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Elizabeth Rivelli is an experienced content writer with expertise in insurance and personal finance. Elizabeth has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance, and she’s written for Compare.com since 2023.
Elizabeth’s byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, USA Today, Bankrate, and several insurance companies.
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Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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The average cost of car insurance in Washington, D.C., is $112 per month. All vehicle owners in the district are required to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance, $10,000 in property damage liability coverage, and uninsured motorist liability insurance.
Washington, D.C., car insurance rates are personalized for every driver, depending on factors like age, driving record, ZIP code, and policy preferences. The insurance company you choose can also influence the cost of your policy. Below, we’ll see which companies offer the best auto insurance rates to D.C. drivers.
Washington, D.C., car insurance is 13% cheaper than the national average.
GEICO and Erie are the cheapest insurance companies for the average D.C. driver.
Teen drivers pay the highest rates for car insurance in Washington, D.C.
The average car insurance premium in Washington, D.C., is $112 per month, but it’s possible to find a lower rate. The car insurance companies in the table below have the cheapest rates in D.C.
Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $67 |
| GEICO | $67 |
| State Farm | $82 |
| Progressive | $111 |
| Nationwide | $161 |
Overall, Erie and GEICO have the cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. Both companies have an average monthly premium of $67 per month. However, Erie and GEICO may not be the cheapest insurers for all D.C. drivers.
Car insurance companies calculate rates based on a variety of rating factors unique to each driver, such as driving record, accident history, and age. We found the cheapest insurers for various demographics to help you find the most affordable car insurance in Washington, D.C. We’ll cover them in the sections below.
How we chose the cheapest companies in Washington, D.C.
Our team analyzed thousands of rates from dozens of the top insurance companies in Washington, D.C. Using that data, we listed the five cheapest options for Washington, D.C., drivers based on several key factors, such as age, coverage level, driving history, and more. All the rates listed are based on someone who drives a 2016 Honda Accord and has the minimum limits for coverage in Washington, D.C. The listed “full-coverage” rates include $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverages in addition to state-minimum liability coverage.
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The average monthly car insurance rate in D.C. is $112, which is $1,344 per year — much cheaper than the national average of $129 per month.
Washington, D.C., car insurance rates are very similar to Virginia’s, but the district has much cheaper average premiums than Maryland.
Although Washington, D.C., has low rates compared to the national average, premiums depend on many factors. For example, young drivers and drivers with a history of speeding tickets might pay higher premiums, while retirees or drivers with clean records may pay less.
The amount of coverage you purchase can affect your car insurance premium. A minimum-coverage liability policy is typically the cheapest type of auto insurance you can get. In the table below, you can see which insurers have the lowest minimum-coverage rates in Washington, D.C.
Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $43 |
| Erie | $44 |
| State Farm | $57 |
| Progressive | $81 |
| Nationwide | $127 |
GEICO is the cheapest insurance company for minimum coverage in Washington, D.C., with an average premium of $43 per month. Erie and State Farm also have low rates. However, some drivers need more than the minimum — we’ll look at this closer in the next section.
A full-coverage policy is optional but more expensive than a minimum-coverage policy, but it provides more financial coverage if your vehicle gets damaged.
A standard full-coverage policy typically includes collision and comprehensive insurance that covers your vehicle’s repairs after an at-fault accident or other damage, like theft, weather damage, and flood damage. Full-coverage insurance also provides liability insurance and coverage for your medical bills if you get into a crash.
The five companies in the table below have the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C.:
Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $90 |
| GEICO | $91 |
| State Farm | $108 |
| Progressive | $141 |
| Nationwide | $196 |
Erie is the cheapest full-coverage insurer in Washington, D.C., with an average premium of $90 per month. Erie also offers a variety of car insurance discounts that could help you save even more on your premium. Some of the discounts available include a good student discount, bundling discount, safe vehicle discount, and pay-in-full discount.
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Age is one of the most important factors that can affect the cost of your auto insurance policy. In general, drivers with less experience behind the wheel pay the highest rates for coverage. The accident rate of various age brackets can also affect car insurance rates.
Let’s look at how rates differ among different age groups in Washington, D.C.
Teen drivers in Washington, D.C., can expect to pay more expensive insurance rates..
“Young drivers have the highest rates since their lack of experience leads to at-fault accidents and a higher frequency of involvement in accidents,” says Stacy Tucker, a State Farm agent and agency owner in Vienna, Virginia.
While most teen drivers pay expensive premiums, rates typically begin to drop around age 25 — assuming the driver has no major incidents on their record.
In the table below, you can see which car insurance companies in Washington, D.C., have the cheapest rates for 18-year-old drivers, sorted by liability-only rates:
Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $88 | $184 |
| GEICO | $111 | $240 |
| State Farm | $158 | $321 |
| Nationwide | $412 | $622 |
| Allstate | $419 | $834 |
Erie has the lowest average rates for teen drivers in Washington, D.C. Erie’s average full-coverage premium for teens is $184 per month, and its average liability coverage is $88 per month. Erie also offers several discounts for young drivers, which could help teens get a cheaper rate, including:
Youthful driver discount: Unmarried drivers under the age of 21 who live with their parents can qualify for a discounted premium.
Youthful driver longevity discount: Unmarried young drivers can get a discount based on the number of years they were insured on a parent’s Erie insurance policy.
Driving training discount: Young drivers under the age of 21 who complete an approved driver training course can get a discount on their policy.
Drivers approaching retirement often see their car insurance rates drop. That’s because senior drivers typically drive less than middle-aged adults who are still working. The table below shows which car insurance companies in Washington, D.C., are the cheapest for 65-year-old drivers.
Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $45 | $92 |
| GEICO | $51 | $91 |
| State Farm | $54 | $100 |
| Progressive | $80 | $141 |
| Nationwide | $119 | $182 |
Erie is the cheapest company for seniors who want a liability-only policy, based on Compare.com data. Erie’s average rate for 65-year-old drivers in D.C. is just $45 per month. However, GEICO is the cheapest insurer for full-coverage policies, with average rates coming in at $91 per month.
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Your driving record is probably the most important of all the car insurance rating factors.
“Your driving record tells the insurance company how likely you are to have accidents, claims, or tickets in the future,” says Tucker.
Insurers base your premium on your risk level and the severity of any incidents on your record. Typically, the insurance company has a specific look-back period, so incidents on your record from three to five years in the past can still affect your rate.
Let’s look at how rates can change based on your driving record in Washington, D.C.
Generally, good drivers with no speeding tickets or accidents pay the lowest rates for car insurance in Washington, D.C. Many insurance companies also offer special discounts for drivers with a clean record, which can lead to extra savings.
The table below shows which insurers in Washington, D.C., have the cheapest rates for drivers with no accidents or tickets:
Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $43 | $91 |
| Erie | $44 | $90 |
| State Farm | $57 | $108 |
| Progressive | $81 | $141 |
| Nationwide | $127 | $196 |
GEICO is the cheapest insurance company, with a liability-only rate of $43 per month for drivers with a clean record. For full-coverage insurance, Erie is the cheapest company, with a rate of $90 per month for good drivers.
Both insurers offer savings for safe drivers with no recent violations on their record. GEICO’s good driver discount is available to customers who have gone at least five years without an accident. Erie offers a diminishing deductible, where your deductible is reduced by $100 for every year you go without a claim (up to $500).
Getting pulled over for speeding can cause your car insurance premium to go up. The average driver sees their rates increase by 37% after a single speeding ticket, according to Compare.com data.
In the table below, we’ve listed the cheapest car insurance companies in Washington, D.C., for drivers with a single speeding ticket:
Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $42 | $97 |
| Erie | $46 | $95 |
| State Farm | $61 | $117 |
| Progressive | $102 | $180 |
| Nationwide | $144 | $223 |
We found that GEICO has the cheapest liability-only rate of $42 per month for drivers in D.C. with a speeding ticket. However, Erie is the cheapest insurer for full coverage in D.C. Erie’s average rate of $95 is only 5% higher than its rate for good drivers.
Your car insurance premium will increase if you get into an at-fault accident. Even a single accident causes an average rate increase of 44%, according to Compare.com data.
The cheapest Washington, D.C., insurance companies for drivers with one at-fault accident are listed in the table below:
Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $49 | $113 |
| Erie | $58 | $116 |
| State Farm | $67 | $127 |
| Progressive | $147 | $247 |
| Nationwide | $184 | $285 |
GEICO is the cheapest insurer for D.C. drivers with an at-fault accident. Its average liability-only rate is $49 per month and $113 for full coverage. Erie’s rates aren’t far behind, at $58 and $116 per month, respectively.
A DUI is a serious traffic violation that can drastically increase your insurance premium — your monthly rate could nearly double after just one DUI conviction. In addition to higher insurance rates, there are many other consequences for a DUI conviction in Washington, D.C.
After a first offense, drivers are fined $1,000 or spend up to 180 days in jail.
If the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.20% or above, there is a mandatory 10-day minimum jail sentence.
The driver can lose their driving privileges for six months and must retake their license test.
The table below features five car insurance companies with the cheapest rates for Washington, D.C., drivers with a DUI:
Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $61 | $117 |
| Erie | $70 | $138 |
| Progressive | $89 | $157 |
| GEICO | $93 | $187 |
| Allstate | $243 | $428 |
State Farm has the cheapest liability and full-coverage insurance rates for Washington, D.C., drivers with a DUI. Its average premiums are $61 per month for liability-only insurance and $117 for full coverage. That’s only a 7% and 8% increase, respectively, compared to the average rates for a good driver.
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You can get cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C., in a variety of ways. Here are five tips to reduce your rate:
Look for discounts: Most car insurance companies offer discounts that can lower your premium. Reach out to your insurer to see what discounts you’re eligible for.
Choose high deductibles: A high deductible for policies like collision and comprehensive insurance lowers your rate, but make sure you can afford the out-of-pocket cost if you cause a collision.
Pay your premium in full: When you pay your annual premium up front, many insurers will give you a small discount.
Bundle your policies: You can often save money on car insurance when you bundle an auto policy with a home or renters insurance policy.
Compare quotes: Comparing car insurance quotes from several insurance companies can help you find the most affordable rate.
Drivers in Washington, D.C., are required to have at least a minimum amount of coverage. A minimum-coverage policy includes liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage. This includes:
Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist property damage: $5,000
The D.C. DMV will suspend your vehicle registration or reciprocity sticker if you’re caught driving without insurance or you fail to maintain continuous minimum coverage. You’ll also receive a fine of up to $2,500 — which will increase with each subsequent offense. And you must show valid proof of insurance to get your vehicle registration reinstated.
Washington, D.C., drivers who lose their driving privileges may be required to get an SR-22. An SR-22 is not a type of insurance — it’s a certificate that proves you have the minimum car insurance required in the district.
An SR-22 usually stays on your record for several years and can cause your insurance premium to increase.
Not all Washington, D.C., insurance companies provide SR-22s. If your insurer doesn’t, you can typically get one from an insurer specializing in high-risk or non-standard car insurance.
You can find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions by D.C. drivers below.
GEICO and Erie are tied for the cheapest car insurance company in Washington, D.C., according to Compare.com data. Both companies have an average rate of $67 per month, which is much cheaper than the district-wide average rate of $112 per month.
The average car insurance premium in Washington, D.C., is $112 per month. But your actual cost depends on different factors and policy preferences. The insurance company you choose can also affect your premium.
Car insurance rates in Washington, D.C., are low compared to the rest of the DMV area. Virginia’s and D.C.’s average rates are about the same ($113 and $112). However, the average cost of car insurance in Maryland is more expensive, at $173 per month.
Drivers in Washington, D.C., must purchase bodily injury liability ($25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident), property damage liability ($25,000 per accident), and uninsured motorist liability insurance ($25,000 person, $50,000 per accident, and $5,000 property damage). Many drivers can benefit from higher liability coverage limits or a full-coverage policy, which provides physical damage protection.
If you get caught driving without car insurance in Washington, D.C., the DMV will suspend your vehicle registration, and you’ll receive a fine. You must show valid proof of car insurance to get your registration back before you can start driving again.
Sources:
D.C. DMV, “Vehicle Insurance,” Accessed August 23, 2023.
Erie Insurance, “Auto Insurance Discounts and Customer Incentives,” Accessed August 23, 2023.
Code of the District of Columbia, “50–2206.13. Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug,” Accessed August 23, 2023.
D.C. DMV, “Suspended or Revoked License,” Accessed August 23, 2023.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Elizabeth Rivelli is an experienced content writer with expertise in insurance and personal finance. Elizabeth has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance, and she’s written for Compare.com since 2023.
Elizabeth’s byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, USA Today, Bankrate, and several insurance companies.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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