Almost every state requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of liability car insurance — including Maryland. However, the minimum coverage requirements vary among states. It’s important to understand the coverage requirements in Maryland to determine how much insurance you need and what additional coverage you might consider while comparing car insurance quotes.
Here are Maryland’s car insurance requirements, penalties for driving while uninsured, and average costs to help you in your research.
Maryland car insurance requirements
Vehicle owners in Maryland must purchase a minimum amount of car insurance to register their car and drive legally.
Maryland’s minimum coverage requirements include liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance with limits of 30/60/15.2 This translates to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $15,000 per accident for property damage liability. These same limits apply for uninsured motorist insurance in Maryland.
Bodily injury liability insurance
Bodily injury liability insurance covers your financial responsibilities when you injure someone else in a car accident you cause. For example, if you hit another driver and they get hurt, your bodily injury liability insurance pays for their medical expenses, such as an ambulance ride, surgery, rehabilitation care, or lost wages. It also covers legal fees if someone sues you.
In Maryland, drivers must carry bodily injury liability coverage with limits of $30,000 for one person’s injuries and $60,000 for all injuries in an accident. It’s important to note that bodily injury liability insurance doesn’t provide any coverage for your medical bills after a car accident.
Property damage liability insurance
Property damage liability insurance pays for someone else’s property damage that you’re responsible for. This includes damage to property like vehicles, fences, mailboxes, and storefronts. If you cause property damage, your insurance policy covers the cost of repairing the property, as well as your legal fees if someone sues you.
The minimum requirement for property damage liability coverage in Maryland is $15,000 per accident. That’s the maximum amount your insurer will pay out after a property damage claim. If you have a minimum-coverage policy and cause property damage that exceeds $15,000, you have to pay the difference out of pocket.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance applies when a driver who is uninsured or doesn’t have enough insurance causes an accident. If they don’t have insurance or their limits are too low to cover your losses in full, your uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance kicks in.
The minimum coverage requirements for uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance in Maryland are the same as the personal liability limits: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage and $15,000 per accident for uninsured motorist property damage coverage.
Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance
PIP coverage pays for your medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of fault. It also applies to other members of your household listed on the policy. The minimum amount for this coverage in Maryland is $2,500. You may waive this coverage if you feel your health coverage is sufficient, but consider that this coverage applies to more than just your medical needs.
Maryland Auto Insurance
Maryland drivers who can’t qualify for auto insurance through the private marketplace can get coverage through Maryland Auto Insurance, previously known as the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF). This program is for high-risk drivers who can’t get insurance due to their driving record, claims history, or credit.
To get coverage through Maryland Auto Insurance, you must be a Maryland resident with a valid driver’s license. You must also prove that at least two insurance companies denied your car insurance application.
Here are the types of coverage you can get through Maryland Auto Insurance:3
Liability insurance
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance
Rental car coverage
Towing coverage
Do you need more than state-minimum coverage in Maryland?
State-minimum coverage doesn’t always provide enough protection in the event of an accident. Liability-only insurance covers your legal and financial responsibilities when you cause someone else’s injuries or property damage, but it doesn’t cover your medical expenses or vehicle repairs.
For more protection, you should consider a full-coverage insurance policy, which most insurance professionals recommend. A full-coverage policy includes liability insurance plus collision, comprehensive, and medical payments insurance. Together, these coverages pay for your vehicle’s repairs and your medical bills after a covered claim.
Full coverage can be beneficial for drivers who are insuring a brand-new car or can’t afford to repair their vehicle after an at-fault accident. This type of coverage is also a common requirement when you lease or finance your vehicle. However, if your vehicle is older and isn’t worth much, having liability-only insurance might be sufficient.
While full-coverage insurance has many benefits, it’s more expensive than liability-only insurance. Based on Insurify’s average rate data for the state, the average cost of full-coverage insurance is $294 per month.
The cost of liability-only car insurance in Maryland
The average cost of liability-only car insurance in Maryland is $200 per month. However, the cost of minimum-coverage insurance depends on various factors, including your insurance company. In the table below, you can see the average quotes for liability-only insurance in Maryland from some of the best car insurance companies.
The cost of full-coverage car insurance in Maryland
The average cost of full-coverage car insurance in Maryland is $294 per month. Full coverage typically includes liability insurance plus collision, comprehensive, and medical payments insurance. Because full coverage provides more protection, it’s typically more expensive.
Below, you can see the average full-coverage car insurance quotes in Maryland by insurance company.
Penalties for driving without proof of insurance in Maryland
Maryland legally requires drivers to keep proof of insurance in their vehicle at all times. If you drive without auto insurance in Maryland, you can face a number of consequences. Here are the penalties for driving while uninsured:1
Fines: The fine for driving while uninsured is $150 for the first 30 days and $7 for each day after. There is a maximum annual fine of $2,500 per vehicle.
Registration suspension: The state will automatically suspend your registration if you drive while uninsured. Driving with a suspended registration has its own consequences, such as vehicle impoundment and fines.
Collections: If you disregard the official notices from the Maryland Vehicle Association (MVA), it will transfer your case to the Central Collections Unit (CCU). On top of your unpaid fines, you must pay a 17% collection fee, and the state will withhold your income tax return.
Optional car insurance coverages to consider
Many Maryland drivers can benefit from adding optional car insurance policies, called endorsements, which provide protection beyond what a standard policy includes. Here are some of the most common endorsements to consider adding: