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Icon CheckLast updated: October 9, 2024

Best Car Insurance in Washington, D.C. 2024

The best car insurance for drivers in the nation’s capital

Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C.
Erie Insurance Logo

Based in Pennsylvania, Erie Insurance has been around for 100 years and is the eighth-largest provider in D.C. With an average annual rate of $1,452 for full coverage, it’s the cheapest provider in Washington, D.C.

Best Auto Insurance for Federal Workers in Washington, D.C.
Geico Logo

GEICO is one of the only car insurers that advertises a discount for federal workers. If you’re one of the thousands of government employees in D.C., you can take advantage of GEICO’s unique federal discount.

Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Bad Record in Washington, D.C.
State Farm Logo

If you have a moving violation, accident, or DUI on your record, State Farm will offer the best rates on average. On top of affordable insurance for high-risk drivers, State Farm has the most local agents in D.C. and over 100 years in business.

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On top of nationwide car insurance increases due to inflation and higher claim rates, car insurance is becoming more expensive in Washington, D.C., due to unprecedented auto theft surges. Between 2022 and 2023, motor vehicle theft grew by 84 percent in the nation’s capital, increasing from 3,684 to 6,770.1 Higher theft rates are linked to an increase in the number of claims insurers have to fulfill, turning fairly popular vehicles — like Honda Civics, Kias, and Hyundais — into high-risk vehicles.2

Even with the recent insurance cost hikes, you can employ several strategies to find the best insurance in D.C. at a reasonable cost. Below we’ll help you find the best coverage options and cheapest rates based on your needs and driving profile.

What’s a high-risk vehicle?

High-risk vehicles are more expensive to insure and will likely lead to premium increases. While sports cars and luxury vehicles are considered high risk because they’re expensive to replace and repair, commonplace vehicles can become high risk if they have a higher rate of theft — which leads to higher insurance costs for vehicle and part replacements.

If you live in an area where it is more likely for your vehicle to be stolen, you can expect your insurance rates to increase.

Average Annual Premium in Washington, D.C.

Auto Insurance in the capital city is $2,145 annually on average. That’s slightly higher than the national average ($2,071), and you can expect that number to steadily increase into 2024, as it will for the rest of the country.3

Average Rate in D.C. Compared to Surrounding Cities

Washington, D.C., is one of the most densely populated areas in the U.S., making it more likely for accidents and auto theft to occur compared to the surrounding areas. Arlington offers the cheapest rates in the area ($1,596 annually), while College Park is the most expensive on average ($2,208 annually).

City Monthly average premium Annual average premium
Arlington, VA $133 $1,596
Fairfax, VA $136 $1,632
Alexandria, VA $144 $1,728
Potomac, MD $147 $1,764
Baltimore, MD $162 $1,944
Washington, D.C. $179 $2,145
College Park, MD $184 $2,208

Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance Companies in Washington, D.C.

Feature Erie GEICO State Farm Chubb Allstate
Average annual rate in Washington, D.C. $1,452 $1,884 $1,632 $1,728 $2,556
Mid-Atlantic Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking out of 1,000 (J.D. Power)4 863 818 843 N/A 825
Best for Drivers on a budget Government employees People with a bad driving record People who want minimum liability People who drive for a rideshare service
Agents in Washington, D.C. 7 1 26 N/A 7
Review Erie review GEICO review State Farm review N/A Allstate review

Summary of the Best Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C.

  1. 1.

    Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C.: Erie

  2. 2.

    Best Auto Insurance for Federal Workers in Washington, D.C.: GEICO

  3. 3.

    Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Bad Record: State Farm

  4. 4.

    Best Auto for Minimum Liability in Washington, D.C.: Chubb

  5. 5.

    Best Auto Insurance for Rideshare Drivers in Washington, D.C.: Allstate

Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C.

1. Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Washington, D.C. - Erie
Erie Insurance Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Low rates for teen drivers on a family policy
  • High claims and customer service satisfaction
  • Rate Lock options prevent premium increases, even after an accident

Erie has been around for nearly a century, offering affordable rates to drivers in select states and Washington, D.C. It boasts impressive customer service scores, cheap average rates, and excellent add-ons to keep your prices low.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People on a budget
  • pro
    People who want full coverage
  • pro
    Drivers who travel with their pet
  • pro
    People who don’t want to manage their insurance from their phone
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who want a well-designed mobile app
  • con
    People with bad credit

Cheapest Car Insurance in D.C.

With a monthly rate of $121 ($1,452 annually), Erie is the cheapest provider in D.C. Allstate offers the most expensive average rate of $213 monthly ($2,556 annually).

Company Monthly average premium Annual average premium
Erie $121 $1,452
State Farm $136 $1,632
Chubb $144 $1,728
GEICO $157 $1,884
Progressive  $166 $1,992
Nationwide $192 $2,304
Allstate $213 $2,556

Rate Lock Feature Keeps Premiums Low

Erie’s rate lock feature ensures you can keep your prices low, even after an accident. With the rate lock feature, your rates won’t change unless you add a new vehicle or driver to your policy.

Integrate Pet Coverage for All Plans

Commute with your pet? Erie has you covered. Erie automatically integrates pet insurance with all of its policies, which comes in the form of $500 per pet (capped at $1,000 total for two pets) to help cover veterinary costs if your pet is injured in an accident.

2. Best Auto Insurance for Federal Workers in Washington, D.C. - GEICO

What We Like Most:

  • Save money with defensive driving courses
  • Cheapest rates after a speeding ticket
  • Save by installing safety equipment

GEICO insures 37 percent of all Washington, D.C., drivers, making by far the largest company in the capital.5 Those hundreds of thousands of drivers enjoy GEICO’s wide selection of coverage options and discounts.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Federal employees
  • pro
    Military members
  • pro
    Drivers with an anti-theft system
  • pro
    People who prefer using a car insurance mobile app
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who want to work with a local agent
  • con
    People with a bad driving record

Discounts Geared to Federal Workers and Military Members

Twenty-three percent of all federal agencies are located in D.C. and the surrounding area.6 If you work in a federal agency or are part of the military, you can benefit from the following discounts:

Discount Maximum savings
Emergency deployment (military) 25%
Federal employee 12%
Military member 15%
Employee affiliation for select organizations/companies Varies

Fun Fact:

More than 141,000 federal workers are located in D.C., making it the most densely populated city for federal workers.

Discounts for Safety Features

Car insurance companies incentivize vehicle safety equipment because this equipment will, in theory, lead to fewer claims and accidents. Installing an anti-theft system will help keep your car safer in D.C. — where auto thefts are especially high — and earn you a significant discount with GEICO.

Discount Maximum savings
Airbag 23%
Anti-lock brakes 5%
Anti-theft system 25%
Daytime running lights 3%
New vehicle 15%
3. Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Bad Record - State Farm

What We Like Most:

  • Multiple discounts for safe driving, including one specifically for young drivers
  • Local agents
  • Discounts for multiple cars

State Farm is the largest car insurance company in the country and the second-largest company in Washington, D.C. It offers the best rates for drivers after an accident, DUI, or speeding ticket, making it our top pick for drivers with a bad driving record.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Someone who wants to work with a local agent
  • pro
    Someone with a DUI on their record
  • pro
    Someone with a moving violation on their record
  • pro
    Someone with an accident on their record
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Government employees and military members

Best After a DUI

Driving under the influence is extremely dangerous and can be costly to your insurance bill. A DUI can increase your premium by anywhere from about $400 to $1,400 annually in D.C.

If you have a DUI on your record, you can find the best average rates with State Farm.

Company Monthly average premium Annual average premium
State Farm $162 $1,944
Erie $184 $2,208
GEICO $226 $2,712
Progressive $248 $2,976
Nationwide $281 $3,372
Allstate $330 $3,960

Did You Know?

DUI arrests have dropped to 1 arrest for every 100 drunk drivers in D.C. However, alcohol-related fatalities have risen by 33 percent in recent years, leading to a greater demand for DUI enforcement from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and other traffic safety organizations in D.C.7

Best After a Speeding Ticket

A speeding ticket, especially a severe ticket that adds several points to your record, will likely lead to a car insurance premium hike. State Farm will offer the best average rate ($1,764 annually) if you have one or more speeding tickets on your record.

Company Monthly average premium Annual average premium
State Farm $147 $1,764
Erie $152 $1,824
GEICO $194 $2,328
Progressive $205 $2,460
Nationwide $243 $2,916
Allstate $282 $3,384

Best After an Accident

With over 6,000 injuries and dozens of fatalities, 2023 saw the highest rate of traffic-related deaths in 16 years in Washington, D.C.8 Because of how costly car accidents can be — both to property and bodily well-being — you can expect your insurance rates to increase after an accident.

At just over $1,900 per year for car insurance, State Farm is your best bet for affordable car insurance after an accident.

Company Monthly average premium Annual average premium
State Farm $159 $1,908
Erie $164 $1,968
GEICO $220 $2,640
Progressive $258 $3,096
Nationwide $307 $3,684
Allstate $351 $4,212
4. Best Auto for Minimum Liability in Washington, D.C. - Chubb

What We Like Most:

  • Cheapest minimum liability insurance
  • Specialized classic car insurance
  • Founded in 1882

With operations in more than 50 countries, Chubb is one the largest and oldest publicly traded property and casualty insurance companies in the world. In D.C., it offers the best rates for minimum liability car insurance and several specialized coverage options for classic cars, high-end vehicles, and luxury items.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People who want minimum liability only
  • pro
    Classic car owners
  • pro
    High net-worth families
  • pro
    Homeowners
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who want full coverage
  • con
    Low-income drivers

Cheapest Minimum Liability Insurance

Company Monthly average premium Annual average premium
Chubb $38 $456
GEICO $45 $540
Erie $49 $588
State Farm $53 $636
Progressive $67 $804
Nationwide $85 $1,020

Specialized Coverage for Classic Cars

If your vehicle is at least 30 years old, part of a larger vehicle collection, or a limited production model, you might qualify for Chubb’s specialized classic car coverage. Classic cars must be garaged and used for events like car shows, exhibitions, and car club activities.

With Chubb, here’s what you get with your classic car policy:

  • A network of Chubb-certified repair shops
  • OEM parts replacement guaranteed
  • No mileage limit when using your car for approved uses (parades, exhibits, etc.)
  • Optional roadside assistance
  • Automatic coverage for the first 90 days of a new classic car purchase

Robust Coverage Options

With Chubb, you can get the following coverage:

  • Auto insurance
  • Home insurance
  • Classic car insurance
  • Umbrella insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Jewelry insurance
  • Natural disaster insurance
  • Boat and yacht insurance
5. Best Auto Insurance for Rideshare Drivers in Washington, D.C. - Allstate

What We Like Most:

  • Three ways to earn a student discount
  • Pay-per-mile option for drivers with low mileage
  • No waiting period to purchase accident forgiveness

With nearly 100 years in business, Allstate is one of the most recognizable car insurance companies in the country and one of the largest in D.C. Washington, D.C., is one of the highest-paying cities for rideshare drivers, and Allstate is one of the few car insurance companies that offer rideshare insurance in the city.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Rideshare drivers
  • pro
    Homeowners
  • pro
    Safe drivers
  • pro
    Good students
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Military members
  • con
    People looking for the cheapest option

Great Rideshare Coverage

If you’re a rideshare driver in D.C., you’ll need additional rideshare coverage to stay protected throughout the entirety of your drive. While your personal insurance and TNC policy (provided by the rideshare company) cover most of your trip, the time you spend waiting to connect with your next passenger is not protected by personal/TNC coverage; rideshare insurance will fill that insurance gap.

Allstate’s Ride for Hire program is a rideshare coverage option you can add for just pennies per day. Allstate will extend your existing coverage limits to your rideshare gaps, giving you the protection you need for the entirety of your drive.

Did You Know?

At about $22 per hour for Uber drivers, Washington, D.C., offers one of the highest hourly pay rates for rideshare workers in the country. The city recorded over 50,000 Uber drivers as early as 2019, and that number is about to increase as Uber partners with local taxi drivers in D.C.

Sizable Homeowner Discount

If you’re a homeowner in D.C., you can benefit from one of the largest bundling discounts in the industry. Allstate offers up to 25 percent on your auto insurance when you bundle your home and auto insurance policies.

Cover a Range of Vehicles

With Allstate, you can add coverage for a variety of vehicles, which can help simplify your insurance needs by consolidating all of your coverage plans to one provider.

Here’s everything you can insure with Allstate:

  • Boats
  • Classic cars
  • Motorcycles
  • Off-road vehicles
  • RVs
  • Snowmobiles
  • ATVs
  • Motorhomes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is D.C. a no-fault district?

Yes, Washington, D.C. is a no-fault district, which means each party in a car accident will be responsible for paying for their own injuries — regardless of who is at fault.

Do I need personal injury protection to drive legally in D.C.?

Unlike most no-fault states, D.C. does not require drivers to obtain personal injury protection (PIP). However, it does require car insurance companies to offer PIP.

How much coverage do I need in Washington, D.C.?

According to D.C.’s District Department of Transportation, you need to meet the following minimum insurance requirements to drive legally:

  • $25,000 in bodily injury per person
  • $50,000 in bodily injury per accident
  • $10,000 in property damage liability
  • $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist bodily injury
  • $5,000 in uninsured motorist property damage

Which company offers the best rates for teens in Washington, D.C.?

With average annual premiums starting at around $2,000, Erie offers the cheapest coverage to teens in D.C.

Methodology

  • Proprietary data: Over the past 20 years, we’ve connected customers with top insurers and collected millions of data points based on those interactions. We leverage that data to determine which types of drivers received the best quotes from which companies, which informs our recommendations for different types of drivers in D.C. and around the country.
  • Public studies: Public studies from local DMVs, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and others provide us with the information we need to identify driving trends, crash stats, and driver demographic data in D.C. Those studies and databases highlight which types of drivers and claims, like car theft, are most prevalent in D.C., which helps us find the most relevant coverage options and insurers to meet those local trends.
  • Insider guidance: Last but not least, we consult with Paul Ford, president of insurance at AutoInsurance.com’s parent company, Centerfield. Paul carries decades of experience and insider knowledge in the insurance world, which gives us the edge we need to make well-informed recommendations to our readers.
Ali Saleh
Written by:Ali Saleh
Staff Writer & Editor
Ali Saleh is a copywriter with nearly 10 years of experience in content writing, editing, and journalism. Ali’s work has been featured on a number of notable sites and publications, including MSN, Business.com’s award-winning newsletter, and Groove Korea, South Korea’s largest English-print magazine. Today, he writes for dozens of brands, providing expert guides and informative articles on auto insurance, healthcare, recruiting technology, business, and more. Ali holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from North Carolina State University.

Citations

  1. 2024 Year-to-Date Crime Comparison. Metropolitan Police Washington D.C. (2024, Mar 7).
    https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/district-crime-data-glance

  2. Hyundais and Kias top District’s most stolen list. NBC Washington. (2023, Jul 27).
    https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/hyundais-and-kias-top-districts-most-stolen-list/3393506/

  3. 15 Best Auto Insurance Companies Heading into 2024. Yahoo! Finance. (2023, Dec 26).
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-best-auto-insurance-companies-010218354.html

  4. Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2023, Jun 13).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-auto-insurance-study

  5. 2022 Market Share Reports For Property/Casualty Groups and Companies by State and Countrywide. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2023, Sep).
    https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-msr-pb-property-casualty.pdf

  6. Federal Civilian Employment. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. (20217, Sep).
    https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/data-analysis-documentation/federal-employment-reports/reports-publications/federal-civilian-employment/

  7. ‘Not enough (officers) to catch the ones we don’t get’: DUI arrests down as deaths rise. NBC Washington. (2023, Aug 31).
    https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/not-enough-officers-to-catch-the-ones-we-dont-get-dui-arrests-down-as-deaths-rise/3414906/

  8. D.C.’s deadly streets take a growing toll on residents, victims. The Washington Post. (2023, Dec 21).
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/12/19/dc-traffic-deaths-safety/