Best cheap car insurance in D.C.
Geico and Erie are the cheapest companies for most people in Washington, D.C.
- Want full coverage? Geico: $194/mo
- Only need minimum coverage? Erie: $79/mo
- Want the best customer service? Erie: $217/mo
- Have a speeding ticket? Erie: $228/mo
- Caused an accident? Erie: $276/mo
- Need coverage for a teen? Erie: $156/mo
- Got a DUI? Geico: $290/mo
- Have poor credit? Geico: $462/mo
Monthly rates are based on full coverage car insurance for a 30-year-old man. Some rates use different ages or coverage limits.
Cheapest full coverage auto insurance in DC: Geico
Geico, Erie and USAA have the most affordable full coverage car insurance in D.C. for most people.
- Erie has the best mix of affordable rates and reliable customer service in Washington, D.C. At an average of $217 per month, full coverage from Erie is $27 per month less than the city average.
- Geico offers the cheapest full coverage rates for most people, at $194 per month. That's quite a bit cheaper than Erie, but Erie also has much better customer service reviews.
- USAA offers the cheapest quotes overall, at $123 per month for full coverage, on average. But USAA is only available to current or former military members and their families.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Washington, D.C.
Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Washington, D.C.
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $194 |
| Erie | $217 |
| State Farm | $282 |
| Allstate | $403 |
| USAA* | $123 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Data-powered research on Washington, DC, car insurance
Cheapest liability car insurance quotes in D.C.: Erie
- Erie has the cheapest minimum liability car insurance in Washington, D.C., at an average of $79 per month. That's $22 per month cheaper than the Washington, D.C., average of $101 per month.
- USAA offers even cheaper rates for drivers with military ties. Minimum liability coverage from USAA costs just $50 per month, on average.
Best auto insurance rates in Washington, D.C.
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Erie | $79 |
| Geico | $87 |
| State Farm | $117 |
| Allstate | $173 |
| USAA* | $50 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Washington, D.C.
Average car insurance rates in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., has expensive car insurance rates compared to nearby cities, at $244 per month for full coverage.
Maryland suburbs College Park and Clinton are the only cities in the metro area with higher rates than Washington, D.C. Full coverage in these cities costs around $260 and $257 per month, respectively.
Arlington, VA, has the cheapest rates in the D.C. metro area, at $181 per month for full coverage.
Cheapest full coverage insurance costs in the D.C. metro area
City | Monthly rate | Cheapest company | Cheapest rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $244 | Geico | $194 |
| Arlington, VA | $181 | Travelers | $113 |
| Reston, VA | $183 | Geico | $113 |
| Falls Church, VA | $189 | Farm Bureau | $116 |
| Great Falls, VA | $191 | Farm Bureau | $118 |
| Bethesda, MD | $192 | Geico | $140 |
| Fairfax, VA | $192 | Farm Bureau | $116 |
| Alexandria, VA | $195 | Farm Bureau | $116 |
| Burke, VA | $197 | Farm Bureau | $118 |
| Potomac, MD | $202 | Geico | $144 |
| Springfield, VA | $202 | Farm Bureau | $118 |
| Rockville, MD | $211 | Geico | $148 |
| Gaithersburg, MD | $222 | Geico | $155 |
| Ellicott City, MD | $228 | Geico | $149 |
| Laurel, MD | $233 | Geico | $159 |
| Silver Spring, MD | $237 | Geico | $169 |
| Bowie, MD | $242 | Geico | $166 |
| Clinton, MD | $257 | Geico | $195 |
| College Park, MD | $260 | Geico | $155 |
The city of Washington, D.C., packs over 700,000 people within its roughly 68 square miles, while 6.3 million people live in the greater D.C. metro area.
Just as the overall cost of living in Washington, D.C., is well above the national average, so too is the cost of car insurance, both in the District and in neighboring communities. This is partially because of traffic congestion and higher property crime rates.
Best car insurance in Washington, DC: Erie
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Full coverage rate$217/moThis analysis used auto insurance quotes for a policy with collision and comprehensive coverage.
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Claims processBestClaims rating is based on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey.
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AM Best ratingAAn A financial strength rating means that a company has an excellent ability to pay customer claims, even in difficult financial situations. This is the third-highest rating available.
The author, Lindsay Bishop, chose the best car insurance companies in Washington, D.C., based on:
- J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
- J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint data
- Each company's average car insurance rates in Washington, D.C.
- Coverage availability and optional add-ons
- The author's 7+ years of insurance industry experience
ValuePenguin's reviews follow strict, independent editorial standards and are never influenced by commissions or partnerships.
Low-cost car insurance in D.C. after a speeding ticket: Erie
Erie has the cheapest car insurance quotes for Washington, D.C., drivers with a speeding ticket. Full coverage insurance from Erie costs an average of $228 per month after one ticket. That's nearly 20% cheaper than the city average of $281 per month. Erie is also $19 per month less than the second-cheapest option, Geico.
Best auto insurance in D.C. after a speeding ticket
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Erie | $228 |
| Geico | $247 |
| State Farm | $303 |
| Allstate | $473 |
| USAA* | $153 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
A single speeding ticket could raise rates by 15% in Washington, D.C. That's an average increase of $37 per month for a full coverage policy.
Cheap D.C. car insurance after an accident: Erie
Erie has the best car insurance quotes for D.C. drivers after an at-fault accident. At an average of $276 per month, a full coverage policy from Erie is $51 per month cheaper than the city average.
Affordable car insurance in D.C. after a crash
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Erie | $276 |
| State Farm | $282 |
| Geico | $289 |
| Allstate | $611 |
| USAA* | $177 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Just one at-fault accident on your record could raise your insurance quotes by around 34% in Washington, D.C.
Don't stress about switching car insurance companies right after your accident. Your rates won't go up until your current policy renews. But any quotes you get now will have your accident on your record, so they'll probably be more expensive than your current rate.
Instead, wait until you get your renewal offer from your current company a few weeks to a month before your policy expires. Then, you should compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best price for you.
Cheapest car insurance in D.C. for young drivers: Erie
Erie has the cheapest quotes for teens in Washington, D.C.
- Minimum coverage: Minimum liability coverage from Erie costs $156 per month, on average, for an 18-year-old driver. That's $128 per month less than the D.C. average.
- Full coverage: Erie also offers the best rates for full coverage. At $445 per month, full coverage from Erie is $238 per month cheaper than the district-wide average.
- Military ties: Teens with military connections can get even cheaper rates from USAA. Minimum liability insurance from USAA costs $116 per month for teens, while full coverage is just $277 per month.
Cheap auto insurance in D.C. for teens
Company | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $156 | $445 |
| Geico | $192 | $422 |
| State Farm | $364 | $896 |
| Allstate | $594 | $1,376 |
| USAA* | $116 | $277 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
In Washington, D.C., 18-year-old drivers pay more than twice as much for insurance as older drivers, on average. That's because insurance companies consider younger drivers high risk due to their lack of driving experience.
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. Some insurance companies also offer discounts for taking a defensive driving course.
New drivers can also save by joining a parent's car insurance policy.
Cheap D.C. insurance for teens with a ticket or accident: Erie
Erie has the most affordable car insurance for young drivers with a speeding ticket or accident on their record.
- Speeding ticket: Minimum coverage from Erie costs an average of $203 per month for an 18-year-old driver with one speeding ticket. That's $133 per month less than the D.C. average.
- Accident: Erie also has the cheapest rates for young drivers with an at-fault accident on their record. At around $179 per month for minimum liability coverage, Erie costs $161 per month less than average. It's also $90 per month less than the second-cheapest company, Geico.
Cheapest car insurance in D.C. for teens with bad driving records
Company | Ticket | Accident |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $203 | $179 |
| Geico | $221 | $269 |
| State Farm | $395 | $364 |
| Allstate | $728 | $754 |
| USAA* | $132 | $136 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
On average, insurance companies raise rates for teen drivers in D.C. by 18% after a speeding ticket and 20% after an accident. That's a smaller increase than adults usually see because younger drivers are already considered high risk, even with a clean record.
Best auto insurance in Washington, D.C., after a DUI: Geico
Geico offers the best average rates in Washington, D.C., for drivers with a DUI. Full coverage from Geico costs $290 per month after a DUI. That's $109 per month cheaper than average and $34 per month less than the next-cheapest company, Erie.
Affordable car insurance rates in D.C. after a DUI
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $290 |
| Erie | $324 |
| Allstate | $511 |
| State Farm | $645 |
| USAA* | $222 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Overall, D.C. drivers could pay 63% more after a DUI. That's an average increase of $154 per month for a full coverage policy.
Drivers with a DUI in D.C. may also have to get SR-22 insurance. Insurance companies typically charge between $15 and $50 to file an SR-22 form for you. That's in addition to any increase in your insurance rates.
Cheap auto insurance for Washington, D.C., drivers with poor credit: Geico
Geico has the most affordable car insurance in Washington, D.C., for drivers with bad credit. Full coverage from Geico costs around $462 per month, which is $293 per month cheaper than average in D.C.
Affordable car insurance in D.C. for people with poor credit scores
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $462 |
| Erie | $570 |
| Allstate | $668 |
| State Farm | $1,827 |
| USAA* | $248 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Washington, D.C., car insurance rates can be three times more expensive for drivers with poor credit versus those with good credit. That's because insurance companies believe drivers with poor credit are more likely to make claims in the future.
You can improve your credit score by making payments on time and keeping balances on your credit cards low.
Improving your credit score takes time, and it won't lower your car insurance payments right away. But a better credit score should result in cheaper rates when your policy renews.
Is your car insurance company raising rates in Washington, D.C., in 2026?
Two major car insurance companies, AAA and American Family, have raised their rates significantly in Washington, D.C., in 2026.
- ↑ Biggest increase: AAA at +18.0%
- ↑ 2nd biggest increase: American Family at +8.3%
Company | 2026 rate change | 5 year rate change |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | ↑ 18.0% | ↑ 75.0% |
| American Family | ↑ 8.3% | ↑ 74.3% |
| Progressive | 0.0% | ↑ 81.7% |
| Erie | 0.0% | ↑ 56.9% |
| Allstate | 0.0% | ↑ 56.3% |
| Geico | 0.0% | ↑ 55.0% |
| Travelers | 0.0% | ↑ 49.3% |
| Liberty Mutual | 0.0% | ↑ 44.8% |
| State Farm | 0.0% | ↑ 33.9% |
| The Hartford | 0.0% | ↑ 32.8% |
| USAA | 0.0% | ↑ 27.3% |
A downward arrow (↓) indicates a rate decrease, while an upward arrow (↑) indicates a rate increase.
Don't panic and switch insurance companies just because your insurance bill went up. Your car insurance bill won't go up until your policy renews. That's a great time to shop around for quotes from the cheapest companies in D.C.
Also, keep in mind that even companies that haven't yet had an increase in 2026 still tend to increase their car insurance rates over time.
For example, as of July, Progressive hasn't raised its car insurance rates in 2026. But the company has raised rates by 82% during the last five years, one of the largest hikes in Washington, D.C., over that time period.
What car insurance is required in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C., drivers must have a minimum amount of liability car insurance coverage, sometimes written as 25/50/10.
Drivers also need matching uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage and $5,000 of uninsured motorist property damage.
- Bodily injury (BI) liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage (PD) liability: $10,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI): $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD): $5,000 per accident with a $200 deductible
However, most drivers should consider adding higher coverage limits to pay for damage after an expensive accident.
It is illegal to register or drive an uninsured motor vehicle in Washington, D.C.
Potential fines and penalties for driving without insurance in Washington, D.C.- Fine: $500 for the first offense, increasing by 50% for every subsequent offense
- License suspension: 30 days for the first offense and 60 days for subsequent offenses, instead of or in combination with fine
- Additional fees: $30 for failure or refusal to present insurance when requested by law enforcement, $98 license reinstatement fee
What's the best car insurance coverage for D.C. drivers?
Full coverage car insurance is the best choice for most people in Washington, D.C.
Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision insurance. These coverages protect your car from damage after a crash, theft, vandalism or a weather event — regardless of whose fault it is.
Most lenders require collision and comprehensive coverage if you have a car loan or lease. It's also a good idea to add them if your car is less than 8 years old or worth more than $5,000.
In addition, full coverage can have higher liability limits than required by law. This is important because the minimum requirement to avoid penalties may not be enough to cover the cost of a major accident.
For example, if you hit and total an expensive car and you only have minimum liability insurance, $10,000 of property damage liability coverage won't be enough to replace it. You would then be on the hook to pay the difference out of pocket.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Washington, D.C.?
In 2026, Geico has the cheapest full coverage rates in Washington, D.C., at $194 per month. That's 20% cheaper than the citywide average.
Erie has the cheapest liability-only rates in the city, at $79 per month.
Why is D.C. insurance so expensive?
Washington, D.C., has the 9th-most expensive minimum coverage rates in the country. That's partly because of the high population density, traffic congestion and number of fatal accidents for its size. Washington, D.C., also has high car theft rates, according to the FBI.
Is car insurance cheaper in D.C. or Virginia?
Car insurance is much more expensive in Washington, D.C., than it is in Virginia. The average quote for full coverage in D.C. is $244 per month, compared to only $169 per month within the state of Virginia.
Methodology
ValuePenguin collected auto insurance quotes for Washington, D.C., from top car insurance companies in the area. Rates are for a 30-year-old man with good credit who owns a 2016 Honda Civic EX.
Quotes for full coverage insurance include liability limits higher than required minimums, plus collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Uninsured and 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 insurance company filings and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your own quotes may be different.
To calculate rate changes by company, ValuePenguin used publicly available rate filing data from the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. Rate filing data was sourced using RateWatch from S&P Global, which uses information from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The table includes rate filings submitted by major insurance companies and their subsidiaries with effective dates between 2022 and 2026. Because insurance companies often break customers into different rating groups, a filing may apply only to certain drivers, vehicles, coverage levels, regions or policy types. Not every increase or decrease applies to every policyholder insured by that company in the state.
Data limitations
Insurance companies may submit multiple filings throughout the year. Some filings may be revised, withdrawn or superseded after publication.
Rate filing information was current as of July 28, 2026.
About the Author
Senior Writer
Lindsay Bishop is a Senior Writer at ValuePenguin, where she educates readers about home, auto, renters, flood and motorcycle insurance.
Lindsay began her career in the insurance and financial industry in 2010. She was a licensed auto, home, life and health insurance agent and held Series 6 and 63 financial licenses.
After a hiatus from the financial sector, Lindsay returned to the industry as a content writer for ValuePenguin in 2021. She enjoys having the opportunity to help readers make smart decisions about their insurance so they can be prepared for anything life throws their way.
When Lindsay isn't writing about insurance, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors on Sunday long runs or riding her Peloton.
How insurance helped Lindsay
As a homeowner for 15 years located in South Carolina, Lindsay has plenty of experience navigating the coastal insurance market and managing the claims process. That includes successfully negotiating a full roof replacement claim.
Expertise
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Flood insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- CNBC
- Yahoo Finance
- Miami Herald
Education
- BS/BA Economics, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
