Many Washington, D.C. residents use their private vehicles to commute, where auto insurance is a legal requirement. However, finding cheap car insurance quotes in Washington, D.C., isn’t an easy task. It’s important to research and compare rates from the different insurance companies, as they don’t charge the same rates or give the same coverage.
Insurance Requirements in Washington, D.C.
All drivers need the following minimum annual car insurance coverage:
- Bodily injury to others: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $10,000 per accident
- Uninsured bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured property damage liability: $5,000 per accident, subject to a $200 deductible
Average Insurance Rates in Washington, D.C.
The average cost of car insurance in Washington, D.C., is $923 per year for minimum coverage and $2,351 per year for full coverage. Rates vary depending on which company you use and the coverage you choose.
Remember that your cheap car insurance quotes in Washington, D.C., will depend on your age, gender, driving record, credit score, and other factors. With a little searching, you may be able to find cheaper policies. An example of this is Geico’s offer of $372 per year, on average, for minimum coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with a perfect driving record.
Factors That Impact Insurance Costs in Washington, D.C.
Besides the individual driver’s factors and history, area-specific factors also matter. The percentage of uninsured motorists and the number of stolen cars in the location also impact the auto insurance costs. Washington’s ranking in comparison to other large cities in the United States impacts premium costs. Insurance providers weigh a few other factors too, such as the age, make, and model of your vehicle, your marital status, and deductible amount.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.
Let’s take a look at the different types of coverage and which companies come in at more affordable rates.
Full Coverage
Full coverage motor insurance usually includes liability, uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage, medical payments, collision, and comprehensive coverages. Some companies offer additional endorsements, such as roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement.
Both State Farm and Travelers are good options to look into for full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C.
Minimum Liability
Liability-only insurance policies cover the damage to the driver of the other vehicle and their car in the case of an accident. Comprehensive and collision insurance is not included in minimum coverage quotes like they are in a full coverage policy. This means that your vehicle is not protected from damage after a collision, theft, vandalism, or weather event.
Erie and Geico have the best cheap car insurance for minimum liability in Washington, D.C.
Drivers With Prior Incidents
Prior incidents include accidents, DUI’s, speeding tickets, and anything else on your driving record. This will increase your car insurance rates by around 14%. Both Erie and State Farm insurance companies offer cheap insurance quotes for drivers who have issues with their driving records.
State Farm is cheapest for drivers with a ticket, after an accident, and with poor credit. Erie is cheapest after a DUI. USAA is also a good option for military members after an accident. Geico and Travelers also fit the bill in these categories for cheaper car insurance quotes.
Drivers With Poor Credit
Poor credit causes huge increases in insurance premiums; sometimes as much as 49%. Insurers see poor credit as a sign of future claims, even though it may have nothing to do with driving ability or the driver’s record. On average, drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C., pay $1,762 more per year than those with good credit.
State Farm and Geico are insurers with more affordable rates in this category. For current and former military members and their families, USAA is an excellent option.
Married Drivers
Insurers believe that married drivers are safer drivers, so these drivers pay slightly lower rates for insurance. State Farm is one of the cheaper options for married drivers in Washington, D.C.
Young Drivers
Insurance companies see younger drivers as high-risk because of their inexperience in driving, so they have higher premiums. They can save on insurance in the following ways:
- Look for discounts for good grades.
- Drive safely.
- Leave their car home while away at school.
- Join a parent’s car insurance policy. This will raise the cost, but it will be cheaper than purchasing separate policies.
Erie offer substantially cheaper rates for minimum coverage for teenage drivers in Washington, D.C.
Summary of Cheap Car Insurance Companies in Washington, D.C.
Erie
Not only does Erie offer one of the best yearly rates for drivers, but with Erie RateLock, drivers can tie in their rate to prevent fee increases when they have a claim. Provided that their address, the vehicles that they insure, and the specified drivers remain the same, so will the insurance premium. When buying extra coverage, such as insuring personal items, premiums are adjusted to show the change. Erie has an average annual premium of $1,406 for full coverage, or minimum coverage for $525.
Geico
Geico offers discounts to the military and offers other discounts for customer loyalty, driver’s education courses, and driving history discounts. Their average annual full coverage premium is $1,988, or $718 for minimum coverage.
State Farm
State Farm is a bigger insurer in Washington, D.C., for private passengers. The company has a reputation for claims satisfaction, backed by a 2020 auto claims satisfaction study. They offer various discounts for vehicles that are equipped with safety features or for drivers who have completed driving courses. Annual premiums for full coverage average $2,249, while minimum coverage averages $1,089.
USAA
As a recipient of the highest customer satisfaction score for the mid-Atlantic region in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, USAA offers solid car insurance options and discounts. It gives the lowest auto insurance rates on average for current and former military members and their families in Washington, D.C. They average $1,284 for their annual full coverage premiums or a minimum coverage average of $556.
There are many cheap car insurance options in Washington, D.C., so drivers must shop around and compare the different offerings. This way they will find the unique coverage that suits their individual needs and budget.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
