Maryland Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Maryland

Auto insurance is mandatory, with modern laws regulating the acquirement of such policies. In addition, it is essential to stay safe and protected, should an accident occur. Whether the vehicle is used for personal or professional purposes, the respective owner must insure it. Without adequate insurance, one can expect to pay fines of up to $1,000 or suffer the suspension of his/her driving documents, for a period of six months. This can either refer to the driver's license or the vehicle registration. If you are looking to discover more details on the topic of auto insurance in Maryland, just keep on reading.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in Maryland?

According to the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act, all Maryland residents who operate a moving vehicle are required to possess a liability insurance policy. Should the mandatory insurance be absent, the vehicle owner will have to bear the above-mentioned consequences, including the suspension of his/her driving documents for several months. An online insurance verification system can also be used to determine whether a vehicle has insurance or not.

For a resident to operate a vehicle in the state of Maryland, the associated car insurance must comply with several requirements. These include: bodily injury liability ($60,000 per accident and $30,000 per person), property damage liability ($15,000 per accident), uninsured motorist bodily injury ($60,000 per accident and $30,000 per person), uninsured motorist property damage coverage ($15,000) ,and personal injury protection ($2,500). The full coverage insurance is more advantageous than the minimum liability coverage, as you can add optional coverages, such as comprehensive and collision insurance. Specialists encourage drivers to choose a high liability coverage limit, in contrast to the one required by the law in Maryland. In this way, they will benefit from the best possible protection, should the worst-case scenario occur.

The sums mentioned above are the ones insurance providers will pay, should an accident occur, for which you are responsible. The law requires that all drivers carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. Of course, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without insurance in Maryland, with consequences such as legal fines and the suspension of your driver's license or vehicle registration. Should one continue to operate the vehicle without a valid insurance policy, jail time might be imposed legally.

Average cost of auto insurance in Maryland

How much does car insurance cost in MD? The state minimum auto insurance policy in Maryland has a value of $655. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,305. Collision and comprehensive coverage are not included in this type of policy, which means you will have to pay additionally for them. Among the factors that influence the overall insurance rates, there are: presence of prior insurance, type of vehicle, number of miles driven, location, age, driving record, gender, and marital status. The best thing to do is choose an insurance policy with a wide coverage, rather one that has a cheap rate.

The average cost of car insurance typically varies from one state to the other. Such variations are present for both the minimum coverage and the full version, including when it comes to options, such as comprehensive and collision. Some of the factors that influence these values include: at-fault accidents, weather-related accidents, number of drivers versus the general population, uninsured drivers in the respective location, road conditions, etc.

Maryland has a significantly lower rate for the average car insurance than the national median, which is around $1,770. The states with the most expensive auto insurance policies include: Pennsylvania, New York, Nevada, Michigan, Louisiana, Florida, Colorado, and California. As for the states with the most affordable policies, these are: Wisconsin, Washington, Tennessee, Oregon, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nebraska, and Maine. Maine is the most affordable, with $876 for the full coverage and $227 for the minimum one. New York is the most expensive, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum one.

Within the state of Maryland, you might also discover variations between cities. Germantown has among the most affordable rates, while Baltimore stands at the top of the list. The average annual premiums are as follows: Germantown - $1,953; Columbia - $2,009; Waldorf - $2,202; Silver Spring - $2,206; Baltimore - $2,971.

The age of the driver represents one of the chief factors that influence the value of auto insurance. Young drivers typically pay more for auto insurance, as they are perceived by insurance companies as less responsible. A teenage driver will have to cover an annual premium of over $7,700, while a middle-aged driver will pay a premium that is close to $2,000. Gender differences are also present, with more affordable insurance policies being offered to men. The same goes for married couples, who benefit from the most affordable policies, in comparison to those who are divorced, widowed, or single.

The value of a potential coverage policy is also influenced by the driver's credit history, which is thoroughly analyzed by car insurance companies. A driver with an exceptional credit can save significant sums on his/her auto insurance premium, as opposed to someone with a poor credit history, who will have to cover higher rates. Prior driving offenses, such as reckless driving, at-fault accidents, speeding, DUI/DWI, will also lead to more expensive auto insurance. The type of coverage is another factor influencing the overall value of one's auto insurance. Drivers are encouraged to add both comprehensive and collision to the state minimum policy, in order to increase the level of protection offered.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in Maryland. Find car insurance in Maryland by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance for you

If you are having a hard time discovering the right insurance policy, then perhaps our expert assistance will be of use to you. We have both the necessary experience and knowledge for this, matching drivers with the best policies for their needs. In suggesting a particular policy, we always consider the driver's budget. Just give us a call and we will be more than happy to offer our extensive support. This service is 100% free and it can free your time, so you can focus on other important matters.