Here's what you should know when driving in Maryland
Across the Old Line State, there are 68,889 miles of road just waiting to be driven. The Zebra will help you get prepped, then you take the wheel.
Affordable car insurance in Maryland
What's the cheapest car insurance in Maryland?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MetLife | $1,400 |
| 2 | Travelers | $1,412 |
| 3 | Penn National | $1,494 |
| 4 | Cal Casualty | $1,514 |
| 5 | Erie | $1,564 |
| 6 | USAA | $1,732 |
| 7 | State Farm | $2,093 |
| 8 | Allstate | $2,143 |
| 9 | Nationwide | $2,310 |
| 10 | Victoria | $2,494 |
Compare quotes from over 20 insurance companies that provide coverage throughout Maryland. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.
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Affordable Maryland auto insurance for good drivers
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Maryland drivers don't enjoy a massive discount for staying safe on the roads, as a lack of traffic tickets is rewarded by an 11% price cut, compared to 17% nationally. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $161 | 11.89% |
| No Accidents | $549 | 31.49% |
| Good Credit | $983 | 45.16% |
Cheap insurance coverage for young drivers in Maryland
Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16 to 19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. Maryland is a relatively affordable state for teen drivers: the typical teen driver pays $4,440 per year — about $500 less than the national average for teens, but still far more than the Maryland driver average across all age groups. In order to find competitive rates, be sure to request free car insurance quotes online every few months.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $5,409 | $4,853 |
| 17 | $5,168 | $4,072 |
| 18 | $5,199 | $3,532 |
| 19 | $4,483 | $2,807 |
Cheap car insurance for bad drivers in Maryland
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably pay less for car insurance. Conversely, a bad driving record will cause your rates to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 30% after a DUI, 31% after an at-fault accident, and 11% after a speeding ticket in Maryland. The post-citation penalties assessed by car insurance companies in Maryland are lower than nationwide averages. If you have a clean driving record, be sure to check for good-driving discounts from your insurer.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $1,743 | 31.49% |
| DUI | $1,731 | 30.99% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,356 | 11.89% |
| Bad Credit | $2,178 | 45.16% |
The best-rated car insurance companies in Maryland
Every car insurance company highlights its cheap prices. But as with any service, the cheapest car insurance option isn't always the best choice. Considering the stakes, it's worth doing the research to find an auto policy that protects your car adequately after an incident. Be on the lookout for the best value, instead of settling for the most affordable car insurance in Maryland.
Review major insurance companies' financial strength and claims satisfaction ratings to better predict the level of service you will receive. Claims satisfaction — assigned by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by AM Best and varying from "Superior" to "Poor" — measures an insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its policy and contractual obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (AM Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Amica | 4 | Superior |
| Cal Casualty | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Encompass | Not Rated | Superior |
| Erie | 5 | Superior |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Penn National | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
| Victoria | 3 | Superior |
See insurance rates for Maryland's best companies!
What car insurance is required in Maryland?
The minimum allowed insurance in Maryland is $30,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person, $60,000 bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 property damage liability per accident.
For the minimum required coverage in Maryland, expect to pay an average of $649 annually. These rates are cheaper than the national average by 1%. If you opt for better coverage, you can select a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against damages caused by auto collisions, theft and vandalism, or weather incidents. However, better auto insurance coverage comes with a cost: in Maryland, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,106, 70% more than basic insurance coverage. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 91% more than you would for a basic policy.
Compare typical prices for basic, better, and best coverage levels below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Maryland | $648 | $1,106 | $1,238 |
| National Average | $657 | $1,241 | $1,397 |
Maryland auto insurance laws
State-minimum car insurance requirements in Maryland
In Maryland, drivers are required to carry liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection at or above the following minimum levels:
Liability
- Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person
- Bodily injury liability: $60,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Bodily injury: $30,000 per person
- Bodily injury: $60,000 per accident
- Property damage: $15,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection
- $2,500 per person (full or limited)
Optional car insurance coverage options in Maryland (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
Driving laws in Maryland
Maryland texting and driving laws
- Ban on hand-held cell phones
- Ban on all cell phones for drivers <18 years old w/ Learner or Provisional License
- Ban on text messaging for all drivers
Maryland DUI regulations
The lookback period in Maryland is five years. Multiple DUI offenses lead to enhanced penalties. Penalties are also increased for transporting a minor at the time of DUI or for a BAC of 0.15% or higher.
First-time DUI offenses in Maryland lead to:
- Up to one year in jail
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- License revocation for up to six months
- 12 points added to driving record
- May be required to use an ignition interlock device
Tickets and auto insurance rates in Maryland
When you receive a ticket your auto insurance rates will probably go up. By how much depends on the violation, your insurer's pricing standards, and differences in local insurance risks and regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
Below is a look at average car insurance rates in Maryland after a few common citations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $2,038 | 53% | $710 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $1,814 | 37% | $486 |
| DUI | $1,814 | 37% | $486 |
| Racing | $2,023 | 52% | $696 |
| Reckless Driving | $1,962 | 48% | $635 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $1,829 | 38% | $501 |
| At-Fault Accident | $1,876 | 41% | $548 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $1,719 | 29% | $391 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,515 | 14% | $188 |
| Passing a School Bus | $1,562 | 18% | $235 |
| Improper Passing | $1,515 | 14% | $188 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,515 | 14% | $188 |
| Speeding | $1,597 | 20% | $270 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,515 | 14% | $188 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,515 | 14% | $188 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,476 | 11% | $148 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,515 | 14% | $188 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,515 | 14% | $188 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,515 | 14% | $188 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,494 | 13% | $167 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,450 | 9% | $122 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,450 | 9% | $122 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,372 | 3% | $45 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,391 | 5% | $63 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,351 | 2% | $24 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,453 | 9% | $125 |
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Maryland car insurance FAQs
Who actually has the cheapest car insurance in Maryland?
MetLife offers the cheapest auto insurance premiums for Maryland drivers, with an average rate of $700 for a six-month policy ($116 per month).
Is it illegal to not have car insurance in Maryland?
If your vehicle is driven or parked on public roads, you legally need to carry insurance at or more than Maryland's liability limits.
Can my insurance company raise my rates if my credit score gets worse?
Not in Maryland. State law prohibits insurers from increasing rates based on credit history and sets parameters around how insurance companies score customers' credit.
How much does car insurance cost in Maryland cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Hagerstown, Maryland, and the most expensive in Baltimore, Maryland.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore | $2,072 |
| 2 | Essex | $1,795 |
| 3 | Catonsville | $1,600 |
| 4 | Towson | $1,598 |
| 5 | Aspen Hill | $1,590 |
| 6 | Bowie | $1,586 |
| 7 | Waldorf | $1,569 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $1,546 |
| 9 | Silver Spring | $1,539 |
| 10 | Columbia | $1,473 |
| 11 | Rockville | $1,462 |
| 12 | Gaithersburg | $1,455 |
| 13 | Ellicott City | $1,443 |
| 14 | Potomac | $1,395 |
| 15 | Annapolis | $1,381 |
| 16 | North Bethesda | $1,368 |
| 17 | Bethesda | $1,305 |
| 18 | Frederick | $1,218 |
| 19 | Hagerstown | $1,175 |
Recent Maryland Car Insurance Questions and Answers
How long can you wait to file an auto insurance claim?
Can you get in legal trouble if you hit a parking pole?
Does car insurance cover my passengers?
Does progressive auto insurance cover house property damage?
