District of Columbia Personal Lines Law & Coverage Rules
This chapter covers the District of Columbia-specific personal lines rules that sit on top of the shared national property & casualty fundamentals: who regulates insurance in DC, the minimum auto liability limits, the mandatory uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, the District's add-on PIP system, and the notice rules governing cancellation and nonrenewal. Figures below were checked against DC's Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking this session; always confirm current numbers before advising a client.
The DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB)
Insurance in the District of Columbia is regulated by the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB), led by an appointed Commissioner. DISB licenses producers and companies, reviews policy forms and rates, investigates complaints, and enforces the DC insurance code. Although DC is a federal district, it supervises its own market — there is no federal insurance department. Official site: https://disb.dc.gov.
Minimum Auto Liability Limits (25/50/10) and UM/UIM
To satisfy DC's financial-responsibility law, a personal auto policy must carry at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 property damage (written 25/50/10). DC also requires uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage of 25/50, uninsured motorist property damage of $5,000 (subject to a deductible), and underinsured motorist coverage at the same bodily-injury limits. These are minimums — producers should offer higher limits. Verify current figures with DISB.
Add-On PIP (No-Fault) System
The District of Columbia is not a pure no-fault jurisdiction. It uses an 'add-on' approach: insurers must make Personal Injury Protection (PIP) available, but PIP does not eliminate the right to sue. After an accident, an injured insured generally elects between collecting PIP benefits and pursuing a tort claim against the at-fault driver. Because this election and its deadlines are distinctive, confirm current DC PIP rules with DISB rather than assuming standard no-fault mechanics.
Cancellation and Nonrenewal
DC law limits the reasons an insurer may cancel a personal auto or homeowners policy mid-term (for example nonpayment or material misrepresentation) and requires advance written notice of cancellation or nonrenewal. The exact number of days depends on the reason and line — verify current DC notice periods with the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking rather than memorizing a single number.