CheapInsurance.com has put together information, tips, and price comparisons to help you find cheap car insurance in Maryland.
Often referred to as “America in Miniature,” Maryland has a wide variety of natural features. In 1919 when Marylanders opposed the alcohol prohibition, it also gained the title “Free State.”
This is a nickname that symbolizes Maryland’s tradition of political freedom and religious tolerance.
Updates & Insurance Insights for Inexpensive car Insurance in Maryland 2024
Ready to explore Baltimore’s harbor or Chesapeake Bay’s coastal charm? Gear up with these essential updates for Maryland drivers in 2024:
Maryland Vehicle Code Changes:
- Distracted driving crackdown: Effective October 1st, sending or receiving text messages while driving becomes illegal, even with a hands-free device. (Source: Maryland Senate Bill 396)
- Increased penalties for driving without insurance: Expect harsher fines and vehicle impoundment for driving without valid auto insurance. (Source: Maryland Statute 627.728)
- Motorcycle lane splitting clarification: Updated regulations allow lane filtering (moving between lanes in slow traffic) in specific instances with clear safety requirements. (Source: Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration)
Remember: These are just highlights, and other changes may apply. Visit the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration website for complete information. (Source: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration)
Average Auto Insurance Rates in Maryland (2024):
(Sources: Policygenius, NerdWallet)
| Company |
Full Coverage |
Minimum Coverage |
| State Farm |
$1,380 |
$560 |
| GEICO |
$917 |
$495 |
| Progressive |
$1,224 |
$487 |
| Farmers |
$1,359 |
$612 |
| Travelers |
$1,244 |
$541 |
Remember: Individual rates in Maryland can vary significantly based on driving history, location, vehicle type, and desired coverage.
Is It Expensive to Take Out Car Insurance in Maryland?
Maryland auto insurance premiums are about 5% higher than the national average of $1,730, making it one of the more expensive states for car insurance.
Drivers pay an average of $1,818 per year, or $152 per month, for car insurance in Maryland.
Rates vary on an individual basis, depending on your:
- Driving history.
- Credit history.
- Marital status.
- Age.
- Gender.
- Vehicle type.
- Insurance provider.
- Location within the state.
- Coverage type.
To help you find the best deals fir car insurance in the state, we’ve compared car insurance quotes from these insurers:
- Elephant.
- State Auto.
- Bristol West.
- AAA Insurance.
- Liberty Mutual.
- Allstate.
Because the cost of car insurance is dependent on your individual driving profile, we’ve gone a step further and compared the auto insurance costs in Maryland for these types of drivers:
- Good drivers (those with a clean driving record).
- Young drivers (those aged between 16 and 25).
- High risk drivers (those with a history of traffic violations).
Is It Legal to Drive without Car Insurance in Maryland?
Car insurance is mandatory in Maryland. Every driver is required to carry three types of auto insurance:
- Personal liability insurance.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- No-fault insurance.
In Maryland, driving without insurance is a misdemeanor criminal offense.
If you drive without proof of insurance (such as an insurance card) you will get a ticket even if your vehicle is actually insured.
In addition to expensive fines, you could face jail time which may cause you to lose your license.
- A conviction on a first offense can carry five points on your license, a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail.
- If you’re facing a second offense, a conviction carries an additional five points, two years in jail and a fine of $2,000.
The license reinstatement fee in Maryland is $100.
Who Is Liable After an Accident in Maryland?
If you are involved in a car accident which you caused, you will pay the other driver’s damages. You will receive damages from the other driver if they caused the crash.
These damages may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Medical bills.
- Property damage.
- Lost wages.
Typically, the driver who is legally to blame for an accident is responsible for the financial costs of injuries and other damages caused.
In most cases, the insurance company of the at-fault motorist pays for any harm resulting from the accident.
Key Point: At-Fault Insurance
States like Maryland that have at-fault vehicle insurance are known as tort states.
An at-fault accident is a car accident caused by a driver’s negligence. Legally, negligence is defined as failing to take reasonable care to prevent harm to another person.
Examples of negligence on the road include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Not stopping at a red light.
- Speeding.
- Texting and driving.
In tort states, the insurance company of the at-fault driver pays for repairs, medical expenses, and other costs. Property damage is also covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance. |
Minimum Liability Insurance
Minimum liability auto insurance is designed to protect third parties and their property from damage you cause while driving.
However, it does not cover any damages to your own vehicle.
While each U.S. state will have different minimum coverage car insurance requirements, it always addresses three key points:
- Bodily injury liability coverage per person: This covers medical bills, legal fees, or lost wages you might be required to pay to an individual third party.
- Bodily injury coverage per accident: This is the maximum amount your insurer will pay out for medical bills, legal fees, or lost wages in the event of an accident, regardless of how many people are injured.
- Property damage coverage per accident: This is the maximum amount your insurer will pay out for repairs or a replacement if you cause damage to another person’s property.
Currently, Maryland requires minimum liability limits of 30/60/15:
- $30,000 for bodily injury per person.
- $60,000 per accident for bodily injury.
- $15,000 per accident for property damage.
If you want additional protection, you may want to consider the following insurance options:
- Collision insurance: This covers any damage to your vehicle related to the accident.
- Medical payment coverage: This type of insurance will help pay for your medical bills following an accident.
- Uninsured motorist insurance: If you are involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have coverage or has too little, this will help cover the costs associated with the accident.
- Comprehensive insurance: If you purchase this option you’re covered for damages to your car, someone else’s car and injuries in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive car insurance also covers you against fire and theft.
How Much Does the Minimum Car Insurance Cost in Maryland?
Car insurance costs in Maryland can vary considerably based on factors such as your age, driving history, ZIP code, make and model of vehicle, and credit score.
All drivers in Maryland have to meet the minimum coverage of car insurance.
| Key Point: Is Minimum Liability Coverage Enough?
While it may seem like a good idea to save money by getting only the minimum liability insurance required to comply with Maryland law, this may not be sufficient in many instances.
Let’s look at an example. The Maryland minimum coverage for bodily injury liability is $30,000.
If you’re in a serious accident which you have caused and you need to cover $45,000 of the other party’s medical bills, you will have to pay $15,000 from your pocket.
Remember, liability insurance only protects third parties and doesn’t reimburse you if your car is stolen, damaged, or totaled. |
Minimum liability insurance is popular because you pay much cheaper car insurance premiums than other types of insurance, such as full coverage for car insurance.
However, it only covers the other driver’s injuries and property damage.
It does not include protection for damage to your vehicle or any injuries sustained by you or your passengers.
Cheaper insurance premiums might make minimum coverage auto insurance seem like the best option, but if you’re involved in an accident you will end up paying more out of pocket in the long run.
We have found that on average, the cost of a minimum liability car insurance policy in Maryland is $280.41.
Elephant offers the lowest car insurance rates in Maryland for minimum liability coverage on average, costing $169.25.
|
Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Maryland
|
| Provider |
Montgomery County |
Prince George’s County |
Baltimore County |
Anne Arundel County |
Baltimore City/County |
Average |
| Elephant |
$156.00 |
$165.00 |
$202.00 |
$154.00 |
N/A |
$169.25 |
| State Auto |
$237.00 |
$294.00 |
$259.00 |
$185.00 |
$396.00 |
$274.20 |
| Bristol West |
$438.00 |
$490.00 |
$515.00 |
$387.00 |
$868.00 |
$539.60 |
| AAA Insurance |
$147.00 |
$251.00 |
$210.00 |
$208.00 |
$354.00 |
$234.00 |
| Liberty Mutual |
$177.00 |
$195.00 |
$183.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
$185.00 |
Cheap Full Coverage Car Insurance in Maryland
Although full coverage car insurance is optional in Maryland, you should be wary of overlooking it unless you have savings that can cover damage to your vehicle in the event of the following:
- Theft or theft of parts.
- Non-crash damage (natural disasters, fire, flooding).
- A broken windshield.
- Car damage from hitting an animal.
Without full coverage automobile insurance, you risk finding yourself in a situation where you are unable to drive your car because you cannot afford to repair it.
We found that on average, the cost of full coverage auto insurance in Maryland is $307.34.
The cheapest insurance companies in Maryland are:
- Elephant with average rates of $189.
- Liberty Mutual with average rates of $207.67.
- Allstate with average rates of $233.75.
|
Cheapest Full Coverage Insurance in Maryland
|
| Provider |
Montgomery County |
Prince George’s County |
Baltimore County |
Anne Arundel County |
Baltimore City/County |
Average |
| Elephant |
$172.00 |
$184.00 |
$230.00 |
$170.00 |
N/A |
$189.00 |
| State Auto |
$271.00 |
$332.00 |
$299.00 |
$210.00 |
$463.00 |
$315.00 |
| Bristol West |
$505.00 |
$557.00 |
$598.00 |
$439.00 |
$1,026.00 |
$625.00 |
| AAA Insurance |
$170.00 |
$287.00 |
$245.00 |
$242.00 |
$424.00 |
$273.60 |
| Liberty Mutual |
$197.00 |
$217.00 |
$209.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
$207.67 |
| Allstate |
$219.00 |
$234.00 |
$242.00 |
$240.00 |
N/A |
$233.75 |
Cheap Car Insurance in Maryland for Drivers with Clean Driving Records
You can qualify for good driver car insurance in Maryland if you have a history of safe driving.
If your motor vehicle record is free of accidents and claims you represent a low risk for the insurance company, resulting in lower premium costs.
Companies may offer one or both of two common types of good driver discounts:
- Car insurance discounts for avoiding violations for a certain number of years.
- A discount for avoiding accident claims for a certain number of years.
Some of the best car insurance companies will also offer an additional discount if you have completed an accredited
defensive driving course.
We looked at the average car insurance rates offered by car insurance companies for good drivers. The three best car insurance companies for good drivers are:
- Elephant, the inexpensive car insurance company, with average rates of $180.50.
- Liberty Mutual with average rates of $187.
- Allstate with average rates of $222.25.
|
Cheapest Car Insurance for Good Drivers (Clean Driving Records) in Maryland
|
| Provider |
Montgomery County |
Prince George’s County |
Baltimore County |
Anne Arundel County |
Baltimore City/County |
Average |
| Elephant |
$165.00 |
$176.00 |
$218.00 |
$163.00 |
N/A |
$180.50 |
| State Auto |
$256.00 |
$315.00 |
$280.00 |
$199.00 |
$431.00 |
$296.20 |
| Bristol West |
$470.00 |
$522.00 |
$555.00 |
$413.00 |
$942.00 |
$580.40 |
| AAA Insurance |
$161.00 |
$273.00 |
$231.00 |
$229.00 |
$400.00 |
$258.80 |
| Liberty Mutual |
$179.00 |
$196.00 |
$186.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
$187.00 |
| Allstate |
$210.00 |
$220.00 |
$228.00 |
$231.00 |
N/A |
$222.25 |
Cheaper Car Insurance in Maryland for High-Risk Drivers
Car insurance companies use the term “high risk” to describe drivers who are more likely to make a claim against their auto insurance policy.
Some of the offenses that may lead to being considered a high-risk driver include:
- Receiving a DUI conviction.
- Reckless driving.
- Speeding tickets.
- Driving without meeting the minimum liability coverage requirements.
- A poor credit rating.
- Unpaid insurance policy premiums.
If you are a high-risk driver, Maryland car insurance companies are likely to increase the cost of your auto insurance rates.
We’ve done the hard work of comparing quotes from various insurers to help you find inexpensive insurance.
- The most affordable auto insurance company for high-risk drivers is AAA Insurance at $268.80.
- The most expensive car insurance company for high-risk drivers is Bristol West at $787.20.
|
Cheap Auto Insurance for High Risk Drivers in Maryland
|
| Provider |
Montgomery County |
Prince George’s County |
Baltimore County |
Anne Arundel County |
Baltimore City/County |
Average |
| Elephant |
$273.00 |
$292.00 |
$368.00 |
$268.00 |
|
$300.25 |
| Bristol West |
$638.00 |
$715.00 |
$752.00 |
$564.00 |
$1,267.00 |
$787.20 |
| AAA Insurance |
$234.00 |
$298.00 |
$250.00 |
$208.00 |
$354.00 |
$268.80 |
Affordable Car Insurance in Maryland for Young Drivers
Young drivers are, by default, less experienced than older drivers. Their inexperience poses a higher risk to insurance companies, so their car insurance is often more expensive.
We’ve compared the price of car insurance for young drivers to help you save on auto insurance costs. The cheapest car insurance for young drivers is Elephant at $217.
Cheap Auto Insurance for Young Drivers in Maryland
|
| Provider |
Montgomery County |
Prince George’s County |
Baltimore County |
Anne Arundel County |
Baltimore City/County |
Average |
| Elephant |
$200.00 |
$211.00 |
$261.00 |
$196.00 |
N/A |
$217.00 |
| Bristol West |
$748.00 |
$819.00 |
$880.00 |
$654.00 |
$1,476.00 |
$915.40 |
| AAA Insurance |
$642.00 |
$793.00 |
$686.00 |
$568.00 |
$649.00 |
$667.60 |
Need Cheap Insurance in Other States?
Out-of-state auto insurance is illegal in almost all U.S. states and is considered to be insurance fraud. This means that your car insurance must be registered in the state in which you live.
Some of the penalties for committing insurance fraud include:
- Up to five years in prison.
- A $50,000 fine.
If you plan to move from Maryland, you will need to find a new car insurance company in the state you move to.
You will usually have a 90-day grace period to cancel your Maryland auto insurance and get car insurance in your new state.
Top Tips for Finding Affordable Car Insurance in Maryland
Consider How You Use Your Car
If you only use your car to drive short distances to work or the grocery store, most types of standard car insurance should cover your needs.
If you have unique needs, you should check whether your car insurance company covers these requirements.
Unique needs include:
- Multiple drivers sharing one car.
- Using your car for ridesharing.
- Using your car for work-related deliveries.
Compare Cheap Car insurance Quotes from Different Insurance Companies
It’s always a good idea to shop around before making a decision about auto insurance.
Although you can do the research yourself, going through an insurance agent can save you a lot of time and money.
The only way to be completely certain that you are getting the best rates for insurance is to compare
car insurance quotes from multiple insurers.
Be on the Lookout for Benefits
When taking out insurance, pay attention to the questions the agent asks.
You will be offered a car hire option whereby in the event of an accident, you receive a courtesy vehicle within the same group as your current vehicle for 30 days.
This may be included in your premium at an additional cost. Some insurers offer benefits such as roadside assistance.
Top Companies for Car Insurance Quotes in Maryland
Bristol West
Founded in 1973, Bristol West’s national reach makes it one of the top ten biggest insurance companies in the U.S.
They’re a member of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, an $11.6 billion insurance company.
Bristol West was originally created to provide high-risk drivers with affordable insurance policies, and it has since expanded its services to all types of drivers.
Some of the benefits offered by Bristol West include:
- Multiple policy bundling discounts.
- Personalized car insurance policies.
- Rideshare coverage.
- Medical payments.
- Gap coverage.
- Towing and roadside assistance.
State Auto
Since 1921, State Auto has expanded into a $3 billion organization. The company takes great pride in being innovative and doing things differently, especially when it comes to:
- Overall customer service.
- Customer flexibility.
- Innovation and technology.
The company provides car insurance policies in 33 U.S. states, and it also offers homeowners insurance and umbrella insurance.
Car Insurance in Maryland FAQs
Do I need to have car insurance in the state of Maryland?
Like car accident laws, car insurance requirements vary from state to state. In Maryland, every motorist must carry the following:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
- Property damage liability coverage: $15,000 per accident.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
- Uninsured/underinsured property damage coverage: $15,000 per accident.
Should you get the cheap insurance in Maryland?
The cheapest car insurance companies are not always the best option for your needs.
You may find a company that offers the best balance between affordability and excellent customer service, but it could be more expensive than the cheaper car insurance company.
You can save on premiums by choosing a minimum coverage policy, but you risk paying more out of pocket costs if your car is damaged.
What is the best auto insurance company in Maryland?
Determining the best auto insurance company in Maryland comes down to individual preferences and needs.
When choosing auto insurance, consider what is most important to you, such as price, coverage offerings, available discounts or customer satisfaction.
The best car insurance company may not be the cheapest insurance, but may excel in another important area for you.
Is car insurance in Maryland expensive?
To find inexpensive car insurance in Maryland, we recommend comparing
cheap auto insurance quotes from multiple companies.
What happens if the person at fault in an accident has no insurance in Maryland?
If you’re hit by an uninsured driver in Maryland, your own insurance company will pay for damages up to the amount stated in your policy.
In other words, your own insurance will take the place of insurance for the at-fault driver.
Uninsured motorist coverage will protect you if someone driving without insurance causes damage to your property or injures you or your passengers.
Uninsured motorist coverage also applies when another driver damages your vehicle or injures you and leaves the scene of the accident without being identified.
