Washington, DC Car Insurance

How much does car insurance cost in Washington, DC? Check out the average rates that drivers pay below.

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What Is the Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington?

Washington, D.C. is a cultural destination known for its eclectic neighborhoods, towering national monuments and historical landmarks. Residents enjoy touring the National Mall to see the National Cherry Blossom Festival every year. Others visit areas like the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Individuals can use the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to travel through the area, but having a car is a better way to travel to shops in Maryland and Virginia's suburban areas.

Are you a Washington, D.C. resident that needs insurance coverage for your vehicle? SmartFinancial can help you find affordable insurers that fit your needs and budget. In this article, you'll learn about the auto insurance requirements for the District of Columbia.

Monthly Average Rates by Country, State, and City

Car insurance rates vary from driver to driver and are based on many factors that include driving history, claims history and where you live. Each city in District of Columbia has different rates, and below, you can compare average rates with the national average. According to our data, drivers who live in Washington typically pay around $172.63 per month compared to the national average of $146.43 per month. The best way to get a low rate is by comparison shopping. SmartFinancial can do that for you at no cost while pairing you with a reputable insurance company so you have no surprises if you have an accident.

AreaAverage Monthly Rate
National $146.43
District Of Columbia $172.80
Washington, District Of Columbia $172.63

Washington, DC Best Car Insurance Companies

car insurance in Washington

Certain insurers will offer you better rates than others based on a myriad of factors, so you may get a better deal from one insurer over another for various reasons, and that’s why it’s important to compare. According to our data, Clearcover generally has the most affordable car insurance in Washington coming in around $66.08 per month. Other companies to consider if you live in Washington is USAA with an average cost of $111.71 per month and State Farm which typically runs around $138.89 per month. Check out the full list below. SmartFinancial rates the following insurers as the best insurance companies for drivers in Washington.

RankCompanyAverage Monthly RateComparison State Average
1 Clearcover $66.08-61.76%
2 USAA $111.71-35.35%
3 State Farm $138.89-19.62%
4 Nationwide $234.4835.69%
5 Allstate $303.3475.54%
6 Liberty Mutual $401.78132.51%

How Much is Car Insurance in Washington, DC?

how much is auto insurance in Washington

Rates can vary from city to city. The residents of Naval Anacost Annex typically pay $408.97 per month while people who live in Washington will pay $172.63 per month on average. See what people pay for car insurance in other cities in District of Columbia.

District Of Columbia CitiesMonthly Average Rate
Naval Anacost Annex$408.97
Washington $172.63
Washington Navy Yard$120.92

Cheap Car Insurance in Washington by Zip Codes

find cheap auto insurance in Washington

Every zip code rates differently with every insurer. Your zip code determines the crime rate in your area as well as other risks. Below, you can see how average rates range across the state of District of Columbia. If you live in an area that is rated high in crime, you can make sure to garage your car in a safe place. That ought to save you some money. Covered and gated structures are best. Make sure to tell your insurance agent about the precautions you’re taking.

Washington, DC ZIP CodeAverage Monthly Rate
20001$179.41
20002$167.87
20003$187.96
20004$206.10
20005$174.15
20006$215.14
20007$187.33
20008$162.08
20009$172.71
20010$180.50
20011$170.46
20012$155.28
20015$174.13
20016$181.55
20017$184.20
20018$164.70
20019$172.61
20020$166.16
20024$197.69
20026$165.24
20030$100.33
20032$173.03
20036$175.43
20037$143.64
20041$102.71
20045$187.78
20052$261.69
20057$361.36
20059$148.54
20060$216.50
20064$351.55
20373$175.35
20451$181.83
20500$198.79
20543$164.50

Car Insurance Rates by Driver's Age Group in Washington

Generally speaking, you pay more in car insurance the younger you are and the older you are. Teens and young adults often pay around $392.59 per month in Washington. Compare that to drivers in their 30’s who typically pay around $161.94 per month drivers in their 40s at $158.81 per month. It’s always a good idea to check for discounts that apply at any age. Some discounts include away-at-school discount, safe driver discount, mature driver discount, good student discount as well as multi-policy and bundling discounts.

Age GroupAverage Monthly Rate
16-19$392.59
20s$209.88
30s$161.94
40s$158.81
50s$146.78
60s$145.29
70+$179.03

Cheapest Insurance for Teenage Drivers in Washington

If you are teen in Washington you are probably looking for a good deal on car insurance. Since teenage drivers typically pay the highest rates of any other age group, it’s important to compare multiple companies. According to our research, USAA typically charges around $212.47 per month. This is likely the most affordable option in Washington. You might also want to consider State Farm and Nationwide who also offer good affordable policies for teen drivers.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
USAA$212.47
State Farm$334.68
Nationwide$555.05
Allstate$652.13
Liberty Mutual$1,143.57

Cheapest Insurance for 20 Year-olds in Washington

20 year-olds in Washington might want to consider Clearcover who, on average, offers car insurance rates around $66.08 per month. USAA , State Farm , Nationwide and Allstate are also in the top 5 cheapest rates available.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Clearcover$66.08
USAA$136.94
State Farm$187.11
Nationwide$299.05
Allstate$366.78

Cheapest Insurance for 30 Year-olds in Washington

If you are in your 30s in Washington our research has found that USAA typically has the most affordable coverage coming in around $110.49 per month, followed by State Farm at $129.59 and Nationwide at $222.57.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
USAA$110.49
State Farm$129.59
Nationwide$222.57
Allstate$291.96
Liberty Mutual$339.33

Cheapest Insurance for 40 Year-olds in Washington

On average, USAA offers car insurance for 40 year-olds in Washington for around $102.68 per month. If you are looking for affordable coverage, you may also want to consider State Farm or Nationwide. The full list of top companies is below.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
USAA$102.68
State Farm$127.10
Nationwide$219.12
Allstate$288.64
Liberty Mutual$385.11

Cheapest Insurance for 50 Year-olds in Washington

Oftentimes 50 year-olds enjoy some of the lowest rates of any other age group. In Washington we found that USAA generally offers the most affordable coverage at $94.79 per month.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
USAA$94.79
State Farm$119.17
Nationwide$197.28
Allstate$268.99
Liberty Mutual$280.25

Cheapest Insurance for 60 Year-olds in Washington

If you live in Washington and you’re in your 60s, our data indicates that USAA usually has the best rates at $94.80 per month. The top 5 list of car insurance companies is below.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
USAA$94.80
State Farm$110.41
Nationwide$192.86
Allstate$256.76
Liberty Mutual$261.83

Driver's Coverage Auto Insurance Rates in Washington, DC

driver's coverage

Typically, drivers who currently have car insurance coverage will receive a cheaper monthly quote than drivers who do not. Since car insurance is a requirement in all 50 states, companies may question why you don't currently have coverage. Because of this, they may see you as a higher risk driver. In Washington, the average monthly rate for a driver who is currently insured is $161.20 while drivers who are not currently covered will pay around $182.14.

CoverageAverage Monthly Rate
Not Currently Insured $182.14
Currently Insured $161.20

Compare Recent Car Insurance Quotes in Washington

auto insurance quotes in Washington city

Your vehicle plays a big part in how you rate for car insurance. The more your car is worth, the higher your car insurance rate. To lower your monthly premiums, you can set a higher deductible, but you’ll need to pay that deductible if you have an accident. Generally speaking, the newer a car is, the more it’s worth, and you may pay more in premiums, but the latest safety features will earn you a discount. The overall safety ratings of a car are also considered when determining your rate. In Washington a driver of a 2019 Dodge Journey can expect to pay around $158.58 per month while someone that owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4 may pay around $140.01 per month. Check out the list of recent quotes in Washington below.

VehicleAverage Monthly Rate
2019 Dodge Journey$158.58
2018 Toyota Rav4$140.01
2012 Chevrolet Malibu$142.54
2023 Honda Accord$235.62
2020 Ford Edge$177.51
2014 Ford Explorer$239.50
2021 Nissan Versa$175.97
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe$178.29
2015 Ford Fusion$119.50
2013 Gmc Yukon$152.80

FAQ's for Drivers in Washington, DC

driver’s frequently asked question in Washington

What Is the Minimum Amount of Liability Coverage Requirement in D.C.?

The District of Columbia has a Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act that requires every person applying for vehicle registration or a reciprocity sticker in the District to have valid D.C. vehicle insurance.

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in D.C. are:

  • Property Damage Liability - $10,000
  • Third-Party Liability - $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
  • Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury - $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
  • Uninsured Motorist Property Damage - $5,000 subject to $200 deductible

D.C.'s minimum insurance requirements may not provide enough coverage if you are at-fault in a car wreck. Buy more insurance to protect yourself and your assets.

SmartFinancial can help you find affordable car insurance by shopping over 200 insurers for you. It's important to ensure you have enough protection if the worst happens.

What Is the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limit in Washington, D.C.?

Driving Under the Influence and Driving While Intoxicated means you had alcohol or other substances in your system while operating your vehicle. In D.C., courts can convict individuals based on breath, blood or urine results without structured field sobriety tests.

According to the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, it is a criminal offense for a person to operate a vehicle with the following blood alcohol concentration (BAC):

  • .07 Percent BAC for DUI (Driving While Under the Influence)
  • .08 Percent BAC for DWI (Driving While Intoxicated)
  • Zero-Tolerance for Drivers Under 21 Years Old. Individuals cannot consume, purchase, or possess any alcoholic drinks. If they test positive, they will immediately receive a DWI.

DUIs can happen to anyone who makes one poor decision to get behind the wheel. But there are ways to find affordable insurance. If you get a DUI on your record, it can significantly increase your auto insurance rates. SmartFinancial can help you find lower car insurance rates. You can fill out the form on our page and comparison shop for car insurers that meet your needs.

Can I Register My Car Without Insurance in Washington, D.C.?

You cannot register a car in Washington, D.C., without proof of insurance. D.C.'s Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act requires each person applying for vehicle registration or a reciprocity sticker within the District to have valid insurance.

Check Out Other Rates in Washington, DC Nearby Cities:

Alexandria, VA

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Commute Time in Washington, DC

30 Miles
map

Commute Time in United States

26.4 Miles
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Number of Nearest Insurance Agents in Washington, DC

271

Methodology
The statistics listed on this page are from our own in house reporting. We track and record quotes that carriers have provided based on various criteria. The rates and averages shown on this page should only be used as an estimate.

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