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Auto Insurance in Washington DC

The District of Columbia currently requires that all drivers be covered under liability auto insurance and that proof of car insurance always be carried within the vehicle at any moment.

At all times, you must carry proof of your active Washington DC auto insurance policy. If a police officer pulls you over, or if you are involved in an accident, you will be required to present your driver's license, registration and proof of valid insurance. Proof of Washington DC auto insurance should be in the form of a card issued by your insurance company. This insurance company issued card should include your policy number, your name (or the name of the insured party), and the effective dates of coverage. If you cannot provide proof of insurance, you will be given a citation by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This law applies to any individual who drives in Washington DC; where the car was registered or where the driver's license was issued is irrelevant.

District of Columbia Minimum Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is required by law in the District of Columbia. The minimum liability amounts for Washington DC are as follows:

  • $25,000 bodily injury per person.
  • $50,000 total bodily injury per accident.
  • $10,000 total property damage per accident.

Remember that these are only the minimum requirements set by the state. Experts always advise that drivers get more than the state-mandated minimums, particularly if you have assets you need to protect, since these limits have not kept pace with the skyrocketing costs of car repairs and medical care. Also, getting liability coverage alone will not cover you in case of damage to your own car, so most drivers will want to add collision and comprehensive coverage to their policies.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Some, not all, states will require that drivers carry UM/UIM, also known as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage will protect the driver in the event that an accident occurs and the other party does not have auto insurance.

Washington DC currently requires UM/UIM coverage. Required minimum coverage limits are:

  • $25,000 per person uninsured motorist bodily injury
  • $50,000 per accident uninsured motorist coverage
  • $5,000 in uninsured motorist property damage coverage (subject to a $200 deductible)

No-Fault Insurance

Washington DC is a not no-fault district, so no-fault insurance is not required.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

PIP is an extension of car insurance available in some U.S. states that covers medical expenses and, in some cases, lost wages and other damage.

Washington DC current does not require drivers to carry PIP insurance.

District of Columbia SR-22 Requirements

SR-22 is a document that is required to be filed with a state's DMV as proof that the minimum liability coverage for the state is being carried. Not everyone needs an SR-22 filing. SR-22s are typically required for a driver to reinstate their driving privileges after an offense such as a DUI conviction, uninsured auto accident, or driving without proof of insurance.

Washington DC currently requires an SR-22 filing to reinstate a driver's license.

District of Columbia DWI Laws

For the first DWI offense in the District of Columbia, you will face the following maximum penalties:

  • 90 days maximum jail time
  • Fine of between $300 to $1,000
  • 6 month drivers license suspension

Additional Information on the District of Columbia Insurance

For additional information, you can contact the the District of Columbia Department of Insurance and Securities Regulation at (202) 727-8000 or go to their website at www.disb.dc.gov.

Read more about the Most Popular Auto Insurance Carriers in DC.