IF
InsuranceFiling
← Insurance laws by state

Washington D.C. insurance laws

Insurance regulations, rate filing requirements, department info, and recent bulletins for Washington D.C.. Updated Apr 9, 2026.

2 new regulatory updates detected

Washington D.C. DOI page content changed

Washington D.C. DOI Website · Apr 10, 2026

Washington D.C. DOI page content changed

Washington D.C. DOI Website · Apr 7, 2026

Department of Insurance

DepartmentDepartment of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB)
CommissionerKarima M. Woods
Rate Filing SystemPrior Approval, File & Use
Regulatory CodeD.C. Code § 31-1403
Overview

The District of Columbia's insurance regulatory environment is designed to protect consumers while ensuring fair and equitable access to insurance products. The DISB oversees the licensing of insurers and the approval of rates and forms to maintain a stable insurance market.

Auto Insurance

Min Pd$10,000
Pip Min$50,000 medical/rehabilitation, $12,000 wage loss, $4,000 funeral (optional)
StatuteD.C. Code §§ 31-2401 to 31-2413
Fault SystemNo-fault (choice system)
Min Bi Per Person$25,000
Uninsured Penalty$150 for 1-30 day lapse plus $7 per additional day; up to $2,500 fine for driving uninsured; registration and license suspension
Min Bi Per Accident$50,000
Sr22 Duration Years3
Noncompliance PenaltyInsurers face fines, license suspension, and potential cease and desist orders for unfair trade practices under D.C. Code § 31-2231.22; criminal penalties for knowingly transacting business without authorization
Rate Filing RequirementPrior approval with 90-day review period for private passenger auto and non-commercial motor vehicle insurance; insurers must provide 45-90 days notice of rate increases to policyholders
Avg Full Coverage Premium$2,868

Notable Laws

  • D.C. Code § 31-2406 - Mandatory UM coverage equal to or greater than minimum liability limits ($25,000/$50,000 BI, $5,000 PD with $200 deductible)
  • D.C. Code § 31-2404 - Optional PIP insurance with minimum packages of $50,000 medical and $12,000 wage loss
  • D.C. Code § 31-2409 - Consumer protection provisions prohibiting unfair cancellation practices
  • D.C. Code § 31-2403.01 - Mandatory disclosure of policy limits prior to filing suit
  • D.C. Code § 31-2411 - Three-year statute of limitations for PIP claims from date of last payment

Homeowners Insurance

StatuteD.C. Code §§ 31-2501 to 31-2520
Wind PoolNone
Fair Plan NameDistrict of Columbia Property Insurance Facility (DCPIF)
Noncompliance PenaltyCivil penalties up to $5,000 per violation; license suspension for material violations; Commissioner may order cease and desist; restitution to affected policyholders required
Rate Filing RequirementPrior approval with 90-day review period for homeowners insurance; Commissioner may determine if rates are excessive or unfairly discriminatory after notice and hearing

Notable Laws

  • D.C. Code § 31-2409 - Consumer protection provisions governing policy cancellation and nonrenewal with required notice periods
  • D.C. Municipal Regulations § 26-A5000 - Permissible reasons for non-renewal; limits refusal to renew based on claim frequency to 2+ claims
  • D.C. Law 25-123 - Motor Vehicle and Homeowner Insurance Prior Approval Rate Filing Act (effective Feb 15, 2024) changing rate system from file-and-use to prior approval
  • D.C. Law 24-194 - Credit for Reinsurance Amendment Act of 2022 establishing reinsurance credit standards
  • DISB Bulletin 24-IB-003-05/31 - Clarification of unfair trade practices for homeowners insurance including prohibition on labor depreciation in certain circumstances

Recent Bulletins

Updated Notification Regarding Coverage Requirement and Issuer Accommodation Notification

#26-IB-001-1/62026-02-11

Provides updated guidance to health insurers on coverage requirements and issuer accommodation notification procedures under federal and District law

View bulletin

Guidance to Insurers on Immunization Coverage

#25-IB-003-09/172025-09-17

Clarifies requirements for health insurers regarding immunization coverage under District law and federal preventive care mandates

View bulletin

Conversion to OPTins for Surplus Lines Premium Tax Filing System

#25-IB-002-09/042025-09-04Effective: 2026-01-01

Announces transition to OPTins electronic filing system for all surplus lines reports and payments; paper filings will no longer be accepted after January 1, 2026

View bulletin

Depreciation of Labor in Property Insurance Policies

#25-IB-001-08/122025-08-11

Addresses insurer practices regarding depreciation of labor costs in property insurance claims and clarifies unfair trade practice standards for homeowners insurance

View bulletin

Clarification of Unfair Trade Practices Regulations for Homeowners Insurance

#24-IB-003-05/312024-05-31

Provides guidance on unfair trade practices in homeowners insurance, including prohibited practices in claims handling and policy servicing

View bulletin

Recent Law Changes

Bill 25-6962024Health Insurance

Insurance Regulation Amendment Act of 2024

Prohibits medical malpractice and professional liability insurers from taking adverse actions against healthcare providers for providing reproductive health care or gender-affirming care; requires health plans to cover abortion services and voluntary sterilization (including vasectomy and up to two reversals) without deductibles, copayments, or cost-sharing

Health insurers and medical malpractice carriers must expand coverage and eliminate discriminatory practices affecting reproductive healthcare providers

Effective: 2025-03-21

Bill 25-1502024Auto and Homeowners Insurance

Motor Vehicle and Homeowner Insurance Prior Approval Rate Filing Amendment Act of 2023

Changes rate filing standard from file-and-use to prior approval with 90-day review period for private passenger auto and homeowner insurance; authorizes Commissioner to determine if rates are excessive or unfairly discriminatory; requires insurers to provide policyholders 45-90 days notice of rate increases before renewal

Auto and homeowners insurers must obtain prior approval for rate changes, increasing regulatory oversight and consumer notification requirements

Effective: 2024-02-15

Bill 25-1262024Life and Health Insurance

Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Amendment Act of 2023

Adds health maintenance organizations as member insurers; makes life insurers subject to assessments for long-term care insurance; modifies Board size; authorizes Association to file for actuarially justified rate increases; repeals HMO Act insolvency provision

Expands guaranty association protections to HMO policyholders and strengthens consumer safety net for insolvent insurers

Effective: 2024-02-15

Bill 24-1712022Health Insurance

Medically Necessary Foods Coverage Act of 2022

Requires health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary foods including low-protein modified food products and nutritional formulas when ordered by provider for inflammatory bowel disease, GERD, food allergies, inherited metabolic disorders, and other specified conditions; coverage must not be more restrictive than for other illnesses

Health insurers must cover medically necessary specialized foods and formulas, expanding benefits for patients with specific medical conditions

Effective: 2022-09-21

Bill 24-4412022Reinsurance

Credit for Reinsurance Amendment Act of 2022

Amends Law on Credit for Reinsurance Act of 1993 to allow insurers to receive credit for reinsurance ceded to assuming insurers meeting requirements for jurisdiction, capital, and surplus; grants Commissioner rulemaking authority to implement new standards

Insurers gain flexibility in reinsurance arrangements while maintaining financial solvency standards through updated credit requirements

Effective: 2022-12-13

Health Insurance

Sign up for full health insurance data

Sign up — it's free

Life Insurance

Sign up for full life insurance data

Sign up — it's free

Workers Compensation

Sign up for full workers compensation data

Sign up — it's free

Commercial Insurance

Sign up for full commercial insurance data

Sign up — it's free

Get full Washington D.C. insurance data

Health, life, workers comp, commercial lines, compliance penalties, rate filing requirements, and real-time DOI monitoring for all 51 jurisdictions.

Sign up — it's free