Claire Smith Last Updated On: July 25, 2023

Home / Auto / Car Insurance in Maryland

A Must-Read Guide to Maryland Car Insurance

You might not know this, but Maryland is the birthplace of the national anthem. But when you think about it, what’s more patriotic than getting a great deal on car insurance?

Not much, in our minds. That’s why we’ve done our homework and pulled together everything you need to know about getting affordable car insurance in Maryland, whether you’ve lived in the Free State your whole life or you’re looking to move there. 

Strap in. We’re getting started. 

Free Car Insurance Comparison - Save up to 30%

No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

No Signup required

Table of Contents

Car Insurance Requirements in Maryland

No one likes spending their hard-earned money on car insurance, but unfortunately it’s the law. If you’re getting behind the wheel, you need to have car insurance in place. And not just any policy: you need to have the minimum amount of coverage for the state of Maryland.

So, what does that involve? Maryland has one of the stricter requirements in the U.S. You need liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and personal injury protection. Here’s a quick summary:

  • Liability:
    • Bodily injury of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
    • Property damage of $15,000 per accident
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist:
    • Bodily injury of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
    • Property damage of $15,000 per accident
  • Personal Injury Protection 
    • $2,500 per person 

Keep in mind, if your vehicle is leased or financed, you may have stricter requirements from the lender so that they can help protect their investment.

If you’re wondering if the above is enough coverage, it can depend. In a minor fender-bender, it might suffice, but a large accident can quickly deplete these coverage amounts. This is why it’s always a good idea to get more coverage than you think you need, to be safe.

Maryland Car Insurance Options

If you’re a “better safe than sorry” type of person, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to cover all of your options for car insurance coverage in Maryland, because there’s plenty to choose from. 
  • Liability: Broken into bodily injury and property damage, this covers your liability in an accident you cause. Bodily injury compensates the other driver for their medical bills after an accident, while property damage covers repairs to their car. You also get a legal defense if you’re sued. 
  • Collision: If your vehicle collides with another, this helps cover repairs or a replacement for your vehicle. 
  • Comprehensive: If your vehicle suffers damage from weather, theft, vandalism, an animal, etc., this helps cover repairs or a replacement for your vehicle. 
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: If you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance or doesn’t have enough of it, this helps bridge the gap so you’re not stuck paying the bills. 
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP): You deserve to be protected in an accident too. PIP compensates you for your medical bills after an accident, regardless of who caused it, plus added expenses like lost wages and child care.
  • Medical Payments (MedPay): Similar to PIP, MedPay helps cover your medical bills after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. People generally choose MedPay or PIP, but not both.
But your options don’t end there. These are popular buckets of coverage, but you can add on even more coverage types depending on your needs:
  • Rental Car Reimbursement: If your vehicle is being repaired, this covers your rental car costs. 
  • Gap: If your vehicle is totalled but you have an outstanding loan on it, this coverage helps pay for the gap between the amount your insurer offers you and the balance of the loan. 
  • Roadside Assistance: If your vehicle breaks down, this covers a tow to a nearby repair shop plus minor roadside repairs. 
  • New Car Replacement: If your new vehicle is totalled, this coverage gets you a brand new vehicle rather than a check for the depreciated value of your car. 
  • Rideshare: If you drive for services like Lyft or Uber, this gives you the protection you and your passengers need. 
These are some examples of optional coverage, but every insurance provider is different. If there’s a coverage you’re looking for, you better believe it exists somewhere.  But before we get too excited about coverage types, let’s go over costs to help you understand the impact on your budget.

Free Car Insurance Comparison - Save up to 30%

No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

No Signup required

How Much Is Car Insurance in Maryland?

We know cost is on everyone’s mind, especially with inflation and rising costs of living. And we have some good news and bad news for you. 

Let’s get the bad news over with: the fact is that minimum coverage is higher in Maryland than the national average (over 30% higher). Minimum coverage in Maryland averages $815 per year. 

But here’s the good news: those who want full coverage will rejoice, because it’s under the national average. Full coverage in Maryland averages $1,971 per year.

Of course, it’s always safer to go with more than the minimum amount of coverage, so the above figures might help persuade you. 

Here are some more fast facts to give you a better idea on the cost of car insurance in Maryland: 

  • Baltimore has some of the highest car insurance rates, while cities like Columbia and Germantown save on car insurance.
  • A male aged 18 can expect to pay $7,368 per year for full coverage, while a male aged 50 would pay $1,851 on average for the same.
  • A speeding ticket will increase your full coverage rates from $1,971 to $2,388 per year, while a DUI will cause it to jump to $3,64.
    • Ever wondered about the difference between a DUI and DWI? Read this to find out.

You want good coverage. But you also want cheap auto insurance in Maryland. Where’s the middle ground? Stay tuned for tips and tricks to save on your car insurance rates. 

In the meantime, give up the guesswork and get access to free quotes here, so that you can better plan for what you’ll actually pay in car insurance.

How to Find Affordable Car Insurance in Maryland

Before you default to skimping on coverage or choosing minimum coverage, it’s worthwhile to find savings that can help you get the best of both worlds: coverage that protects you and that fits in your budget.

Here are our tried and true tips for cutting down car insurance rates:

  • Shop Around: You should always do your research before you make a purchase, and car insurance is no exception. Make sure to compare at least three quotes before making a decision on car insurance. 
  • Ask for Discounts: Most insurers offer discounts on car insurance and you’re probably eligible for at least one. Be sure to ask for them and see if you can stack any discounts to multiply your savings. 
  • Raise Your Deductible: If it’s an option, consider increasing your deductible, which in term lowers your premiums. You may have to spend more if you do end up submitting a claim, but it can save you significantly long term. Find out more here.
  • Research Cars: If you’re in the market for a new vehicle and looking at car insurance ahead of time (look at you!), then it doesn’t hurt to think about a car that’s known for its safety ratings and that has a low theft rate. These factors will help keep your insurance affordable.
  • Research Cities: In the same vein, if you’re relocating to Maryland, you may want to consider a city or town with lower car insurance rates. These are cities with lower population densities, less crime, better weather, etc.
  • Keep a Clean Driving Record: Nothing will spike your rates like racking up tickets or accidents on your record. By keeping a clean driving record, you’ll have the most impact on your car insurance premiums. If you’ve made mistakes and have a record, don’t worry: they will eventually drop off your record and your rates will lower.  

You don’t have to settle for sky-high rates. These tips, when combined, can net you as much as 30% in savings on your car insurance rates, and who would say no to that?

Free Car Insurance Comparison - Save up to 30%

No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

No Signup required

Find Maryland Auto Insurance Quotes

You’re now ready to start looking at car insurance quotes. You know the coverage you need, you have a better sense of cost, and you have some handy tricks up your sleeve to rack up the savings. 

Need help getting started? It’s easy. Click here for access to free car insurance quotes fast, and you’ll be cruising to great coverage. 

We’ve got you covered.

Claire Smith Claire is a creative entrepreneur with a variety of marketing and content creation skills, including blog and web copy writing, research, and strategy. She has a Masters in Cultural Studies from Queen's University and is known for thinking laterally about marketing, based on her deep knowledge of people and behavior.

INSURANCE QUOTES

Stay Up-to-Date
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive alerts, offers, education, and updates in your inbox.