How Much Is Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.? (2024)

Several factors impact auto insurance rates, including age, insurer, location, coverage levels, driving history and credit score. The cheapest insurer (GEICO) in Washington, D.C., charges $662 per year on average for a full coverage policy, while the most expensive insurer (Nationwide) charges $1,811 yearly. Drivers in their 20s pay $878 annually from GEICO and $2,106 from Nationwide. Young adults typically pay much more for auto insurance than more experienced drivers.

In Washington, D.C., the average cost of auto insurance is $1,188 per year. Among other factors, your chosen coverage level and driving record significantly influence the cost of your premium. The following average rates show the disparity between drivers with different types of violations on their records:

• Clean Record: $1,188 per year
• Speeding Ticket: $1,379 per year
• At-Fault Accident: $1,686 per year
• DUI: $1,917 per year

The above rates are for a full coverage policy in Washington, D.C. Minimum coverage rates tend to be much cheaper.

In Washington, D.C., average car insurance policies cost $134 more than the national average of $1,054. This similarity is likely due to Washington, D.C.’s moderate traffic density, lower population density in urban areas and average vehicle theft rates. However, car insurance may be more expensive in Washington, D.C., due to personal factors like your driving history and age.

The average cost of car insurance in Washington, D.C., may differ from what you will be charged for premiums, as insurers charge different rates for the same policy. The cheapest car insurance company in Washington, D.C., is GEICO, with an annual minimum coverage rate of $372 per year for minimum coverage (full coverage is $662 per year). The most expensive car insurance company in Washington, D.C., is Nationwide, with an annual minimum coverage rate of $975 (full coverage is $1,811 yearly).

In Washington, D.C., full coverage policies are more expensive than limited-liability insurance. You can still get an affordable full coverage policy by shopping around and comparing quotes.

In Washington, D.C., the average cost of car insurance ranges from $533 for state-minimum coverage to $1,349 for full coverage with maximum liability limits. If you opt for comprehensive and collision insurance, you may increase your annual rate by several hundred dollars. However, if you're looking to save money on a full coverage policy, you can choose to have a higher deductible, which will usually lower your premiums.

A minimum coverage car insurance policy is the most budget-friendly option for drivers. It has the least liability coverage and does not include comprehensive or collision coverage. However, in Washington, D.C., the cost of a minimum policy can be more expensive than in other states due to the compulsory uninsured motorist protection.

Insurers usually provide higher liability limits and label these policies as 50/100/50 or 100/300/100. For example, a 50/100/50 policy means:

• $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
• $100,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
• $50,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident

Most insurers offer a maximum liability insurance limit of 300/500/300, which covers damage or injury to others. In addition, comprehensive and collision insurance covers the cost of damages to you and your vehicle, making it a full coverage policy.

The cost of premiums for young drivers in Washington, D.C., and other states is affected by age. We analyzed the typical rates for drivers in the following age brackets:

• 22–29: $1,456 per year
• 30–59: $1,188 per year
• 60+: $1,162 per year

Rates for drivers aged between 30 and 59 generally stay the same; however, drivers aged 60 and over tend to face slightly lower premiums. Due to their statistically riskier driving, companies usually charge young drivers the most expensive rates. Car insurance for new drivers in their 30s tends to be just as expensive as insurance for drivers in their 20s due to a lack of experience.

Teenagers in Washington, D.C., typically pay the most for auto insurance compared to other age groups. A 16-year-old male driver on a family policy pays an average of $3,056 a year for full coverage insurance. The same driver on an individual policy will pay an average of $7,852 annually.

However, insurance rates significantly reduce as teens age and gain more driving experience. For example, a 19-year-old on a family policy pays an average of $2,424 annually, and a 22-year-old driver pays an average of $1,978 yearly.

Additionally, the driver’s gender is a significant factor in determining their rate. A 16-year-old female driver on a family policy pays an average of $2,634 per year, $422 less than their male counterparts. MoneyGeek recommends shopping around to get the best car insurance rates for teens in Washington, D.C.

In Washington, D.C., insuring a new car is more expensive than an older one, with an average annual cost of $1,639 for a new car and $1,273 for an older car — a 22% difference. This discrepancy is because more recent car models have a higher actual cash value (ACV) that insurers consider when calculating premiums. As cars age, their ACV decreases, and so do their insurance rates. Drivers of newer cars should consider getting full coverage insurance to protect against the higher costs of repairs and replacement in case of an accident or theft.

In Washington, D.C., drivers with a clean driving history will usually pay less for auto insurance than drivers with poor driving records. Here is how drivers compare for average full coverage rates:

• Clean record: $1,188 per year
• Speeding ticket: $1,379 per year
• At-fault accident: $1,686 per year
• DUI: $1,917 per year

After a violation, your insurance premiums reflect the severity of your offense. In this example, a DUI will result in an average annual rate increase of $729. Even with a poor driving record, you can still get affordable rates in Washington, D.C., by comparing quotes from different insurance companies.

In Washington, D.C., a driver’s credit score significantly impacts car insurance costs. On average, drivers with outstanding credit pay $938 annually for a full coverage policy, while those with poor credit pay more than double, at $1,880 annually. Average rates for drivers with different credit scores are as follows:

• Excellent: $938 per year
• Good: $1,102 per year
• Fair: $1,317 per year
• Below fair: $1,601 per year
• Poor: $1,880 per year

Some insurers may not penalize drivers with lower credit scores as much as others, depending on the company's policies. If your credit score is low, compare quotes from different insurers to find the best car insurance for drivers with poor credit.

In Washington, D.C., your location impacts your auto insurance rates. Drivers residing in the more densely populated urban areas of Washington, D.C., pay a yearly average of $1,203 for full coverage insurance compared to the district-wide average of $1,188. Generally, living in the suburbs makes you less impacted by car theft and less likely to get into an accident, contributing to lower rates.

When shopping for car insurance in Washington, D.C., prospective buyers often wonder about service and affordability. MoneyGeek answered your most commonly asked questions, making finding the right coverage for your needs easier.