District of Columbia: car insurance by state
Minimum car insurance each state requires, whether the state is no-fault, and how shared fault affects an injury claim.
Under review| Minimum liability (bodily injury per person / per accident / property damage) | $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 |
|---|---|
| Other coverage you must carry | Uninsured motorist (bodily injury and property damage) |
| Fault system | At-fault (the driver who caused it pays) |
| Shared-fault rule | Contributory negligence: any fault (even 1%) can bar recovery |
| Shared-fault law | Common law; D.C. Code § 50-2204.52 |
Pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized road users are barred only if more than 50% at fault. Insurers must offer PIP, and an injured person can choose PIP benefits instead of suing.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in District of Columbia.
Also for District of Columbia: Small claims limits in District of Columbia · Claim deadlines in District of Columbia
How we checked this
Liability limits were compared across two independent 50-state tables built from state insurance department filings; they agreed for every state. The shared-fault rule comes from a law-firm survey updated June 2026, with 2026 changes in Louisiana and New York confirmed separately. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site From a statute-cited table one detailed source Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.