Best Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.

Key Points:

• Based on our research, the best car insurance providers in Washington, D.C. are State Farm, Erie Insurance, Geico, USAA, and Progressive.
• State Farm is the best overall provider for most D.C. drivers, with especially low rates for students and teen drivers.
• Geico offers competitive pricing for full coverage policies in the D.C. area, while Progressive is a good choice for high-risk drivers.

D.C. drivers can face steep car insurance rates. Fortunately, our team has researched and ranked the best auto insurance providers in the United States, and now we’ve focused our research to bring you our top recommendations in the District of Columbia. 

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What Is The Best Car Insurance Company In Washington, D.C.?

We reviewed dozens of companies in the insurance industry and rated each provider in categories like coverage options, policy costs, and customer experience. When we narrowed our research to providers in the D.C. area, we determined that State Farm was the best choice for most drivers. Erie Insurance, Geico, USAA, and Progressive are also strong contenders.

Washington, D.C. Car Insurance Company Comparison

See each top D.C.-area provider’s rating and award below:

*You may notice that some car insurance companies are ranked above those with higher star ratings. This is because our star ratings take into account nationwide factors, while our ranking looks specifically at what insurance providers are best for car insurance in Washington, D.C.

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5 Best Car Insurance Companies In Washington, D.C.

In the following sections, we break down each of the top providers in D.C.: 

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#1 State Farm: Best Overall

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,496 per year, $125 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $517 per year, $43 per month
District of Columbia Customer Service Rating: 843/1,000 points
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 891/1,000 points

State Farm is a great choice for cheap car insurance in D.C. The company has an outstanding industry reputation, a wide selection of coverage options, and competitive rates for teens and student drivers. It also offers car insurance discounts for bundling policies, safe driving, and more.

Look at our complete State Farm auto insurance review to discover more benefits offered by the provider.

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#2 Erie Insurance: Best Coverage Selection

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,657 per year, $138 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $530 per year, $44 per month
District of Columbia Customer Service Rating: 863/1,000 points
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 902/1,000 points

Erie may not be the most well-known provider nationally, but it’s a strong choice for coverage in the  D.C. area. The company offers several coverage options and has received great feedback on its claims process. Erie Insurance beat out all other providers in the mid-Atlantic region for J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠, which ranks companies based on customer satisfaction. 

Click on our full Erie auto insurance review to learn whether it’s the right company for your needs.

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#3 Geico: Affordable Full Coverage

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,319 per year, $110 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $515 per year, $43 per month
District of Columbia Customer Service Rating: 818/1,000 points
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 871/1,000 points

Geico, one of our top providers for cheap car insurance in the U.S., is also a strong choice for drivers in the nation’s capital. The company boasts an A++ rating for financial strength from AM Best, meaning your coverage is secure with the company, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for its focus on customer service. Geico offers competitive rates to residents of Washington, D.C., with an average yearly premium that’s over $400 cheaper than the District of Columbia’s average. 

Our complete Geico auto insurance review contains more information about America’s third-largest car insurance provider.

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#4 USAA: Best For Military Members

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost:  $1,338 per year, $112 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $555 per year, $46 per month
District of Columbia Customer Service Rating: 877/1,000 points*
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 900/1,000 points*

If you’re part of a military family in Washington, D.C., you should consider a policy with USAA. The provider’s solid performance earned it the third-highest customer service score on the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠ and it offers some of the lowest average premiums for full coverage in the District of Columbia.

Read our full USAA car insurance review to learn more about the company’s eligibility requirements.

*USAA is excluded from rankings in J.D. Power studies because the provider does not meet study eligibility requirements.

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#5 Progressive: Best For High-Risk Drivers

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost:  $1,430 per year, $119 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $743 per year, $62 per month
District of Columbia Customer Service Rating: 814/1,000 points
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 870/1,000 points

High-risk drivers include young drivers and people with a recent speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or a DUI. These drivers often face steep car insurance rates, but Progressive boasts affordable policies for D.C. drivers with this profile. The company offers an accident forgiveness program and is known for its willingness to insure customers with bad driving records. Progressive is also a highly reliable company, with an A+ rating for financial health from AM Best.

Get more details to simplify your decision in our complete Progressive car insurance review.

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Washington, D.C., Car Insurance Requirements

The District of Columbia has minimum car insurance standards that differ slightly from those of surrounding states. Laws in Washington, D.C., mandate that all drivers carry at least:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability coverage
• $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person
• $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per accident
• $5,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage ($200 deductible)

A liability insurance policy covers the costs paid out to others when you cause a car accident.

Uninsured motorist coverage pays for damages caused by those who illegally drive without insurance and can’t cover the costs from their crash.

Washington, D.C., is a “no-fault” auto insurance territory, meaning that your own provider will pay for damages from an accident, regardless of who caused it. However, the District of Columbia differs from other no-fault states in that it doesn’t require drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

Though extensive minimum coverage requirements apply in Washington, D.C., many drivers feel more secure with full coverage policies. Optional types of auto insurance such as collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage offer drivers greater peace of mind on the road.

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What To Know About Driving In Washington, D.C.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, D.C. drivers average about 7,000 miles on the road per year in 2022, the lowest rate in the country. Forty-one vehicle fatalities occurred in the District of Columbia in 2021, coming out to a rate of 6.1 deaths per 100,000 people. Once again, this is one of the lowest rates in the U.S., where the national average was 12.9 vehicle fatalities per 100,000 people.

From these numbers, road safety may seem like a breeze in the District of Columbia, but it has its own challenges. With a maze of streets, countless pedestrian crossings, and confused visitors navigating the city, Washington, D.C. can be a chaotic place to drive. Stay safe by avoiding risky driving behaviors and ensuring you’re protected with quality auto insurance coverage.

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How To Save Money On Car Insurance In Washington, D.C.

Typically, D.C. drivers with a clean driving history and a good credit score qualify for the best auto insurance rates. However, drivers from all walks of life can take steps to save money on their car insurance policy in a few ways: 

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Best Car Insurance In Washington, D.C.: Our Take

Car insurance costs in our nation’s capital may seem high, but D.C.’s average rates for both minimum and full coverage fall below the national average for each type of policy. Also, reputable auto insurance companies like State Farm, Erie Insurance, Geico, USAA, and Progressive offer a wide selection of flexible coverage options for D.C. drivers.

The best way to find auto insurance that suits your personal needs is by comparing quotes from multiple providers. Check out our free tool below to start finding the cheapest rates for car insurance coverage in Washington, D.C.

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Best Car Insurance In Washington, D.C.: FAQ

You’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the best car insurance in Washington, D.C. below: 

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How We Rate Auto Insurers

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
• Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
• Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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