Does Maryland Require SR-22 Insurance? (2025)
Maryland doesn’t require SR-22 insurance forms, but drivers may need to report a FR-19 form as proof of insurance.
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An “SR-22 insurance policy” isn’t insurance coverage; it’s a certificate of financial responsibility that states request to prove that a high-risk driver has an active car insurance policy meeting the state’s minimum coverage limits.
Maryland doesn’t require FR-44 or SR-22 car insurance forms, but it requires drivers to file form F-19 if the Department of Transportation received a cancellation notice of a car insurance policy.1 However, high-risk drivers in Maryland may struggle to find affordable coverage or even a company willing to provide coverage at all.
Here’s what you need to know about SR-22 requirements, finding high-risk car insurance coverage in Maryland, and comparing quotes to get cheap coverage.
Quick Facts
Maryland drivers pay an overall average of $246 per month for car insurance when they have a clean driving record, but $278 per month with an incident on their record.
Maryland may require you to get your insurer to file an FR-19 with the state if you switched insurers, had a policy cancel, changed vehicles on your policy, removed a vehicle from the policy but didn’t turn in the license plates, or had your name pulled in a random draw.
The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) helps high-risk drivers get insurance when private insurers deny them coverage.
Does Maryland require SR-22 insurance?
An SR-22 insurance form isn’t an insurance policy; it’s a separate form that verifies a driver’s proof of financial responsibility to the state.2 Maryland doesn’t require SR-22 forms for high-risk drivers.
Other states may require drivers to file SR-22 forms for the following reasons:
Driving under the influence (DUI) convictions
Excessive traffic or moving violations
Driving without a license
Multiple at-fault accidents
Even though Maryland is one of a handful of states that don’t require SR-22 insurance for high-risk drivers, it still requires minimum-liability coverage. If your insurance company doesn’t automatically verify your coverage with the state, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) may notify you and ask for an F-19 form to verify coverage.1
Cheapest companies for high-risk drivers in Maryland
Even though high-risk drivers in Maryland don’t have to file and maintain SR-22 insurance coverage with the state, they may still struggle to find affordable coverage. If you have a poor driving record, multiple lapses in coverage, or bad credit, or if you live in an area with a high risk of claims, insurance companies might deny you coverage.3
And the insurance companies willing to insure you may charge expensive premiums to offset their risk. It’s important to shop around for coverage, especially if you’re a high-risk driver, to find affordable premiums for your needs.
Here are some of the cheapest companies for high-risk drivers in Maryland to start your search.
Cheapest insurance companies in Maryland for high-risk drivers by city
Your location and ZIP code are just two of the factors that influence your insurance rates.
For example, a city with a higher rate of car accidents may have higher average car insurance rates because of the higher risk of claims. And cities with more uninsured drivers may also increase average car insurance rates for insured drivers in the area.4
The table below shows average liability and full-coverage rates for high-risk drivers in Maryland, by city.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How your driving record affects future rates in Maryland
High-risk drivers pay more for car insurance coverage, which is why it’s especially important to maintain a good driving record. Incidents — like speeding tickets, DUIs, and at-fault accidents — typically stay on your driving record for three to five years, so your insurance rates may be more expensive during that time. But as long as you drive safely and avoid more infractions and violations, your rates will decrease over time.
Here’s how you can lower your rates as you wait for infractions to fall off your driving record:
Look for specialized car insurance companies. Some car insurance companies specialize in coverage for high-risk drivers. If you have a history of driving infractions, these companies may offer you cheap rates despite your spotty record.
Take advantage of discounts. Even though you may not be eligible for good driver or claims-free discounts, you can still reduce rates with auto-pay, student, defensive driving education, and paperless billing discounts.
Shop around for car insurance. Although many insurance companies cater to high-risk drivers, you should still get quotes from standard car insurance companies, independent agents, and even online comparison tools to ensure you’re getting the lowest rates available.
Maryland SR-22 insurance FAQs
Learn more about car insurance for bad drivers, and find quick answers to commonly asked questions about SR-22 insurance in Maryland below.
What if you can’t find coverage in Maryland?
If you’re having trouble finding coverage in Maryland because you’re a high-risk driver, speak to an insurance agent about a policy through the MAIF. This state-sponsored program is available for qualifying drivers who can’t find coverage on the private insurance market. Be aware that MAIF premiums may actually be more expensive than standard premiums.
What happens to your SR-22 if you move to Maryland?
Maryland doesn’t require SR-22 insurance, so you won’t need to ask your insurance company to file an SR-22 form with Maryland. But you may have to maintain your SR-22 insurance requirements with your previous state for the full duration if you move to Maryland.
Do you need insurance in Maryland if you don’t have a car?
No, you don’t need auto insurance in Maryland if you don’t have a car. But all Maryland drivers must maintain the state-required minimum insurance coverages when operating a vehicle. If you frequently borrow other people’s vehicles or rent cars, you should purchase non-owner car insurance coverage. Keep in mind that a lapse in insurance may increase your future rates.
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