Compare Auto Insurance in Washington DC
Washington, D.C.’s average annual rate for minimum auto insurance is $759, with USAA offering the cheapest rate of $368 a year. The average annual premium for full-coverage car insurance in D.C. is $1,475.
With these higher-than-average rates, doing some homework before choosing an auto insurance policy is in your best interest. We’re here to help with that. This guide uses the most current auto insurance industry and state data to assist you in finding your best quote. This article includes:
- Average cost of car insurance in Washington, D.C.
- Cheapest auto insurance companies in D.C.
- Most popular car insurance providers in Washington, D.C.
- Why auto insurance in D.C. costs so much
- Washington, D.C., car insurance laws
Washington, D.C.’s average auto insurance rates
How much does car insurance cost in D.C.? We found that drivers in D.C. pay an average of $759 a year for minimum coverage and $1,475 a year for full coverage. This puts Washington, D.C.’s average car insurance rates at a higher tier than the national average of $641 a year for minimum coverage and $1,255 a year for full coverage. Other factors can figure into your final premium as well, such as your location, driving record and personal claim history.
Who has the cheapest auto insurance premiums in D.C.?
The following chart shows the cheapest car insurance companies operating in Washington, D.C. Nationwide has the highest average minimum-coverage rate of $1,237 a year, while USAA has the lowest, at $368 a year.
As you can see, there’s some range among auto insurance costs in D.C. As such, it’s important for you to compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies to get your best coverage and premium.
When comparing auto insurance providers, also make sure to learn what discounts each one offers. Car insurance companies usually offer a wide variety of discounts to help reduce your premium. Optimizing the discounts available to you can save you even more.
Compare quotes from the best cheap car insurance companies in D.C.
Best auto insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
The table below shows how the auto insurers in D.C. rank in terms of market share and their rating in J.D. Power’s 2020 auto insurance study. The higher a provider’s D.C. market share, the more drivers use that company for their car insurance needs. Looking at a company’s market share and satisfaction rating can help you identify the best car insurance companies in Washington, D.C., are, beyond their policy offerings and pricing.
| Company | D.C. market share | 2020 J.D. Power satisfaction rating (out of 1,000) |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | 39% | 851 |
| State Farm | 17% | 829 |
| USAA | 10% | 897 |
| Allstate | 8% | 830 |
| Progressive | 6% | 824 |
| Erie | 3% | 846 |
| Nationwide | 2% | 828 |
Why is auto insurance in Washington, D.C., so expensive?
There are many personal factors that affect your auto insurance premium. However, there are also regional influences that affect the rates of all D.C. drivers. These factors include:
Road conditions
Only 0.07% of D.C.’s roads are considered to have an acceptable status. The state of the roads there and the damage they can do over time to your car may affect your auto insurance rates. Driving on bad roads can add $533 a year to your auto insurance costs.
Traffic congestion
Washington, D.C., comes in with the 18th worst traffic in the country. More traffic potentially means more accidents. Auto insurers typically adjust their rates to accommodate the risk.
Washington, D.C., auto insurance laws
What is the minimum required auto insurance in Washington, D.C.?
D.C. requires the following minimum liability insurance limits from drivers:
- Bodily injury liability per person: $25,000
- Bodily injury liability per incident: $50,000
- Property damage liability: $10,000
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury liability per person: $25,000
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury liability per incident: $50,000
- Uninsured property damage liability: $5,000
Washington, D.C., DUI law
If you are pulled over in Washington, D.C., and found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.07% or higher, you may be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). The legal penalties depend on your BAC at the time of testing. But they include jail time up to a year, fines up to $5,000, license suspension and more.
The above penalties only include the legal ramifications you may face after a DUI. You will also likely see an increase in your annual car insurance premium. We found that insurance rates after a DUI can increase by 80%. This assumes that you can get auto insurance afterward. Insurers consider a DUI offense to be high risk, and they may not offer you coverage at all.
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