Washington, D.C. car insurance laws and requirements: What is changing in 2025

Q: Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes , your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

Washington, D.C. car insurance laws

Washington, D.C. requires that drivers carry at least 25/50/10.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, Washington, D.C. drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.

Washington, D.C. car insurance requirements

Washington, D.C. requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

Washington, D.C. liability minimums are 25/50/10.

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy is $558. However, Chubb has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $359.

The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in Washington, D.C.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Chubb	$359	$30
Geico	$387	$32
Erie Insurance	$488	$41
Progressive	$622	$52
State Farm	$656	$55
Nationwide	$972	$81
USAA	$423	$35

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Washington, D.C. car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $558. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average rates for drivers with minimum coverage in Washington, D.C.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in Washington, D.C. is Chubb at an average rate of $359 annually.

State minimum coverage limit	25/50/10
Average annual premium	$558
Average monthly premium	$46

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Are the Washington, D.C. minimum coverage requirements changing in 2025?

Washington, D.C. car insurance requirements will not change in 2025. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in Washington, D.C.?

Washington, D.C. requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

Washington, D.C. drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

Washington, D.C. is a no-fault state, meaning your insurer pays for your injuries and damages regardless of who caused the accident. The law requires you to carry personal injury protectionPersonal injury protection (PIP) pays for your medical, hospital and funeral expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who's at fault. (PIP) to pay medical costs, such as doctor visits and prescriptions.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is Washington, D.C. minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 25/50/10, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

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

Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.

For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

Washington, D.C. penalties for driving without car insurance

Since Washington, D.C. requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.

Failing to carry Washington, D.C. car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines	$150 - $2,500
Other penalties	License and registration suspension
Jail time	No

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Washington, D.C. minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. Chubb has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $812. Chubb offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $360.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $562, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $554, a difference of $8.

Male

Male
Female

Age	Company	Male annual premium	Male monthly premium
16	Chubb	$1,132	$94
16	Erie Insurance	$1,315	$110
16	Geico	$1,702	$142
16	State Farm	$2,739	$228
16	Nationwide	$3,095	$258
16	Progressive	NA	NA
16	USAA	$2,169	$181
17	Chubb	$1,132	$94
17	Erie Insurance	$1,240	$103
17	Geico	$1,312	$109
17	State Farm	$2,377	$198
17	Nationwide	$3,095	$258
17	USAA	$1,419	$118
18	Chubb	$1,025	$85
18	Erie Insurance	$1,103	$92
18	Geico	$1,166	$97
18	State Farm	$2,040	$170
18	Nationwide	$3,095	$258
18	Allstate	NA	NA
18	Progressive	NA	NA
18	USAA	$1,140	$95
19	Chubb	$919	$77
19	Geico	$929	$77
19	Erie Insurance	$1,061	$88
19	Progressive	$1,414	$118
19	State Farm	$1,750	$146
19	Nationwide	$2,703	$225
19	Allstate	NA	NA
19	USAA	$950	$79
20	Chubb	$812	$68
20	Geico	$825	$69
20	Erie Insurance	$1,040	$87
20	Progressive	$1,245	$104
20	State Farm	$1,509	$126
20	Allstate	$1,839	$153
20	Nationwide	$2,381	$198
20	USAA	$885	$74
21	Geico	$604	$50
21	Chubb	$652	$54
21	Erie Insurance	$933	$78
21	Progressive	$968	$81
21	State Farm	$1,278	$107
21	Nationwide	$1,607	$134
21	Allstate	NA	NA
21	USAA	$672	$56
22	Geico	$542	$45
22	Chubb	$652	$54
22	Progressive	$871	$73
22	Erie Insurance	$898	$75
22	State Farm	$1,143	$95
22	Nationwide	$1,477	$123
22	Allstate	NA	NA
22	USAA	$622	$52
23	Geico	$501	$42
23	Progressive	$813	$68
23	Erie Insurance	$878	$73
23	State Farm	$998	$83
23	Allstate	$1,297	$108
23	Nationwide	$1,363	$114
23	Chubb	NA	NA
23	USAA	$582	$49
24	Geico	$475	$40
24	Erie Insurance	$610	$51
24	Progressive	$746	$62
24	State Farm	$878	$73
24	Allstate	$1,160	$97
24	Nationwide	$1,268	$106
24	Chubb	NA	NA
24	USAA	$555	$46
25	Geico	$458	$38
25	Chubb	$532	$44
25	Erie Insurance	$594	$50
25	Progressive	$656	$55
25	State Farm	$781	$65
25	Nationwide	$1,130	$94
25	Allstate	$1,142	$95
25	USAA	$514	$43
30	Geico	$362	$30
30	Chubb	$372	$31
30	Erie Insurance	$536	$45
30	Progressive	$612	$51
30	State Farm	$651	$54
30	Nationwide	$972	$81
30	Allstate	$1,142	$95
30	USAA	$448	$37
35	Geico	$358	$30
35	Chubb	$372	$31
35	Erie Insurance	$513	$43
35	Progressive	$608	$51
35	State Farm	$646	$54
35	Nationwide	$972	$81
35	USAA	$433	$36
40	Geico	$364	$30
40	Chubb	$372	$31
40	Erie Insurance	$488	$41
40	Progressive	$600	$50
40	State Farm	$656	$55
40	Nationwide	$972	$81
40	USAA	$423	$35
45	Geico	$364	$30
45	Chubb	$372	$31
45	Erie Insurance	$465	$39
45	Progressive	$597	$50
45	State Farm	$661	$55
45	Nationwide	$963	$80
45	USAA	$414	$35
50	Chubb	$332	$28
50	Geico	$396	$33
50	Erie Insurance	$434	$36
50	Progressive	$594	$50
50	State Farm	$651	$54
50	Nationwide	$945	$79
50	USAA	$407	$34
55	Chubb	$332	$28
55	Geico	$396	$33
55	Erie Insurance	$448	$37
55	Progressive	$583	$49
55	State Farm	$636	$53
55	Nationwide	$880	$73
55	Allstate	NA	NA
55	USAA	$403	$34
60	Chubb	$332	$28
60	Geico	$401	$33
60	Erie Insurance	$472	$39
60	Progressive	$593	$49
60	State Farm	$622	$52
60	Nationwide	$870	$73
60	USAA	$406	$34
65	Chubb	$345	$29
65	Geico	$416	$35
65	Erie Insurance	$495	$41
65	State Farm	$622	$52
65	Progressive	$633	$53
65	Nationwide	$926	$77
65	USAA	$428	$36
70	Chubb	$345	$29
70	Geico	$464	$39
70	Erie Insurance	$517	$43
70	State Farm	$656	$55
70	Progressive	$660	$55
70	Nationwide	$1,009	$84
70	Allstate	NA	NA
70	USAA	$490	$41
75	Chubb	$398	$33
75	Erie Insurance	$528	$44
75	Geico	$554	$46
75	State Farm	$723	$60
75	Progressive	$808	$67
75	Nationwide	$1,157	$96
75	USAA	$563	$47

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Age	Company	Female annual premium	Female monthly premium
16	Chubb	$612	$51
16	Erie Insurance	$769	$64
16	Geico	$1,707	$142
16	State Farm	$2,165	$180
16	Nationwide	$2,442	$204
16	Progressive	$5,942	$495
16	USAA	$2,084	$174
17	Chubb	$612	$51
17	Erie Insurance	$760	$63
17	Geico	$1,330	$111
17	State Farm	$1,876	$156
17	Nationwide	$2,442	$204
17	USAA	$1,360	$113
18	Chubb	$558	$47
18	Erie Insurance	$753	$63
18	Geico	$1,204	$100
18	State Farm	$1,630	$136
18	Nationwide	$2,442	$204
18	Allstate	$2,977	$248
18	Progressive	$4,493	$374
18	USAA	$1,096	$91
19	Chubb	$505	$42
19	Geico	$973	$81
19	Erie Insurance	$740	$62
19	Progressive	$1,325	$110
19	State Farm	$1,418	$118
19	Nationwide	$2,120	$177
19	Allstate	$1,954	$163
19	USAA	$842	$70
20	Chubb	$465	$39
20	Geico	$850	$71
20	Erie Insurance	$727	$61
20	Progressive	$1,167	$97
20	State Farm	$1,249	$104
20	Allstate	$1,521	$127
20	Nationwide	$1,885	$157
20	USAA	$798	$67
21	Geico	$646	$54
21	Chubb	$438	$37
21	Erie Insurance	$632	$53
21	Progressive	$948	$79
21	State Farm	$1,080	$90
21	Nationwide	$1,363	$114
21	Allstate	$1,362	$114
21	USAA	$618	$52
22	Geico	$576	$48
22	Chubb	$438	$37
22	Progressive	$888	$74
22	Erie Insurance	$627	$52
22	State Farm	$988	$82
22	Nationwide	$1,268	$106
22	Allstate	$1,265	$105
22	USAA	$567	$47
23	Geico	$556	$46
23	Progressive	$801	$67
23	Erie Insurance	$624	$52
23	State Farm	$873	$73
23	Allstate	$1,151	$96
23	Nationwide	$1,180	$98
23	Chubb	$438	$37
23	USAA	$542	$45
24	Geico	$537	$45
24	Erie Insurance	$576	$48
24	Progressive	$761	$63
24	State Farm	$796	$66
24	Allstate	$1,120	$93
24	Nationwide	$1,119	$93
24	Chubb	$438	$37
24	USAA	$518	$43
25	Geico	$515	$43
25	Chubb	$372	$31
25	Erie Insurance	$565	$47
25	Progressive	$677	$56
25	State Farm	$723	$60
25	Nationwide	$1,065	$89
25	Allstate	$1,136	$95
25	USAA	$487	$41
30	Geico	$406	$34
30	Chubb	$345	$29
30	Erie Insurance	$536	$45
30	Progressive	$657	$55
30	State Farm	$651	$54
30	Nationwide	$972	$81
30	Allstate	$1,136	$95
30	USAA	$447	$37
35	Geico	$408	$34
35	Chubb	$345	$29
35	Erie Insurance	$513	$43
35	Progressive	$658	$55
35	State Farm	$646	$54
35	Nationwide	$972	$81
35	USAA	$433	$36
40	Geico	$409	$34
40	Chubb	$345	$29
40	Erie Insurance	$488	$41
40	Progressive	$643	$54
40	State Farm	$656	$55
40	Nationwide	$972	$81
40	USAA	$423	$35
45	Geico	$406	$34
45	Chubb	$345	$29
45	Erie Insurance	$465	$39
45	Progressive	$640	$53
45	State Farm	$661	$55
45	Nationwide	$954	$80
45	USAA	$414	$35
50	Chubb	$332	$28
50	Geico	$441	$37
50	Erie Insurance	$434	$36
50	Progressive	$605	$50
50	State Farm	$651	$54
50	Nationwide	$926	$77
50	USAA	$407	$34
55	Chubb	$332	$28
55	Geico	$443	$37
55	Erie Insurance	$448	$37
55	Progressive	$603	$50
55	State Farm	$636	$53
55	Nationwide	$870	$73
55	Allstate	$1,074	$90
55	USAA	$403	$34
60	Chubb	$332	$28
60	Geico	$443	$37
60	Erie Insurance	$472	$39
60	Progressive	$607	$51
60	State Farm	$622	$52
60	Nationwide	$880	$73
60	USAA	$406	$34
65	Chubb	$345	$29
65	Geico	$449	$37
65	Erie Insurance	$495	$41
65	State Farm	$622	$52
65	Progressive	$625	$52
65	Nationwide	$926	$77
65	USAA	$425	$35
70	Chubb	$345	$29
70	Geico	$478	$40
70	Erie Insurance	$517	$43
70	State Farm	$656	$55
70	Progressive	$658	$55
70	Nationwide	$981	$82
70	Allstate	$1,161	$97
70	USAA	$477	$40
75	Chubb	$398	$33
75	Erie Insurance	$538	$45
75	Geico	$541	$45
75	State Farm	$723	$60
75	Progressive	$726	$61
75	Nationwide	$1,055	$88
75	USAA	$538	$45

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Optional car insurance coverage in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned state minimum car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Systems based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates are based on all coverages required by law at minimum coverage limits. Rates were also fielded for various additional age groups. State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

Washington, D.C. car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in Washington, D.C.?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in Washington, D.C., you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.