Minimum car insurance requirements in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance coverage to legally operate a vehicle, with liability limits of 25/50/10. Liability insuranceLiability insurance covers sums that an insured becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injuries or property damage, or financial losses caused to other people. helps pay for injuries and property damage you cause to others after an accident.

The table below outlines minimum car insurance requirements in Washington, D.C.

State Minimum Requirements25/50/10
State minimum car insurance$896
Liability-only car insurance$1,125
Full coverage car insurance$3,394

Average cost of car insurance in Washington, D.C.

Car insurance in Washington, D.C. costs an average of $3,394 per year, for full coverage insurance with 100/300/100 liability limits and $500 deductibles. Minimum coverage costs an average of $896 annually.

Rates vary based on insurer, ZIP code, driving record, vehicle type and coverage selections. Drivers with clean records and good credit pay lower premiums.

Average annual premium$3,394
Average monthly premium$283

Cheapest car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.

GEICO has the cheapest average full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C.

Different companies calculate risk differently, so prices can vary significantly for the same driver. Comparing multiple companies can help drivers find lower prices and better coverage.

Company State minimum Liability-only Full coverage 
GEICO$535$633$1,991
Nationwide$1,083$1,342$2,847
Chubb$359$490$3,300
Allstate$1,426$1,714$4,591
State Farm$1,336$1,713$4,774
Progressive$1,120$1,491$4,835
USAA$414$495$1,418

Washington, D.C. car insurance rates by age group

Age plays a role in car insurance rates. In Washington, D.C., younger drivers with less experience usually pay the most. As drivers get older and gain more experience, their rates usually go down.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates in Washington, D.C. based on age.

Age groupFull coverage car insurance
Teens (16-19)$10,859
Young Adults (20-24)$5,546
Adults (25-60)$3,395
Seniors (65-75)$3,430

Washington, D.C. car insurance costs by coverage level

Generally, Washington, D.C. minimum car insurance is the cheapest option. However, it won't protect you or your vehicle, even if you increase your limits. Although full coverage is more expensive, it includes collision and comprehensive coverages, which pay for damages to your car from an accident or events like severe weather.

Compare Washington, D.C. car insurance costs based on coverage level below.

State minimum car insurance$896
Liability-only car insurance$1,125
Full coverage car insurance$3,394

Cheapest car insurance companies in Washington, D.C. by driver profile

If you have a violation or accident on your record, you can expect to pay more for car insurance in Washington, D.C. The highest rates in Washington, D.C. are for drivers with Bad Credit. If you have a DUI, several accidents, or a history of reckless driving, your insurance rates will be much higher.

Comparing quotes becomes especially important for high-risk drivers because insurers apply rate increases differently.

ProfileAverage annual premiumAnnual premium for profile$ Increase% Increase
At-Fault Accident$3,394$4,853$1,45943%
Bad Credit$3,394$9,565$6,172182%
Careless driving$3,394$3,982$58917%
Claims$3,394$3,788$39512%
DUI$3,394$5,294$1,90156%
Reckless driving$3,394$5,169$1,77552%
Speeding$3,394$4,199$80624%
Texting ticket$3,394$3,916$52215%

How much does car insurance cost in Washington, D.C. per month?

The average monthly cost of car insurance in Washington, D.C. depends on how much coverage you pick. Minimum coverage is the cheapest, while full coverage gives you more protection for a higher price.

Coverage LevelAverage monthly premiumAverage annual cost 
State Minimum BI/PD$75$896
Liability Only - 50/100/50 BI/PD$94$1,125
Full Coverage - 100/300/100 BI/PD - 500 Comp/Coll$283$3,394

Car insurance discounts in Washington, D.C.

Drivers in Washington, D.C. can lower insurance costs by qualifying for discounts. Discount availability varies by carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims..

Common discounts include:

  • Multi-policy discount
  • Safe driver discount
  • Good student discount
  • Defensive driving discount
  • Multi-vehicle discount
  • Anti-theft discount
  • Paperless discount
  • Telematics discount

Compare discounts when shopping for coverage.

Discount type Premium before discount Premium after discount $ Saving % Saving
Air Bags$3,394$3,362$321%
Anti-Theft Device$3,394$3,332$612%
Comp and Coll Deductibles$3,394$2,774$61917%
Daily Commute$3,394$2,991$40312%
Days Advanced Purchase$3,394$3,151$2435%
Days Per Week Driven$3,394$3,125$2698%
Education$3,394$3,165$2287%
Electronic Funds Transfer$3,394$3,261$1323%
Electronic Signature$3,394$3,189$2046%
Homeowner$3,394$3,249$1455%
Lower Annual Mileage$3,394$3,190$2046%
Loyalty - Years Renewal With Company$3,394$3,201$1925%
Marital Status$3,394$3,272$1215%
Multi Policy$3,394$3,089$3049%
Paperless/Electornic Documents$3,394$3,200$1944%
Payment Type$3,394$3,046$34712%
Primary Use$3,394$2,825$56819%
Profession$3,394$3,150$2437%
Safety Devices$3,394$3,257$1363%
Telematics$3,394$3,129$2648%
Years Insured$3,394$2,896$49714%

How to lower car insurance costs in Washington, D.C.

You can lower your car insurance premiums in Washington, D.C. by comparing quotes from multiple insurers, choosing a higher deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim., and maintaining a clean driving record.

Ways to save on car insurance include:

  • Compare quotes from multiple insurers
  • Raise deductibles
  • Maintain a clean driving record
  • Bundle insurance policies
  • Drive a vehicle with lower repair costs
  • Ask about available discounts
  • Reduce optional coverage on an older vehicle

Review your policy regularly to ensure it continues to provide the right level of coverage at competitive rates.

Car insurance rates in Washington, D.C. by model year

The vehicle you drive also affects Washington, D.C. car insurance rates. For example, newer cars cost more to repair since they have expensive parts, such as collision warning systems, cameras, and anti-theft devices.

See how the model and age of the vehicle affect Washington, D.C. car insurance rates below.

Compare accord insurance rates by state

L O A D I N G
CompanyStyleAverage annual premium

Car insurance rates change regularly, influenced by changes in the cost of repairs, claim rates and other factors. Recent years have seen car insurance rates rise across the country, but not every state has seen the same increases.

We've tracked car insurance premium trends in Washington, D.C. to show you how things have changed and help you prepare for potential changes in the future. Take a look at the chart below.

Coverage recommendations and insurance comparisons are based on commonly available personal auto insurance policies and state insurance requirements.

Example coverage scenarios use the following assumptions unless otherwise noted:

  • 40-year-old driver
  • Honda Accord LX
  • Good credit
  • Clean driving record
  • 12,000 annual miles driven
  • Full coverage with 100/300/100 liability limits
  • $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles

Additional data comparisons include:

  • State minimum liability requirements
  • Multiple deductible levels
  • Optional coverage endorsements
  • High-risk driver scenarios
  • Multiple vehicle values and driver profiles

Coverage examples are for comparison purposes only. Actual premiums, requirements and coverage availability vary by insurer and driver profile.

Car insurance in Washington, D.C.: FAQ

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

Car insurance in Washington, D.C. costs an average of $3,394 annually for full coverage and $896 per year for minimum coverage policies.

GEICO offers the cheapest average car insurance rates in Washington, D.C.

Full coverage insurance includes liability insurance and all coverage required by Washington, D.C. law, plus collision and comprehensive coverage for damage to your own vehicle.

Car insurance in Washington, D.C. costs an average of $3,394 annually for full coverage and $896 per year for minimum coverage policies.

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