Cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. for a bad driving record

Drivers with a poor record in Washington, D.C. will find the lowest rates from Progressive, Erie Insurance and GEICO. Among these, Progressive provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $2,088 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, youâ??ll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain on your record for life.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

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

In Washington, D.C., the average cost of high-risk car insurance is $3,456 per year. However, you may secure coverage from Progressive for as low as $2,088 annually. Even with a problematic driving record or poor credit score, affordable policies are available.

Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets or getting one for speeding in a school zone will boost your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.

Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Washington, D.C., DC is $3,099
Show Graph View
CompanyAnnual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered high-risk for insurance 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.

Cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. with 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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. with multiple tickets

For drivers with multiple tickets, Erie Insurance offers the lowest premiums, averaging $1,658 per year or $138 per month.

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.

This table shows drivers in Washington, D.C. how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance premiums.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. with a reckless driving conviction

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. with bad credit

The cheapest Washington, D.C. insurer for bad credit is Progressive, with rates averaging $3,049 per year or $254 per month. The good news is that drivers with bad credit can still get affordable auto insurance.

Your credit score may not be related to your driving skills, but it can affect your car insurance rates and put you in a higher-risk category. From an insurer's perspective, higher risk means an increased chance of filing a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistics show that drivers with lower credit scores are in this category.

Check the table below to see how your credit score affects Washington, D.C. car insurance.

CompanyAnnual premium for good creditAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Washington, D.C.

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 record typically pay higher insurance rates than those with a clean record. While car insurance rates may increase after one accident, multiple accidents can increase rates even more.

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

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for one at-fault accidentAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. by city

In Washington, D.C., the lowest car insurance rates are found in Washington, averaging $3,456 annually. On the other hand, Washington has the highest rates at $3,456 a year.

Where you live in Washington, D.C. matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

CityAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for high-risk driver
Washington$2,157$3,456
Washington Navy Yard$2,157$3,456

How to reduce car insurance rates in Washington, D.C. for a bad driving record

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

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.

  • 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.

Washington, D.C. car insurance laws 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

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170+

insurance companies analyzed

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34,000+

ZIP codes examined

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$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:

  • A 40-year-old driver
  • A clean record
  • Good credit
  • State minimum insurance, which includes liability coverage and may also include personal injury protection, medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage

Best company rankings use the rate data outline above, as well as:

  • Customer complaints ratios from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints database, where a score of 1.00 is considered the baseline and anything below is a low complaint volume while anything above is considered a high volume.
  • Overall customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power's U.S. Auto Insurance Study, where companies are scored out of 1,000.
  • AM Best financial ratings were used to indicate financial stability, where the best possible score is A++.
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