Car Insurance In Washington DC
There are many places in the United States that were built to be visited, Washington DC being one of them. With tons of museums, historic houses, famous buildings, and government-related environments, individuals come from around the United States, and even from around the world, to visit many of these exciting locations. As a result, there are many visitors that fluctuate in and out of Washington DC, causing a drastic influx of motor vehicles. Although this has been very helpful for the economy of this location, it has not helped with the number of traffic accidents or with the level of automobile insurance. There are a couple of things that you need to know about car insurance in Washington DC, before you think about driving through there with your own car or owning a car in that city.
Car Insurance in Washington DC: Legislation
Washington DC has tried to cover every step of their tracks as well as they can with motor vehicle laws. First of all, they have a no-fault policy, attempting to decrease the number of accidents that are brought to court on a regular basis. This policy requires that each driver’s insurance covers the cost of the accident for themselves and leaves the other driver’s insurance to cover their half of the accident. This policy works for a large number of accidents, but for many of them, the cost or extent of the accident is too great and the drivers are forced to move on to the next policy they are required to maintain.
Motorists in Washington DC are also required to carry liability insurance, with coverage of 25/50/10. These numbers stand for the amount of money that the insurance company will pay out to the driver of the other vehicle in the case of an accident. The insurance company will pay up to $25,000 for a single driver in the other vehicle, to $50,000 for a group of people in the other vehicle. The 10 is for the $10,000 that will be paid out for property damage, whether it be government property or the other person’s vehicle.
Finally, because there are so many out-of-state drivers in Washington DC and because there are so many individuals who refuse to follow the law and get insurance, car insurance in Washington DC, also requires an Uninsured/Underinsured protection plan in the amounts of 25/50/5. This coverage is for you when you are not at fault for an accident. Again, the company will pay up to $25,000 if you are the single occupant of the vehicle, or up to $50,000 if there are two or more individuals in your vehicle. Also, they will pay up to $5,000 in property damage. This coverage is also helpful in the event of a hit-and-run.
Car Insurance in Washington DC: Price Changes
Although Washington DC requires a variety of policies to make sure that you are covered in case of an accident, the costs of insurance premiums place Washington DC as the fifth highest in the country on average. The nation as a whole has an average of $1800 in insurance premiums, with Washington DC at an average of $2600. This is a huge difference, and many people try to evade these costs. If you live in the District of Columbia, though, don’t try to skip out on these costs. If a police officer pulls you over and asks to see paperwork on your insurance, whether you are a resident of Washington DC or from out of state, make sure that you have the necessary paperwork. You can get charged a large fine for not showing the necessary paperwork, and if your insurance is out of date, the government of Washington DC can continue to fine you until you purchase the insurance necessary. Make sure that you are following the law and getting the coverage necessary to cover you in case of an accident. To get your free quote for car insurance in Washington DC, please enter your zip code at the top of the page.