Washington, D.C. auto insurance: what you need to know
If you're looking for the best cheap car insurance in D.C., read on for useful data and information from The Zebra's insurance experts.
What's the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C.?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $997 |
| 2 | GEICO | $1,747 |
| 3 | State Farm | $2,093 |
| 4 | Progressive | $2,352 |
| 5 | Allstate | $4,159 |
Washington, D.C. car insurance: in-depth analysis
We compiled in-depth data from Washington D.C., and organized it below to help you find affordable auto insurance in the nation's capital. Shopping for car insurance should be easy — that way you can spend more time on the things you enjoy.
We'll cover a few primary rating factors and topics below, including:
- Cheap car insurance in Washington DC
- DC car insurance by credit tier
- DC car insurance by age
- DC car insurance by marital status
- DC car insurance by driving history
How much does car insurance cost in Washington D.C.?
The District of Columbia has premiums that are relatively consistent with the national average, as they are within $37 of one another. Let's compare car insurance costs in Washington versus premiums across the nation.
AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS: D.C. VS U.S. AVERAGE
| D.C. Average | National Average |
| $1,463 | $1,427 |
Washington, D.C. car insurance by credit level
People with Very Poor credit (300-579) pay an average of 2.4x more every year for car insurance than those with Exceptional credit (800-850). The most notable benefit of better credit comes from improving from Very Poor (300-579) to Fair (580-669), by which drivers can save an average of $611 per year.
D.C. AUTO INSURANCE COSTS BY CREDIT LEVEL
| Credit Quality | Average Car Insurance Rate |
| Very Poor | $3,213 |
| Fair | $2,545 |
| Good | $1,934 |
| Very Good | $1,535 |
| Exceptional | $1,344 |
Washington D.C. car insurance by driver age
Looking across all age groups, drivers in their 50s have the lowest premiums. Their rates usually average $1,352 per year. Teenage drivers have the highest rates amongst all the age groups. They have car insurance payments that average $5,750. The greatest dip in premiums for Washington drivers happens when they hit their 20s. Once out of the teenage age bracket, individuals save, on average, $3,787 annually. Turning 60 causes an increase in rates, but until that age, drivers can expect premium reductions when they progress from one age group to the next.
D.C. AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY AGE
| Age | Average Rate |
| Teenagers | $5,750 |
| 20s | $1,963 |
| 30s | $1,439 |
| 40s | $1,426 |
| 50s | $1,352 |
| 60s | $1,420 |
| 70s | $1,815 |
Washington D.C. car insurance by marital status and gender
In Washington, several driver attributes, including marital status and gender, can play a part in car insurance premiums. Being single can cost you 5% more per year compared to being married. Rates for those who are widowed are moderately cheaper than rates for those who are single. Premiums are more costly for women. Women usually pay 2% more than men each year for insurance.
D.C. AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY GENDER AND MARITAL STATUS
| Marital Status/Gender | Average Rate |
| Female | $1,487 |
| Male | $1,463 |
| Single | $1,463 |
| Married | $1,395 |
| Divorced | $1,463 |
| Widowed | $1,414 |
Get Washington D.C. car insurance now!
How do tickets affect Washington D.C. auto insurance rates?
If you receive a ticket, your auto insurance rates may rise. By how much depends on the type of violation, your car insurance company's pricing standards, and differing local insurance risks and regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
Below is a look at car insurance costs in Washington, D.C. after some common violations. Learn more about auto insurance regulations in Washington, D.C.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $2,526 | 69% | $1,031 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $2,450 | 64% | $955 |
| DUI | $2,450 | 64% | $955 |
| Racing | $2,001 | 34% | $506 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,221 | 49% | $726 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,361 | 58% | $866 |
| At-Fault Accident | $2,092 | 40% | $596 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $1,737 | 16% | $242 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,808 | 21% | $313 |
| Passing a School Bus | $1,868 | 25% | $373 |
| Improper Passing | $1,778 | 19% | $283 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,778 | 19% | $283 |
| Speeding | $1,782 | 19% | $286 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,778 | 19% | $283 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,778 | 19% | $283 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,778 | 19% | $283 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,778 | 19% | $283 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,766 | 18% | $271 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,766 | 18% | $271 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,758 | 18% | $263 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,676 | 12% | $181 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,676 | 12% | $181 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,540 | 3% | $44 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,496 | 0% | $0 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,496 | 0% | $0 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,496 | 0% | $0 |
