7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Contributor to top media, including USA Today
A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Though not a state, Washington, D.C., has a larger population than Vermont and Wyoming. Around 670,000 people live in the nation’s capital, which adds up to a population density of more than 11,200 residents per square mile, according to U.S. Census data.
As in many big cities, Washington, D.C. has higher auto insurance rates. For example, the average monthly cost of a full-coverage policy in D.C. is $215, compared to the average in nearby Arlington, Virginia, of $175 per month. Liability-only policies in D.C. are high, too, with an average monthly premium of $122 compared to the national average of $104.
But since each insurance company has its own underwriting process, it’s a good idea to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before deciding on a policy.
Here’s how to find cheap coverage in Washington, D.C.
Quick Facts
Washington, D.C. drivers can expect to find the cheapest liability-only and full-coverage auto insurance from GEICO.
Though Washington, D.C., uses a no-fault accident system, injured drivers who choose to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage have the option to receive no-fault benefits or file a claim against the at-fault driver.[1]
D.C. drivers pay more for full coverage each month ($215) than motorists in nearby Arlington, Virginia ($175).
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Because each vehicle owner has a unique driver profile and desired coverage level, car insurance rates can vary widely across insurance companies. However, some of the cheapest car insurance companies in the state offer cheap rates for many types of drivers.
The best way to find cheap coverage that matches your needs is to shop around for quotes from multiple insurers. You can start your search with a few of the best car insurance companies below.
Insurance Company
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Best For
GEICO
4.4
$147
$88
Liability only
Travelers
4.5
$197
$90
Full coverage
Erie
4.6
$149
$89
Bundling
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
Third-party financial ratings: We use data from AM Best, S&P, Moody's, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 20,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also considered third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the United States, as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
Availability and reach: Insurify identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
834
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$88/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$147/mo
GEICO offers drivers in Washington, D.C., some of the lowest average rates for liability-only insurance. Besides liability coverage, GEICO also offers medical payments, PIP, uninsured motorist, collision, comprehensive, rental reimbursement, and emergency road service coverage. A long list of discounts can help you earn even lower insurance costs.
Pros
Many discounts available
A++ (Superior) A.M. Best financial strength rating
Cons
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
We were with Geico for over 20 years and then had a terrible customer service experience. This wasn't a minor issue or just one agent. The problem involved conversations with multiple agents and supervisors. It's disappointing that after being insured with this company for so long, they showed no interest in resolving an unexpected situation that was actually an honest mistake made by one of their agents. I don't recommend them!
Elizabeth - April 25, 2024
Verified
Excellent
It has always been great.
Andrew - April 24, 2024
Verified
AI-Run, Money-Hungry Company
The customer service is poor and very unprofessional. It's impossible to speak to an agent.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.5
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
860
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$89/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$195/mo
On average, Travelers offers drivers in Washington, D.C., some of the cheapest rates for full-coverage car insurance. In addition to relatively low rates, the insurance company offers a wide selection of optional coverages, such as rental, gap, rideshare, and roadside assistance coverage. Travelers provides multiple discounts for customers to benefit from.
Pros
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
We had a very minor collision while waiting at a traffic light. The vehicle in front of us claimed we crept forward. Since there was very little damage (none to our car), we submitted the claim. To our surprise, we found that the other driver reported $3000 worth of damage to the rear of his car, with the only visible damage being a cracked piece of chrome trim at the base of the hatch. We called Travelers immediately, warning them that it was a scam. They seemed indifferent and said they would pay the claim. This could be one of the reasons why insurance rates are so expensive.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.6
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
867
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$89/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$149/mo
Erie has been providing quality insurance to customers for nearly 100 years. The company offers several insurance products, including auto and homeowners insurance. If you opt to bundle your home insurance and auto insurance policies through Erie, you can potentially save between 16% and 25% on your insurance costs. The company also offers the Rate Lock feature, which keeps your coverage costs the same until you make changes to the policy.
Pros
Top J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region
Rate Lock feature can prevent rising rates
Cons
Must finalize your policy with an agent
Some poor customer reviews on Trustpilot
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C.
“A driver can save money on car insurance by shopping with different companies, maximizing discounts, decreasing annual mileage, increasing deductibles, and reviewing optional coverage,” says Nick Schrader, insurance agent and owner of Second Western Insurance.
Stick with minimum coverage. You must carry a minimum amount of coverage to legally drive in D.C., but you’re not required to buy full coverage unless you have an auto loan or lease. If you have an old or inexpensive vehicle, you may only need liability coverage.
Shop around. You should always compare multiple quotes when seeking out the most affordable car insurance costs, as rates can vary significantly between companies.
Bundle policies. If you have multiple insurance needs, bundling coverage under one insurance company can lead to savings. Many companies offer bundling opportunities for your homeowners and auto insurance, or for condo or renters policies combined with an auto policy.
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Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Washington, D.C.: GEICO
After an incident, liability car insurance kicks in to help you pay for vehicle damage or injuries you caused the other driver in an accident. This insurance won’t help you repair your own vehicle or cover your medical costs.[2]
Drivers in D.C. can expect to pay a monthly average of $122 for liability-only auto insurance. Here are some of the cheapest auto policy options for liability-only coverage in Washington, D.C.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, May 3 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C.: GEICO
Full-coverage car insurance includes comprehensive, collision, and liability coverages. After an accident, collision coverage will help you pay to repair or replace your own vehicle. For non-collision incidents, like damage from a fallen tree or natural disaster, comprehensive insurance can provide coverage.
Though this type of insurance isn’t mandatory, your auto lender may require you to carry it if you finance or lease your vehicle. Drivers with a new or valuable vehicle may want to purchase this optional coverage for extra financial protection.[3]
D.C. drivers can expect to pay a monthly average of $215 for full-coverage auto insurance. You can find the cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in Washington, D.C., below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, May 3 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Car insurance requirements in Washington, D.C.
The Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act in the District of Columbia requires you to have a minimum amount of auto insurance when registering a vehicle. In addition to the required coverage liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, D.C. auto insurers must offer all drivers personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which can cover your medical expenses following an accident-related injury.
You can find the specific D.C. requirements below:
In some cases, you might decide to carry more than the minimum coverage for more vehicle protection. Here are a few common optional coverages you may want to consider:
Comprehensive coverage
Following a non-collision incident, comprehensive coverage can help you repair or replace your vehicle. This includes damage from fire, theft, vandalism, and severe weather.
Collision coverage
Collision insurance covers your vehicle after an auto accident, regardless of fault. This includes collisions with another vehicle or an object like a tree or light pole. Collision can also cover damage from a rollover accident or hitting a pothole.
Roadside assistance coverage
Though specifics vary by company, roadside assistance coverage typically includes services for a reduced rate, including towing, tire replacement, jump-starts, gas delivery, and more.
Accident forgiveness
Many insurers will raise your rates upon renewal following an at-fault accident. Accident forgiveness coverage can hold your premium steady after your first at-fault accident. You'll generally need a clean driving record for three to five years to be eligible to buy this type of coverage.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Making a mistake behind the wheel can have an effect on your driving record. Drivers with incidents on their record tend to pay higher rates for auto insurance coverage than people with a clean record. Insurers view drivers with speeding tickets, driving under the influence charges, or at-fault accidents as a higher risk to insure.[4]
Shop For Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.
Cheap liability rates for drivers with an incident starting at $108/month
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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: GEICO
The Washington, D.C., area has an above-average number of street racers. The nation’s capital has approximately 8.9 street racers per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 7.4, according to Insurify data. The higher number of street racers makes speeding a common issue in D.C., leading to more accidents.
If you get a speeding ticket in D.C., you’ll likely face higher car insurance rates than drivers with a clean record. The severity of the offense can influence how much you pay in an initial fine and future increased rate. For example, an infraction related to street racing will likely increase your rates more than a ticket for going over the speed limit by 10 mph, as street racing is considered reckless driving.
In D.C., drivers with a speeding ticket see average monthly premiums of $310 and $176 for full-coverage and liability-only policies, respectively. Here are the average monthly quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket in Washington, D.C.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, May 3 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: GEICO
An at-fault accident can have a more significant effect on your car insurance than a single speeding ticket. In general, insurers charge drivers with an at-fault accident on their record higher insurance premiums to offset the perceived risk posed by the prior incident.
The average monthly cost of full-coverage car insurance for Washington, D.C. drivers with at-fault accidents is $329. The average for minimum-coverage policies is $187.
Here are the average monthly quotes for D.C. drivers with an at-fault accident on their record. Accident forgiveness coverage could help you avoid the multi-year surcharge for an at-fault accident.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, May 3 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: GEICO
A DUI is a serious traffic violation that comes with expensive consequences, such as jail time, license and registration suspension, and significant fines. A DUI in D.C. stays on your record for 10 years.
Most drivers with a DUI on their driving record pay significantly more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record or another type of incident, like a speeding ticket. In the district, drivers with DUIs face average car insurance rates of $372 per month for full coverage and $211 for liability-only policies.
You can find the cheapest average monthly quotes for Washington, D.C., drivers with a DUI below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, May 3 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Erie
Insurance companies usually consider your age when determining premiums. Between the ages of 35 and 70, experienced drivers tend to see average rates decrease with time. Senior drivers older than 70 can start to expect slightly higher rates because auto insurers may account for risk factors related to aging.
On average, senior drivers in D.C. pay $159 per month for full coverage and $90 for liability-only policies. Average rates for senior drivers vary by insurance company, which makes shopping around critical. Find some of the cheapest insurers for senior drivers in D.C. below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, May 3 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: GEICO
Teenagers and young drivers face the highest car insurance costs due to limited driving experience. Many insurance companies view teenagers as high-risk drivers with a greater likelihood of having an accident or filing a claim.
The good news is that teen drivers can find ways to avoid overpaying for coverage. Some strategies to lower your car insurance costs include picking a safe vehicle, increasing your deductible, joining your parents’ insurance policy, and maintaining good grades to earn a good student discount.[5]
Average rates for teen drivers in D.C. are higher than for other age groups. Teens pay, on average, $255 monthly for minimum coverage and $449 for full coverage. Young drivers in Washington, D.C., can find some of the cheapest car insurance options below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, May 3 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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The cheapest rates for teen drivers starting at $151/month
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Washington, D.C., car insurance quotes by credit tier
In some cases, working to improve your credit score can lead to lower car insurance rates. You can do this by remembering to pay your bills on time and reviewing your credit report to identify any potential mistakes.
Here are the average full-coverage auto insurance quotes by credit tier in D.C.
Rates by Credit Tier
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Washington, D.C., car insurance FAQs
Before purchasing insurance, you should decide on the right amount of coverage for you. The information below should help you navigate the process of finding cheap insurance from a quality insurer in D.C.
How much is car insurance in Washington, D.C.?
On overall average, drivers in D.C. pay $169 per month for car insurance. Full-coverage insurance costs $215 per month on average, while liability-only coverage is $122 per month.
Your specific rate depends on your driver profile, including your driving record, credit history, age, vehicle type, and more.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance rates in Washington, D.C.?
GEICO has the lowest liability-only rates in Washington, D.C., according to Insurify data. Its rates start at $88 per month.
District drivers can also find lower rates with the city's second- and third-cheapest insurers, Erie and State Farm. Their liability-only policies start at $89 and $96, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.?
With an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 4.6, an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior), and above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ranking, Erie is the best car insurance company in Washington, D.C.
Other top insurers include GEICO and Travelers.
Is car insurance required in D.C.?
Yes. Drivers must carry the following minimum amounts of car insurance:
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability
$10,000 per accident in property damage liability
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury liability
$5,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage liability
Do you need to purchase PIP coverage in D.C.?
No. PIP coverage is not mandatory in D.C., but auto insurers must offer the coverage to every driver purchasing insurance. If you do purchase PIP coverage and have an accident, you have 60 days to decide whether you want to receive no-fault benefits or file a claim against the at-fault driver.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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GEICO
Travelers
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