Cheap Auto Insurance Washington, D.C. 2023

Drivers in Washington, D.C., pay an average of $354 per month for car insurance, making D.C. the fifth most-expensive place in the U.S. to get coverage. Despite the relatively high cost of car insurance in D.C., you may be able to find cheap car insurance by shopping around. Drivers who shop for auto insurance quotes online can see the most affordable providers in their areas.

Best cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C.: Travelers

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Travelers

Best Cheap Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.

Our team collects the most recent data on the best car insurers in Washington, D.C. We use that information to calculate our Insurify Composite Score (ICS), which highlights an insurer’s reliability, quality, and financial health. With an ICS of 80 and an average cost of just $144 per month, Travelers is the best cheap car insurance company in Washington, D.C.

Learn More: Best Car Insurance Companies

Insurify Composite Score (ICS)

To calculate the Insurify Composite Score, a proprietary rating, Insurify data scientists weigh multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.

Inputs to the score include J.D. Power ratings, Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints, mobile app reviews, user-generated company reviews, and financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.

Minimum car insurance requirements in Washington, D.C.

All motor vehicles operated or parked on Washington, D.C., roadways are required to be insured. Proof of insurance must be carried in your car at all times and must be available when:

• Requested by law enforcement

• Renewing vehicle registration

• The vehicle is involved in a car accident

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Washington, D.C., are:[1]

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. Washington, D.C., is an at-fault district, meaning the driver who is responsible for the collision is also responsible for paying for any resulting expenses, either through their car insurance provider or out of pocket.

• $10,000 per accident for property damage: If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

• $25,000 per person for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury/$50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury/$5,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pay for costs caused by a driver with little or no insurance after a car accident. In Washington, D.C., you’re required to purchase this coverage for bodily injury protection.

Washington, D.C., DMV information

The Washington, D.C., Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles everything from issuing licenses and registration to the management of parking tickets. Drivers can find the assistance they’ll likely need by visiting the Washington, D.C., DMV website.[2] You can also access information about insurance and vehicle inspection requirements through the DMV.

Public transportation in Washington, D.C.

While having a car can be handy, one of the best ways to get around Washington, D.C., is by public transit. Recent U.S. Census data shows that 13.1% of workers in the metro area rely on public transportation to commute to work each day.[3] Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA), commonly referred to as the Metro, operates buses and trains in D.C.

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C.

If you prefer to have a car, keep in mind that you’ll need to meet D.C.’s minimum insurance requirements. The best way to find the coverage you need at an affordable cost is to compare car insurance quotes. Doing so will help you understand what different insurance companies offer so you can choose an option that aligns with your needs.

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Washington, D.C.

If you live in Washington, D.C., you can opt to carry liability-only auto insurance, which pays for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party’s car if you cause an accident. Each state sets its own minimums for how much liability insurance it requires drivers to carry. Liability-only insurance can make sense if:

• You have a low-value vehicle.

• You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.

• Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.

For a higher level of protection, you can choose full-coverage insurance, which includes basic liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. Auto lenders and leasing companies typically require drivers to carry full coverage on a car they’ve financed.

You may also opt for full coverage if:

• You have a high-value vehicle.

• You wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.

• Your car’s actual cash value (the payout you’d likely get if your car is totaled) exceeds your annual premium to carry full coverage.

Here’s a look at the average monthly quotes for the cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C., by policy type.

How your driving history affects Washington, D.C., car insurance rates

Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. Good drivers — whose records are free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving — tend to get the best car insurance rates in Washington, D.C. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C., based on driving and accident history.

See More: High-Risk Car Insurance Washington, D.C.

See More: SR-22 Car Insurance Washington, D.C.

SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C.

You may need to complete an SR-22 form to reinstate your license and get back on the road in Washington, D.C., after a DUI. An SR-22 signifies that you meet minimum insurance coverage requirements and are a financially responsible driver. The following companies offer SR-22 services in Washington, D.C.

How credit scores affect Washington, D.C., car insurance quotes

In addition to factors like your driving record, insurers in D.C. also consider your credit score when determining the cost of your coverage. Generally, people with excellent or good credit scores can qualify for lower car insurance premiums than people with average or poor credit scores.

See More: Bad Credit Car Insurance Washington, D.C.

How your age affects your Washington, D.C., car insurance rates

Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.

The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates.

Quotes for younger drivers

In some areas of the country, it can be difficult for young drivers to find car insurance at all, let alone cheap car insurance. Their relative inexperience behind the wheel and higher incidence of getting into accidents can push insurance rates high for younger drivers. Those with an infraction on their record, like a DUI, will see even higher rates.

The following table gives some insight into the impact a DUI can have on car insurance rates for younger drivers in Washington, D.C.

Quotes for middle-aged drivers

Car insurance rates usually begin to fall for drivers once they reach age 25. During your 30s, 40s and 50s, your car insurance rates will likely stabilize, provided you maintain a clean driving record. However, a DUI can significantly affect monthly car insurance costs for middle-aged drivers in Washington, D.C., as the following table illustrates.

Quotes for senior drivers

Senior drivers typically have the cheapest car insurance rates of any age group. However, the older you get, the more likely your rates will begin to creep up again — especially if you have driving violations on your record. The following table shows the effect a DUI can have on car insurance rates for senior drivers in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., car insurance FAQs