Maryland Auto Insurance (2024)

Like most states, Maryland requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance that meets Maryland auto insurance requirements. Fortunately, Maryland car insurance rates are typically below the national average, making it easy to find cheap auto insurance.

In this article, we’ll see which car insurance companies offer the cheapest coverage in Maryland based on a variety of factors, like coverage, driving record, age, and credit score.

Keep reading to learn more about cheap car insurance in Maryland and Maryland’s auto insurance laws.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Maryland Minimum Auto Insurance Rates

There are many factors that affect car insurance rates, including how much coverage you choose. The minimum amount of coverage required by Maryland is less expensive than full coverage, but protection is limited.

Maryland mandates that drivers carry liability auto insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection. However, it does not include any other coverages that may be necessary to pay for damages to your vehicle.

This table shows the average monthly Maryland car insurance rates for minimum coverage.

Liability Auto Insurance Average Rates From Top Providers

Although USAA offers the cheapest coverage, it only provides coverage to military members and their families. For this reason, we exclude USAA as the most affordable provider (read our USAA auto insurance review for more info on the company).

Travelers offers the cheapest minimum coverage in Maryland for drivers with a clean record (read our Travelers auto insurance review for more information). On the other hand, Allstate has the most extensive minimum coverage.

Although minimum coverage meets Maryland requirements, limits are low and probably won’t meet your needs. Although full coverage is more expensive, it offers much more protection.

Maryland Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates

Full coverage typically combines the state minimum requirements with collision and comprehensive coverage. For example, collision pays for damages to your vehicle from an accident, and comprehensive covers damages unrelated to an accident, like theft or vandalism.

This table shows the top companies’ average monthly rates for full coverage car insurance in Maryland.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates From Top Providers

Travelers provides the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Maryland, and Allstate has the most expensive rates.

Remember that while full coverage is more expensive, liability coverage only pays for bodily injuries and property damage to others. Collision and comprehensive pay for damages to your vehicle.

Maryland Auto Insurance Rates After an Accident

Your driving record is one of the most significant factors in determining car insurance rates. A car insurance company uses your record to see how risky you are to insure. Drivers with accidents, tickets, and DUIs are more likely to cost the insurer, so they see higher rates.

Although some insurers offer accident forgiveness for your first at-fault accident, most raise your rates. Multiple accidents will cause rates to skyrocket.

Check out this table to see who has the cheapest car insurance in Maryland after an accident.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates: One Accident vs. Clean Record

State Farm has the cheapest car insurance rates in Maryland after an accident, and Allstate is yet again the most expensive insurer. Even though State Farm offers the cheapest rates after an accident, you’ll still pay about $26 a month more than if you had a clean record. Read our State Farm auto insurance review for more information about the company.

Travelers has the cheapest rates for drivers with a clean record, but it raises rates by around $40 a month with an accident. So, you should shop around if you have an accident on your driving record.

Fortunately, accidents only affect your Maryland auto insurance rates for three years. After that, your rates start to decrease, provided you don’t add infractions to your driving record.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Maryland Auto Insurance Rates After a Speeding Ticket

Driving above the speed limit is easy, especially if you’re running late for work or school. But, a speeding ticket in Maryland raises your car insurance rates for years, not to mention the fine attached to the ticket.

This table shows the average monthly car insurance rates after a speeding ticket from top Maryland insurers.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates: One Ticket vs. Clean Record

State Farm has the cheapest Maryland car insurance rates after a speeding ticket, and Allstate has the most expensive rates.

As with accidents, speeding tickets stay on your driving record and raise car insurance rates for three years in Maryland. So obey the speed limit to keep rates low.

Note that some car insurance companies overlook your first speeding ticket, especially if you have an otherwise clean record and have been with the company for a long time.

Learn about the best auto insurance companies for drivers with speeding tickets.

Maryland Auto Insurance Rates After a DUI

DUIs typically lead to the highest car insurance rate increases due to the seriousness of the offense. Repeat DUIs may lead to your insurer refusing to offer you coverage.

This table shows the average monthly car insurance rates after a DUI in Maryland.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record

State Farm has the lowest rates after a DUI, and Liberty Mutual has the most expensive car insurance after a DUI. So if you have Liberty Mutual car insurance and get a DUI, your car insurance rates will almost double.

DUIs stay on your Maryland driving record for life, but they only affect your car insurance rates for about five years. It should be noted that since the DUI stays on your record, any employers who look at your driving record will see the conviction.

Learn about the best auto insurance companies for drivers with a DUI.

Maryland Auto Insurance Rates by Age

Your age also affects car insurance rates. Young drivers lack experience and are more likely to be in car accidents. Therefore, they see much higher rates than older, more experienced drivers.

Males also pay higher rates than females because they are more likely to take risks and be in more accidents.

This table shows Maryland’s average car insurance rates by age and gender.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Age and Gender

Teen drivers pay much higher rates than older drivers, but car insurance rates drop around age 25. For example, 16-year-old drivers in Maryland pay almost four times as much as 25-year-old drivers.

It’s essential to shop around for the best auto insurance for new drivers. While Nationwide offers the cheapest insurance to 16-year-old drivers, Travelers coverage is more than twice as expensive. So shopping around can save you hundreds of dollars a month.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Maryland Auto Insurance Rates by Credit Score

It may surprise you that most states, including Maryland, allow car insurance companies to look at your credit score when determining rates. Studies show that drivers with high credit scores are more likely to avoid filing a claim and pay for repairs themselves.

This table shows the average monthly car insurance rates for 45-year-olds from top companies in Maryland based on credit score.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Credit Score

Travelers has the cheapest car insurance rates for drivers with bad credit, and Allstate has the most expensive rates in Maryland for drivers with bad credit scores.

It should be noted that although Maryland allows insurers to use your credit scores to calculate rates, it doesn’t allow car insurance companies to deny your application, cancel your policy, or refuse to renew your policy based on your credit score.

Learn more: How Credit Scores Affect Auto Insurance Rates.

Maryland Auto Insurance Rates by City

Where you live also affects car insurance rates. Drivers who live in areas with a lot of traffic and a high crime rate pay higher rates since their vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

Baltimore drivers pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the state.

Drivers who live in areas where they are likely to file car insurance claims should consider adding collision and comprehensive coverage.

These coverages pay for damages from accidents as well as from theft, vandalism, fire, and acts of nature like floods, hail, and tornados.

Maryland Auto Insurance Laws

Is car insurance required in Maryland? Drivers must carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance. Failing to maintain the proper amount of insurance leads to hefty fines and having your vehicle impounded.

In addition, you must be able to show proof of your insurance coverage. Maryland allows drivers to show proof of insurance with an insurance card or electronically. Since many car insurance companies use apps, you can easily provide proof of coverage on your phone.

Maryland Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements

Most states require car insurance, but each creates its own rules and regulations regarding what coverage is necessary. So, for example, mandatory coverage in Maryland may not be the same as what Florida requires.

What is the minimum requirement for car insurance in Maryland? Drivers in Maryland must have the following car insurance coverage:

• $30,000 in bodily injury liability per person
• $60,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
• $15,000 in property damage liability
• $30,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $60,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 in uninsured motorist property damage

The mandatory liability coverage pays for bodily injuries and property damage to others if you cause an accident. Likewise, the required uninsured motorist coverages pay for bodily injuries and property damage you sustain from a driver with no insurance.

Personal injury protection pays for medical costs related to an accident, such as prescriptions and doctor visits.

While these coverages are important, limits are very low, and your vehicle isn’t protected if you cause an accident. For example, if you hit another car and the driver and passenger have to go to the hospital, the $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident limit will be exhausted quickly, leaving you to pay costly medical bills out of pocket.

Additionally, any damage to your vehicle wouldn’t be covered. For this reason, most drivers increase limits and add coverage to be more fully protected.

Optional Auto Insurance Coverage in Maryland

Most drivers prefer to carry more than the mandatory coverage to be better protected. For example, full coverage combines the state’s mandatory coverage with collision and comprehensive coverage.

Additional car insurance coverages to consider include:

• Collision: Collision auto insurance pays for damages to your vehicle resulting from an accident, including hitting another car or object and a single-car rollover accident.
• Comprehensive: Comprehensive auto insurance pays for damages unrelated to an accident, such as fire, theft, vandalism, and acts of nature like hail, floods, tornados, and hurricanes.
• Gap coverage: Guaranteed asset protection (gap) auto insurance coverage pays the difference between what you owe on your vehicle and its worth if the car is totaled. Most lenders require this coverage.
• Rental car reimbursement: If your car is being repaired from a covered claim, rental car reimbursement coverage pays for a rental car. However, there are limits to cost and how long your insurance pays for a rental.
• Roadside assistance: This coverage provides help if you have a problem with your car, such as towing, jump starts, fuel delivery, tire changes, and lockout services.

While additional coverages increase your rates, it prevents you from paying for damages and other expenses yourself.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Maryland DUI Insurance Laws

A DUI significantly impacts your car insurance rates and leads to fines, a driver’s license suspension, and possible jail time.

Maryland law states that a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is a DUI for drivers aged 21 and over. For drivers under 21, their BAC must be under 0.02%, or they’ll be charged with a DUI. Additionally, commercial drivers are charged with a DUI if their BAC is 0.04% or higher.

Your first DUI offense means fines up to $1,000, your license being suspended for 45 days, and up to a year in jail. Subsequent offenses have heftier fines, longer driver’s license suspensions, and increased jail time.

Since DUIs signal very risky driving, expect much higher car insurance rates. Additionally, some car insurance companies refuse to offer coverage to drivers with multiple DUIs.

Maryland SR-22 Auto Insurance

SR-22 auto insurance isn’t actually insurance. Instead, it’s a certificate some states require high-risk drivers to file, showing they have at least the minimum amount of mandated car insurance. You may be required to file an SR-22 if you have multiple accidents or DUIs on your record or drive without insurance.

However, Maryland is one of the few states that doesn’t require an SR-22 certificate. But that doesn’t mean your car insurance rates will be lower. High-risk drivers still pay much higher car insurance rates than drivers with either a clean driving record or very few infractions.

Keep in mind that you may have to file an SR-22 if you move to a state that requires one. Your driving record follows you when you move, so be prepared to get SR-22 insurance if needed.

How To Save on Maryland Auto Insurance

Although Maryland car insurance rates are lower than the national average, finding the cheapest coverage is still essential. In this section, we’ll give some tips to help you get the lowest rates possible.

Maryland Car Insurance Discounts

Most companies offer a variety of car insurance discounts based on the driver, policy, and vehicle. In addition, most drivers qualify for multiple discounts.

Paying for car🚗 insurance all the time when you only drive some of the time doesn't always make sense. https://t.co/27f1xf131D has a possible solution💡 for you: Pay-as-you-go coverage. Find out more here👉: https://t.co/Giu8rLtTaE pic.twitter.com/peyu2RtyJB

— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) October 4, 2023

Typical car insurance discounts include:

• Safe driver
• Good student
• Multi-car
• Multi-policy
• Paperless
• Vehicle safety features
• New cars
• Pay-as-you-go

Keep in mind that each car insurance company decides what discounts it offers and how much the discount saves you. For example, one insurer may offer a 15% safe driver discount, while another company will offer the same discount at a 20% savings.

Reconsider Your Maryland Auto Insurance Coverage

While most drivers prefer full coverage, it may be optional. For example, if your car isn’t worth much or you can afford repairs yourself, you might choose to skip collision and comprehensive coverage.

Additionally, you can save money by raising your deductibles. While that means you’ll pay more out of pocket, your rates will stay lower.

You may also choose to forgo roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement if you can make minor repairs yourself or have another vehicle to drive.

Personal Factors Affecting Auto Insurance Rates in Maryland

As we’ve discussed, personal factors significantly impact car insurance rates. While some factors, like age, can’t be changed, improving other factors lowers your rates.

For example, avoiding infractions on your driving record keeps your rates low. In addition, purchasing a less expensive vehicle and living in an area with a low crime rate reduces rates.

Look carefully at the factors your car insurance company considers when calculating rates. Then, make changes in areas that impact your rates most.

Shop Around For Maryland Auto Insurance

It’s critical that you shop around for car insurance. Each company looks at your factors differently and charges different rates.

To get the best rates possible, compare multiple companies. Look at rates and discounts to see which company offers the best deal.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

More About Saving on Cheap Auto Insurance in Maryland

On average, Maryland car insurance is less expensive than the national average. However, rates vary by driver.

Travelers and State Farm typically have the lowest rates, depending on your coverage, driving record, age, and credit score. However, Allstate comes in as one of Maryland’s most expensive car insurance companies.

Where you live also impacts your rates. Drivers who live in cities like Baltimore see higher-than-average rates since they are more likely to be in accidents or victims of theft.

Maryland requires that drivers carry at least 30/60/15 in liability and uninsured motorist coverage. However, most drivers choose full coverage since the mandatory coverage isn’t enough to meet their needs.

Consider adding collision and comprehensive coverage and increasing your liability limits to be better protected.

Not all car insurance companies charge the same rates. So, shop around to find the best Maryland auto insurance rates available. You can use our free comparison tool to find the cheapest Maryland auto insurance rates today.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption