Here's what you need to know when driving in Maryland
Across the Old Line State, there are 68,889 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Cheap 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 | Travelers | $1,412 |
| 4 | Penn National | $1,494 |
| 5 | Cal Casualty | $1,514 |
| 6 | Erie | $1,564 |
| 7 | USAA | $1,732 |
| 8 | State Farm | $2,093 |
| 9 | Allstate | $2,143 |
| 10 | GEICO | $2,209 |
| 11 | Nationwide | $2,310 |
| 12 | State Auto | $2,431 |
| 13 | Victoria | $2,494 |
| 14 | Metropolitan | $2,544 |
| 15 | Progressive | $2,574 |
| 16 | Encompass | $3,214 |
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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% |
Which companies are the best for car insurance 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 |
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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 | $648.80 | $1,106.08 | $1,238.67 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Maryland car 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
Maryland car insurance FAQs
Is Maryland a no-fault car insurance state?
No. Maryland currently is an at-fault state. You are held responsible for any damage you cause in a collision.
Does insurance follow the car or driver in Maryland?
Car insurance follows the vehicle in Maryland. If a friend is driving your vehicle and gets into an accident, this would be covered by your insurance coverage.
Can I have out-of-state car insurance in Maryland?
There is no such thing as out-of-state car insurance. Car insurance is regulated at the state level and priced at the zip code level. To carry insurance assigned to a state in which you don't live puts you at risk of having your claims denied and your coverage dropped.
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
Can I add a driver who lives with me but is not my child to my policy?
You should have no problem calling your company and having that change made. Most companies would prefer you to combine all drivers in the same household. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Can you get in legal trouble if you hit a parking pole?
Whether or not you could get into hot water legally-speaking depends on a few factors: 1. Was there another party involved in the collision?
Can I be sued for damages I caused in a rental car?
Hello and thanks for the question. If you have liability insurance, the other party should be collecting from this.
Are car diagnostics covered by the at-fault party?
If the diagnostics are part of your car's repair and the other party is at fault, this expense should be covered by the insurance company. However, this is specific to your claim and you will need to contact the company that's paying for the claim to find out the specifics of what they will cover.
Maryland driving laws
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
How do driving violations impact Maryland auto insurance premiums?
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 |
Maryland Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the Maryland area, while also getting an insider view of the Old Line State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2020
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2021
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.