The average cost of car insurance in Maryland is $247 per month, or $2,966 per year. Car insurance quotes in Maryland are higher than the U.S. national average of $144 per month.
Because Maryland’s coastal location makes it prone to tropical storms and flooding, car insurance companies charge drivers more for coverage to offset the higher risk. Additionally, Maryland has one of the highest population densities in the U.S., which can increase the likelihood of accidents.1
Here’s what you need to know about getting cheap car insurance in Maryland and how to compare quotes to find the best deal for your needs.
6 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland
Drivers have many options for cheap car insurance in Maryland. But the best auto insurance in Maryland is different for every driver. The right insurer for you will depend on your individual situation, coverage needs, and budget.
Below are three of the cheapest options for auto coverage in Maryland.
Safeco
USAA
Clearcover
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Maryland
Car insurance premiums are different for every driver. Factors like your age, credit score, ZIP code, gender, and vehicle type can all affect your personalized premiums.
But you can reduce your car insurance premiums in the following ways:
Choose high deductibles. For policies that require a deductible — such as collision insurance and comprehensive insurance — selecting a higher deductible will lower your monthly premium. But make sure you can afford a higher deductible if you need to file a claim.
Look for discounts. Most Maryland car insurance companies offer discounts that can reduce your insurance costs. Every insurer has different discounts, but some common ones are good student discounts, defensive driving course discounts, payment discounts, and safe vehicle discounts.
Bundle your policies. Purchasing two or more insurance policies from the same company, like car insurance and home insurance, can help you qualify for a bundling discount.
Shop around. The cost of car insurance will differ among insurance companies. To find the most affordable car insurance in Maryland for your situation, shop around and compare personalized quotes from several insurance companies.
Low-cost car insurance in Maryland
Maryland increased its minimum-required car insurance amounts in 2024, in addition to increasing car registration fees and insurance lapse penalties. The state doesn’t have a program to help low-income drivers find affordable car insurance, making it difficult for drivers to find low-cost car insurance options.
If you’re a Maryland driver looking for affordable car insurance, your best bet is to make sure you’re shopping around every six months and comparing quotes from three to five car insurance companies before buying a policy. Sometimes, switching insurers can save you a lot more than staying with the same company for a loyalty discount.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance quotes in Maryland: CSAA
Maryland requires liability-only car insurance for all drivers. It covers your financial responsibilities when you injure someone else or damage their property in an accident you cause. Liability-only insurance doesn’t provide any coverage for your injuries or vehicle damages.
Liability-only policies in Maryland cost an average of $200 per month, according to Insurify data.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance in Maryland for liability-only coverage.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in Maryland: CSAA
Full-coverage car insurance provides more protection than minimum coverage. A typical full-coverage policy usually includes liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance.
Full coverage is optional for most Maryland drivers, but you may need it if you lease or finance your vehicle. Even if you own your vehicle, full coverage is a good idea if you drive a high-value or specialty vehicle.
Maryland drivers pay $294 per month for a full-coverage policy, on average. Below are some cheap full-coverage car insurance options in Maryland.
Car insurance requirements in Maryland
Maryland legally requires all drivers to carry car insurance. Maryland is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for causing an accident must compensate others for their bodily injuries and property damages, usually through their liability coverage.
Drivers must carry liability insurance with coverage limits of at least 30/60/15. Here’s what those numbers translate to:2
In addition to the required coverages, many Maryland drivers can also benefit from endorsements. These optional coverages fill gaps in your standard policy. Below are some of the most common additional coverages available in Maryland, depending on your insurance company:
Cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland for drivers with an incident
Car insurance companies usually consider drivers with incidents on their record as high-risk drivers. If you have incidents such as speeding tickets or at-fault accidents, you’ll probably pay more for car insurance than someone with a clean record. More serious violations, such as driving under the influence (DUI) convictions, usually have the biggest effect on rates.
For example, people with a clean driving record in Maryland pay $200 per month for car insurance, on average. But after a speeding ticket, that average rate increases to $224 per month. And a DUI can cause it to jump to $244 per month.
These increases in premiums after driving infractions and violations are why it’s important to always drive safely and obey traffic laws.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket: CSAA
While speeding is often a minor offense, getting a speeding ticket can affect your car insurance premium. If you get a speeding ticket, you might see your insurance premium increase when the policy renews.
Maryland drivers with a speeding ticket pay an average of $224 per month for liability coverage compared to drivers with a clean record, who pay $200.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with an at-fault accident: CSAA
Maryland reported more than 500 fatal crashes in 2024.3 If you cause an accident, you can expect your insurance premium to increase when your policy renews.4
Maryland drivers with an at-fault accident on their record pay average monthly premiums of $235 for liability coverage and $346 for full coverage. The table below lists cheap car insurance companies in Maryland for drivers with an at-fault accident.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with a DUI: CSAA
A DUI is one of the most serious violations, and more than 100 fatal crashes in Maryland involved impairment in 2023.3 If you have a DUI conviction on your record, your car insurance premiums will likely increase significantly. Depending on the situation, your insurance company could even refuse to renew your policy.
On average, Maryland drivers with a DUI pay $244 per month for liability coverage and $359 for full coverage.
Although you can expect a big rate increase after getting a DUI, some insurers have lower rates than others. Below are the cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland for drivers with a DUI on their record.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors: CSAA
Senior drivers typically pay more expensive car insurance rates than middle-aged adults. For most drivers, car insurance rates decrease around age 35 and increase around age 70. Older people may have changes to driving abilities, and they have higher crash rates than drivers in younger age groups.5
Senior drivers in Maryland pay average monthly rates of $173 for liability insurance and $254 for full coverage.
The table below shows cheap car insurance companies for seniors in Maryland.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for teens: CSAA
Teen drivers typically pay the most expensive car insurance rates. Maryland teens pay $377 per month on average for insurance.
Drivers ages 16 to 19 have a higher accident rate than any other age group. Young drivers are also more likely to make critical driving errors that can result in collisions.6
But teen drivers shopping for auto insurance should compare rates from several insurers. These are the cheapest car insurance companies for teens in Maryland for minimum coverage and full coverage.
Maryland car insurance quotes by credit tier
In Maryland, car insurance companies can use credit-based insurance scores when underwriting policies.7 When you apply for a policy, the insurance company may check your credit history to help determine your premium. Drivers with good credit usually pay cheaper rates than drivers with poor credit.
Here’s how credit scores affect average rates in Maryland.
Car insurance rates across Maryland cities
While car insurance rates across Maryland have gone up because of the state’s new minimum requirements, your rate still heavily depends on the city you live in. This is because each city has a unique set of rating factors, like vehicle crime rates and weather patterns, that influence the probability of you filing a claim.