Washington, DC Car Insurance

How much can residents of Washington expect to pay for their car insurance? You can see the cost breakdowns and contributing factors in the charts and writeups below:

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How much is car insurance in Washington?

The average cost of insuring your vehicle in Washington is above the national rate. Coverage in Washington is about $45 more expensive than it is for the rest of the U.S.

These rates may be the average amount residents of Washington pay for their insurance policy, but that doesn't mean it's exactly what you'll pay. There are numerous factors taken into consideration by insurance companies when deciding the rate you'll pay to get car insurance. Your monthly premium is calculated off of your age, gender, vehicle make and model, driving record, and even your credit score depending on the circumstances.

But don't worry, we've broken down the average rate for Washington residents based on several different factors so that you can get a more accurate idea of your policy's monthly premium. And if you're not sure if you're getting the cheapest rate, simply enter your ZIP Code below to learn more about rates in your area!

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Average Car Insurance Rates by Age

Generally speaking, the older you are, the more experience you have driving, right? That experience can really work in your favor when it comes to auto insurance. According to the table above, you can see that 18-24-year-olds pay $104 more than someone who is at retirement age.

You can expect to see your monthly premium drop every 10 years or so. Having said that, once you approach retirement age your rates may rise again in Washington.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Gender

Car insurance rates for men are usually slightly more expensive than they are for women. This rings true in Washington, where women pay around $11 less per month than men. As you can see in the table above, female drivers in the area typically pay $119 on average, while female drivers typically pay $130 each month.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Depending on your driving record, your rates can vary wildly. Drivers who avoid accidents and tickets will pay lower rates than those with infractions. Drivers in Washington with a single accident on their record will usually see rates around $147 a month. Likewise, drivers with one ticket will be looking at a rate of around $147 a month on average.

Wherever you live, accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions will almost certainly drive up your monthly bill. Remember, the safer you are as a driver, the cheaper your car insurance will be.

Average Insurance Rates by Vehicle

If you look at the first table above, the cheapest vehicles to insure in Washington are usually trucks and vans, at $103 per month.

SUV drivers will see rates of about $117, while the rates for car owners average out to about $130 per month.

In addition to vehicle type, you can also expect to see slightly different rates depending on how old your vehicle is. Generally, newer vehicles are going to be the most expensive to insure. However, your rates may start to decrease if your car is about 5 years old. In Washington, vehicles four-to-five years old are the most expensive to insure.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Relationship Status

Generally speaking, those who are currently married will pay slightly less for car insurance coverage. This usually boils down to owners having multiple vehicles on the same policy, something that will often get you a discount.

At a national level, single drivers usually pay more than married couples do for auto insurance. Washington follows that pattern, with the difference totaling to around $37 a month.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Housing Situation

Your housing status is another component of how insurance companies calculate your monthly rate. Renters can expect to pay around $7 a month more than those who own their own home in Washington. But if you live with your parents, your rates will be significantly higher.

That said, if you bundle your homeowners or rental insurance policy with your auto insurance, many companies will offer you a discount to make up for it and reduce your car insurance premiums.

Car Insurance Companies in Washington, DC

Recent trends in car insurance for Washington drivers

Average rates are constantly changing, so it's a good idea to know the direction your area is trending when choosing when and where to shop.

The rates for car insurance in Washington increased from 2017-2019, but began to turn downward in 2020. This pattern has continued through 2022 when rates have most recently hit $75.

How does Washington compare to neighboring areas?

Why are car insurance rates in Washington different from other areas?

There are numerous factors car insurance companies take into consideration when figuring out how much to charge for a monthly rate. Where you live will also have a significant impact on your personal policy. This may include things like:

• Road Safety (how many accidents each locality has)
• Local laws
• Total amount of drivers in the community
• Off-street parking accessibility
• Crime

You can't change these factors yourself, but they're something to take into consideration when shopping for a new policy or looking to move into an area. Get started with a guide like this to get familiar with the average rates of your area.

How can I find the cheapest car insurance in Washington?

While understanding what the average costs are for drivers like you can be helpful as you get an idea of what you might end up paying, the only way to know exactly what your rate will be is by requesting a quote from car insurance companies.

Fortunately, Compare.com does all of that work for you. Just type in your ZIP below, answer a few questions regarding the factors mentioned above, and you'll be comparing the cheapest quotes from dozens of car insurance companies that offer auto coverage in Washington.

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Washington Insurance FAQs

What factors affect car insurance quotes in Washington?

Auto insurance companies take a wide array of factors into consideration when calculating your monthly payment. These include things like your vehicle's year, make and model, your gender and age, as well as your address, driving record, credit score, and marital status.

Why is the cost of car insurance in Washington different from other neighboring cities?

Things like local laws, crime rates, and parking situations, which are dependent on your address and area you live in, can significantly affect the cost of insurance relative to other cities.

Which car insurance company will offer me the cheapest rate in Washington?

There isn't one company that will offer the cheapest rate to everybody. What companies will charge you are based on many different factors that vary from person to person, such as your driving record, what kind of car you drive, how many drivers will be on your policy, and a number of other factors. Because of this, it's a good idea to use sites like Compare.com to compare multiple quotes at once. That way, you can be confident you're getting the best price.

Do I need to change my insurance if I move to Washington?

Whenever you move to a new area, or experience any other major life event such as getting married or finding a new job, it's always a good idea to re-evaluate your current insurance policy. Certain companies may offer larger discounts in certain cities, so it's a smart idea to use services like Compare.com to compare quotes from dozens of companies side-by-side.

Do I need to wait for my policy to expire to switch to a different car insurance company?

No. In fact, you can swap companies at any point, regardless of how much time is left on your current coverage. So, whether you're moving to Washington or just curious about rates in your area, why not take 10 minutes to see if Compare.com can save you money?