The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. is $1,802 per year. Compared to the U.S. average of $1,638, Washington, D.C. drivers pay more for car insurance than the average American.
Despite the higher-than-average insurance rates, drivers in Washington, D.C. can still save money on car insurance — as long as they shop around. Policygenius can help you compare quotes from top car insurance companies to find the right coverage at the right price.
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:
Bodily injury liability: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.
Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.
Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Cheapest car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Car insurance rates are typically set using the same basic information, including your age, your ZIP code, and your personal driving history. However, just because each company uses the same information doesn’t mean they charge the same rates. Your actual insurance costs can vary from one car insurance company to another, sometimes by hundreds of dollars each year.
This is why it is so important to compare quotes from multiple companies when shopping for car insurance — you want to make sure you’re finding the cheapest rates out there.
Company | Average cost | JD Power Rating |
|---|---|---|
GEICO | $1,025 | 874 |
USAA | $1,149 | 890 |
Erie | $1,287 | 893 |
State Farm | $1,451 | 882 |
Bankers Insurance | $1,623 | -- |
Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Washington, D.C.
Young drivers usually have less experience behind the wheel than older drivers, making them more likely to file a claim. This is why most insurance companies charge higher rates for younger drivers.
Teen drivers who maintain a clean driving record will see their rates fall as they enter their early twenties, so it is important to avoid accidents and moving violations to help keep your insurance rates as low as possible.
Age | Cheapest company | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
16 | Erie | $3,037 |
18 | Erie | $2,692 |
16 | Allstate | $3,037 |
21 | USAA | $1,652 |
25 | GEICO | $1,322 |
30 | GEICO | $1,035 |
35 | GEICO | $1,052 |
45 | GEICO | $989 |
55 | GEICO | $1,025 |
60 | GEICO | $1,014 |
65 | GEICO | $1,014 |
70 | GEICO | $1,109 |
Choosing the right car insurance company in Washington, D.C.
There’s no one best car insurance company for every D.C. driver. The car insurance company that is the best one for you is whichever one offers you the coverage you need at the best price. Here’s what to look for:
Cost: Getting quotes from multiple companies is the best way to find the most affordable car insurance coverage.
Coverage: Buying enough coverage to make sure you are protected in case of a serious accident is an important part of shopping for insurance.
Customer service: Having an easy experience while buying a policy or filing a claim is just as important as cost when it comes to choosing an insurance policy.
Policygenius can help you compare quotes from top companies so you can choose the policy that’s right for you.
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Washington, D.C.
Your driving history is one of the biggest factors insurance companies use when setting your rates, which means an accident or a traffic ticket could have a significant effect..
Keeping your driving record clean is the easiest way to keep your insurance rates low. The chart below shows how different violations increased the cost of insurance with five of the cheapest insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Violation | GEICO | USAA | Erie | State Farm | Bankers Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At-fault accident | $1,913 | $1,750 | $1,781 | $1,750 | $2,460 |
DUI | $2,455 | $2,180 | $2,125 | $1,610 | $4,103 |
Suspended license | $2,126 | $2,131 | $2,125 | $1,610 | $4,103 |
Open container | $2,455 | $1,605 | $1,435 | $1,610 | $1,830 |
Expired registration | $1,317 | $1,510 | $1,372 | $1,610 | $1,830 |
Driving without lights | $1,317 | $1,510 | $1,372 | $1,610 | $1,830 |
Running a red light | $1,317 | $1,510 | $1,435 | $1,610 | $1,830 |
Following too closely | $1,317 | $1,510 | $1,435 | $1,610 | $1,830 |
Hit and run | $2,455 | $2,223 | $2,125 | $1,610 | $4,103 |
Not-at-fault accident | $1,100 | $1,218 | $1,435 | $1,470 | $1,703 |
Passing a school bus | $1,317 | $1,782 | $1,435 | $1,610 | $1,830 |
Reckless driving | $2,455 | $1,605 | $1,435 | $1,610 | $4,103 |
Speeding | $2,455 | $1,510 | $1,435 | $1,610 | $2,024 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Washington, D.C.
Company | Rates for drivers with DUIs |
|---|---|
State Farm | $1,610 |
Erie | $2,125 |
USAA | $2,180 |
GEICO | $2,455 |
Bankers Insurance | $4,103 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Washington, D.C.
Company | Rates for drivers with speeding tickets |
|---|---|
Erie | $1,435 |
USAA | $1,510 |
State Farm | $1,610 |
Bankers Insurance | $2,024 |
GEICO | $2,455 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Washington, D.C.
Generally, the lower your credit score, the more you’ll pay for car insurance, so working to improve your credit rating can help save you money on your car insurance. That said, some companies offer cheaper insurance for drivers with bad credit than others.
Company | Rates for drivers with bad credit |
|---|---|
GEICO | $2,294 |
USAA | $2,456 |
Bankers Insurance | $2,474 |
State Farm | $3,086 |
Progressive | $3,403 |
Buying car insurance in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. state law says that all drivers have to meet the following minimum coverage requirements:
Third party liability (bodily injury liability) coverage per person: $25,000
Third party liability (bodily injury liability) coverage per accident: $50,000
Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 BI per person; $50,000 BI per accident and $5,000 PD per accident
What is referred to as bodily injury liability in most states is called third party liability insurance in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is a no-fault state, which means that after an accident, each party files a claim with their own insurance company rather than with the at-fault driver’s insurance. But unlike most no-fault states, Washington, D.C. does not require drivers to have personal injury protection insurance (PIP).
How to get cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C.
Most car insurance companies offer discounts that drivers in Washington, D.C. will be able to take advantage of, including:
Good student discount: For full-time students who maintain above a certain GPA
Bundling discount: For buying more than one type of policy from the same insurance company
Group/employer/professional discount: For drivers affiliated with institutions that offer discounted rates through partner insurance companies.
Safe driver discount: For drivers who’ve completed a driver’s education or defensive driving course.
Accident free discount: For drivers without a recent accident on their record
Low mileage discount: For drivers who drive below a certain number of miles each year
Military discount: For drivers affiliated with the U.S. military
Beyond discounts, keeping your driving record clean and improving your credit score are both excellent ways to help keep your insurance costs low.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Washington D.C.?
Our analysis found that GEICO has the lowest average rates for full coverage in the state, at $1,025 per year, but rates are specific to the individual and vary by company, so shopping around may help you find an even cheaper policy.
Does my gender impact my insurance rates?
While there are several states that have passed laws to prevent your gender from being used to set your insurance rates, Washington D.C. is not one of them. The states where gender doesn’t impact your cost of insurance are California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Why is car insurance so expensive for young drivers?
Young drivers are inexperienced, which means they are more likely to be in an accident and file a claim. Insurance companies charge higher rates to drivers under 25 because they are higher risk and will likely cost insurance companies more money.
Is car insurance in Washington DC expensive?
At $1,802 per year, drivers in Washington D.C. pay more for car insurance than the average American. However, the district doesn't even come close to being the most expensive insurance in the country. Drivers in Florida have an average insurance rate of $2,794 per year, which is $992 higher than the average car insurance premium in Washington D.C.
