Edited By Kristine Lee
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. Read on to learn how much auto insurance costs in Maryland based on these variables, or submit your ZIP code above to receive free personalized quotes from top insurers so you can safely hit the road without breaking the bank.
Affordable insurance companies 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 |
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Cheap auto insurance for good drivers in Maryland
Drivers with a great driving record typically enjoy cheaper insurance rates 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 auto insurance 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 auto 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 poor 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% |
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Top rated car insurance companies in Maryland
Every car insurance company highlights its cheap prices. But as with any service, the lowest 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.
Use the table below to better understand the quality of service you'll receive. You'll see reviews for popular auto insurers' financial strength, claims satisfaction, and customer satisfaction including an internal satisfaction score from The Zebra's customers.
| Insurance Company |
Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
Customer Satisfaction (The Zebra) |
| Allstate | Average | Average | Superior | 4.3 / 5 |
| Cal Casualty | N/A | N/A | Good | N/A |
| Erie | Excellent | Above average | Superior | 4.5 / 5 |
| Liberty Mutual | Average | Above average | Good | 4.2 / 5 |
| MetLife | N/A | Below average | Excellent | N/A |
| Nationwide | Average | Poor | Superior | 4.3 / 5 |
| Penn National | N/A | N/A | Excellent | N/A |
| State Farm | Above average | Above average | Superior | 4.5 / 5 |
| Travelers | Average | Below average | Superior | 4.3 / 5 |
| USAA | Excellent | Excellent | Superior | 4.6 / 5 |
Maryland auto insurance laws
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
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.
Learn more about car insurance laws in Maryland.
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How tickets change 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.
Maryland car insurance FAQs
Who really 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). If you're interested in seeing quotes from multiple insurance companies in Maryland, use our comparison tool to get started.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Maryland?
Drivers in Maryland pay 12% less than the national average for car insurance — $619 vs $698 per six-month policy. If you feel you're overpaying for insurance, use our comparison tool to compare rates for Maryland drivers and see how much you could save.
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. Use The Zebra to see free quotes.
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 | Waldorf | $1,569 |
| 3 | Glen Burnie | $1,546 |
| 4 | Columbia | $1,473 |
| 5 | Rockville | $1,462 |
| 6 | Gaithersburg | $1,455 |
| 7 | Ellicott City | $1,443 |
| 8 | Bethesda | $1,305 |
| 9 | Frederick | $1,218 |
| 10 | Hagerstown | $1,175 |
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