Commercial Auto Insurance Minimum Requirements in Washington DC

Determine the Required Amount of Coverage

When you are shopping for insurance, you will need to know the following:

• Who owns the vehicle(s)

• Weight of the vehicle(s)

• Usage of the vehicle(s)

• Legal requirements

If you register your vehicle in DC, you must cover it against the damage you cause (liability) and damage you incur if you are hit by an uninsured motorist with these amounts:

• Liability:

• $25,000 per person for injury

• $50,000 per accident for injury

• $10,000 per accident for property damage

• Uninsured Motorist:

• $25,000 per person for injury

• $50,000 per accident for injury

• $5,000 per accident for property damage, subject to $200 deductible

If you want more coverage than this, contact the DC DMV for more information about commercial coverage requirements.

Purchase a Commercial Policy

Check with your personal insurance company to see whether it offers commercial insurance. Some companies specialize in commercial insurance, so shop around to get the coverage and price you want.

Electronic Reporting

Insurance companies do not automatically report to the DC DMV when you purchase a policy. They are, however, required to report to the DC DMV, within 30 days of an insurance policy's expiration or termination. If the policy covers more than one vehicle, the company reports all vehicles.

Proof of Insurance and Financial Responsibility

If a police officer stops you in DC, you must show proof of insurance, even if your vehicle is registered in another state.

Your insurance company will likely issue you a card with the name of the insurance company, the policy number, your name (or the name of the insured), and dates covered by the policy.

Penalties for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility

If a police officer catches you with no proof of insurance, he can issue you a citation with a $30 fine.

If you experience a lapse in coverage, you'll have to pay a $150 fine for the first 30 days you have no coverage, and then an extra $7 for every day after that until you have coverage.

NOTE: The owner of the registered vehicle receives the fines.

If you have questions about the penalties for failure to maintain financial responsibility, please contact the DC DMV.