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The 1978 Diplomatic Relations Act and the Foreign Missions Act require that all Motor Vehicles owned and operated in a U.S. Jurisdiction by a member of the Foreign Mission Community carry liability insurance coverage at all times. It is the responsibility of all Foreign Missions to provide OFM with written proof of continuous insurance coverage.
Note: The Secretary of State is authorized by the Act to impose a surcharge or fee on a Foreign Mission if an uninsured motorist of the Foreign Mission is at fault for personal injury, death or property damage and has not satisfied a court rendered judgment. The Secretary has delegated to OFM the authority to impose such surcharges or fees on the Foreign Mission employing the uninsured motorist.
Proof of Insurance
Proof of insurance is required when applying to register a Motor Vehicle. Thereafter, proof of insurance is required on the semi-annual or annual renewal of the insurance policy.
Minimum Required Liability Coverage
Members of the Foreign Mission Community applying to register a Motor Vehicle must submit proof of liability insurance in the amounts set forth below and in the following form:
1. A copy of an insurance company’s binder, valid for at least 30 days from the date of application
2. A certificate of insurance (issued by a licensed agent/broker)
3. The policy declaration page.
Note: There are no insurance requirements for trailers, which are covered by the insurance policy of the towing vehicle.
Required Content:
The proof of insurance submitted must include the following:
1. Description of the Motor Vehicle (including make, model, year and vehicle identification number)
2. The effective dates of coverage
3. Liability limits and levels of coverage
4. The name, address and telephone number of the broker or agent
5. An endorsement showing the Department’s Office of Foreign Mission’s Diplomatic Motor Vehicle (DMV) program as an “additional insured” or “Party of Interest”
Note: OFM must be notified by the insured of any changes, updates, or cancellations to the insurance policy.
The insurance agent/broker should be informed of the requirement to carry third-party liability automobile insurance coverage at or above the Department of State’s mandatory minimum limits. Once registered, liability insurance must be maintained for the registered Motor Vehicle(s) at all times as set forth below. OFM must be notified every time there is a change, update, renewal or cancellation to the liability insurance policy. OFM conducts reviews and audits the Foreign Mission Community to ensure compliance. The minimum acceptable limits to liability coverage are as follows:
1. $300,000 combined single limit (CSL)
2. Split limits of $100,000 personal injury per person, $300,000 personal injury per accident and $100,000 property damage per accident. (Note: The required amount of property damage insurance if the Motor Vehicle is a motorcycle is $50,000).
All vehicle owners, both mission and personnel, must submit a valid and current insurance declaration page certifying third-party insurance coverage at the mandated levels listed above every six months to the address listed below:
Vehicle Insurance Coverage Limits Diplomatic Motor Vehicle Office 3507 International Place, NW Washington, DC 20008-3025 Phone: (202) 274-1217
EMAIL:
For compliance issues concerning insurance, please email:
Office of Foreign Missions
Chicago Regional Office
77 W. Jackson Blvd, Ste 2122
Chicago, IL 60604-1503
(312) 353-5762
Office of Foreign Missions
Houston Regional Office
8701 S, Gessner Suite 906
Houston, Texas 77074
(713) 272-2865
Office of Foreign Missions
Los Angeles Regional Office
10940 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 1425
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 235-6292
Office of Foreign Missions
Miami Regional Office
95 Merrick Way, Suite 505
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 442-4943
Office of Foreign Missions
New York Regional Office
866 UN Plaza Suite 265
New York, NY 10017-1811
(212) 826-4500
Office of Foreign Missions
San Francisco Regional Office
201 Mission St, Ste 2220
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-2910
Failure to provide OFM with the required proof of valid insurance will result in the non-renewal of a vehicle’s registration; this may lead to citations from law enforcement for expired registration.
Insurance Requirements for Rented Motor Vehicles by those with Liability Insurance Coverage
Members with Insurance Coverage: Members of the Foreign Mission Community who have registered Motor Vehicle(s) with OFM may already possess liability insurance coverage that would cover rental Motor Vehicle(s) through their existing policies. Members of the Foreign Mission Community should confirm that their insurance policy covers rented Motor Vehicle(s).
Members without Insurance Coverage: Members of the Foreign Mission Community who do not have Motor Vehicle(s) registered with OFM, and do not have the mandated minimum level of liability insurance coverage must obtain such minimum coverage prior to the operation of rental Motor Vehicle(s) in any U.S. Jurisdiction. This coverage may be obtained through the rental company.
Warning: Failure to comply with these requirements could lead the Department of State to take serious action against the privilege to operate Motor Vehicle(s) in the United States. Further, in any case involving an accident or injury, the Department of State intends to request an appropriate waiver of immunity if valid claims are not satisfied.
Requests for Driver History Record (DHR)
The insurance agent or broker may ask for a copy of the driving record of each person who will operate the Motor Vehicle. An DHR contains the following information:
1. The individual’s name
2. License number and date issued
3. Class of license and restrictions, if any
4. Class(es) of Motor Vehicles authorized
5. Status of the license
6. Previous U.S. License(s), if any
7. A list of moving violations, if any, to include violations recorded against a previous license issued by any U.S. Jurisdiction
8. Any suspension or withdrawal of the driving privilege
The insurance carrier or agent may obtain a copy of an individual’s Department of State DHR from OFM. A DHR request should be emailed to and include the following information:
1. Name
2. DOB (Date of Birth)
3. DOS (Department of State) Driver’s License Number
(a) In general. —
(1)(A) After consultation with insurers authorized to sell motor vehicle insurance in the District, the Commissioner shall from time to time approve, with any reasonable modifications, a reasonable plan or plans to assure the availability, to all owners of motor vehicles, of the insurance required to be maintained and of the insurance required to be offered by this chapter. The plan shall provide for suitable apportionment, by the manager or committee designated to operate the plan, among insurers of applicants for any of the insurance who are unable to obtain insurance reasonably through ordinary methods.
(B) When a plan has been approved by the Commissioner, all insurers authorized to sell motor vehicle insurance in the District shall subscribe thereto, cooperate therewith, and participate therein; provided, however, that no insurer shall be required to quote plan rates to applicants for voluntary insurance or to seek waivers from the plan before selling such voluntary insurance.
(C) Any applicant for a policy, any named beneficiary or insured under a policy issued pursuant to the plan, and any insurer may appeal to the Commissioner from any decision of the manager or committee designated to operate the plan.
(D) Each insurer selling motor vehicle insurance in the District shall be required to offer insurance which shall provide at least all minimum benefits required by this chapter with respect to: (i) property damage liability; (ii) third-party personal liability; and (iii) uninsured motorist protection. In addition, each insurer shall offer optional personal injury protection insurance required by § 31-2404 and underinsured motor vehicle coverage as required by this section. Taxicab insurers and self-insurers shall be exempt from the requirement to offer optional personal injury protection insurance. Taxicab insurers and self-insurers shall also be exempt from the requirements of § 31-2404 that they offer uninsured motorist protection and underinsured motor vehicle coverage.
(2) Each insurer selling motor vehicle insurance in the District shall make the insurance policy understandable to policyholders. Each insurance company shall provide to policy holders at least annually the following information:
(A) A listing of each type of coverage available; and
(B) An explanation of the mandatory insurance and required options created under this chapter.
(2A) For policies issued or reissued after January 1, 2007, insurers shall be required to provide at least 2 copies of an Insurance Identification Card to the policyholder of the vehicle registered in the District of Columbia. The Insurance Identification Card, or an electronic image of an Insurance Identification Card that can be displayed on a cellular telephone or other portable electronic device, must be carried in the insured motor vehicle for production upon demand. The insurer shall provide additional copies of the Insurance Identification card upon request of the insured.
(3) Repealed.
(4) Repealed.
(5) No insurer authorized to sell motor vehicle insurance in the District shall increase the rates charged an insured on account of an accident unless it is first determined that the accident was caused by the fault of the insured.
(b) Property damage insurance. — Property damage insurance shall provide that any liability to an insured to pay for property damage to any vehicle or other property not owned or controlled by the insured, in accordance with applicable law, shall be paid by the applicable insurer up to an amount requested by the named insured. The minimum amount of property damage liability insurance coverage that a named insured shall purchase is $10,000 for property damage in any 1 accident.
(c) Third-party personal liability. — Third-party personal liability coverage shall provide that any liability of an insured to pay for injury arising from an accident within or outside the District of Columbia, in accordance with applicable law, shall be paid by the insurer up to the amount established in the policy. The minimum amount of 3rd-party personal liability coverage that an insured shall purchase shall be $25,000 per person injured in any 1 accident and $50,000 for all persons injured in any 1 accident.
(c-1) Underinsured motor vehicle coverage. — Underinsured motor vehicle coverage is for the protection of an insured who is legally entitled to recover damages from the owner or operator of an underinsured motor vehicle. Each insurer shall offer, except for the operation of motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, optional underinsured motor vehicle coverage in amounts up to the amounts of the uninsured motorist coverage as requested by the insured. Once an insured has rejected this underinsured motor vehicle coverage the insurer does not have to reoffer it. The insurer shall not be required to obtain or maintain written rejections of the underinsured motor vehicle coverage. The benefits provided by the underinsured motor vehicle coverage shall be subject to the same provisions as denials or exclusions of coverages, insolvency, subrogation, and set-off as provided in the uninsured motorist coverage. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the inclusion of underinsured motor vehicle coverage in any uninsured motor vehicle coverage provided in compliance with this chapter. Insurance that includes underinsured motor vehicle coverage may include terms and conditions that preclude stacking of underinsured motor vehicle coverage.
(d) Repealed.
(e) Repealed.
(f) Mandatory uninsured motorist protection. —
(1) For the purposes of this subsection, the term “uninsured motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which:
(A) Is a motor vehicle which is not insured by a motor vehicle liability policy applicable to the accident;
(B) Is covered by a motor vehicle liability policy of insurance but the insurer denies coverage for any reason or becomes the subject of insolvency proceedings in any jurisdiction; or
(C) Is a motor vehicle which causes bodily injury or property damage and whose owner or operator cannot be identified.
(2) Each insurer selling motor vehicle insurance in the District with respect to any motor vehicle registered or principally garaged in the District shall include coverage for bodily injury or death in amounts of $25,000 per person injured in any 1 accident, or $50,000 for all persons injured in any 1 accident, and coverage for property damage in an amount of $5,000 for property damage in any 1 accident for the protection of persons insured thereunder who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured motor vehicles.
(3) Any payments for property damage made pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to a deductible amount of $200.
(4) The named insured may require the issuance of coverage for bodily injury or death and property damage in accordance with a schedule of optional higher amounts up to the amount of $100,000 per person injured in any 1 accident or $300,000 for all persons injured in any 1 accident, and up to $25,000 for property damages for the protection of persons insured thereunder who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured motor vehicles.
(5) To the extent of any payment made to any person by the insurer under the coverage required by this section and subject to the terms and conditions of the coverage, the insurer is entitled to the proceeds of any settlement or judgment resulting from the exercise of any rights of recovery of any person against any other person legally responsible for the bodily injury or death for which the payment is made, including any amount recoverable from an insurer which is or becomes the subject of an insolvency proceeding through such proceedings or in any other lawful manner.
(6) No insurer shall attempt to recover any amount against the insured of an insurer which is or becomes the subject of insolvency proceedings.
(7) Any motor vehicle policy of insurance may include terms and conditions that preclude stacking of uninsured motor vehicle coverages.
(g) Prohibitions. — A victim is prohibited from claiming personal injury protection benefits under this chapter, other than to compensate for any deductible, if the victim is eligible for compensation for the loss covered by personal injury protection from another insurer or another insurance coverage, unless the victim has exhausted benefits offered by the insurer or insurance coverage.
(h) Additional reporting obligations. — The Director may require a person whose driver’s license or registration was revoked to obtain insurance coverage that includes additional reporting obligations, including SR 22 insurance coverage, prior to the issuance or reinstatement of a driver’s license or registration, or both.
(Sept. 18, 1982, D.C. Law 4-155, § 7, 29 DCR 3491; Mar. 4, 1986, D.C. Law 6-96, § 2(e), 32 DCR 7245; Feb. 24, 1987, D.C. Law 6-192, § 19, 33 DCR 7836; Sept. 20, 1996, D.C. Law 11-160, § 2(b), 43 DCR 3722; May 21, 1997, D.C. Law 11-268, § 10(v), 44 DCR 1730; June 8, 2006, D.C. Law 16-117,§ 201(b), 53 DCR 2548; Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-279, § 101, 54 DCR 903; Mar. 25, 2009, D.C. Law 17-353, §§ 197(a), 246, 56 DCR 1117; Apr. 27, 2013, D.C. Law 19-290, § 2(b), 60 DCR 2343; Mar. 13, 2019, D.C. Law 22-239, § 2(a), 66 DCR 597.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 35-2106.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 5-114.01, § 31-2402, § 31-2403, § 31-2404, § 31-2405, and § 31-2411.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 16-117 added par. (a)(2A).
D.C. Law 16-279 added subsec. (h).
D.C. Law 17-353, in subsec. (f)(1)(B), substituted “insurer denies coverage” for “insured denies coverage”; and validated previously made technical corrections in subsec. (h).
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-290 substituted “motorcycles and motor-driven cycles” for “motorcycles” in (c-1).
Editor's Notes
Report of the Commissioner of Insurance and Securities: Section 5 of D.C. Law 11-160 provided: “Within two years of September 20, 1996, the Commissioner of Insurance and Securities shall prepare and submit to the Council of the District of Columbia for its review a report on the impact of this act on the private passenger motor vehicle insurance market or any part thereof, the funding for the Office of Insurance, the District of Columbia insurance premium tax, the number of insurers doing business in the District, and the number of insurers domiciled in the District of Columbia. In preparing such report, the Commissioner may request from specific private passenger motor vehicle insurers doing business in the District, or from all such insurers, reasonable and pertinent information. Information which is proprietary to any affected insurer shall be treated as confidential by the Commissioner, but may be used in the aggregate with other information from other affected insurers for statistical or other reporting purposes.”
Department of Insurance abolished: See Historical and Statutory Notes following § 31-2402.