Insurance Requirements for Car Registration in Washington DC

All drivers in Washington state are required to have liability insurance or "financial liability" for their vehicles in order to legally operate a vehicle and maintain vehicle registration. This applies to all vehicles except:

• Motorcycles

• Motorbikes

• Mopeds

• Horseless carriages over 40 years old

• State or public transport

The minimum financial liability requirements for Washington state drivers are as follows:

• Minimum $25,000 per person for personal injury or death. This means you need to have at least $50,000 with you to cover the fewest possible number of people involved in an accident (two drivers).

• $10,000 minimum for property damage liability

This means that the total minimum amount of financial liability you will require is $60,000 to cover bodily injury or death, as well as liability for property damage.

In addition, all insurance companies are required to offer personal injury insurance in their minimum insurance policies, which helps pay for the medical expenses, loss of income, or funeral expenses you may face after a car accident, no matter who is at fault. Washington residents can opt out of this coverage in writing.

Washington Auto Insurance Plan

Washington State insurance companies may legally deny coverage to drivers who are considered high-risk due to their driving history. To ensure that all drivers have legally required liability insurance, Washington maintains the Washington Auto Insurance Plan. Under this plan, any driver can apply for insurance with an authorized insurance company in the state.

proof of insurance

You must have an insurance document in your vehicle while driving because you must present it at the time of a traffic stop or at the scene of an accident. An insurance card issued by your insurance company is considered acceptable proof of insurance if it includes:

• Insurance company name

• Policy number

• Validity and expiry dates of the insurance policy

• Year, make and model of the vehicle covered by the policy

Penalties for Violation

There are several types of fines Washington DC drivers may face if they are found guilty of an insurance violation.

• If you fail to provide proof of insurance at a stop or in an accident, you may be issued a fine. Even if you later submit evidence of insurance coverage to the court, you will still have to pay a $25 processing fee to the court.

• If you are caught driving in Washington without insurance, you face a minimum fine of $450.

• If your driver's license has been suspended or you have been found at fault in an accident, you may be required to file an SR-22 Proof of Financial Responsibility, which guarantees that you will have the legally required insurance coverage for three years. This document is usually required only for drivers who have been convicted of drunk driving or another charge of reckless driving, or for those who have been convicted of motor vehicle-related felonies.

For more information or to renew your registration online, contact the Washington State Licensing Department through their website.