Most places in the United States require you to have car insurance, so it should come as no surprise that having car insurance is a law in the U.S. capital. If you have ever shopped for car insurance, you are probably well aware of the overwhelming amount of options, but probably not as aware of what the laws are in your state.

Whether you are planning on moving to The American Rome sometime soon or looking for a new car insurance company, here is what you need to know about car insurance laws in Washington D.C.

What Are The Minimum Car Insurance Requirements In Washington D.C.?

All Washington D.C. drivers need to have car insurance to legally take on the roads. As part of the Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act, all residents are offered:

  • Fault-based insurance.
  • No-fault coverage.

Washington D.C. law mandates that all drivers must have liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage.

Liability Insurance Coverage

You must meet the following minimum requirements for liability insurance coverage in Washington D.C.:

  • Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, per accident.
  • Total bodily injury liability: $50,000 per accident, if multiple people were injured.
  • Property damage liability: $10,000.

Note that liability insurance exists to cover the costs of the other driver’s car and injuries when you are at fault for the accident.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

To meet the minimum state requirements for uninsured motorist coverage in Washington D.C., you must have the following limits on your policy:

  • Uninsured motorist property damage: $5,000 minus a $200 deductible.
  • Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000 per person per accident.
  • Uninsured motorist total bodily injury: $50,000 per accident, if multiple people are injured.

What Other Options Do I Have For Car Insurance In Washington D.C.?

Many Washington D.C. residents might feel like the minimum requirements for car insurance in the state are not enough to allow them to feel protected while driving. If you are in the market for a little more security, you have several options. Here are some of the most common types of car insurance add-ons in Washington D.C.:

  • Personal injury protection (PIP): This type of coverage will assist you in covering the costs of an accident no matter whose fault it was. This type of insurance is otherwise known as “no-fault coverage.”
  • Collision coverage: This type of coverage will cover any damages done to your car following a car accident.
  • Comprehensive coverage: If your car is ever damaged due to causes other than a collision, such as bad weather, theft, or vandalism, this type of insurance has you covered.
  • Underinsured motorist: While uninsured motorist insurance is a requirement in Washington D.C., underinsured motorist insurance is not. Underinsured motorist insurance is there to help you cover the costs of an accident if you were hit by a driver without sufficient insurance.
  • Rental car coverage: If you are ever in an accident and your car needs to spend an extended period of time in the shop getting repaired, this type of insurance will cover the costs of a rental car in the meantime.
  • Roadside assistance/towing coverage: This type of insurance comes in handy if you are ever broken down on the side of the road and need immediate assistance.

Keep in mind that while collision insurance and comprehensive insurance are otherwise considered optional coverages, you may be required to purchase them if you are leasing or financing the vehicle you drive.

Do I Need To Show Proof Of Insurance?

There are a few instances where drivers in Washington D.C. will be required to show proof of insurance. These instances include:

  • Registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
  • Renewing your car registration.
  • Traffic stops by law enforcement.

You can show proof of insurance by having any of the following documents:

  • Insurance policy.
  • Insurance card.
  • An official letter from your insurance company certifying that you are insured with them.

If you ever find yourself in one of these situations and are unable to show proof of insurance, you will be faced with a $30 fine.

What Happens If I Am Caught Driving Without Car Insurance In Washington D.C.?

You should make it a priority to always have proof of insurance readily available. There are penalties in the state of Washington D.C. for drivers who fail to meet the minimum requirements for car insurance. If you are not properly insured, you could face:

  • Suspension of your registration tag and reciprocity sticker.
  • A fine of $150 if your insurance coverage has been lapsed for up to 30 days.
  • An additional $7 fine for every day that your insurance lapse goes over 30 days.

How Can I Get Insured If I Have A Poor Driving Record?

The livelihood of car insurance companies relies heavily on their ability to assess and mitigate risk. For this reason, drivers with poor driving records are viewed as “high-risk” and oftentimes have a hard time locking down a company to cover them. Because car insurance is a requirement in Washington D.C., the state has implemented the District of Columbia Automobile Insurance Plan (DCAIP).

Through this program, high risk drivers can be assigned a company to cover them. Keep in mind, however, that this route is usually more expensive, so you should only use it as a last resort.

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