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 offers the cheapest average car insurance rate for high-risk drivers in Washington, D.C. at $2,088 a year. Erie Insurance and GEICO also provide below-average rates for drivers with traffic violations, accidents or other risk factors.

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.?

The average cost of high-risk car insurance in Washington, D.C. is $3,456 per year. Depending on your driving history and insurer, you may be able to find rates as low as $2,088 annually.

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 one in a school zone, will increase 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.

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?

Erie Insurance offers the cheapest average rate for drivers with multiple tickets at $1,658 annually or $138 monthly.

A DUI is one of the most serious traffic violations to have on your record. Not only do you have to pay fines, but you'll also see vastly higher car insurance rates for up to 10 years. Multiple DUIs will cause your premiums to skyrocket.

The table below compares average car insurance rates with a clean driving record and rates after a DUI in Washington, D.C.

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?

Erie Insurance is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with an average rate of $1,658 a year or $138 a month.

While one traffic ticket can affect car insurance rates, multiple tickets can significantly increase those rates. Failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws leads insurers to believe they will eventually have to pay claims due to 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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Expert's Insight Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on your insurance than one major violation.

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

Erie Insurance has the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in Washington, D.C. at $1,658 per year. Reckless driving convictions often result in substantial premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. increases and fewer coverage options.

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.

The table below compares car insurance rates for drivers with a clean driving record and a reckless driving conviction.

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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Expert's 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.?

Progressive has the cheapest average rates for drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. at $3,049 annually or $254 monthly.

Your credit score may affect your insurance rates, even though it is unrelated to your driving skills. Insurers often charge higher premiums to drivers with lower credit scores because they are statistically 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 cheapest average rates after an accident at $2,024 per year. Progressive also offers lower-than-average rates at $2,455 annually.

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.

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

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

Washington has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in Washington, D.C. at $3,456 annually. In comparison, Washington has the highest average premiums at $3,456 per 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.

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.?

High-risk drivers in Washington, D.C. can reduce insurance costs by comparing quotes and avoiding additional violations. Many insurers reward safer driving habits over time with lower premiums.

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.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for completing the class, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing it.
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 Washington, D.C. 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.

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

If you're a high-risk driver in Washington, D.C., you may need to file an SR-22. Your insurer submits this form to confirm you carry the state's minimum required coverage. The court will specify how long you must maintain the SR-22.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance; it's simply a form. You don't need special coverage, but your premiums may be higher since you're classified as high risk. Additionally, not all insurance companies offer policies 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:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

DUI
Reckless driving
Multiple speeding tickets
Bad credit
One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in Washington, D.C.

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C.?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in Washington, D.C.?

Not directly. It's the reason you need an SR-22 that will cause the rate increase. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.