Washington, DCCar Insurance

Find the Best Car Insurance Quotes & Options in Washington, DC

Washington, DC has some of the most expensive car insurance rates in the country, at an average of $1,799 per year. The current national average cost of car insurance is just $1,311 per year, in comparison, but resident drivers in DC can still save money on their coverage if they qualify for various discounts.

An independent insurance agent can help you find the right type of car insurance for you. But first, here's an overview of car insurance in Washington, DC.

Best Car Insurance Companies in Washington, DC

Many different car insurance companies in Washington, DC offer the coverage you may need. When you want the right blend of quality, coverage, and cost, you need to start with the absolute best car insurance companies. So we've saved you some trouble by putting together this list of our top picks for the best car insurance in Washington, DC.

• Best Washington, DC Car Insurance Company Overall: Progressive
• Best Washington, DC Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: Erie
• Best Washington, DC Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: USAA
• Best Washington, DC Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: Erie
• Best Washington, DC Car Insurance Company for Accident History: USAA

A Washington, DC independent insurance agent can also help you choose the best car insurance company for you.

Best DC Car Insurance Company Overall: Progressive

Our number one choice for the best car insurance company in Washington, DC overall is Progressive. Progressive offers auto insurance along with a ton of other products. The insurance company also has a high financial strength rating, 24/7/365 customer service, and many auto insurance discounts. In addition, Progressive has an impressive score from J.D. Power, affordable full auto coverage averaging just $1,236 per year, and was rated the best car insurance company for customers' online and digital experience last year.

Progressive was founded in 1937, giving it many decades of experience under its belt. Progressive was the first insurance company to allow consumers to pay policy premiums in installments, which was groundbreaking for the insurance industry.

Thanks in part to the insurance company's original mission, which was to become the Number One choice for auto insurance with both consumers and agents, Progressive is able to be awarded our top spot in this category today. A rich history and huge selection of other products has also led to Progressive developing a reputation as a stable insurance company with a positive outlook for the future. 

Best DC Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: Erie Insurance

Our top pick for the best Washington, DC car insurance company for minimum liability coverage is Erie Insurance. For drivers who just want to meet their city's minimum mandated liability coverages so they can drive legally, Erie makes policies highly affordable. A minimum liability coverage policy from Erie averages about $525 per year.

Founded in 1925 under the name the Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie has been around in the industry for nearly a century. Today, the carrier has more than 5,000 employees. Further, according to its official website, Erie has more than five million insurance policies in force today.

By 2020, Erie had earned several impressive titles, including the 12^th largest auto insurer in the US, the 11^th largest home insurer in the US, and the 12^th largest business insurer in the US. The carrier has also been a Fortune 500 company since 2003. 

The carrier's massive reach and size have guided Erie's reputation as a respected, financially stable carrier with a strong outlook for the future. AM Best gives Erie an “A+” rating, indicating the carrier is a superior choice for insurance customers. 

Best DC Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: USAA

Our top choice for the best full-coverage car insurance company in Washington, DC is USAA. Drivers who want all the coverages they need together in one policy can still find affordable options thanks to USAA. A full-coverage auto insurance policy from USAA averages just $1,318 per year.

Founded in 1922, USAA has more than a century of experience in the industry. Originally created by a group of Army officers who decided to insure each other’s vehicles, USAA has since expanded to servicing millions of customers across the country with a variety of coverage solutions.

A couple of years ago, USAA’s net worth surpassed $35 billion. The carrier has more than 13 million members (i.e., policyholders) and 35,000 employees. USAA has also paid out $2.4 billion in returns to its customers. The carrier has consistently received high marks from major agencies, such as Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s. AM Best rates the insurance company an "A++," the highest available.

Best DC Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: Erie Insurance

Our top choice for the best car insurance company in DC for young drivers is Erie. Erie makes our list once again thanks to their more affordable-than-most car insurance coverage for teens and other young drivers. Car insurance policies for teens and young drivers from Erie average about $3,535 per year, which is more than $200 less than the second-cheapest contender. 

Best DC Car Insurance Company for Accident History: USAA

Our top pick for the best Washington, DC car insurance company for drivers with accidents on their records goes to USAA. USAA earns another spot in our top-recommended DC car insurance companies thanks to their cheaper car insurance premiums for drivers with at least one at-fault accident under their belt. Premiums for coverage for this kind of driver average about $1,796 per year from USAA.

Washington, DC Car Insurance Requirements

Washington, DC has its own minimum requirements that all drivers must meet with car insurance before they can legally drive. To avoid penalties like fines or worse, make sure your car insurance policy in DC has at least the following coverages:

• Bodily injury liability: In DC, this coverage is required in amounts of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This coverage can reimburse you for medical treatment costs for another driver and their passengers after an accident you're at fault for.
• Property damage liability: In DC, this coverage is required in the amount of $10,000 per accident. This coverage can reimburse you for repairs to a third party's personal property, including a vehicle or other property, like a shed, if you damage it with your car.
• Uninsured motorist coverage: In DC, this coverage is required in amounts of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This coverage can help reimburse you after an accident caused by another driver who lacks any or adequate car insurance of their own to fully pay for your costs.
• Uninsured motorist property damage coverage: In DC, this coverage is required in the amount of $5,000 per accident. This coverage can help pay for the cost of damage to your property, including your vehicle or other things like fences if it gets struck by an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Optional car insurance coverages in Washington, DC include:

• Medical payments: This coverage can pay for the medical treatment of injuries to you or your passengers after an accident you're at fault for.
• Collision: This coverage can pay for damage to your own vehicle after an accident you're at fault for.
• Comprehensive: This coverage can pay for costs caused by threats other than collision, including incidents with large animals, windshield breaks, and more. 
• Gap coverage: This coverage can pay the difference between what your vehicle is worth and what you owe on your remaining vehicle loan after a collision.
• Rental car reimbursement: This coverage can pay for the costs of a rental car after a covered accident.
• Roadside assistance: This coverage can pay for the costs of towing, etc., if you break down on the side of the road.

A Washington, DC independent insurance agent can help you assemble the right kind of car insurance policy for you, with every type of coverage you require.

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Average Cost of Car Insurance in Washington, DC

Washington DC's average car insurance premium is $1,799 per year. While overall, drivers in the US pay an average of $1,311 per year, those in DC pay quite a bit more. However, the cost of car insurance varies widely depending on the carrier you go through and the coverages you add to your policy. In DC, like anywhere else, you can expect to pay much less if you get a car insurance policy with only the minimum required coverages vs. a policy that offers "full coverage," which will be much more expensive.

Average Car Insurance Costs in the DC Metro Area

Across the US, car insurance rates vary not only by state, but by city. In DC, local crime rates and car values, in addition to competition, natural disaster risk, etc., are all factors that influence car insurance rates. Due to the increased cost of living, traffic congestion, and more in DC, drivers have more expensive car insurance rates than in many other US cities.

Finding Car Insurance Discounts in Washington, DC

The hefty average cost of a car insurance policy in DC may be daunting. However, there are still ways you can save money on your coverage. These are just a few of the most common car insurance discounts offered by car insurance companies in DC:

• Paperless billing: Offered to customers who choose to receive their billing statements electronically.
• Safe driver discounts: Offered to customers who remain accident and traffic-violation-free for a certain number of years.
• Student driver discounts: Offered to customers with a student driver listed on their policy.
• Anti-theft devices: Offered to customers whose vehicles come with security devices like alarms.
• Military discounts: Offered to customers who are either current or retired military members.
• Other discounts: Offered to teachers, union members, government workers, and other qualifying group members.

Your DC independent insurance agent will automatically look for any discounts you qualify for on your auto insurance, to help you save as much money as possible on your premiums.

How to Find the Best Car Insurance Quote in Washington, DC

It's easy to obtain the best car insurance quote in DC when you ask for help from a local independent insurance agent. Washington DC independent insurance agents will shop and compare rates for car insurance from a number of different carriers in the city. Then they'll present you with only the best options together in one place.

How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Washington, DC

Filing a car insurance claim in Washington DC can be much simpler when you're already familiar with the process. Follow these easy steps if you ever have to file a car insurance claim:

1. File a police report: Be sure to file a police report ASAP if you've been involved in a car accident, ideally right from the scene.
2. Tend to any injuries: It's critical to seek medical attention for any passengers that require it right away.
3. Call your independent insurance agent: Your DC independent insurance agent can file a claim for you right through your auto insurance company.
4. Get a rental vehicle: Your independent insurance agent will give you the claim number associated with your case, and they can also help make arrangements for a rental vehicle if your policy includes this coverage.
5. Schedule a visit with an adjuster: Most likely, you'll need to arrange for an insurance adjuster to evaluate your vehicle's damage in person, but your agent may be able to help you set this up as well.

Your DC independent insurance agent can keep you updated through every step of the claims process, as well as provide you with ETAs for when each step will be completed. 

How does your city measure up to the national average?

National average time spent commuting 26.9 Min

National average car thefts per 1,000 2.3 Year

National average car insurance cost $1,311 Year

How does Washington DC compare to the national average?

Washington DC average car insurance cost:  $1,799 / year

Washington DC car thefts per 1,000:  3.26

Washington DC average time spent commuting:  30.8 minutes

Popular Questions about Washington, DC Car Insurance