Cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 2023

The cheapest car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.

Avoiding long commutes may be a near-impossible task for Washington, D.C. drivers, but finding affordable coverage does not have to be. Many of the nation’s top providers offer low average annual rates with good coverage options, plentiful discounts and strong claims handling ratings. Based on each company’s average annual rates gathered using Quadrant Information Services and additional research into each of these focus points, we found that Geico, Progressive and Erie may offer the cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C., for many drivers.

Cheapest company for minimum coverage

Cheapest company for full coverage

Cheapest company for adding a teen driver

Cheapest company for getting a speeding ticket

Cheapest company for being in an at-fault accident

Cheapest company after a high-risk incident

The cheapest car insurance companies in Washington, D.C. by coverage level 

One factor that plays a big role in your car insurance premium is how much coverage and related limits you choose. Minimum coverage refers to the minimum amount of car insurance you must purchase to drive legally in Washington, D.C., but it does not offer any coverage for your own vehicle. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage, also known as full coverage, adds financial protection for your own vehicle if you were to be involved in an accident or experience another type of covered damage, like vandalism. Below you can compare average rates for full and minimum coverage from the cheapest carriers we identified.

Getting a speeding ticket

Getting into an at-fault accident

Being deemed a high-risk driver

Minimum coverage requirements for Washington, D.C. drivers

Like in most states, Washington, D.C., drivers must carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to legally operate a vehicle. The average annual cost for this in Washington, D.C., is $607. Because D.C. is a no-fault area, personal injury protection (PIP) must also be offered by insurers, though drivers have the option to waive the coverage. The remaining 25/50/10 limits account for:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability per accident

Additionally, drivers must carry at least the same amounts of uninsured motorist coverage as bodily injury liability. For property damage, uninsured motorist coverage of at least $5,000 must be included, with a $200 deductible.

Drivers who purchase minimum coverage insurance typically pay some of the lowest premiums. However, most drivers benefit from getting more coverage than what is required. While there is no guarantee that full coverage will cover the full cost of an at-fault accident, the higher coverage limits provide additional financial backing and coverage for damage to your own vehicle. Comparatively, minimum coverage is often not enough to fully satisfy the cost of an at-fault accident. If a driver causes an accident and their financial responsibility is higher than their policy’s limit, they must pay the difference out of pocket. Drivers of leased or financed vehicles may be required to purchase full coverage by their lender.

How to get cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C.

Are you wondering how to save on car insurance in Washington, D.C? No matter what your situation is, a little effort may help you to find cheap car insurance in the District. The following strategies may help you find and keep cheap rates:

Shop around 

You may find it worthwhile to spend some time researching and comparing quotes from different companies based on your personal criteria. You may be surprised to find a range of prices for the same coverage selections. Additionally, each carrier has its own set of discounts and endorsements, so researching companies could help you get the coverage types you want and find relevant discounts to maximize savings. 

Work on your credit score 

If your credit score is less than ideal, you may not be able to qualify for the most affordable car insurance in Washington, D.C. Like in most states, insurers in Washington, D.C., can use your credit-based insurance score to determine your rates and may raise your premium substantially based on a low score. Improving your credit score by paying bills on time and limiting hard credit checks may help bring down your rates. 

Maintain a clean driving record

Few factors play as important a role in determining your premium as your driving record. If you are a careful driver who rarely files a claim against their policy, you will likely be rewarded with favorable rates. Claims cost your insurer money, and so the less you rely on your policy to pay for accidents and other auto mishaps, the more likely your insurer will be to offer you cheap Washington, D.C., car insurance.

Car insurance discounts in Washington, D.C.

Most insurance companies offer at least a few discounts that may lower your premium. Although every insurer has its own set of discounts, the following are ones that are commonly found. You may want to ask your insurance agent about potential discounts when your policy renews, especially if you've recently experienced a big life change, like adding a teen driver to your policy or buying a new home.

• Young driver discounts: Young drivers in high school or college can often save on their premium by maintaining a "B" or higher grade point average. They may also save if they leave their car at home while attending college. Some insurers offer discounts for young drivers who take a defensive driving class.
• Safe driver discounts: Insurers are increasingly using telematics programs to monitor safe driving skills in real time, and the savings involved could be substantial. Some carriers also extend discounts for remaining claims-free and having continuous coverage on your vehicle. 
• Other discounts: There are a wide variety of potential discounts with different carriers, so shopping around may help you see which company offers the most relevant ones for you. You might earn a discount if your car has safety features such as anti-lock brakes or anti-theft devices, if you pay your premium up front and if you bundle your car insurance with a homeowners or renters policy.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. 

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. 

Bankrate Scores 

Our 2023 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories. 

Like our previous Bankrate Scores, each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. This year, our 2023 scoring model provides a more comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and better highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, 2023 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.