- Individual Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000
- Total Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage: $5000 per accident
Do you dread opening your DC car insurance renewal bills every time that you receive them? If the auto insurance company that you have stayed loyal to for years constantly raises your rates, it is time to start shopping for coverage elsewhere. There are dozens and dozens of different auto insurance companies licensed to do business in DC, and there is a good chance that one of these companies will offer you better auto insurance rates than you are paying now. If you are putting off shopping for auto insurance in DC because you feel that it will be a time-consuming venture, think again. By entering your zip code at the top of this page, you can use a rate comparison tool and find the lowest premiums for auto insurance without leaving your home or picking up the phone. Here is a straightforward guide to help you build the best policy before you start retrieving quotes.
What Are the District Columbia Auto Insurance Requirements?
Auto insurance laws are state laws and they vary. In the District of Columbia, there are compulsory auto insurance laws that all vehicle owners must comply with to apply for a reciprocity sticker or a vehicle registration in DC. In order to satisfy the requirements set by DC officials, you must maintain continuous auto insurance coverage that is purchased from an insurance company licensed to sell auto insurance in DC. If you have reciprocity tags or registration tags, you must carry the following limits of cover at a minimum:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage: $5000 per accident
Liability insurance is cover that is designed to pay a third party when you are liable for damages and injuries, and this is why liability is often referred to as third-party liability. Uninsured motorist requirements are designed to protect you from other drivers on DC roads who fail to comply with the compulsory insurance laws. In addition to these required coverage forms, you should consider carrying other forms of protection which may include: Personal Injury Protection, Comprehensive, Collision, Towing, Rental Car Reimbursement, and Gap. When you are building your auto insurance policy, price the cost of required and optional forms of cover so that you have protection and peace of mind.
Penalties You Could Face For Driving Without Insurance
The penalties for driving without insurance in DC are severe and more costly than driving without cover. In addition to facing the scenario of getting into an accident without coverage, you have to worry about being enforced fines or suspensions. The punishments you may face include:
- A minimum fine of $250
- Driver license suspension up to 1 year
- SR22 filing requirements
- Vehicle registration suspension up to 1 year
Tips on Finding Cheap Auto Insurance in DC
Washington DC may be in the top 10 list for average auto insurance rates, but that does not mean that you cannot find affordable coverage. Here are some money-saving tips you can try to lower your rates:
- Learn about all of the discounts offered and take advantage of each discount you qualify for.
- Compare rates from premier insurance companies to see which companies offer the best rates.
- Raise your deductibles before compromising coverage.
- Insurance each vehicle you own with the same company for multi-car discounts.
Comparison shopping may be overwhelming, but using a rate comparison tool makes price shopping much easier. Gather your information and your current insurance documentation, and see which auto insurance company is the most competitive.