Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in Washington, D.C.

Drivers with multiple tickets, at-fault accidents or a DUI may have difficulty finding affordable rates for car insurance due to being viewed as high-risk drivers. In addition, reckless or high-risk driving in Washington, D.C. could lead to your license being suspended, restricted or revoked. Washington, D.C. high-risk auto insurance is an alternative coverage option when traditional vehicle insurance is no longer available or affordable.

High-risk car insurance rates in Washington, D.C.

The cost of your Washington, D.C. vehicle insurance depends on your driving record, vehicle and level of coverage, among other things. Washington, D.C. high-risk auto insurance is generally more expensive than traditional coverage. Each insurance carrier has its own threshold of risk when pricing your vehicle insurance. One company may provide affordable insurance for a driver with speeding tickets but could increase premiums after an accident or claim.

Car insurance rates after a speeding ticket

Speeding tickets could increase your car insurance rates slightly or significantly, depending on the insurer. There is no formula to determine which insurance company will be cheaper after a speeding ticket. However, Bankrate’s analysis found USAA, Erie and Geico to be the most affordable carriers with a speeding ticket, on average.

One way to potentially avoid an increase in your insurance rates after a speeding ticket is completing an approved traffic school course. The eight-hour course can be completed online or in person.

Rates after an accident

In Washington, D.C., being held responsible for a car accident will typically increase your premiums more than a speeding ticket. However, high-risk auto insurance rates in Washington, D.C. vary from one insurance company to the next.

USAA car insurance may start out as the cheapest coverage for safe drivers, but a single accident could increase your premiums by an average of 54%. Additionally, USAA is only available to military and qualifying family members. Meanwhile, Erie’s rates increase an average of 7% after an accident. Finally, Geico rates increase 32%, on average, after an accident.

Rates after a DUI

Driving under the influence may be the most dangerous risk a driver could take both financially and safety-wise.

Here’s how getting a DUI can impact auto insurance rates.

Drivers convicted of a DUI in Washington, D.C. will also need to ask their insurance company to file a certificate of financial responsibility
(SR-22) with the DMV to drive legally.

Car insurance rates for teen drivers

Car insurance premiums for parents who add their teen drivers to their policies in Washington, D.C. are higher than average.

*16-year-old on their parent’s policy

Getting quotes from multiple carriers is the best way to find the most affordable car insurance.

Who is a high-risk driver?

Insurance companies consider drivers with a DUI conviction or with more than one accident or moving violation to be high-risk drivers. Young drivers, like teens, are also generally considered high-risk due to their inexperience.

In Washington, D.C., your license may be suspended or revoked after accumulating 10 to 11 points. The number of points assessed on your license after an accident, ticket or DUI conviction will depend on the specifics of the situation. For example, speeding tickets can qualify for three or four points, depending on how fast you were going.

How to lower your rate if you’re a high-risk driver

High-risk drivers may have more limited carrier options and higher premiums than drivers with clean driving records. However, there may be ways to lower your premium:

• Compare multiple carriers to find the cheapest coverage based on your current needs. Every company has its own rating algorithm, so the same coverage will likely be different prices with different companies.
• Apply as many discounts as possible. Some examples are multi-car and multi-line discounts, as well as discounts for low-mileage drivers and student drivers.
• Increase your deductibles to the highest amount you can afford. Your deductibles are the amounts you will pay out of pocket if you file a claim for damage to your vehicle. Full coverage policies have two deductibles: one each for comprehensive and collision. Increasing your deductible generally decreases your premium, but you will have to pay more if you file a claim.

Saving as little as 5 to 10% on your car insurance could translate to hundreds of dollars over time.

Frequently asked questions

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that confirms you have the minimum amount of car insurance required to drive. It’s a form filed by your insurance company with the DMV on your behalf. SR-22 forms are required after serious violations like DUIs and are generally needed to reinstate your license after a suspension.

Do I need extra auto insurance if I’m a high-risk driver?

All Washington, D.C. drivers are required to have liability insurance with minimums of $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident and $10,000 in property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is also required.

How many points do I get in Washington, D.C. if I cause an accident?

The number of points that will be assessed on your license after an accident will depend on the circumstances. A citation for following too closely may result in just two points, but causing an accident when you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol could mean that 12 or more points are added to your license, especially if someone was hurt or killed.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

High-risk drivers

Incident: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.