Cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 2024

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 discount opportunities and solid customer satisfaction. In fact, drivers with minimum coverage in D.C. pay less than the national average for coverage. Minimum policies cost $825 on average compared to $678 nationwide. However, for full coverage, D.C. drivers pay slightly more, an average of $2,719 per year compared to the national average of $2,458.

Based on each company’s average annual rates, which Bankrate accessed through Quadrant Information Services, as well as an analysis of several other perks and drawbacks of the largest insurers by market share, we found that USAA, Geico and Erie may offer the cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C.

Key takeaways

• Cheapest company for minimum coverage: USAA
• Cheapest company for full coverage: USAA
• Cheapest company for drivers with prior incidents: USAA and Erie
• Cheapest company for young drivers: USAA

Generally speaking, minimum coverage refers to liability-only auto insurance. Liability offers financial protection in the event an accident you cause results in property damage or injuries to other drivers. However, liability does not cover things like theft, vandalism or weather damage. It will not help cover the cost of repairing your own vehicle after an at-fault accident, either.

Minimum coverage insurance can be a way to keep your monthly premium low, and drivers with vehicles valued at less than the cost of a full coverage policy may choose liability-only car insurance in Washington, D.C. Based on average rate data, USAA and Geico offer cheap minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C.

Minimum coverage requirements for Washington, D.C. drivers

As is true 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 $825. Because D.C. is a no-fault state, personal injury protection (PIP) must also be offered by insurers, though drivers have the option to waive the coverage.

By law, minimum coverage policies must meet or exceed the following limits, per the D.C. DMV:

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability
• $10,000 per accident in property damage liability
• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist bodily injury
• $5,000 per accident in uninsured motorist property damage

Minimum coverage generally comes with a low average rate, which may make it a good choice for those on a budget. However, that low cost also means a limited amount of financial protection. Minimum coverage provides no insurance for your vehicle if you cause an accident or experience another type of damage, like vandalism. Most insurance experts advise that it's worth paying a higher premium for higher liability limits and additional coverage types as the cost of a policy is almost always less than paying to replace your vehicle out of pocket.

Comparatively, minimum coverage may not be 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 limits, they must pay the difference out of pocket.

Full coverage auto insurance is pricier than minimum coverage but will provide more financial protection in the event of an at-fault accident, as well as coverage for things like weather-related damage, animal-related damage, theft, vandalism, hit and runs and more. Based on Bankrate’s analysis, USAA and Geico tend to offer the cheapest full coverage policies in D.C.

One of the key factors influencing your insurance rates is your driving history. Getting a ticket or getting into an accident may cause your rates to spike significantly. Even a single speeding ticket could amount to a substantial increase in your premium.

• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a ticket: USAA
• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
• Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers: USAA

Cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Washington, D.C. with a speeding ticket:USAA

Speeding may be seen as an indicator of unsafe driving practices by car insurance companies. This is why carriers typically charge higher rates for drivers with a speeding ticket conviction. Multiple speeding tickets may further impact your premium and could cause you to be viewed as a high-risk driver. If you have a speeding ticket on your record, it will likely only impact your premiums for three to five years, depending on the carrier, but it may be worth it to get quotes from the carriers below.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers in Washington, D.C. with an at-fault accident: USAA

Unless you have an endorsement for accident forgiveness on your policy, you may find your rate increasing after a single accident — especially if you were deemed at fault. Your insurer is in the business of risk, and drivers who have been in accidents are often seen as more likely to engage in risky behavior behind the wheel. You may be able to minimize this increase and potentially earn a small discount by taking a defensive driving course to prove that you're working on your driving skills.

Based on average rates following a single at-fault accident, here are some of the insurers providing cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C. for drivers who have been involved in an at-fault accident:

Cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C. for high-risk drivers: USAA

High-risk drivers may find it difficult to find coverage, especially with traditional carriers. You may be seen as a high-risk driver if you've had multiple tickets or accidents, but perhaps the most serious infraction is a DUI. A single DUI conviction on your record will likely make it more difficult to find insurance and could seriously impact your rates. However, if you do have a high-risk incident on your record, we found that the following carriers may offer you the cheapest rates:

Young drivers tend to pay more for auto insurance than adults. Given their lack of experience behind the wheel, insurers view youthful drivers as a higher risk to insure and charge accordingly. Add an incident to a young driver’s record, and their rates are likely to be even more expensive.

• Cheapest car insurance for insuring a teen driver: USAA
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with a ticket: USAA
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: USAA
• Cheapest car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: USAA

Cheapest Washington, D.C. car insurance for insuring a teen driver: USAA

Even the best teen drivers may see comparatively high rates because young drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents. However, some carriers may charge more to insure a teen driver than others. Additionally, teen drivers may be able to help bring their rates down by taking advantage of discounts. Some insurers, for example, offer savings for teen drivers who maintain a strong GPA or those who leave their vehicle at home while attending college.

Here are some of the insurers writing cheap auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for teens:

Cheapest Washington, D.C. car insurance for teens with a ticket: USAA

A teen driver will already face high insurance rates due to their inexperience. Adding a ticket to their driving history will only raise premiums further, making driving safely key to getting cheap insurance. If you do get a ticket, consider USAA — they may offer some of the cheapest policies based on our research.

Cheapest Washington, D.C. car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: USAA

Causing an accident is all but guaranteed to result in an increase to your auto insurance rates. Your insurer will worry that you could cause more incidents and will adjust the cost of your policy accordingly. If you’re at fault for an accident, USAA and Erie may offer the cheapest policies in D.C.

Cheapest Washington, D.C. car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: USAA

As mentioned, a DUI conviction on your driving record will have insurance-related consequences. On top of some insurers refusing to offer you a policy, a DUI will result in increased rates. To mitigate the financial fallout, if you’re a young driver with a DUI conviction on your record, you might benefit from getting quotes from USAA and Geico.

Most insurance companies offer at least a few discount opportunities that may lower your premium. Those listed below are among the most common; however, what’s available will vary from insurer to insurer.

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.
• Safe driver discounts: Insurers are increasingly using telematics programs to monitor driving behaviors in real time. If you exhibit safe driving skills, you could save on your premium. Some carriers also extend discounts for remaining claims-free for a specified period of time.
• Defensive driving course: If you take an approved defensive driving course, you may be viewed as less of a risk to insure and qualify to earn a small discount.
• Low mileage: If you don’t drive often, you may be able to get a cheaper policy by applying for a usage-based insurance policy or asking for a low-mileage discount.
• Good student discount: For young drivers, you may be able to land a discount if you can show that you earn good grades. Often, you’ll need a GPA of at least 3.0 or higher.
• 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.

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