Best Car Insurance Rates in Washington DC

On average, your neighbors pay $73 a month.

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Compare Auto Insurance in Washington DC

Wednesday, November 7 2018 By Aaron Besson

Looking for car insurance in the Nation’s Capital? If you’re a Washington, DC driver and want to know how to get a cheaper car insurance rate, you came to the right place. We’ve got the stats, laws, and the best insurance companies to help you get it.

Average Washington, DC Auto Insurance Rates

How much is car insurance in Washington, DC? Expect to pay a lot more than most Americans. On average, auto insurance in the District of Columbia costs $1,190.39 a year. The national annual average cost is $889.01

Your actual premium cost will depend on factors such as your driving record, policy type, claim history, and others. The number of claims filed in your zip code can be a factor as well.

Washington, DC Average Annual Car Insurance Rates
Coverage Rates
Liability $596.670
Collision $265.74
Comprehensive $106.38
Total Cost Per Year $884.24
Price Per Month $73.68
Source: Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance

The graph below shows the increase in Washington DC's average auto insurance rates from 2011 to 2015. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Washington DC's car insurance rates increased 4.47% in that five-year period.

Washington DC average car insurance rates

When it comes to car insurance in Washington DC, finding a policy that fits your needs and budget can be tough. Comparing companies and rates makes things a lot easier.

With QuoteWizard, you can compare quotes from top car insurance companies in Washington DC and discover the one best for you. All it takes is a few clicks, and you’ll have all the information and help you need.

Last year, 51,592 people used QuoteWizard to compare auto insurance quotes in Washington, DC from multiple companies to find the cheapest rates.

Best Car Insurance Companies in Washington, DC

These are the most popular car insurance companies reported by QuoteWizard users in Washington, DC. Last year 26,139 people in DC used QuoteWizard to find auto quotes. Of those people, 4,818 were uninsured.

  1. GEICO
  2. State Farm
  3. Progressive
  4. Allstate
  5. Nationwide
  6. Liberty Mutual
  7. AAA
  8. AIG
  9. Esurance
  10. Farmers
Get a quote from some of these top rated insurers! Request Quote Get a Quote From Top Insurers

Top 10 Vehicles

These are the most popular car makes and models owned by Washington DC QuoteWizard users.

  1. Nissan Altima
  2. Toyota Camry LE
  3. Hyundai Sonata
  4. Honda Accord EX
  5. Honda Accord LX
  6. Volkswagen Beetle
  7. Honda Civic LX
  8. Toyota Camry LE
  9. Nissan Versa
  10. Chevrolet Camaro
Get a quote for your vehicle. Request Quote Get a Quote For Your Vehicle

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Washington, DC

If you drive a car registered in Washington, DC, you need to have a minimum coverage of 25/50/10. This means the policy you buy must have the following:

  • $25,000 of coverage for bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 of coverage for bodily injury liability per incident
  • $10,000 of coverage for property damage liability per incident
  • Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $20,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
  • Uninsured Motorist Property Damage: $5,000 per accident and is subject to a $200 deductible
  • Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

Recommended Coverage Levels

Washington DC has tenth highest rate of uninsured drivers in the nation. That raises rates for insured drivers. And if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, you’re stuck paying for your own repairs.

That’s where uninsured motorist coverage steps in. It covers you in this exact situation. It’s a great idea to add it to your policy if you live in DC.

It’s also recommended that you increase your liability insurance limits. A serious crash can often exceed the amount that a minimum liability policy covers, leaving you to pay the rest. To avoid this, we recommend:

  • $100,000 Individual Body Injury Liability
  • $300,000 Total Bodily Injury Liability
  • $100,000 Property Damage Liability

Washington, DC Drivers

Living in an area known for bad drivers can hike up your car insurance. How does Washington, DC rank? According to our data, DC is the 28th worst city in the US to drive in. This ranking is based on accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and citations occurring in DC.

Driving Conditions

Factors such as weather, road conditions, and traffic can affect your insurance rates. The worse your driving conditions, the higher your premium can be.

Weather

Living in an area with inclement weather can and will make your car insurance more expensive.

Spring, summer, and even fall in Washington, DC are great for lovers of warm weather. Once winter hits, however, you better buckle up because you’re in for a ride.

The end months of the year can drop down under 50 degrees regularly. Snow, sleet, and rain become common. During the wet months, you can expect slippery and slick roads and poor visibility. This means more accidents.

Washington, DC gets an average of 13 inches of snow a year. The national average in 26. You’re also looking at about 43 inches of rain a year, up from the national average of 39. That includes surprise rainstorms in the summer.

Road Conditions

Washington, DC has some of the worst roads in the nation. The mix of driving on poorly kept roads and the damage they do to your car over time can affect your premium. Driving on bad roads can cost you an average $562 a year in extra costs.

Traffic Congestion

INRIX ranks Washington, DC 18th for worst traffic congestion in the world. Heavy traffic mostly during commute hours adds an additional 63 hours to your time on the road yearly.

Moving Violations

Tickets and accidents put a dent in your driving record. A poor record can increase what you pay for auto insurance. If you have lots of marks on your record, you could need to buy high-risk insurance, which can raise your rates even more.

Traffic Tickets

Last year Washington, DC Police handed out almost 2.8 million tickets. Getting traffic tickets will raise your insurance rates. Tickets can be a drain on your time and pocketbook.

DUI and DWAI Arrests

Getting caught driving under the influence hurts your insurance rates. In 2016, 14,938 arrests were made for impaired driving in DC. Our study shows that drivers with DUIs pay about $830 more per year for car insurance.

SR-22 DUI/DWAI Insurance

If you have a suspended license due to DUI or other violations in Washington, DC, you must file an SR-22 form. In DC the amount of coverage required by an SR-22 is: 

  • $25,000 per personal bodily injury 
  • $50,000 per accident bodily injury 
  • $10,000 property damage

Needing an SR-22 form virtually guarantees a rate hike. Be sure to shop around and compare different insurance companies to find a good rate.

Car Accident Statistics

High accident rates result in higher insurance costs. Across the Washington, DC area, more than 39,000 people were hurt in car accidents in 2016.

Traffic Fatalities

Washington, DC reported 27 vehicle crash fatalities in 2016. That’s a fatality rate of 4.0 per 100,000 residents. For all of DC’s traffic issues, it’s a relatively safe city in terms of traffic deaths.

Vehicle Theft Rates

Drivers in high car theft often pay more for car insurance. Washington, DC reported 2,700 motor vehicle thefts in 2016, a rate of 396 per 100,000 residents.

Car Insurance Discounts

Looking to save money on your car insurance in Washington, DC? Discounts are a great way to lower your premiums:

  1. Have more than one car? Look into a multiple car discount
  2. If you live in a safe neighborhood in Washington, DC, you could save money 
  3. If you bundle your car insurance with your home or renters insurance, you can cut up to 15 percent off your total bill 
  4. If you’re married, insurers often offer discounts to married couples 
  5. If you’re a safe driver with a clean record, that can add up to lower rates
  6. Take a certified defensive driving course 
  7. Shop around and compare car insurance rates in Washington, DC.
  8. If you’re 55 or over, see if a senior citizens discount is available 
  9. There are discount rates for active and retired members of the Military, National Guard, or Reserves
  10. Make sure your car as up-to-date safety features and anti-theft devices

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