The average cost to insure a car in Washington, D.C. is $1,202 per year, cheaper than the national average. The most affordable option is GEICO, which has an average rate of $606. MoneyGeek analyzed the cheapest by coverage level and driving history. MoneyGeek also recommended the best options in Washington for those focused on quality and cost.
bestauto insuranceWashington2021The Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Washington
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Washington
For a full coverage car insurance policy, the cheapest companies in Washington are:
- GEICO: $606 per year
- USAA: $672 per year (only available to current and former military members)
Car insurance companies in Washington, D.C., have varying premiums. GEICO offers the most affordable rate in the capital, which averages $606 per year. That is nearly three times cheaper than the city’s most expensive average rate from Nationwide, which stands at $1,790 per year.
MoneyGeek evaluated car insurance companies in Washington using average prices for a 40-year-old male driver with a full coverage policy that includes liability insurance and comprehensive and collision insurance.
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- CompanyAmountper year
- 1.$606
- 2.$672
- 3.$817
- 4.$1,161
- 5.$1,362
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington
Washington$1,202
DC$1,202
U.S.$1,424
Many drivers in the capital pay more affordable car insurance rates compared to the national average. Car insurance companies in Washington, D.C., offer an average annual premium of $1,202, which is 15.6% cheaper than the average nationwide auto insurance rate.
The Best Car Insurance Companies in Washington
The best car insurance companies in Washington, D.C. offer a balance of affordability, quality service and reliability. Not only do you want affordable rates, but you also want to ensure you'll be taken care of if you are involved in an accident or need to use your insurance policy. Based on price, USAA and GEICO are the top providers for most Washington, D.C. residents. These big names in the insurance space are also well regarded for their customer service and reliability.
1
USAA
Score:100
2
GEICO
Score:93
3
Hartford
Score:88
4
State Farm
Score:85
5
Travelers
Score:85
6
Progressive
Score:80
7
Nationwide
Score:78
8
Farmers
Score:75
9
CSAA
Score:75
10
Allstate
Score:75
11
Plymouth Rock Assurance
Score:73
12
Liberty Mutual
Score:73
Personalized Quotes to Get You the Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington
Your age, gender, marital status, credit history and driving history can all impact your car insurance rates in Washington, D.C. Drivers should get personalized quotes so that they can find the best premium based on their unique circumstances. As these factors change, people seeking better deals on their auto insurance should ask for updated quotes, and they may be surprised to get discounts, rebates, promos and more.
Shopping around for car insurance in Washington could save you $596, which is enough to buy:
199Cups of Coffee
46Months of Your Favorite Streaming Service
Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington by Coverage Amount
In Washington and elsewhere, how much coverage you purchase will play a huge role in determining the cost of your auto insurance. A policy only meeting the state’s minimum requirements costs an average of $685 per year. A full coverage policy costs $1,202 on average. This is a $517 difference.
District Of Columbia Minimum Liability Requirements
- ItemDescription
- Bodily Injury and Property Damage$25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage. A more protective level is 100/300/100.
- Uninsured Motorist$25,000 per person, $50,000 per incident and $5,000 for property damage. The minimum coverage may not be enough if you're in a serious accident.
For minimum liability insurance in Washington, D.C., you’ll only have to pay an average of $352 per year to get coverage from GEICO, the district’s cheapest option for auto coverage. If you would rather bump up your policy to 50/100/50 liability-only coverage, you just have to bump that price up to an average of $391. This policy provides you with $50,000 of coverage for each individual’s injuries, up to a maximum of $100,000 per vehicle, along with $50,000 for property damages.
However, if you’re willing to increase your annual premium to an average of $565, you can get a 50/100/50 full-coverage GEICO policy. Comprehensive plans add more coverage to your policy, protecting you from things like uninsured motorists and damages to your own vehicle.
Average Car Insurance Premiums: Liability-Only vs. Full Coverage
Liability Only
- CompanyState Minimumper year50 / 100 / 50per year
- 1.$352$391
- 2.$357$399
- 3.$417$468
- 4.$644$756
- 5.$715$792
Full Coverage
- Company50 / 100 / 50per year100 / 300 / 100per year
- 1.$565$606
- 2.$617$672
- 3.$796$817
- 4.$1,070$1,161
- 5.$1,368$1,476
Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington if You Have Driving Violations
It’s essential to always practice safe driving and follow the law. Aside from keeping you safe, it will also help you get the best car insurance rates in Washington, D.C. If you have a clean record, the cheapest rate you can get is from GEICO, which is an average of $606 a year. However, GEICO charges an average of $145 more if you have speeding tickets and $395 more, on average, if you’ve been at fault in an accident. If you have a DUI violation, you would have to add as much as $782 per year, on average.
- CompanySpeeding Ticketper yearAt-Fault Accidentper yearDUIper year
- 1.$775$953$1,334
- 2.$751$1,001$1,388
- 3.$854$1,041$1,227
- 4.$1,270$1,380$1,270
- 5.$1,762$2,010$1,694
Average Cost of Car Insurance by Postal Code
Car insurance companies in Washington, D.C., don’t seem to break down location factors by ZIP codes to determine the best auto policy premium. You’ll often see auto insurance providers vary their rates depending on your ZIP code’s crime rate, records of accidents and theft incidents, road conditions and even weather. In Washington D.C., though, the average annual premium rate is consistent at $1,202 in all of its ZIP codes.
- Zip CodeState Minimumper year
- 20002$1,202
- 20009$1,202
- 20011$1,202
- 20019$1,202
- 20020$1,202
Insurance Providers That Serve Washington
Factors That Impact Insurance Costs in Washington
In addition to individual driver needs and history, location-specific factors like the percentage of uninsured motorists and the rate of car thefts also contribute to car insurance rates in Washington. How Washington ranks compared to the 300 most populous cities in the United States can have a significant impact on premium costs.
Methodology and Assumptions
MoneyGeek’s average premium rates for Washington are based on 100/300/100 comprehensive collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible for a 40-year-old male driver. The average driver profiled drives a 2010 Toyota Camry LE and has no tickets or accidents on their record. Additional premiums are added based on coverage type, location and driving record. Learn more about MoneyGeek’s data and methodology here.
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