DC Auto Insurance Requirements

The District of Columbia, more commonly known to most as Washington D.C., has some of the strictest insurance regulations in the country. The policy regulations are not necessarily the strictest but the fact that the regulations apply to any person driving a vehicle in the District, not just its residents. So it is extremely important, even if you are only driving through or going there to visit, to know the insurance laws set by the District of Columbia.

Before you can register a vehicle in the District of Columbia, you must be able to provide the department of motor vehicles with proof of insurance coverage. If the insurance policy is cancelled during the time that the vehicle is registered the owner is required to surrender the tags. If the vehicles tags are not given back to the District, the owner of the vehicle could be subject to fines and penalties. The minimum liability insurance coverage for the District is $50,000 for uninsured motorist personal injury, $5,000 uninsured property damage, $50,000 total injuries, and $10,000 for property damage.  

THE COST OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH INSURANCE

    If you cannot show proof that insurance has been acquired after a 30 day lapse in coverage, you could be subject to a $150 ticket and if the lapse continues after 30 days, an additional $7 per day charge can be added up to $2,500. Though these consequences are a good deterrent for not having the minimum, they do not keep people from making the mistake of buying only the minimum insurance coverage. Insurance experts agree that coverage covering any less than $1 million will likely be insufficient so be sure to keep in mind that the state regulations are a required minimum not the recommended amount.