Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Washington, DC? (2023)
Erie has the best cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C., at $43 per month for minimum liability quotes.
Best cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C.
To help drivers in Washington, D.C., find the best cheap car insurance, our editorial team compared quotes from top auto insurance companies across each ZIP code in the district. Quotes for minimum coverage meet D.C.'s minimum requirements of $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident, and matching uninsured motorist bodily injury liability coverage, along with $10,000 in property damage liability insurance plus $5,000 in uninsured motorist property damage. Quotes for full coverage policies include collision and comprehensive protection along with higher liability limits than district minimums.
In addition, we rated the best car insurance in Washington, D.C., based on the cost of coverage for different drivers, convenience, customer service and coverage availability.
Cheapest auto insurance quotes in Washington, D.C.: Erie
Erie has the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance quotes in Washington, D.C. A policy from Erie costs $43 per month, which is 32% cheaper than average.
The average cost of car insurance in Washington, D.C., is $63 per month, or $762 per year, for a minimum coverage policy.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Washington, D.C.
USAA offers the cheapest quotes overall, but policies are only available to current or former military members and their families.
Cheapest DC car insurance companies
Company | Monthly rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $43 |
| State Farm | $55 |
| Geico | $62 |
| Progressive | $67 |
| Allstate | $79 |
USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Liability-only policies cover injuries to the other driver and damage to their car after an accident you cause. Unlike full coverage quotes, minimum coverage quotes don't include comprehensive and collision insurance, which protect your car from damage after a crash, theft, vandalism or a weather event — regardless of whose fault it is.
While full coverage generally costs more, choosing higher liability limits and adding comprehensive and collision coverage can help protect you after an expensive accident. It's also required if you have a car loan or lease.
The average cost difference between full and minimum coverage car insurance in D.C. is $100 per month.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C.: State Farm
State Farm has the most affordable full coverage auto insurance in D.C. At $109 per month, coverage from State Farm is $54 less per month than the city average.
The average cost of a full coverage auto insurance policy in the nation's capital is $163 per month, or $1,950 per year.
Cheapest DC car insurance for full coverage
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $109 |
| Erie | $128 |
| Geico | $155 |
| Progressive | $165 |
| Nationwide | $221 |
USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Cheap car insurance quotes in D.C. for drivers with prior incidents
State Farm has the best quotes for drivers without a perfect driving record.
An accident, a DUI, a speeding ticket or another incident on your driving record will raise your car insurance rates by at least 20% in Washington, D.C.
Cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket: State Farm
State Farm has the cheapest car insurance quotes for Washington, D.C., drivers with a single speeding ticket. Full coverage insurance from State Farm is $120 per month after a ticket. That's 39% less than the city average, and $14 per month cheaper than the second-cheapest option, Erie.
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $120 |
| Erie | $134 |
| Geico | $212 |
| Progressive | $215 |
| Nationwide | $263 |
A single speeding ticket raises rates by $33 per month in Washington, D.C. — a 20% increase.
Cheapest car insurance in D.C. after an accident: State Farm
State Farm has the best car insurance quotes for D.C. drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record. At $130 per month, a full coverage policy from State Farm is 45% cheaper than average.
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $130 |
| Erie | $161 |
| Geico | $268 |
| Progressive | $273 |
| Nationwide | $335 |
Just one accident and claim on your driving record can increase your car insurance quotes by 47% in Washington, D.C.
Cheapest car insurance quotes after a DUI: State Farm
State Farm offers the best rates in Washington, D.C., for drivers with a DUI conviction. The company's average rate for full coverage after a DUI is $120 per month. That's $68 per month less than the next-cheapest company, Erie.
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $120 |
| Erie | $188 |
| Progressive | $190 |
| Allstate | $344 |
| Nationwide | $449 |
Overall, D.C. drivers pay 84% more after a DUI, an increase of $136 per month. These drivers may also have to get SR-22 insurance, which will make your insurance rates even more expensive.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor credit: State Farm
State Farm has the best quotes for Washington, D.C., drivers with bad credit. The company's average rate for full coverage is $229 per month, which is 21% cheaper than average in D.C.
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $229 |
| Geico | $268 |
| Progressive | $311 |
| Erie | $331 |
| Nationwide | $341 |
Poor credit raises rates an average of 78% for Washington, D.C., drivers. Although it's not connected to your driving ability or record, insurance companies have found that drivers with poor credit are more likely to make claims in the future.
Cheapest DC car insurance quotes for young drivers: Erie
Erie has the cheapest quotes for teenage drivers in Washington, D.C.
Minimum coverage insurance from Erie costs $86 per month, which is $152 less per month than the D.C. average. Erie also offers the best rates for full coverage, at $263 per month — $333 per month cheaper than average.
The average minimum coverage quote for an 18-year-old driver in Washington, D.C., is $238 per month. That's nearly four times the rate for a 30-year-old driver. Full coverage for a young driver averages $596 per month.
Cheapest DC car insurance companies for teens
Company | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $86 | $263 |
| State Farm | $171 | $350 |
| Geico | $194 | $501 |
| Allstate | $286 | $922 |
| Nationwide | $325 | $777 |
Insurance companies consider younger drivers high-risk due to their lack of driving experience, so these drivers tend to pay more for insurance. Young drivers can save on insurance by looking for discounts for good grades, safe driving or leaving their car at home while away at school.
New drivers can also save by joining a parent's car insurance policy, which can save around 62% on the cost of car insurance.
Cheap car insurance for teen drivers after a ticket or accident: Erie
Erie has the most affordable car insurance for young drivers with a speeding ticket or accident on their record. Minimum coverage from Erie costs $112 per month for an 18-year-old driver after a single speeding ticket. Young drivers with an at-fault accident on their record pay around $122 per month for minimum coverage with Erie.
Company | Speeding ticket | Accident |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $112 | $122 |
| State Farm | $189 | $208 |
| Geico | $259 | $279 |
| Allstate | $334 | $339 |
| Nationwide | $343 | $357 |
On average, insurance companies raise rates for teen drivers in D.C. by 13% after a speeding ticket and 20% after an accident.
Cheapest quotes for married drivers: State Farm
State Farm offers the best quotes for married drivers in Washington, D.C., with an average rate of $109 per month for full coverage.
Company | Monthly rate per car |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $109 |
| Erie | $122 |
| Progressive | $161 |
| Geico | $173 |
| Nationwide | $211 |
Married drivers tend to pay lower rates for insurance than other drivers, about 1% less on average in D.C. Married drivers tend to get in fewer accidents, so many insurance companies offer them slightly cheaper rates.
Best car insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Erie is the best car insurance in D.C. for most drivers — it has dependable customer service, useful coverage options and affordable quotes.
Drivers in Washington, D.C., can also find great service at State Farm and USAA. Although USAA earned the highest customer service scores from our editors and J.D. Power, it's only available to military members, veterans and their families.
Best car insurance
Company |
Editor's rating
|
J.D. Power
|
AM Best
|
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | 881 | A++ | |
| Erie | 870 | A+ | |
| State Farm | 842 | A++ | |
| Geico | 835 | A++ | |
| Nationwide | 815 | A+ |
When shopping for car insurance in Washington, D.C., choosing a company with a reputation for great service is just as important as finding the cheapest rates.
If you're in an accident, reliable customer service can make the claims process less stressful and get you back on the road quickly. Companies with poor reviews could have a longer claims process, and you may end up paying more out of pocket to repair your car.
Average car insurance costs in the D.C. metro area
D.C.'s auto insurance quotes are some of the most expensive in the metropolitan area, while popular commuter cities Reston and Arlington have the cheapest rates for full coverage.
The District of Columbia packs more than 700,000 people into 61 square miles, surrounded by a metropolitan area of 5.4 million. That's why Washington, D.C., car insurance is generally more expensive compared to less congested cities only a few miles away, like Reston and Arlington. Only Clinton and College Park have more expensive quotes than D.C.
City | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Reston, VA | $126 |
| Arlington, VA | $126 |
| Bethesda, MD | $130 |
| Fairfax, VA | $131 |
| Great Falls, VA | $131 |
Auto insurance requirements in D.C.
Drivers are required to buy a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability car insurance coverage in Washington, D.C., sometimes written as 25/50/10. Drivers also have to have matching uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage and $5,000 of uninsured motorist property damage.
Coverage | Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury (BI) liability | $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident |
| Property damage (PD) liability | $10,000 per accident |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) | $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident |
| Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) | $5,000 per accident; $200 deductible |
However, most drivers should consider adding higher coverage limits to pay for damage after an expensive accident.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C.?
Erie offers the cheapest auto insurance quotes in Washington, D.C., averaging $43 per month for minimum coverage. State Farm has the best deal for full coverage, at $109 per month.
How much is car insurance in Washington, D.C.?
Minimum coverage car insurance costs an average of $63 per month in Washington, D.C., while full coverage is $163 per month.
Who has the best auto insurance in Washington, D.C.?
Erie has the best car insurance in D.C. for most drivers, based on its reputation for dependable customer service, affordable rates and coverage availability. Drivers in D.C. can also get great service from State Farm and USAA.
Is car insurance high in D.C.?
The average cost of car insurance in D.C. is more expensive than in most states in the country. A minimum coverage policy costs $63 per month, which is 9% higher than the nation's average. Washington, D.C., car insurance is expensive in part because of the high population density and traffic congestion.
Do you need car insurance in D.C.?
Drivers in Washington, D.C., are required to have car insurance that includes $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 per accident, as well as matching uninsured motorist coverage. Drivers also have to get $10,000 in property damage coverage and $5,000 of uninsured motorist property damage per accident.
Is car insurance cheaper in D.C. or Baltimore?
The average price of car insurance is considerably cheaper in Washington, D.C., than it is in Baltimore. The average quote for full coverage in D.C. is $163 per month, compared to $204 per month in Baltimore.
Methodology
We collected auto insurance quotes for Washington, D.C., from top car insurance companies in the area. Rates, except where noted, are for a 30-year-old man with good credit who drives a 2015 Honda Civic EX.
Unless otherwise noted, rates are based on full coverage insurance. Full coverage policies included liability limits higher than required minimums plus collision and comprehensive coverage:
Coverage | Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident |
| Personal injury protection | $10,000 |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury | $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage | $5,000 per accident; $200 deductible |
| Comprehensive and collision | $500 deductible |
ValuePenguin's analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes may be different.