Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Washington, D.C.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. for a bad driving record?

Progressive, Erie Insurance, GEICO provides affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers with bad driving record in Washington, D.C.

Traffic infractions, accidents and DUIs wind up on your driving record, meaning you'll pay higher car insurance rates in addition to any fines assessed. While most violations only affect your insurance rates for a few years, a DUI may affect rates for a decade and never be removed from your record.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Progressive	$1,488	$2,088
Erie Insurance	$1,581	$2,203
GEICO	$1,408	$3,129
Chubb	$2,799	$4,454
State Farm	$2,426	$4,529
Allstate	$3,769	$4,816
USAA	$1,230	$1,832

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How much is high-risk car insurance in Washington, D.C.?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In Washington, D.C., high-risk car insurance costs $3,456 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $2,088 annually from Progressive.

Many things can make you a high-risk driver, but some affect your rates more than others. For example, having multiple speeding tickets or a ticket for speeding in a school zone will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Washington, D.C., DC is $3,099

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
USAA	$1,230	$1,849
Erie Insurance	$1,581	$2,024
Progressive	$1,488	$2,543
State Farm	$2,426	$2,828
GEICO	$1,408	$2,864
Chubb	$2,799	$3,945
Allstate	$3,769	$5,117

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered a high-risk driver in Washington, D.C.?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. after a DUI?

Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, Progressive offers the most affordable rate at $1,701 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in Washington, D.C. for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
Progressive	$1,488	$1,701
Erie Insurance	$1,581	$2,392
State Farm	$2,426	$2,608
GEICO	$1,408	$3,409
Allstate	$3,769	$4,778
Chubb	$2,799	$6,388
USAA	$1,230	$2,216

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What is the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. with multiple tickets?

The cheapest insurer for drivers with multiple tickets is Erie Insurance, with rates averaging $1,658 annually or $138 monthly.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your risky driving.

This table shows Washington, D.C. drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
Erie Insurance	$1,581	$1,658
Progressive	$1,488	$1,900
State Farm	$2,426	$2,608
GEICO	$1,408	$2,891
Chubb	$2,799	$3,181
Allstate	$3,769	$4,353
USAA	$1,230	$1,521

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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Washington, D.C.?

Erie Insurance offers the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,658 per year.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
Erie Insurance	$1,581	$1,658
Progressive	$1,488	$2,079
State Farm	$2,426	$2,608
GEICO	$1,408	$3,409
Allstate	$3,769	$4,778
Chubb	$2,799	$6,723
USAA	$1,230	$1,627

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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Washington, D.C.?

In Washington, D.C., Progressive provides the lowest premiums for drivers with poor credit, averaging $3,049 per year or $254 per month. Even with a low credit score, you can still find affordable auto insurance.

While your credit score doesn't reflect your driving ability, it can impact your car insurance rates and place you in a higher-risk category. Insurers view lower credit scores as an indicator of increased risk based on statistics showing that these drivers are more likely to file claims.

Check the table below to see how credit scores impact car insurance costs in Washington, D.C.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Progressive	$1,488	$3,049
GEICO	$1,408	$3,281
Chubb	$2,799	$4,066
Erie Insurance	$1,581	$4,201
Allstate	$3,769	$6,283
State Farm	$2,426	$14,129
USAA	$1,230	$2,590

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What company has the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. after an accident?

Erie Insurance has the lowest average rates after an accident at $2,024 a year. Progressive also offers affordable rates, averaging $2,455 per year.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one at-fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
Erie Insurance	$1,581	$2,024	$2,392
Progressive	$1,488	$2,455	$3,416
State Farm	$2,426	$2,828	$2,828
GEICO	$1,408	$2,864	$4,494
Chubb	$2,799	$3,945	$5,204
Allstate	$3,769	$5,117	$6,437
USAA	$1,230	$1,849	$3,036

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Key insight

Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Washington, D.C.?

Washington has the cheapest car insurance rates in Washington, D.C., averaging $3,456 a year. However, the most expensive city is Washington, with average insurance rates of $3,456 annually.

Where you live in Washington, D.C. also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Washington	$2,157	$3,456
Washington Navy Yard	$2,157	$3,456

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Washington, D.C.?

Finding affordable car insurance in Washington, D.C. is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Washington, D.C.?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Are Washington, D.C.'s insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in Washington, D.C., you might need to file an SR-22. This is a form that your car insurance company sends in to show you have the required minimum insurance coverage. The court will let you know how long you need to keep the SR-22.

An SR-22 isn't a type of insurance; it's just a form. You don't need special coverage, but your rates might be higher because you're considered high-risk. Also, not all insurance companies offer coverage for high-risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on: