State
District of Columbia car insurance requirements and laws
D.C. requires 25/50/10 liability plus uninsured motorist coverage; a 2026 law raises minimums to 50/100/20 on October 1, 2027. Contributory negligence applies.
Minimum coverage
| Liability limits | 25/50/10 |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury, per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury, per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage | $10,000 |
| Other required coverage | Uninsured motorist 25/50 bodily injury and $5,000 property damage ($200 deductible); rising to 50/100 and $20,000 on 2027-10-01 |
Rules
| Fault system | At-fault — PIP is optional; if you buy it, you have 60 days after a crash to choose PIP benefits (which limits suing) or a liability claim |
|---|---|
| PIP required | No — insurers must offer optional PIP; you choose whether to buy it (D.C. Code § 31-2404) |
| Uninsured motorist required | Yes — 25/50 bodily injury and $5,000 property damage now; 50/100 and $20,000 for policies from October 1, 2027 (D.C. Code § 31-2406) |
| UM property damage | Required — $5,000 with a $200 deductible (rising to $20,000 on October 1, 2027) |
| Negligence rule | Contributory negligence — a driver even slightly at fault can be barred from recovering; pedestrians and cyclists have a statutory exception |
| Digital proof of insurance | Yes — an electronic image of your insurance card on a phone is accepted (D.C. Code § 31-2413) |
| Penalty for driving uninsured | Civil fine of $500, a license suspension of up to 30 days, or both for a first offense, plus registration suspension |
| Time limit to sue | 3 years for personal injury and property damage (D.C. Code § 12-301) |
Costs and context
| Average cost | $1,677 average annual expenditure (NAIC, 2023 data) |
|---|---|
| Uninsured drivers | Nearly 1 in 4 drivers (23.1%, Insurance Research Council, 2023) |
Regulator
| Insurance regulator | District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) |
|---|---|
| Consumer hotline | 202-727-8000 |
| Website | disb.dc.gov |
| Address | 1050 First Street NE, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20002 |
Minimum car insurance requirements
The District's Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act requires every vehicle registered or principally garaged in D.C. to carry liability coverage of at least 25/50/10 plus uninsured motorist coverage (D.C. Code § 31-2406). Compare with other states using the state car insurance requirements lookup.
| Coverage | Now | From October 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability, per person | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Bodily injury liability, per accident | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury | 25/50 | 50/100 |
| Uninsured motorist property damage | $5,000 ($200 deductible) | $20,000 |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Must be offered; optional | Must be offered; optional |
A major change is coming. The Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Amendment Act of 2026 (D.C. Law 26-155) took effect on August 14, 2026, and its new requirements apply as of October 1, 2027. Besides doubling the liability and uninsured motorist minimums shown above, it makes "enhanced" underinsured motorist coverage part of every policy unless you waive it in writing. Enhanced UIM pays on top of the at-fault driver's liability limits instead of being reduced by them. The law also makes a renter's own auto insurance primary for rental cars, and from January 1, 2037 it raises the minimums again every 10 years ($5,000 per person, $10,000 per accident and $2,000 property damage each time).
What the current minimums mean in practice. If you cause a crash and the other driver has $40,000 in medical bills, a 25/50/10 policy pays $25,000, and the remaining $15,000 can be pursued from you. If you damage a $30,000 car, your $10,000 property damage limit leaves you exposed for the rest. how much liability coverage do you need? and the How much car insurance do I need? can help you choose higher limits now rather than waiting for 2027.
Fault system and what it means after a crash
D.C. law is a hybrid. Liability insurance is mandatory and claims ordinarily run against the at-fault driver, as in an at-fault state. Insurers must also offer optional PIP, which pays medical and rehabilitation costs, lost wages and funeral benefits regardless of fault (§ 31-2404). If you have PIP, you get 60 days after a crash to choose (§ 31-2405):
- Elect PIP benefits. You are paid quickly by your own insurer, but you can sue the other driver only for serious injuries, such as substantial permanent scarring or impairment, or an injury that keeps you from your usual activities for more than 180 days, or if your expenses exceed your PIP benefits.
- Do not elect PIP. Your claim proceeds against the at-fault driver's liability coverage. If you make no election within 60 days, this is what happens.
This hybrid is sometimes called a choice no-fault system; see no-fault vs at-fault states and tort threshold.
D.C. is one of the few U.S. jurisdictions that still applies contributory negligence. If a driver is found even slightly at fault, they can be barred from recovering from the other driver. Since 2016, the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act has carved out pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized road users, who can recover unless their own negligence exceeds the combined negligence of the drivers involved. See comparative vs contributory negligence.
Lawsuits for injury or property damage generally must be filed within three years (§ 12-301). See statutes of limitations for car accident claims.
Optional coverage worth considering here
- PIP. Because contributory negligence can bar a partly at-fault driver from recovering, PIP's no-fault benefits are especially valuable in D.C. See Personal injury protection (PIP) explained.
- Underinsured motorist. Insurers must offer it now and will include enhanced UIM by default from October 2027. The Insurance Research Council estimates about 23.1% of D.C. drivers were uninsured in 2023, one of the highest rates in the country and up sharply since 2017. See uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage explained.
- Collision and comprehensive. Street parking means exposure to sideswipes, vandalism and theft (comprehensive coverage explained).
- Higher liability limits. Adopting the 2027 levels or more now protects you sooner.
What drives rates in the District of Columbia
The NAIC puts D.C.'s average annual expenditure at $1,677 in 2023, well above the national average of $1,282. The NAIC cautions that D.C. is entirely urban, so its results are not directly comparable to states with rural areas (What NAIC auto insurance data measures).
Dense traffic, frequent low-speed collisions, street parking, vehicle theft and break-ins, high repair and medical costs, and one of the country's highest uninsured-driver rates all push costs up. The 2027 minimum-limit increase will raise prices for drivers now carrying only the minimum.
Penalties for driving uninsured
Operating an uninsured vehicle in D.C. brings a civil fine of $500, a driver's license suspension of up to 30 days, or both for a first offense. Later offenses carry a fine 50% higher and a suspension of up to 60 days (§ 31-2413). The DMV can also suspend the vehicle's registration when coverage lapses. Failing to show an insurance card on request creates a presumption that you were uninsured. See penalties for driving without insurance.
SR-22 and high-risk drivers
The D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles can require proof of future financial responsibility, usually an SR-22 filed by your insurer, after serious violations or an uninsured crash. DMV sets the filing period. SR-22 insurance explained covers how it works. Drivers who cannot find coverage in the regular market can apply to the District's assigned risk plan, which all insurers selling auto coverage in D.C. must join (§ 31-2406; see assigned risk plans: insurance of last resort).
Insurers with a strong presence in the District of Columbia
GEICO was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1936 and remains a major local presence. State Farm, Erie Insurance, Progressive and Allstate also write widely, and USAA serves the area's large military and federal workforce. See how to choose a car insurance company.
Where to get help
The Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) regulates insurers and investigates complaints. Call 202-727-8000 (weekdays 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.), email [email protected], or file a complaint online at disb.dc.gov. DISB is at 1050 First Street NE, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20002. how to file a complaint against a car insurance company explains what to include. Registration and suspension issues go to the D.C. DMV; for injury claims, especially where contributory negligence is disputed, consult a licensed D.C. attorney.
Sources
- code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/31-2406
- code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/laws/26-155
- code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/31-2404
- code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/31-2405
- code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/31-2413
- disb.dc.gov/
- iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
- insurance-research.org/news-releases/2025-02
- content.naic.org/article/naic-releases-20222023-auto-insurance-database-report
- insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/agencyhearings/NAIC%202023%20Auto%20Insurance%…
Requirements were checked against these sources on the review date below. Laws change - confirm with the state insurance regulator or motor vehicle agency.
Profile last reviewed October 4, 2026