Auto insurance is expensive in Washington, D.C. The average car insurance premium in the District of Columbia is $1,464 per year — 2.5% more than the US average.
Your car insurance costs are affected by factors aside from the state in which you live. Auto insurance premiums take into account a number of factors, such as your age, gender, marital status, credit rating, and driving history.
We analyzed average auto insurance rates by each of the main rating factors. Read on to see how much auto insurance costs in your location — or enter your zip code to view unique prices from popular insurance companies.
Average District of Columbia auto insurance rates by:
Average Car Insurance Premiums in Washington, D.C. by Age Group
It’s a fact of life: as you age, your auto insurance rates shift. Typically, auto insurance is more costly for young drivers and teens, as insurers consider newer drivers as riskier.
In the nation's capital, auto insurance costs $7,874 each year for a 16-year-old driver, compared to $1,352 yearly for a driver between 50 and 59 years of age.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AUTO INSURANCE PRICES BY AGE
| Age | Average Annual Premium |
| 16 | $7,873.56 |
| 17 | $6,273.98 |
| 18 | $5,456.98 |
| 19 | $3,400.28 |
| 20s | $1,962.92 |
| 30s | $1,438.85 |
| 40s | $1,425.96 |
| 50s | $1,352.48 |
| 60s | $1,420.57 |
| 70s | $1,815.36 |
If you're shopping for car insurance for a teen driver, DC is an expensive location in which to buy auto insurance for a 16-year-old.
Average Car Insurance Prices in Washington D.C. by Gender
While gender doesn’t have as sizable an effect on auto insurance rates as location or experience level, it is utilized as a pricing factor by auto insurance companies.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AUTO INSURANCE PRICES FOR WOMEN AND MEN
If you're concerned you aren't getting the best possible bang for your buck with your current car insurance company, the best course of action is to compare rates and shop around.
Mean Car Insurance Rates in the District by Marital Status
One benefit of married life — aside from the honeymoon — is the price cut you typically receive on your auto insurance. In Washington D.C., married motorists save $69 annually on car insurance policies. This is less than the US average of $76.
DC AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY MARITAL STATUS
| Marital Status | Average Annual Rate |
| Single | $1,463.73 |
| Married | $1,394.80 |
| Divorced | $1,463.73 |
| Widowed | $1,413.75 |
Auto insurance for divorced drivers in the District of Columbia is the 15th most expensive in the nation. If you are being overcharged for your policy, don't hesitate to shop around. You could save big!
Average Auto Insurance Prices in Washington, D.C. by Credit Tier
Auto insurers use credit score to determine the reliability of a prospective customer. Historical data demonstrate drivers with good credit are usually more dependable auto insurance customers: they are less likely to file claims insurance companies are compelled to cover.
In DC, a driver with excellent credit saves $1,870.20 per year on auto insurance, versus a driver who has a poor credit rating. Learn more about how credit history impacts auto insurance premiums:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CAR INSURANCE COSTS BY CREDIT QUALITY
| Credit Tier | Average Yearly Rate |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $3,213.98 |
| Fair (580-669) | $2,545.58 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,934.15 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,535.23 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $1,343.78 |
Finding cheap car insurance coverage when you have a bad credit history is sometimes difficult. But we're here to provide some help. Review our guide to finding car insurance with bad credit and learn how to save!
Average Car Insurance Premiums for High-Risk Drivers in Washington, D.C.
If you’re defined as at fault after an accident or convicted of a vehicular violation, your car insurance rates are going to rise. The more violations you accrue, the more costly your auto insurance gets.
In the District of Columbia, your first minor at-fault accident will lead to an extra $609.07 annually in auto insurance premiums. A DUI — thought of as one of the most severe driving violations — can grow your annual car insurance costs in DC by an average of $726.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CAR INSURANCE COSTS AFTER VIOLATIONS
| Violation | Average Yearly Rate |
| DUI or DWI | $2,189.59 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,411.67 |
| At-Fault Accident (<$1,000) | $2,072.61 |
| At-Fault Accident ($1,000-$2,000) | $2,464.56 |
| At-Fault Accident (>$2,000) | $2,072.61 |
| Open Container | $2,198.49 |
| Speeding (21-25 MPH > limit) | $2,085.06 |
| Speeding (16-20 MPH > limit) | $2,085.06 |
If you are looking for a better deal on auto insurance, think about shopping policies to get reasonably priced insurance coverage that fits your needs.
Average Car Insurance Premiums by Coverage Level in District of Columbia
The sum you pay per month for auto insurance depends on the level of coverage you elect to carry. Liability-only coverage typically costs less, while low-deductible comprehensive coverage costs more. In the District of Columbia, the price gap between liability-only coverage and full coverage with a $500 deductible is $767.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CAR INSURANCE PRICES BY COVERAGE TYPE
| Coverage Level | Average Annual Premium |
| $100K/$300K/$100K Bodily Injury/Property Damage — Liability Only | $772 |
| $100K/$300K/$100K Bodily Injury/Property Damage — $1,000 Comprehensive/Collision | $1,350 |
| $100K/$300K/$100K Bodily Injury/Property Damage — $500 Comprehensive/Collision | $1,537 |
| $50K/$100K/$50K Bodily Injury/Property Damage — Liability Only | $698 |
| $50K/$100K/$50K Bodily Injury/Property Damage — $1,000 Comprehensive/Collision | $1,277 |
| $50K/$100K/$50K Bodily Injury/Property Damage — $500 Comprehensive/Collision | $1,464 |
| State Minimum — Liability Only | $623 |
| State Minimum — $1,000 Comprehensive/Collision | $1,203 |
| State Minimum — $500 Comprehensive/Collision | $1,390 |
If your premiums are above-average, consider shopping to find reasonably priced coverage that covers your vehicle appropriately.
Compare car insurance quotes today!
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.