District of Columbia Auto Coverage Requirements
This chapter covers the coverage rules a DC producer must know to place personal auto correctly: the compulsory liability limits, mandatory uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and the District's distinctive optional no-fault (PIP) election.
Compulsory Liability and UM/UIM
The District of Columbia requires minimum auto liability of $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 property damage (25/50/10), verified this session via a state auto-insurance requirements source. The District also requires uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, generally $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury plus uninsured-motorist property damage (subject to a small deductible), and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at 25/50 bodily injury. These are minimums that can change by law; verify the current figures and the UM property-damage deductible with DISB.
The District's Optional No-Fault (PIP) Election
The District is neither a pure tort state nor a pure no-fault state. It uses an optional no-fault framework: personal injury protection (PIP) is offered, and a policyholder who carries PIP has a limited window after an accident, generally 60 days per the Insurance Information Institute, to elect either to receive PIP first-party benefits or to pursue a tort claim against the at-fault driver. This 60-day election is a hallmark DC exam point. Because the details and dollar amounts are set by District law and can change, confirm the current PIP rules and election period with DISB.