Compare Cheap Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C.

USAA offers the cheapest full coverage auto insurance rates for drivers affiliated with the military in Washington, D.C. This includes active military members, veterans and their spouses and children. Its average annual rate of $1,394 is 51 percent cheaper than the city average. Erie has the next cheapest rates at $2,192 per year on average.

USAA and Erie also have the cheapest minimum coverage rates in Washington, D.C., at $532 per year and $768 per year on average. That’s 50 percent and 28 percent below the city average, respectively.

Auto insurance rates for teens tend to be very expensive, but households with teen drivers in Washington, D.C., can find low average rates from USAA (if eligible) and Erie at $3,628 per year and $4,384 per year, respectively. USAA’s rate is 61 percent below the city average while Erie’s is 53 percent cheaper.

Drivers with a speeding ticket in Washington, D.C., can find the cheapest average rates from USAA at $1,572, as long as they are eligible. Nonmilitary drivers may find the best rates from Erie at $2,275 annually on average — 28 percent cheaper than the city average.

USAA and Erie have the lowest rates for drivers with an at-fault accident in Washington, D.C., at $1,944 per year and $2,549 per year, respectively. USAA is only available to the military community, but Erie’s average annual rate is still 32 percent below the city average.

A DUI can significantly impact car insurance premiums. USAA and Erie offer the lowest premiums for this category at $2,515 and $3,268 annually on average. Pricing data is unavailable for Progressive in this category, but it topped our list of the best auto insurance providers for drivers with a DUI, so it’s worth getting a quote from them as well.

USAA offers the best rates for military-affiliated drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C., at $2,770 per year on average, which is 59 percent below the city average. GEICO has the next cheapest rates at $5,424 per year on average, which is a jump, but still 20 percent below average.

In addition to offering some of the cheapest auto insurance rates in Washington, D.C., Erie also has high customer satisfaction ratings. Always get quotes from several companies, as the cheapest average company may not be the cheapest for you. However, depending on the rate you’re quoted, it may be worth paying slightly more for Erie if you value customer service. USAA also offers strong customer service.

1. Compare rates periodically: Auto insurance rates change over time, and the cheapest company when you signed up for your current policy may not necessarily be the cheapest now. It’s a good idea to periodically get quotes and compare rates, especially before your policy is up for renewal.
2. Bundle policies: You can usually save money by purchasing more than one policy type from the same insurer. These may include auto, home, renters, pet and motorcycle insurance, depending on what the provider offers.
3. Look for discounts: Auto insurers offer a variety of discounts to help you save money on your premium, although availability varies by state and company. Check with prospective insurers to see what you may be eligible for, which may include good driving and autopay discounts.
4. Lower your limits: If you need to lower your premium, you can decrease your liability limits, as long as you maintain the minimum requirements. However, reducing your limits can leave you on the hook for significant out-of-pocket expenses if you get into an accident, so weigh the decision carefully.

Living just outside Washington, D.C. can save drivers hundreds of dollars per year on insurance. Rates are higher in the capital due to greater population density and traffic congestion, which increase the risk of claims. On average, premiums in D.C. are about 34 percent higher than in Arlington and 26 percent higher than in Alexandria.

Washington, D.C., has minimum car insurance requirements just like states do. In D.C., the minimum limits are as follows:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $10,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist bodily property damage coverage: $5,000 per accident⁴

Uninsured motorist coverage will help cover your injuries and damages if you’re in an accident caused by a driver without insurance or insufficient insurance. For added peace of mind, it’s recommended to increase your liability limits and add full coverage.

We analyze average auto insurance premiums in Washington, D.C., for full and minimum coverage for good drivers with good credit as well as other driver profiles, including those with DUIs, accidents, low credit and teenagers. Full coverage averages use the following limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $100,000 per accident
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible