Cheap Maryland Car Insurance

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

Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Maryland

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 much of a rate discount for staying safe on the roads, as a lack of traffic tickets is rewarded by just 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%.

Cheap 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 16-19 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.

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.

What are the Best 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 A.M. Best and varying from "Superior" to "Poor" — measures an insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its policy and contractual obligations.

What is the Best Car Insurance Coverage in Maryland?

The minimum allowed insurance in Maryland is $30,000 Bodily Injury per person, $60,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $15,000 Property Damage 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 might for a basic policy.

Compare typical prices for basic, better, and best coverage levels below.

Car Insurance Laws

State minimum insurance requirements in Maryland

In Maryland, the state minimum coverage requirements are as follows:

Liability

• Bodily Injury $30,000 per person
• Bodily Injury $60,000 per accident
• Property Damage $15,000 per accident

Uninsured Motorist

• 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 coverage in Maryland (varies by carrier):

• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Loan/Lease Payoff
• Rental Car Reimbursement
• Roadside Assistance

Liability coverage is legally required in Maryland and pays for injury and lost wages that you cause to another driver or their passengers as well as damage to the other driver’s vehicle in the event that you are considered “at fault” in an accident. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into three categories. In Maryland, the minimum is listed as 30/60/15 and explained below:

• $30,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
• $60,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries that you cause in an accident if more than one person is hurt.
• $15,000 property damage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage that you cause in an accident.

Uninsured Motorist coverage is legally required in Maryland and pays for injury and lost wages that you or your passengers may suffer in the event that you are hit by an uninsured driver who is at fault. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into two categories. In Maryland, the minimum is listed as 30/60 and explained below:

• $30,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person injured in your vehicle by an uninsured driver.
• $60,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries in your vehicle by an uninsured driver if more than one person is hurt.
• $15,000 property damage coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage caused to your vehicle by an uninsured driver.

Personal Injury Protection provides coverage for medical costs that you and your passengers incur in an accident regardless of fault. PIP will cover medical expenses such as hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and even work loss resulting from an accident. In Maryland, minimum PIP coverage of $2,500 per person is required on your policy and is broken up into two options: full or limited. Choosing a limited option provides coverage for children under the age of 16 and pedestrians, but does not offer coverage for the named insured or any household family members 16 or older.

These numbers reflect the minimum limits required in Maryland but higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.

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.

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 Laws

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