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Auto Insurance in Maryland
Maryland's minimum limits keep you legal, not protected. I compare carriers for your cars and drivers and set your coverage so one bad accident doesn't become a personal financial problem.
Maryland's minimum versus what I recommend
| Coverage | Maryland minimum | Where I usually start |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident | $100,000 / $300,000 or higher |
| Property damage liability | $15,000 | $100,000 |
| Uninsured / underinsured motorist | $30,000 / $60,000 / $15,000 | Equal to your liability limits, including enhanced underinsured motorist |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | $2,500 unless you sign a waiver | Keep it |
| Collision and comprehensive | Not required by law | Recommended unless the car is worth little; deductibles of $500 or more |
Your lender or leasing company will also require collision and comprehensive on a financed or leased car.
The coverages, in plain English
Liability
Pays for injuries and damage you cause to other people, and for your legal defense. This is the coverage that protects your savings, home equity and future income, so it's where I don't cut corners.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist
Pays for your injuries when the other driver has no insurance or not enough. In Maryland these limits equal your liability limits unless you lower them in writing, and enhanced underinsured motorist coverage is now the default on new policies. Because so many drivers carry only the minimum, I recommend keeping both.
Personal injury protection
Pays medical expenses and part of your lost wages after an accident, regardless of fault, and it pays quickly while fault is still being sorted out.
Collision and comprehensive
Collision covers damage to your car from a crash. Comprehensive covers theft, vandalism, hail, fallen trees and hitting a deer. Both come with a deductible you choose.
Maryland rules worth knowing
- Contributory negligence. Maryland is one of the few states where an injured driver who is even slightly at fault can be barred from collecting from the other driver. That makes coverage that pays regardless of fault, like PIP and collision, more valuable here than in most states.
- Uninsured penalties. A gap in coverage on a registered vehicle costs $200 for the first 30 days, then $7 a day, up to $3,500 a year, per vehicle.
- Credit at renewal. Maryland auto insurers can consider credit when they rate a new policy, but they can't use it to raise your premium at renewal.
Switching carriers? Don't leave a gap.
The MVA is notified the moment a policy ends. When I move a client's auto insurance, the new policy starts the same day the old one ends.
How I shop it
I quote auto coverage with carriers including Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, Nationwide, The Hartford, Selective and National General, depending on your vehicles and driving records. I also price it with your home, condo or renters policy, because the multi-policy discount often decides which carrier is the best value.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance required in Maryland?
Maryland requires liability coverage of at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage. You must also carry uninsured motorist coverage of at least the same amounts, plus $2,500 of personal injury protection unless you sign a waiver.
Is the state minimum enough?
For most people, no. $15,000 of property damage may not cover a single new car, and $30,000 per person rarely covers a serious injury. Anything above your limits can come out of your savings or future wages. I recommend starting at $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 of property damage.
What is PIP, and should I waive it?
Personal injury protection pays medical bills and a portion of lost wages after an accident, no matter who caused it. Maryland lets you sign a waiver that removes PIP for you and household members 16 and older, though passengers and pedestrians stay covered. PIP is inexpensive and pays quickly, so I rarely recommend waiving it.
What is enhanced underinsured motorist coverage?
Standard underinsured motorist coverage is reduced by whatever the at-fault driver's insurance pays. Enhanced underinsured motorist coverage isn't reduced that way, so it pays on top of the other driver's coverage. Since July 1, 2024, it's included by default on new Maryland auto policies unless you waive it in writing. If you have an older policy, it's worth asking whether you have it.
What happens if my car insurance lapses in Maryland?
The Maryland MVA is notified when a policy ends and charges an uninsured penalty for each vehicle: $200 for the first 30 days, then $7 a day, up to $3,500 per year. Unpaid penalties can lead to a suspended registration. If you're getting rid of a car, return the plates to the MVA before you cancel the insurance. If you're switching carriers, the new policy should start the day the old one ends. I handle that timing for my clients.
Do I need collision coverage on an older car?
Not always. Collision and comprehensive pay to repair or replace your own car, so on an older car worth only a few thousand dollars, the premium can approach what you'd ever collect. I'll show you the cost so you can decide.
Related coverage
Want a second opinion on your coverage?
Send me your current declarations page. I'll tell you honestly whether you can do better on price, coverage or both.