per month.
3 of the cheapest 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. But some of the cheapest car insurance companies in D.C. 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.
GEICO
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score 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. | 9.0 /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. | $81/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. | $157/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 11,235 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 (6,152)
Larra
April 1, 2025
Verified Review
Unhappy and Planning to Cancel
I'm extremely upset that they're already expensive and then, in this current billing cycle, they increased my bill by over $40. I wish this could have been discussed over the phone. They just took it upon themselves to raise my rates. I will be switching to a new company immediately.
Merrylle
April 1, 2025
Verified Review
Seeking Reasonable Customer Service and Cost
I don't have many accidents, but when I do, the customer service is prompt and efficient. I am looking for a lower monthly premium.
Michael
March 31, 2025
Verified Review
Affordable but could improve senior discounts
So far, it's quite good. It's the cheapest of all the insurance agencies I've dealt with. However, the senior discounts could be better.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
834NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.74A.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
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) AM Best financial strength rating
Cons
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
No rideshare or gap insurance
Travelers
| User Reviews | 4.7 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score 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. | 9.0 /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. | $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. | $189/mo |
4.7
Best choiceBased on 843 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 (444)
Annette
March 31, 2025
Verified Review
Overpriced
The customer service from the representative was poor.
Michael
March 29, 2025
Verified Review
Clearly Less Expensive
I've had no real interaction.
Barbara
March 26, 2025
Verified Review
High Payments for My 2007 Toyota SUV
My payments are too high.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
860NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.94A.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
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
Erie
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score 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. | 9.0 /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. | $83/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. | $160/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 296 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 (157)
Gregory
April 2, 2025
Verified Review
Erie Auto Insurance: Great Company, Not So Great Rates
Erie was great when I first purchased my policy a few years ago. Since then, my rates have increased significantly. I had full coverage 100/300 liability with 100k in property damage, $500 deductible, $0 full glass coverage rental, and roadside for just over $800. This was great at the time compared to every other company I quoted. Then, Erie increased my rate to $1256 even though I’ve had no losses, no tickets, improved credit, and an excellent payment history, paying in full. When I compared rates with other companies, I found a reputable company who offered me 300/500k liability with 100k property, $500 deductible, $0 full glass, just like Erie, etc. I went from paying Erie $1256 per year to this new company $656 per year. That's almost a 50% savings while increasing my liability coverage at the same time. If Erie offers you a good rate, I highly recommend them. They’re a great company with a proven track record, but make sure you get quotes from others as well.
Harold
March 21, 2025
Verified Review
Erie Works For Me!
I have a good relationship with them!
Helen
March 21, 2025
Verified Review
Excellent
Erie excels in all aspects of their service and coverage.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
867NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.49A.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
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
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C.
Here are some things you can do to get lower car insurance rates in D.C.:
Stick with minimum coverage. You must carry a minimum amount of coverage to drive legally in D.C., but you’re not required to buy full coverage unless you have an auto loan or lease. If you have an old or inexpensive vehicle, you may only need liability coverage.
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, or for condo or renters policies combined with an auto policy.
Shop around. You should always compare multiple quotes when seeking out the most affordable car insurance costs, as rates can vary significantly between companies.
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Cheapest liability-only car insurance quotes in Washington, D.C.: CSAA
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 vehicle or cover your medical costs.[1]
Drivers in D.C. pay a monthly average of $231 for liability-only auto insurance. Here are some of the cheapest auto insurance companies for liability-only coverage in Washington, D.C.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company  | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| CSAA | $81 |
| GEICO | $81 |
| Erie | $83 |
| State Farm | $89 |
| USAA | $91 |
| Progressive | $151 |
| Allstate | $175 |
| Nationwide | $176 |
| Liberty Mutual | $268 |
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 quotes in Washington, D.C.: CSAA
Full-coverage car insurance includes comprehensive, collision, and liability coverages. After an accident, collision coverage will help you pay to repair or replace your vehicle. For non-collision incidents, like damage from a fallen tree or natural disaster, comprehensive insurance can provide coverage.
Though full-coverage 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.[2]
D.C. drivers pay a monthly average of $335 for full-coverage auto insurance. You can find the cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in Washington, D.C., below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| CSAA | $155 |
| GEICO | $157 |
| Erie | $160 |
| State Farm | $172 |
| USAA | $176 |
| Progressive | $292 |
| Allstate | $339 |
| Nationwide | $340 |
| Liberty Mutual | $418 |
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.
Your age can affect your car insurance rates significantly. Teens and drivers younger than 25 have less experience and are more likely to get into an accident. Insurers charge more to compensate for the possibility of more claims.
Older drivers pay the lowest rates since they have the most experience and an extensive driver history. But around age 70, older drivers may see their rates increase due to an increased accident risk.
The table below shows how rates fluctuate based on age in D.C.
Age GroupAverage Monthly Quote: Liability OnlyAverage Monthly Quote: Full CoverageTeen drivers $339 $492 Adult drivers $235 $341 Senior drivers $215 $312 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.
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 liability coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist 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:
Coverage | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 per accident |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage liability | $5,000 per accident |
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, theft, vandalism, and severe weather.
Collision coverage
Collision insurance covers your vehicle after an auto accident, regardless of fault. This includes collisions with another vehicle or an object like a tree or light pole. Collision insurance can also cover damage from a rollover accident or hitting a pothole.
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.
Accident forgiveness
Many insurers will raise your rates upon renewal following an at-fault accident. Accident forgiveness coverage can hold your premium steady after your first at-fault accident. You’ll generally need a clean driving record for three to five years to be eligible to buy this type of coverage.
Cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C., by driving record
Your driving record is a major factor insurers use when setting rates. Insurers view drivers with incidents on their record, such as speeding tickets, driving under the influence charges, or at-fault accidents, as a higher risk to insure and more likely to file a claim.[3]
D.C. drivers with clean records pay an average of $283 per month for liability coverage. Meanwhile, drivers with a DUI pay an average of $342 per month. The table below shows how different incidents affect your rates.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company | With Speeding Ticket | With At-Fault Accident | With DUI/DWI |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $90 | $92 | $114 |
| CSAA | $92 | $97 | $114 |
| Erie | $97 | $99 | $117 |
| State Farm | $98 | $100 | $126 |
| USAA | $101 | $104 | $129 |
| Progressive | $169 | $177 | $213 |
| Allstate | $194 | $199 | $247 |
| Nationwide | $197 | $202 | $249 |
| Liberty Mutual | $320 | $325 | $379 |
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.
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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.
On average, drivers in D.C. pay $283 per month for car insurance. Full-coverage insurance costs $335 per month, while liability-only coverage is $231 per month.
Your specific rate depends on your driver profile, including your driving record, credit history, ZIP code, age, vehicle type, and more.
CSAA has the lowest liability-only rates in Washington, D.C., according to Insurify data. Its rates start at $81 per month.
District drivers can also find lower rates with the city’s second- and third-cheapest insurers, GEICO and Erie. Their liability-only policies start at $81 and $83, respectively.
With an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 9.0, an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior), 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.
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
No. PIP coverage isn’t 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.
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
- 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.
Sources
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Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer
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.
Sarah has been a contributor at Insurify since September 2022.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.