Washington, D.C. Car Insurance

Good2Go Auto Insurance^® wants you to get cheap car insurance coverage in Washington, D.C., so that you can get on the road for less. But it’s important you know D.C.’s car insurance laws on minimum limits plans so you can make sure you’re meeting the minimum legal requirements.

Washington, D.C. Car Insurance Laws

According to the District of Columbia’s Department of Motor Vehicles, anyone with a registered vehicle must have valid proof of insurance. The District of Columbia’s Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act requires that every person applying for registration or a reciprocity sticker in D.C. has valid D.C. auto insurance. Vehicle registrations are for D.C. residents while reciprocity stickers are typically for temporary and part-time residents of D.C..

Like most states, D.C. requires drivers to have a minimum level of auto insurance limits for bodily injury and property damage in the following amounts:

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident
• $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person in an accident
• $10,000 for damage to the property of another person

DC also requires drivers to have a minimum level of uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage helps you when you are involved in an accident where the other driver is at-fault and they don’t have auto insurance. The law requires a minimum level of uninsured motorist coverage in the following amounts:

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident
• $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person in an accident
• $5,000 for damage to the property of another person

Washington, DC Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance

In the District of Columbia, the penalties for driving without car insurance are:

• Suspension of registration tags and reciprocity sticker
• Fine of $150 for first 30 days, and $7 for each additional uninsured day, up to $2,500
• Fine of $30 if you cannot produce proof of insurance if pulled over by a police officer

Washington, DC DUI/DWI Laws and Penalties

A DUI in Washington, D.C. is a serious offense that can lead to hefty fines, license suspension, and jail time. The legal limit of alcohol in D.C. is a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of 0.08 and 0.04 for commercial drivers. However, D.C. has a zero tolerance law for those under the age of 21 that get behind the wheel while drunk. D.C. also has an implied consent law, which means that refusal to submit to a chemical test will lead to a fine and an automatic one year license suspension.

If you are caught driving over the legal drinking limits, DUI penalties could include:

• First offense:
  • 6 month driver’s license suspension
  • Up to $1,000 in fines
  • Up to 90 days in jail
• Second offense:
  • One year driver’s license suspension
  • Up to $5,000 in fines
  • Up to one year in jail
• Third offense:
  • 2 year driver’s license revocation
  • Up to $10,000 in fines
  • Up to one year in jail

For more information on D.C.’s DUI/DWI penalties, visit the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department.

Washington, D.C. Cell Phone Driving Laws and Texting While Driving Laws

In Washington, D.C., all drivers are prohibited from using handheld cell phones while driving. Under the law, motorists can still use a hands-free device to talk on their cell phone while driving, except for bus drivers and novice drivers. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, starting October 2013, all cell phone laws will be primary enforcement, meaning an officer may cite you for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.

Texting while driving in D.C. is also prohibited for all drivers. The penalties for texting or sending an email on a cell phone are:

• Fine for the first offense, which can be suspended if you submit proof that you have acquired a hands-free device
• $100 fine for subsequent offenses
• One point on your driving record for each offense

Washington, D.C. SR-22 Insurance Documents

In Washington, D.C., certain drivers must file an SR-22 insurance document to stay on the road. This document is proof of the driver’s financial responsibility, stating that his/her auto insurance liability is active. You must file a SR-22 insurance document in the following cases:

• If you are involved in an accident in the past, but did not pay the requisite compensation
• If you are involved in an accident in the past and had an unsatisfactory judgment entered against you as a result
• If your driver’s license has been revoked
• In the case of mandatory insurance supervisions
• If you received more than three convictions for mandatory insurance violations
• If you have an accumulation of violations such as reckless driving, a DUI or DWI offence, and refusing testing

Fortunately, Good2Go provides electronic filing of SR-22 insurance documents to the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicle Division to help get you driving back on the road legally more quickly.

Cheap Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.

If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C. then Good2Go Auto Insurance may be able to help. We help you find low down payments and easy monthly payment options to get you on the road for less.¹

Start Your Free Washington D.C. Quote Online. You’ll be happy you did!

¹Consult with an attorney to see if it is illegal to drive without insurance in your state. Quote times on partner sites may vary.  Prices vary based on the state where you reside, the coverage limits you purchase, and other underwriting factors.

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