Cheap Car Insurance in Washington, D.C., for 2023

Erie offers the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C., with an average monthly rate of $90 for full coverage.
Ben Moore
By Ben Moore 
Updated

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Auto insurance is an important purchase, but finding cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C. isn’t always easy. The best way to find cheap car insurance is to compare rates from multiple insurers.

The cheapest car insurance company in Washington, D.C. is Erie at $1,085 per year on average, or $90 per month, according to the most recent NerdWallet analysis of full coverage car insurance rates in Washington, D.C.. Meanwhile, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. is $2,260 per year, or about $188 per month.

Minimum coverage in Washington, D.C. is $819 per year on average, but we found you can likely get a cheaper policy. For example, Chubb offers the cheapest rates in Washington, D.C. at $318 per year, on average, for minimum coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record.

How we chose the cheapest companies in Washington, D.C.

NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed car insurance rates from 8 auto insurers in Washington, D.C. and listed the five cheapest options for drivers in several age brackets and with different histories, all driving a 2020 Toyota Camry L. For minimum coverage, we looked at rates that reflect the minimum requirements in Washington, D.C.. For full coverage, we used the below coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident.

  • $100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.

  • $300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.

  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every locale in Washington, D.C. where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Cheapest for 20-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 20s may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be sky-high for younger 20-somethings, but tend to come down as drivers get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. with clean driving records may want to consider the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $2,212 per year, or about $184 per month.

  2. Chubb: $3,188 per year, or about $266 per month.

  3. Geico: $4,335 per year, or about $361 per month.

  4. State Farm: $4,498 per year, or about $375 per month.

  5. Progressive: $5,182 per year, or about $432 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $586 per year, or about $49 per month.

  2. Erie: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.

  3. Geico: $1,700 per year, or about $142 per month.

  4. State Farm: $1,753 per year, or about $146 per month.

  5. Allstate: $1,965 per year, or about $164 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. should look at the following insurers with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $846 per year, or about $70 per month.

  2. Allstate: $2,405 per year, or about $200 per month.

  3. Erie: $2,469 per year, or about $206 per month.

  4. Geico: $3,148 per year, or about $262 per month.

  5. State Farm: $3,500 per year, or about $292 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $628 per year, or about $52 per month.

  2. Erie: $1,106 per year, or about $92 per month.

  3. Geico: $2,032 per year, or about $169 per month.

  4. State Farm: $2,056 per year, or about $171 per month.

  5. Allstate: $2,059 per year, or about $172 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $726 per year, or about $60 per month.

  2. Erie: $1,247 per year, or about $104 per month.

  3. State Farm: $2,301 per year, or about $192 per month.

  4. Geico: $2,557 per year, or about $213 per month.

  5. Allstate: $2,680 per year, or about $223 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI is shown here, alongside the insurers' average rates for minimum coverage.

  1. Chubb: $986 per year, or about $82 per month.

  2. Erie: $1,388 per year, or about $116 per month.

  3. Allstate: $2,516 per year, or about $210 per month.

  4. Progressive: $2,678 per year, or about $223 per month.

  5. State Farm: $2,770 per year, or about $231 per month.

Cheapest for 30-year-old drivers

By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $1,139 per year, or about $95 per month.

  2. Chubb: $1,636 per year, or about $136 per month.

  3. State Farm: $1,910 per year, or about $159 per month.

  4. Progressive: $2,272 per year, or about $189 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $2,516 per year, or about $210 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $318 per year, or about $26 per month.

  2. Erie: $472 per year, or about $39 per month.

  3. State Farm: $770 per year, or about $64 per month.

  4. Geico: $1,051 per year, or about $88 per month.

  5. Progressive: $1,072 per year, or about $89 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. should consider the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Chubb: $2,348 per year, or about $196 per month.

  2. Erie: $3,008 per year, or about $251 per month.

  3. Nationwide: $3,700 per year, or about $308 per month.

  4. State Farm: $3,814 per year, or about $318 per month.

  5. Progressive: $4,282 per year, or about $357 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $361 per year, or about $30 per month.

  2. Erie: $495 per year, or about $41 per month.

  3. State Farm: $913 per year, or about $76 per month.

  4. Geico: $1,330 per year, or about $111 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $1,411 per year, or about $118 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers in Washington, D.C. with a recent accident, here are the lowest average rate options for full coverage:

  1. Erie: $1,498 per year, or about $125 per month.

  2. Chubb: $2,367 per year, or about $197 per month.

  3. State Farm: $2,472 per year, or about $206 per month.

  4. Progressive: $3,401 per year, or about $283 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $3,680 per year, or about $307 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-old drivers after a DUI

For the cheapest auto insurance after a DUI, we found the following options for full coverage.

  1. Erie: $1,801 per year, or about $150 per month.

  2. Progressive: $2,622 per year, or about $218 per month.

  3. State Farm: $2,930 per year, or about $244 per month.

  4. Chubb: $3,965 per year, or about $330 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $4,858 per year, or about $405 per month.

Cheapest for 40-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 40s tend to have better insurance rates than their younger counterparts on average, but still pay more than older age groups. Shopping around for cheap car insurance quotes with multiple insurers is the best way to find lower rates. Good drivers who don’t get behind the wheel often might want to consider pay-per-mile insurance, which charges drivers by how many miles they drive.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. with clean driving records may want to think about the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $1,034 per year, or about $86 per month.

  2. Chubb: $1,636 per year, or about $136 per month.

  3. State Farm: $1,864 per year, or about $155 per month.

  4. Progressive: $2,100 per year, or about $175 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $2,513 per year, or about $209 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want just the minimum coverage may want to check prices from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $318 per year, or about $26 per month.

  2. Erie: $429 per year, or about $36 per month.

  3. State Farm: $778 per year, or about $65 per month.

  4. Progressive: $1,014 per year, or about $84 per month.

  5. Geico: $1,069 per year, or about $89 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. can check out the following insurers with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Chubb: $2,348 per year, or about $196 per month.

  2. Erie: $2,736 per year, or about $228 per month.

  3. Nationwide: $3,667 per year, or about $306 per month.

  4. State Farm: $3,716 per year, or about $310 per month.

  5. Progressive: $3,968 per year, or about $331 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $340 per year, or about $28 per month.

  2. Erie: $440 per year, or about $37 per month.

  3. State Farm: $850 per year, or about $71 per month.

  4. Progressive: $1,184 per year, or about $99 per month.

  5. Geico: $1,220 per year, or about $102 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Erie: $1,355 per year, or about $113 per month.

  2. Chubb: $2,367 per year, or about $197 per month.

  3. State Farm: $2,412 per year, or about $201 per month.

  4. Progressive: $3,219 per year, or about $268 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $3,656 per year, or about $305 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance we found for drivers with a DUI came from the following companies.

  1. Erie: $1,628 per year, or about $136 per month.

  2. Progressive: $2,450 per year, or about $204 per month.

  3. State Farm: $2,858 per year, or about $238 per month.

  4. Chubb: $3,965 per year, or about $330 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $4,844 per year, or about $404 per month.

Cheapest for 50-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 50s have cheaper car insurance rates than most other age groups on average. Prices will continue to drop as they inch toward their 60s and gain more driving experience. Rates can still vary depending on other factors such as a driver’s gender and location, so it’s smart to shop around to find the best rate. Our list of cheap auto insurance companies is a good place to start.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. with clean driving records may want to get quotes from these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $912 per year, or about $76 per month.

  2. Chubb: $1,558 per year, or about $130 per month.

  3. State Farm: $1,814 per year, or about $151 per month.

  4. Progressive: $1,929 per year, or about $161 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $2,406 per year, or about $200 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who opt for the state minimum coverage may want to consider the following companies, with the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $305 per year, or about $25 per month.

  2. Erie: $383 per year, or about $32 per month.

  3. State Farm: $770 per year, or about $64 per month.

  4. Progressive: $944 per year, or about $79 per month.

  5. Geico: $1,128 per year, or about $94 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. can check with the following companies, which showed the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Chubb: $2,232 per year, or about $186 per month.

  2. Erie: $2,419 per year, or about $202 per month.

  3. Nationwide: $3,501 per year, or about $292 per month.

  4. State Farm: $3,612 per year, or about $301 per month.

  5. Progressive: $3,638 per year, or about $303 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $348 per year, or about $29 per month.

  2. Erie: $401 per year, or about $33 per month.

  3. State Farm: $912 per year, or about $76 per month.

  4. Progressive: $1,312 per year, or about $109 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $1,353 per year, or about $113 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers living in Washington, D.C. with a recent accident, here are the insurers with the lowest average full coverage rates:

  1. Erie: $1,207 per year, or about $101 per month.

  2. Chubb: $2,285 per year, or about $190 per month.

  3. State Farm: $2,350 per year, or about $196 per month.

  4. Progressive: $3,174 per year, or about $264 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $3,556 per year, or about $296 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found for drivers with a recent DUI comes from the following companies, listed with rates for full coverage.

  1. Erie: $1,460 per year, or about $122 per month.

  2. Progressive: $2,307 per year, or about $192 per month.

  3. State Farm: $2,786 per year, or about $232 per month.

  4. Chubb: $3,887 per year, or about $324 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $4,734 per year, or about $394 per month.

Cheapest for 60-year-old drivers

Although 60-year-olds have cheaper car insurance rates than many other age groups on average, prices will start increasing as they get older. To find cheap car insurance for seniors, drivers in their 60s should make sure to shop around to find the best rate. Drivers in this age group should also take advantage of any available discounts for senior citizens.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $993 per year, or about $83 per month.

  2. Chubb: $1,558 per year, or about $130 per month.

  3. State Farm: $1,691 per year, or about $141 per month.

  4. Progressive: $1,939 per year, or about $162 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $2,230 per year, or about $186 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $305 per year, or about $25 per month.

  2. Erie: $415 per year, or about $35 per month.

  3. State Farm: $725 per year, or about $60 per month.

  4. Progressive: $953 per year, or about $79 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $1,070 per year, or about $89 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Chubb: $2,232 per year, or about $186 per month.

  2. Erie: $2,632 per year, or about $219 per month.

  3. Nationwide: $3,200 per year, or about $267 per month.

  4. State Farm: $3,352 per year, or about $279 per month.

  5. Progressive: $3,650 per year, or about $304 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $348 per year, or about $29 per month.

  2. Erie: $434 per year, or about $36 per month.

  3. State Farm: $860 per year, or about $72 per month.

  4. Nationwide: $1,270 per year, or about $106 per month.

  5. Progressive: $1,323 per year, or about $110 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Erie: $1,317 per year, or about $110 per month.

  2. State Farm: $2,190 per year, or about $182 per month.

  3. Chubb: $2,285 per year, or about $190 per month.

  4. Progressive: $3,188 per year, or about $266 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $3,342 per year, or about $278 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

  1. Erie: $1,593 per year, or about $133 per month.

  2. Progressive: $2,317 per year, or about $193 per month.

  3. State Farm: $2,594 per year, or about $216 per month.

  4. Chubb: $3,887 per year, or about $324 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $4,520 per year, or about $377 per month.

Cheapest for 70-year-old drivers

Car insurance costs may start to rise for 70-year-old drivers. To find the cheapest possible coverage, shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Also, look for insurers that offer discounts for seniors. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $1,096 per year, or about $91 per month.

  2. Chubb: $1,558 per year, or about $130 per month.

  3. State Farm: $1,793 per year, or about $149 per month.

  4. Progressive: $2,302 per year, or about $192 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $2,523 per year, or about $210 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $305 per year, or about $25 per month.

  2. Erie: $456 per year, or about $38 per month.

  3. State Farm: $769 per year, or about $64 per month.

  4. Progressive: $1,138 per year, or about $95 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $1,238 per year, or about $103 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Chubb: $2,232 per year, or about $186 per month.

  2. Erie: $2,892 per year, or about $241 per month.

  3. State Farm: $3,568 per year, or about $297 per month.

  4. Nationwide: $3,697 per year, or about $308 per month.

  5. Progressive: $4,323 per year, or about $360 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $348 per year, or about $29 per month.

  2. Erie: $477 per year, or about $40 per month.

  3. State Farm: $912 per year, or about $76 per month.

  4. Nationwide: $1,443 per year, or about $120 per month.

  5. Allstate: $1,581 per year, or about $132 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Erie: $1,454 per year, or about $121 per month.

  2. Chubb: $2,285 per year, or about $190 per month.

  3. State Farm: $2,326 per year, or about $194 per month.

  4. Nationwide: $3,700 per year, or about $308 per month.

  5. Progressive: $3,742 per year, or about $312 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

  1. Erie: $1,759 per year, or about $147 per month.

  2. State Farm: $2,764 per year, or about $230 per month.

  3. Progressive: $2,891 per year, or about $241 per month.

  4. Chubb: $3,887 per year, or about $324 per month.

  5. Nationwide: $4,878 per year, or about $406 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for military families

If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or have an immediate family member who is — chances are you'll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company that isn't available to the general public.

Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the others, but it was among the cheapest three auto insurance options for 70 of the 70 driver profiles we examined.

Minimum required auto insurance in D.C.

Drivers in Washington, D.C. must carry liability insurance, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD) in the following amounts:

  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $10,000 property damage liability per accident.

  • $25,000 UMBI per person.

  • $50,000 UMBI per accident.

  • $5,000 UMPD per accident.

Keep in mind, a serious crash could easily cause damages that exceed these amounts, which is why it’s wise to buy more than the bare minimum that’s legally required.

Check out NerdWallet's guide to state car insurance requirements to learn more about the coverage limits on D.C. policies as well as optional coverages you might want to add.

Alternative car insurance in Washington, D.C.

If you have a checkered driving history, poor credit or other factors preventing you from getting traditional auto coverage, you can seek coverage through the District of Columbia Automobile Insurance Plan.

NerdWallet’s auto insurance comparison tool provides fast, easy quotes from many top companies.

Methodology

For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates for single male and female drivers with good credit and no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.

For full coverage policies, we used the following coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident.

  • $100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.

  • $300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.

  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. Some policies include additional coverages at the insurer’s discretion.

We used a 2020 Toyota Camry L for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.

We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in ten-year increments. For the average cost of full and minimum coverage in each state, we looked at 35-year-old drivers.

We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:

  • For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect the minimum required coverage by law in the state.

  • We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit.

  • For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.

  • For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.

We looked at 35-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company overall, the cheapest company for minimum coverage and the cheapest company for drivers with poor credit in states where credit history is used to price rates. We looked at 20-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company for young drivers.

These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different. Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

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