District of Columbia minimum car insurance requirements
District of Columbia requires at least 25/50/10 in liability coverage plus uninsured motorist bodily injury and uninsured motorist property damage. Make sure every quote you compare meets it — straight from the official source.
What District of Columbia requires
Official source: DC DMV – Vehicle Insurance. Checked October 28, 2026.
How District of Columbia compares
11 states require more bodily injury coverage per person than District of Columbia, and 3 require less. See all states.
How to compare car insurance quotes
- Decide your limits before you shop. The state minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If you cause a crash, you are personally responsible for damages above your limits. Pick the same liability limits (for example 100/300/100), deductibles and optional coverages for every quote so you compare like with like.
- Get at least three quotes. Ask direct-selling insurers, a captive agent and an independent agent or broker. Prices for the same driver and car can differ a lot between companies, because each insurer uses its own rating rules.
- Give the same, accurate information. Use the same garaging ZIP code, annual mileage, drivers, violations and vehicle details (VIN) for each quote. A quote based on wrong information can change after the insurer checks your records.
- Compare the coverage, not just the price. Check liability limits, uninsured/underinsured motorist limits, deductibles, rental and towing, and whether the policy pays original-manufacturer parts. A cheaper quote with lower limits is not the same product.
- Ask about discounts. Common discounts include bundling home and auto, multi-car, good driver, good student, defensive-driving courses, paying in full and automatic payments. Telematics (usage-based) programs track how you drive — read what data is collected before enrolling.
- Check the company and the agent. Confirm the insurer and agent are licensed with your state insurance department, and look up the company’s complaint record with the NAIC Consumer Insurance Search before you buy.
- Do not let coverage lapse. Start the new policy before you cancel the old one. A gap in coverage can mean fines, registration suspension and higher prices later.
Research an insurer’s complaint history: NAIC – How to file and research complaints against insurance carriers. We do not rank insurers or show quotes.
Questions & answers
What is the minimum car insurance in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia requires at least $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 of property damage liability (25/50/10). Uninsured motorist bodily injury: Required: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident. Uninsured motorist property damage: Required: $5,000 (subject to a $200 deductible).
Is District of Columbia a no-fault state?
No. District of Columbia is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver who causes a crash, and their liability insurer, pay for the other side’s injuries and damage.
Is the District of Columbia minimum enough?
The minimum keeps you legal, but if damages exceed your limits you can be personally sued for the difference. Drivers with savings or a home often choose higher limits, such as 100/300/100, plus uninsured motorist coverage.
Where can I verify District of Columbia’s requirements?
On the official source linked on this page: DC DMV – Vehicle Insurance. We checked them on October 28, 2026.