What Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements Apply in District of Columbia?

Current D.C. Code §31-2406 requires at least $10,000 property-damage and $25,000/$50,000 third-party bodily-injury liability. For vehicles registered or principally garaged in the District, it also requires $25,000/$50,000 uninsured-motorist bodily-injury and $5,000 uninsured-motorist property-damage coverage with a $200 deductible. Section 31-2403 requires coverage through registration or reciprocity and while a nonresident vehicle is in D.C., using an authorized policy or another Commissioner-approved method. D.C. Law 26-155 amendments to §31-2406 are listed as applicable October 1, 2027; these are the current provisions as of September 28, 2026.

What Is Commercial Auto Insurance?

Commercial auto suits businesses that use vehicles for work and need liability protection; damage to your own vehicles is a separate coverage choice. If employees drive personal or rented cars, check how those trips are handled. Read the national Commercial auto guide.

District of Columbia Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

Requirement	Details
Required period	Continuously during registration or reciprocity; nonresident vehicles while present in DC ^2,³
Liability minimum	$25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage ^3,¹
Uninsured-motorist bodily-injury coverage	$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident ^3,¹
Uninsured-motorist property-damage coverage	$5,000, subject to a $200 deductible ^3,¹

What to Watch for With Commercial Auto in District of Columbia

Keep Coverage Through The Registration Period
D.C. Code requires insurance continuously while a vehicle is registered or has a reciprocity sticker. Do not end the policy term before the District registration obligation ends. ²
Return Tags Before Cancelling
DC DMV instructs owners to return tags before cancelling insurance and warns that a lapse can result in a fine. Add tag return to the fleet disposition checklist. ¹
Confirm the Approved Method for Visiting Units
A nonresident vehicle must maintain §31-2406 insurance while present in D.C. Section 31-2403(c)(2) allows a valid policy issued by a D.C.-authorized insurer or another method approved by the Commissioner; ask whether the fleet’s existing policy qualifies rather than assuming a home-state insurance card is enough. ^2,³
Check Which Fleet Vehicles the 2027 Changes Reach
D.C. Law 26-155 §3 sets October 1, 2027 as the amendments’ applicability date. Separately, under new §31-2406(f-1)(6), an insurer within that subsection’s scope must include on the required form, at the first and each later insurance renewal after that date, waiver options for an insured who does not choose to maintain enhanced UIM and the option to add or reinstate enhanced or traditional UIM for an insured who previously waived it. Do not assume that every commercial fleet policy is within scope: §31-2402 excludes commercially registered vehicles from its defined “passenger vehicle,” while §31-2406(f-1)(3)(A) refers to any D.C.-registered or principally garaged motor vehicle. Ask the insurer how these provisions apply to each business vehicle and policy, then review the actual UIM offer, waiver, and terms. ^4,³

Providers With District of Columbia License Records

These providers publish a national listing for Commercial auto; the license records below name the licensed entities and roles. Some records rely on company-reported information rather than independent regulator verification. A national listing does not confirm the product is available in District of Columbia. Check the regulator’s license lookup and confirm state availability for your business when requesting a quote.

Corgi
Insurance producer · checked 2026-09-28
Corgi Insurance Services, Inc.
Corgi’s company producer-license table lists 50 jurisdictions: 49 states and the District of Columbia, including DC license 3003091619. New Mexico does not appear in the table and is not included here; the omission does not establish that Corgi is unlicensed there. The company-reported table has no stated as-of date and does not establish product availability. ¹⁵
Corgi links to trucking auto-liability coverage from its transportation menu.
TechInsurance
Insurance producer · checked 2026-09-28
Specialty Program Group LLC
TechInsurance’s current licensing page names Specialty Program Group LLC / SPG Insurance Solutions and lists state license numbers, but labels Rhode Island “Individual licenses” rather than identifying a license for the named agency. RI is omitted because this disclosure does not establish agency authority there; this is a search limitation, not an assertion that the company is unlicensed. The remaining state entries are company-reported and are not an insurance product availability map. ¹⁸
TechInsurance arranges commercial auto insurance for small businesses.

Who Regulates Insurance in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking

DISB licenses and supervises insurance companies and producers, enforces District insurance laws, and provides consumer complaint assistance. Its licensing search covers insurance entities and representatives; consumers can contact the agency’s complaints unit for help. ^6,^7,⁹

Website: Regulator website
License lookup: Search licensed producers
Complaints: File a complaint
Phone: (202) 727-8000

Surplus-Lines Tax and Stamping Office in District of Columbia

Reported tax rate. Generally 2% of gross premium, including qualifying placement fees ^8,^10,^11,^12,⁵

When the District is the insured’s home state, surplus-lines agents and brokers generally owe a 2% tax on gross premium, including necessary fees incidental to placement when separately itemized. An agent or broker procuring insurance on behalf of the District government is exempt for that government business; claiming the exemption requires identifying its allocation in the required affidavit and does not waive other statutory duties. Ask the broker which taxes and fees your agreement passes through to you. DISB generally requires a diligent effort to place risks with authorized insurers. For a purchaser meeting the federal exempt-commercial-purchaser definition, the broker may skip that search only after disclosing that insurance may or may not be available from the admitted market, which may provide greater protection with more regulatory oversight, followed by the purchaser’s written request for nonadmitted placement. This record does not state a District-specific guaranty-fund conclusion.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy Commercial Auto in District of Columbia

Will our policy keep each registered or reciprocity vehicle insured for the full registration period, including until tags are returned?
For each District-registered or principally garaged vehicle, do the declarations show the §31-2406 liability and uninsured-motorist amounts, including the $200 UM property-damage deductible?
For an out-of-state fleet unit in D.C., does its existing policy qualify as a policy issued by a D.C.-authorized insurer, or is another Commissioner-approved method needed?
For each D.C.-registered or principally garaged fleet vehicle, how will the insurer determine whether new §31-2406(f-1) applies, and what enhanced-UIM options will appear on the first and later renewal forms after October 1, 2027?

Commercial Auto Insurance in District of Columbia: FAQ

Can I cancel insurance before returning DC vehicle tags?

DC DMV says to return the tags before cancelling insurance; the District requires continuous coverage during registration or reciprocity. ^1,²

Do nonresident business vehicles need insurance in DC?

Yes. A nonresident vehicle must maintain the insurance required by §31-2406 while present in D.C. Section 31-2403(c)(2) allows a valid policy issued by a D.C.-authorized insurer or another method approved by the Commissioner; ask whether the vehicle’s existing policy qualifies. ^2,³

When do D.C.’s motor-insurance amendments apply, and what changes at renewal?

D.C. Law 26-155 became effective August 14, 2026; §3 makes its amendments applicable October 1, 2027. Separately, new §31-2406(f-1)(6) directs an insurer within that subsection’s scope to put specified enhanced-UIM waiver and add-or-reinstate options on the first and each subsequent renewal form after that date. The Act’s preamble refers to private-passenger requirements, §31-2402 excludes commercially registered vehicles from its defined “passenger vehicle,” and §31-2406(f-1)(3)(A) refers to any D.C.-registered or principally garaged motor vehicle. Ask the insurer how it applies these provisions to each fleet vehicle and policy; the statute does not establish your policy’s terms or coverage. ^4,³

Sources for Commercial Auto Insurance in District of Columbia

1
Vehicle Insurance. District of Columbia DMV; Insurance minimums, tag-return instruction and lapse fines. Accessed 2026-09-28.
2
D.C. Code §31-2403, Required insurance. Council of the District of Columbia; §31-2403(a)–(d), registered/nonresident scope and continuity. Accessed 2026-09-28.
3
D.C. Code §31-2406 — Availability of Required and Optional Insurance and Benefits. Council of the District of Columbia; Current text, subsections (b), (c), and (f)(2)–(3): property-damage/third-party liability and mandatory UM amounts/deductible; pending D.C. Law 26-155 changes listed applicable October 1, 2027. Accessed 2026-09-28.
4
D.C. Law 26-155, Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Amendment Act of 2026. Council of the District of Columbia; Preamble; §2(a)(2)–(6), including amendments to D.C. Code §31-2406(b), (c), (f), and new (f-1); §§3 and 5; effective and applicability dates. Accessed 2026-09-28.
5
D.C. Code §31–2502.40: License to procure policies from unauthorized companies. Council of the District of Columbia; Subsection (a): broker/agent tax and diligent effort; (c)(1)–(3): District-government procurement tax exemption, allocation statement and continuing duties. Accessed 2026-09-28.
6
Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. District of Columbia DISB; Official insurance regulator homepage. Accessed 2026-09-28.
7
Verify a Financial Institution or Representative Licensed with DISB. District of Columbia DISB; Official license verification for companies and representatives. Accessed 2026-09-28.
8
Surplus Line Information. District of Columbia DISB; Current 2% tax base including incidental placement fees; fees must be necessary and separately itemized; diligent-effort rule. Accessed 2026-09-28.
9
File a Complaint or Report Fraud. District of Columbia DISB; Official insurance complaint information and filing form. Accessed 2026-09-28.
10
15 U.S.C. §8201: Reporting, payment, and allocation of premium taxes. U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Law Revision Counsel; §8201(a): exclusive insured home-State authority to require nonadmitted premium tax; (c): separate allocation reporting. Accessed 2026-09-28.
11
15 U.S.C. § 8205: Streamlined application for commercial purchasers. U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Law Revision Counsel; §8205(1)-(2): admitted-market disclosure about possible availability, greater protection and oversight followed by the qualified purchaser’s written request; eligibility separately defined in §8206(5). Accessed 2026-09-28.
12
15 U.S.C. §8206: Definitions. U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Law Revision Counsel; §8206(5) exempt-commercial-purchaser criteria; (6) home State and affiliated-insured rules; (13) qualified risk manager. Accessed 2026-09-28.
13
Licenses. At-Bay; Current producer introduction and state table; At-Bay Insurance Services LLC; P&C and surplus-lines identifiers. Accessed 2026-09-21.
14
Licenses and Carriers. Coalition; Licenses and Carriers, re-read 22 September 2026: Insurance Licenses table for Coalition Insurance Solutions, Inc., national producer number 18419475, with producer and surplus-lines numbers for all 50 states and DC including California 0L76155, Georgia 196479, Texas 2199630 and 2205589, Pennsylvania 815731 and 817452, Colorado 539028 and Wisconsin 3000108852. Insurance Carriers table naming, with NAIC numbers, Allianz Underwriters Insurance Company 36420, Arch Specialty Insurance Company 21199, Ascot Specialty Insurance Company 45055, Ascot Insurance Company 23752, Aspen Specialty Insurance Company 10717, Chaucer Insurance Company DAC, Coalition Insurance Company 29530, Fireman's Fund Indemnity Corporation 11380, Fortegra Specialty Insurance Company 16823, Lloyd's of London, MSIG Specialty Insurance USA Inc. 34886, MS Transverse Specialty Insurance Company 41807, Steadfast Insurance Company 26387, Vantage Risk Specialty Insurance Company 16275 and Zurich American Insurance Company 16535. Accessed 2026-09-22.
15
Insurance Producer Licenses. Corgi Insurance; Current complete Insurance Producer Licenses table for Corgi Insurance Services, Inc.; 50 rows covering 49 states and DC (DC 3003091619); no New Mexico row; no NPN or as-of date shown. Accessed 2026-09-28.
16
About Hiscox US Insurance. Hiscox; Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. NAIC 10200 as Chicago, IL domiciled insurer admitted or licensed in all 50 states and D.C.; Hiscox Inc. as general agent and Lloyd’s coverholder for Syndicates 33 and 3624; surplus-lines placements through licensed surplus-lines brokers; A.M. Best rating statement. Accessed 2026-09-16.
17
Licenses. ERGO NEXT Insurance; Current entity-by-state license table reopened 28 September 2026: 50 rows under Next First Insurance Agency, Inc., including Washington, DC; New York rows instead list Next Insurance Services PC-1423070 and AP Intego BR-1198885. Accessed 2026-09-28.
18
Insurance Licenses by State. TechInsurance; Current state table; identifies TechInsurance as a division of Specialty Program Group LLC d/b/a SPG Insurance Solutions; lists DC 3000041536 and labels Rhode Island “Individual licenses,” without an agency license number. Accessed 2026-09-28.
19
Licenses. Vouch; Effective 16 January 2025: Vouch Specialty Insurance Services, LLC, NPN 19926463; P&C table (50 states and DC); surplus-lines table includes Idaho 870820; footnote says Georgia and Idaho do not issue agency-level surplus-lines licenses; Idaho retained as producer-only due to conflict. Accessed 2026-09-15.

What Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements Apply in District of Columbia?

What Is Commercial Auto Insurance?

District of Columbia Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

What to Watch for With Commercial Auto in District of Columbia

Keep Coverage Through The Registration Period

Return Tags Before Cancelling

Confirm the Approved Method for Visiting Units

Check Which Fleet Vehicles the 2027 Changes Reach

Providers With District of Columbia License Records

Corgi

TechInsurance