This page will show you which types of coverage are legally required in Maryland, inform you about important insurance laws, and provide both information about the cost of driving, and some insights about insurance risk in Maryland, all to help protect you and your family.
Average Maryland Car Insurance Rates
Marland residents pay more on average for car insurance than most US driverss. High crime, and the frequency of car accidents per capita are only some of the factors contributing to the elevated insurance rates. Rates vary depending on your limits, coverage, zip code and the total number of claims filed.
On average, auto insurance in Maryland costs $1,001.17 per year. The national average annual cost is $866.31.
| Coverage | Rates |
|---|---|
| Liability | $607.19 |
| Collision | $339.48 |
| Comprehensive | $149.70 |
| Total Cost Per Year | $1,001.17 |
| Price Per Month | $83.43 |
If you want car insurance in Maryland that offers reliable coverage at an affordable price, you need to shop around. To do this, you have to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. But that can be a hassle if you do it on your own. Thankfully, QuoteWizard makes it a lot easier.
We’ll help you by introducing you to a number of top insurance companies. Then you can compare rates and decide which coverage options are the best for your situation. That means less legwork and, better yet, lower costs.
Last year, 43,040 people used QuoteWizard to compare auto insurance quotes in Maryland from top companies and find the cheapest rates.
10 Most Common Vehicles in Maryland
These are the 10 most common vehicles owned by Maryland drivers requesting car insurance quotes through QuoteWizard in the past year.
Honda Accord LX
Ford F150
Toyota Camry LE/XLE/SE
Honda Civic
Nissan Altima 2.5 S
Hyundai Sonata GLS
Honda CR-V EX
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Cavalier
Toyota Corolla
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Best Car Insurance Companies in Maryland
Last year, these were the 10 most common car insurance companies reported by QuoteWizard users living in the state of Maryland. Out of the 43,040 Maryland drivers that used QuoteWizard to request insurance quotes last year, 3,776 had no car insurance.
- Geico
- Allstate
- Nationwide
- Progressive
- Liberty Mutual
- Esurance
- AIG
- Farmers
- MetLife
Maryland State Auto Insurance Laws
Car Insurance Minimum Coverage
Nearly all US drivers are legally required to carry a minimum level of insurance, but those levels vary significantly from state to state. In Maryland, drivers need to follow what is known as the 30/60/15 rule when it comes to their insurance policies.
This means that any policy must include the following:
- $30,000 of bodily injury or death to 1 person
- $60,000 for bodily injury or death to more than 1 person
- $15,000 for property damage
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Maryland also requires its residents to carry uninsured motorist coverage. This additional mandatory coverage protects you and your passengers from injuries sustained in crashes involving:
- Drivers without insurance
- Drivers with too little insurance
- Hit and run accidents
Uninsured Motorist Minimum Requirements
Maryland requires residents to maintain uninsured motorist coverage levels equal to the minimum liability requirements:
- $30,000 of bodily injury or death to 1 person
- $60,000 for bodily injury or death to more than 1 person
- $15,000 for property damage
In 2012, it was estimated that 12.2% of Maryland drivers had no car insurance.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
In an effort to protect its motorists from rising medical costs, Maryland requires drivers to include $2,500 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) per person on their car insurance policies. PIP pays medical bills, loss of income, and helps defray other costs regardless of fault in an accident.
Personal Injury Protection generally covers the following:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Lost Income
- Loss of Services
- Funeral Expenses
Remember you can purchase more inclusive plans that cover more, but if you want the bare minimum required to keep you legal on the road, make sure your policy has the above protection. And, if you’ve financed your car through a lender, they’ll require that you purchase collision and comprehensive coverage to protect their investment.
Required Proof of Auto Insurance (FR-19)
Unlike most states, Maryland only requires proof of insurance under certain circumstances including:
- Your insurer informs the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) your policy was cancelled and the MVA sends you a notification directing you to acquire proof of insurance
- You are sent a letter from the MVA requiring proof of insurance for acquiring 3 or more points on your driver’s license
The only proof of insurance accepted by the MVA is a Maryland Insurance Certification (FR-19). Identification cards from your insurer and copies of your policy will not be accepted as proof of insurance. Signing this form is a promise to maintain the state’s minimum insurance for the duration of your vehicle’s registration period.
Maryland Insurance Certification (FR-19) Facts:
- An FR-19 can only be issued by an insurance company allowed to do business in Maryland
- They’re valid for 30 days
- Your insurer or one of their agents should not charge you for an FR-19 because they are free
- FR-19’s should be mailed or brought to an MVA office along with the request form
- Your insurer or agent can fax or send it electronically to the MVA
- Photocopies will not be accepted
Penalties
If you’re convicted of operating a vehicle in Maryland without insurance, you could face the following penalties on top of any punishment or fines imposed by a court of law:
- Loss of vehicle license plates and registration privileges
- Uninsured motorist fees for every lapse of insurance - $150 for the first 30 days and $7 a day thereafter
- A vehicle registration restoration fee of $25
- Not allowed to renew suspended registrations or register future vehicles until insurance violations are cleared
- Confiscation of license plates by an authorized tag recovery agent
- A fine of up to $1,000 and/or 1 year in jail for providing false proof of insurance
SR-22 Requirements
While many states require an SR-22, Maryland residents that have had their driver’s license suspended due to drunk driving convictions, reckless driving, driving uninsured or other serious violations may be required to file a Maryland Insurance Certification (FR-19).
State of Maryland Traffic Safety Laws
Distracted Driving Laws
To combat distracted driving on state roadways, Maryland has enacted legislation that limits driver use of cell phones and electronic communication devices. These limitations include:
- New drivers with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses, regardless of age, are prohibited from using cell phones. Drivers caught violating this law will be issued a moving violation.
- All drivers are prohibited from using handheld devices with the exception of GPS devices. This is a secondary law, which means law enforcement can only cite you for using your cell phone if they’ve already pulled you over for committing another offense. The fine for a first offense is $83. Second offenses are subject to a fine of $140. Third and subsequent offenses are subject to a fine of $160.
- Texting while driving is prohibited for all drivers in Maryland. Drivers caught texting will be charged with a misdemeanor and, if convicted, a civil penalty is imposed as well as a maximum fine of $500. This is a primary law which means law enforcement can pull you over just for texting behind the wheel.
Maryland reports that in 2011 a total of 29,050 people were injured and 231 lost their lives in distracted driver-related crashes.
Implied Consent Law
Maryland’s Implied Consent law requires that any driver submit to testing to determine the alcohol or drug content of their blood, breath, or urine when stopped by law enforcement if they reasonably believe that you’ve been driving while impaired (DWI). Refuse the test and you’ll face the following penalties in addition to the penalties for a DWI:
- First Offense: 120-day driver's license suspension
- Second and Subsequent Offenses: 1-year driver's license suspension
DWI and DUI Laws and Penalties
If you drive or operate a motor vehicle in the state of Maryland with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.07%, you are guilty of Driving While Impaired (DWI).
The penalties for a first offense DWI conviction are:
- A fine of up to $500
- Up to 60 days in jail
- Driver’s license revoked for 60 days
- 8 points added to your driver’s license
The penalties for a second DWI conviction are more severe:
- A fine of up to $500
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Driver’s license revoked for 120 days
- 8 points added to your driver’s license
If you drive or operate a motor vehicle in the state of Maryland with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, you are guilty of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). This is a criminal offense with severe penalties.
The penalties for a first offense DUI conviction are:
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Driver’s license revoked for 6 months
- 12 points added to your driver’s license
The penalties for a second DUI conviction are more severe:
- A fine of up to $2,000
- Between 5 days and 2 years in jail
- Driver’s license revoked for 1 year
- Driver's license suspended for 1 year, 3-12 months ignition interlock period
- 12 points added to your driver’s license
- Required participation in an alcohol abuse assessment program
After a third DUI conviction the penalties increase to:
- A fine of up to $3,000
- Up to 3 years in jail
- Driver’s license revoked for 18 months
In 2010, Maryland reported 177 deaths in crashes involving alcohol or drugs. These fatalities represent 36% of the 496 total deaths on Maryland roadways. Each year, over 8,000 impaired driving crashes occur on Maryland roadways and 35% of these result in injury.
Zero Tolerance Law
Any minor less than 21 years of age convicted of operating or attempting to operate a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.02% or higher will have face the same penalty as adults for a first offense DUI:
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Driver’s license revoked for 6 months
- 12 points added to your driver’s license
The number of Maryland drivers under 21 who were involved in crashes with alcohol in their systems decreased by 11 percent since implementation of the state’s Zero Tolerance law.
Child Restraint Law
To protect the lives of children and young passengers, the state of Maryland requires that:
- Children under 8 years of age ride in approved child safety seats according to the manufacturer’s specifications, unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller
- Children between the ages of 8 and 16 years old not using child safety seats must wear seat belts
- Children under 15 are prohibited from riding in the beds of unenclosed pick-up trucks
Drivers are responsible for making sure children are properly secured. A first time violation is punishable by a fine of $50.
Proper use of child safety seats reduces fatalities by 71%
Graduated Driver’s License Program
Maryland has implemented a graduated driver's license program for teen drivers that consists of 3 levels, beginning with the learner’s permit phase and ending with a full driver’s license once all conditions are met.
Teens can begin the process and apply for a learner’s permit when they are 15 years and 9 months old if they meet the following conditions:
- Submitted a Verification of Identity and/or School Attendance form (DL-300) in a sealed, unopened envelope provided by the applicant’s school
- Parent or guardian co-signed of application if under 18
- Can provide proof of age, identity, lawful status, social security number or proof of ineligibility, and Maryland residence
- Passed a vision test
- Passed a knowledge test
Learner’s permits allow minors to drive when supervised by a qualified supervising driver at least 21 years of age that has held a driver’s license for at least 3 years. Supervising drivers must be seated next to the new driver at all times. No other passenger may be in the front seat. The use of cell phones for any reason is prohibited for drivers under 18.
Learner’s permit holders under the age of 25 must:
- Hold a learner’s permit for at least 9 months
- Keep their driving record clean
- Enroll in a standardized state approved driver’s education course
- Complete 60 hours of supervised driving, 10 of these hours must occur at night
Teens may apply for a provisional license once they’ve satisfied the following requirements:
- Held a Learner’s Permit for at least 9 months
- Are at least 16 years and 9 months of age
- Conviction and Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) free for 9 months
- Completed a driver's education course
- If younger than 18, has parental consent
- Can pass a road test
Provisional licenses allow teens and other novice drivers to operate motor vehicles on state roadways with the following restrictions:
- May not drive between the hours of 12:00 am and 5:00 am
- For the first 5 months may not carry non-family passengers younger than 18
- Talking on a cell phone or texting is prohibited
Once a driver turns 18, they can convert their provisional license into a full Maryland driver’s license.
In Maryland, between 2007 and 2011, young drivers were involved in an average of 15,801 crashes per year resulting in an average of 9,546 injuries. In this same period, an average of 87 people died each year in crashes involving drivers between the ages of 16 and 20. These numbers represent 20% of all Maryland traffic injuries and 16% of all fatalities.
Senior Drivers in Maryland
The driver’s license renewal cycle in the state of Maryland is every 5 years. When driver’s turn 40, they must pass a vision test at their next renewal and every subsequent renewal.
Seat Belt Laws
Maryland requires the use of seat belts for all drivers and passengers 16 years of age or older. The maximum fine for seat belt violations is $83.
In 2012, Maryland estimated that 91.1% of drivers and passengers used seat belts, a decrease of 3.1% compared to 2011 when it was estimated that 94.2% wore seat belts.
Vehicles Registered in Another State
When you drive a vehicle in Maryland that’s required to be registered in another state, you must have the type of insurance required by that state.
The Cost of Driving in Maryland
Average Car Insurance Rates
The average cost of car insurance in Maryland in 2014, the most recent year for which data was available, was $1,001.17 compared to a national average of $866.31. Maryland is ranked the 11th most expensive state for car insurance.
Fuel Taxes
As of January 2016, the state of Maryland taxes gasoline at 32.60 cents per gallon. When added to the Federal fuel tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, residents of Maryland can expect to pay a total of 51 cents per gallon at the gas station in taxes. Maryland taxes diesel fuel at 33.35 cents per gallon. When added to the Federal diesel tax of 24.4 cents per gallon, Marylanders will pay 57.75 cents per gallon in taxes for diesel fuel.
Car Insurance Risk in Maryland
Traffic Fatalities
In 2014, there were 442 traffic fatalities in Maryland, a 5% decrease from the state’s 465 traffic fatalities in 2013.
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Fatalities | 496 | 485 | 511 | 465 | 442 |
Vehicle Thefts
Maryland had 13,102 vehicle thefts reported in 2014, a 2.3% decrease compared to 2013 when 13,417 vehicles were reported stolen. In 2014, the vehicle theft rate was 219.2 per 100,000, a decrease of 3% from the 2013 rate of 225.9 per 100,000.
The vehicle theft rate in Maryland is slightly higher than the overall US vehicle theft rate, which was 216.2 per 100,000 in 2014.
Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Maryland
Some cars are more prone to theft than others, be sure to check the list below to see if your car is a target on the streets.
Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau - Hot Wheels Report 2014
- 2002 Dodge Caravan
- 1997 Honda Accord
- 2006 Ford Pick-Up (Full Size)
- 2011 Toyota Camry
- 2000 Honda Civic
- 2005 Nissan Altima
- 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
- 2001 Chrysler Town & Country
- 2010 Toyota Corolla
- 1997 Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full Size)
Uninsured Motorists
In 2012 it was estimated that 12.3% of drivers on Maryland roads had no car insurance. This number is nearly equal to the national average of 12.6% and ranks Maryland 22nd in the nation for uninsured motorists.
Maryland Auto Insurance Company Market Share
| Rank | Market Share | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22.1% | GEICO |
| 2 | 12.4% | Allstate |
| 3 | 8.5% | Nationwide |
| 4 | 7.6% | USAA |
| 5 | 7.1% | Erie Insurance |
| 6 | 5.6% | Progressive |
| 7 | 5.1% | Liberty Mutual |
| 8 | 1.7% | Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) |
| 9 | 1.2% | Travelers |
Sources:
FBI Uniform Crime Report
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System
Insurance Information Institute – Minimum Coverage Levels by State
American Petroleum Institute
National Insurance Crime Bureau
Governors Highway Safety Association
Insurance Information Institute – Insurance Expenditures by State
Maryland Highway Safety Office 2011 Annual Report
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Maryland Insurance Market Share
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