Learn how to buy the best car insurance policy in Washington — see which carriers are rated as the best car insurance companies for customer satisfaction and what the average car insurance rates are for your neighborhood.
Discover how much you can save from knowing how to make smart choices about coverage. And, find out how rates for Washington drivers are affected by tickets, accidents and adding teen drivers.
- The average car insurance rate for Washington drivers for minimum coverage is $583 a year, according to Carinsurance.com analysis.
- The liability coverage in Washington, DC costs $655 per year.
- In Washington, full coverage car insurance policy costs $1,679 a year.
- In Washington, comparing quotes from companies can help you save an average $2,786 on your car insurance rates annually.
How much does car insurance cost in Washington, DC?
We all know that the cost of car insurance varies depending on your individual needs. But how much does it actually costs? CarInsurance.com analysed major insurers including Geico, Progressive Insurance Company (Progressive), State Farm, Allstate and others, to determine average Washington coverage costs for different levels and types.
The average rate for Washington drivers for a year of minimum coverage is $583 according to our rate analysis. If you increased your coverage to 50/100/50, you would pay just about $6.00 more a month, or $72 more a year.
You can get full coverage (100/300/100) by paying $91.33 more a month, or an additional $1,096 a year more than minimum-level coverage.
Average auto insurance rates in Washington, DCThe following data shows, what you can expect to pay for car insurance in Washington, on average.
- State minimum policy: $583 per year
- Liability coverage (50/100/50): $655 per year
- Full coverage (100/300/100): $1,679 per year
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Washington, District of Columbia?
GEICO and Progressive have the cheapest car insurance rates in Washington, based on our rate analysis for three different coverage levels.
The driver profile is for age 40, with good credit and a clean driving record. You can see how major insurers rank for price in the chart below.
| Company | Liability Only – State Minimum BI/PD | Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD | Full Coverage – 100/300/100 BI/PD – 500 Comp/Coll |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO Advantage Ins Co | $287 | $338 | $808 |
| Bankers Standard Ins Co | $372 | $509 | $2,539 |
| USAA Casualty Ins Co | $372 | $446 | $1,071 |
| Erie Ins Exchange | $489 | $609 | $1,474 |
| Progressive Direct Ins Co | $615 | $812 | $1,481 |
| State Farm Mutl Automobile Ins | $630 | $812 | $1,787 |
| Allstate P&C Ins Co | $735 | $867 | $3,630 |
| Nationwide Ins Co of Am | $1,111 | $1,411 | $2,376 |
Who has the best car insurance in Washington, DC?
Deciding who has the best car insurance to suit your needs depends on what is most important to you. For some, it may be price, while others value customer service the most. Still others may be looking for the convenience of mobile apps, or a company that offers the most car insurance discounts.
Below, we list car insurance companies in Washington, and who they are the best at serving, based on CarInsurance.com’s customer satisfaction survey of current policyholders and rate data analysis.
| Best for | Company |
|---|---|
| Claims | Travelers |
| Value/Price | Travelers |
| Customer Service | Travelers |
| Websites/Apps | Travelers |
| Recommend | Travelers |
| Low Annual Mileage | State Farm Mutual Auto |
| Good Student | State Farm Mutual Auto |
| Bundle | Allstate P&C |
| Paid in Full | Allstate P&C |
| Claims | Geico |
How much car insurance do I need in Washington, DC?
Below, we’ll explain what coverage you need to drive legally, which is your state’s required minimum liability limits, and what types of car insurance you may need to be truly protected.
Minimum car insurance requirements in Washington, DC
District of Columbia car insurance laws require only that you insure yourself against bodily injury and property damage liability, so it’s your choice whether to add coverage for yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle.
If you have a newer model car, it makes sense to get comprehensive insurance and collision coverage. In District of Columbia, comprehensive costs $218 and collision costs $854, on an average per year, according to a rate data analysis done by CarInsurance.com.
These optional coverages come with a deductible. That’s the amount you pay before your insurance company pays. Typical deductibles are $1,000, $500 and $250 – you choose which one you want. The higher the deductible is, the lower your rate will be.
The best car insurance coverage usually isn’t the cheapest. You may be used if you’re in an accident and your insurance doesn’t cover all of the damages. That means your home or savings could be in jeopardy.
To protect your assets, you should buy liability insurance in the following amounts:
- $1,00,000 to pay for others’ medical bills
- $3,00,000 to pay for injuries to others in an accident you cause
- $1,00,000 to pay for damage to others’ property
You should also consider buying these optional coverages:
- Comprehensive, which replaces stolen cars and covers damage to your car from floods, fire, hail, vandalism.
- Collision, which pays for damage to your car from accidents.
Compare car insurance quotes in Washington, DC & save money
You can save an average of $2,786 annually on a full coverage policy in Washington by comparing car insurance quotes, according to CarInsurance.com’s rate analysis. While savings will depend on your particular circumstances, this shows a significant benefit to shopping your policy.
Washington, DC Car insurance FAQs
How much does insurance go up after a speeding ticket in Washington, DC?
A speeding ticket in Washington will hike your car insurance rates by an average of 26%, or about $617 yearly. CarInsurance.com’s rate analysis shows how much more drivers in Washington can expect to pay, on average, for speeding and other common violations.
Minor traffic violations, such as speeding, typically stay on your record for about three years, and you can expect to see the rate increase upon your policy renewal date. More severe infractions, such as DUI, typically stay on your record much longer.
How much does insurance increase for tickets in Washington, DC?
Washington drivers can expect to see a hike in their rates in the range of 29% for minor moving violations such as tailgating or blowing through a stop sign, 51% for more severe infractions such as DUI.
Below, you’ll see how much rates increase, on average, for common traffic violations.
Remember, though, that because insurance companies assess risk differently, you can still save by comparison shopping, because one carrier may ding you a lot for a citation, while another may spike your rate by much less.
| Violation | Average rate | Rate after violation | $ Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 speeding tickets 11 mph or over | $2,412 | $3,111 | $699 | 29% |
| Careless driving | $2,412 | $2,863 | $451 | 19% |
| Distracted driving ticket | $2,412 | $2,836 | $424 | 18% |
| Driving without a license or permit | $2,412 | $2,748 | $336 | 14% |
| Driving without insurance | $2,412 | $2,709 | $297 | 12% |
| DUI/DWI first offense | $2,412 | $3,706 | $1,294 | 54% |
| DUI/DWI second offense | $2,412 | $4,755 | $2,343 | 97% |
| Failure to stop | $2,412 | $2,807 | $395 | 16% |
| Failure to yield | $2,412 | $2,806 | $394 | 16% |
| Following too closely | $2,412 | $2,823 | $411 | 17% |
| Improper turn | $2,412 | $2,823 | $411 | 17% |
| Improper/illegal pass | $2,412 | $2,823 | $411 | 17% |
| Operating a vehicle in a race (highway racing) | $2,412 | $3,783 | $1,371 | 57% |
| Reckless driving | $2,412 | $3,620 | $1,208 | 50% |
| Seatbelt infraction | $2,412 | $2,736 | $324 | 13% |
| Talking on cellphone ticket | $2,412 | $2,752 | $340 | 14% |
| Texting ticket | $2,412 | $2,752 | $340 | 14% |
How much will an accident raise my insurance in Washington, DC?
An accident will increase car insurance rates by 42% to 88%, on average, for drivers in Washington. When you file a claim for an accident that’s your fault, typically your car insurance rates will increase.
However, claims under your comprehensive coverage, if you have it as it’s optional, typically won’t trigger an increase. That’s because comprehensive claims are for damage insurers consider to be beyond your control, for instance, due to hail, fire, flooding, falling objects or collisions with an animal.
The table below shows how much drivers in Washington can expect to pay for typical car insurance claims.
| Accident | Average Rate | Rate after claim | $ Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 At-fault property damage accident over $2K | $2,412 | $3,413 | $1,001 | 42% |
| 1 At-fault property damage accident under $2K | $2,412 | $3,413 | $1,001 | 42% |
| 2 At-fault property damage accident over $2k | $2,412 | $4,524 | $2,112 | 88% |
| At-fault bodily injury accident | $2,412 | $3,447 | $1,035 | 43% |
How much does it cost to add a teen driver to your insurance in Washington, DC?
In Washington, adding a 16-year-old daughter to your policy will increase your rates by $1,679 annually, or 100%. It’s more for boys. Insuring your 16-year-old son will increase your yearly rate by $2,162, or 129% according to CarInsurance.com data.
How much is SR-22 insurance in Washington, DC?
CarInsurance.com data show that for drivers in Washington, your rate will go up by an average of $862 or 36%. If you’re convicted of a serious offense, such as DUI or reckless driving, you may be required to have your insurance company file an SR-22 form on your behalf.
An SR-22 is a car insurance company’s guarantee to the state that you carry the legally mandated coverage. If you are required to have an SR-22 filed, your car insurance rates will increase.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
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John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
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Leslie Kasperowicz
Executive Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
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Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.