Maryland car insurance laws
Maryland law requires drivers to maintain at least 30/60/15 in car insurance coverage. In Maryland, drivers are also required to carry UMBI, UMPD and PIP. This insurance helps pay for injuries and property damage when you cause an accident. However, if accident expenses exceed the policy limits, you will be responsible for paying the remaining costs yourself.
These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.
However, a serious crash can generate medical and repair bills that exceed the state minimum limits. Once the available coverage is exhausted, the at-fault driver will be personally responsible for the unpaid amount.
Maryland car insurance requirements
Drivers in Maryland must carry the coverage required by state law, including liability insuranceLiability insurance covers sums that an insured becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injuries or property damage, or financial losses caused to other people. and any other mandatory protections. The minimum liability limits are 30/60/15. These limits help pay for injuries, property damage, and other required accident-related expenses covered under Maryland law. In Maryland, drivers are also required to carry UMBI, UMPD and PIP
Maryland requires the following coverage:
Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.
Maryland liability minimums are 30/60/15.
Personal injury protection (PIP). Personal injury protectionPersonal injury protection (PIP) pays for your medical, hospital and funeral expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who's at fault. pays medical costs, such as doctor visits, childcare expenses, and lost wages, for you or your passengers injured in an accident. PIP may be required for drivers who live in at-fault states.
Maryland PIP requirements are $2,500.
Minimum coverage in Maryland costs an average of $815. GEICO offers the lowest average rate at $451, but your premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. will depend on your driving record, age, location, and other factors.
The table below shows the average rates of the top insurers for minimum coverage in Maryland.
| Company | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $451 | $38 |
| Erie Insurance | $547 | $46 |
| Travelers | $700 | $58 |
| State Farm | $818 | $68 |
| Nationwide | $911 | $76 |
| Progressive | $1,036 | $86 |
| Penn National Insurance | $1,281 | $107 |
| Allstate | $1,554 | $129 |
| USAA | $375 | $31 |
Maryland car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits
The average cost of minimum coverage car insurance in Maryland is $815. GEICO offers the cheapest average policy at $451 annually. However, your actual rate will depend on the company you choose and personal factors such as your age, address, and driving record.
| State minimum coverage limit | 30/60/15 |
| Average annual premium | $815 |
| Average monthly premium | $68 |
Are the minimum coverage requirements changing in 2026 in Maryland?
Maryland car insurance requirements will not change in 2026. Drivers who already carry the state-required minimum coverage do not need to update their policies. If requirements change later, insurers will inform affected policyholders and explain any necessary coverage or premium adjustments.
Why do limits change?
"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated coverage values and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."
What does minimum car insurance cover in Maryland?
Minimum car insurance in Maryland pays for specific accident expenses up to the limits required by law. Liability insurance covers injuries and property damage you cause to other people. These limits pay for injuries, property damage, and other losses covered under Maryland's minimum insurance requirements.
Maryland requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.
Maryland drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.
Maryland is a no-fault state, meaning your insurer pays for your injuries and damages regardless of who caused the accident. The law requires you to carry personal injury protection (PIP) to pay medical costs, such as doctor visits and prescriptions.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverageAn auto insurance coverage that pays for injuries or damage if you're in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. is also required. Uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for coverage when the at-fault driver doesn't have car insurance, and underinsured coverage assists when the at-fault driver doesn't have enough car insurance to cover injury and property damage costs. Without these coverages, you would have to pay for medical and repair costs that the other driver's insurance didn't cover. You may be able to opt out of this coverage.
PEOPLE ASK:
Is Maryland minimum car insurance enough?
It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 30/60/15, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.
How much car insurance is enough in Maryland?
The right amount of car insurance in Maryland depends on your income, savings, assets, vehicle value, and risk of being sued after an accident. Drivers with significant assets should consider higher liability limits, while drivers with financed or leased vehicles will generally need collision and comprehensive coverage.
For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.
Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease, you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.
Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.
Maryland penalties for driving without car insurance
Driving without required insurance in Maryland may lead to fines, license suspension, registration penalties and more expensive insurance in the future. Repeated violations may result in harsher consequences. If you cause an accident without coverage, you will also have to pay medical bills and property damage costs yourself.
Failing to carry Maryland car insurance has penalties, including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.
| Fines | $200-$3,500 |
| Other penalties | Registration suspension |
| Jail time | No |
Maryland minimum coverage cost by age group
Younger drivers tend to pay the most, and rates decline with age and experience. Erie Insurance is the cheapest option for teens, while GEICO has the lowest average adult rate
The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. Erie Insurance has the best rates for teens, with minimum coverage averaging $1,244. GEICO offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $456.
Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $820, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $811, a difference of $9.
Maryland minimum coverage cost by city
Minimum coverage is cheapest in Salisbury, where drivers pay an average of $685. Baltimore has the highest average minimum coverage rate in Maryland at $1,367. Differences in traffic, accident claims, theft, and local repair costs can cause premiums to vary from one city to another.
The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in Maryland.
| City | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Annapolis | $794 | $66 |
| Baltimore | $1,367 | $114 |
| Bowie | $884 | $74 |
| College Park | $998 | $83 |
| Frederick | $746 | $62 |
| Gaithersburg | $864 | $72 |
| Hagerstown | $699 | $58 |
| Laurel | $860 | $72 |
| Rockville | $796 | $66 |
| Salisbury | $685 | $57 |
Optional car insurance coverage in Maryland
Optional car insurance protects your vehicle and finances beyond the minimum coverage required in Maryland. Collision and comprehensive insurance pay for damage to your own car, while rental reimbursement, roadside assistance and gap insurance address specific expenses that a state minimum liability policy does not cover.
Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:
- Collision coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage. This coverage pays for damage to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
- Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
- Roadside assistance coverage. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery, roadside assistance will send someone to help.
- Gap coverage. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.
Why do limits change?
State lawmakers increase minimum car insurance limits when existing requirements no longer reflect current accident expenses. Rising medical bills, repair costs and vehicle values can make current limits insufficient. Raising the required coverage gives accident victims access to more insurance money and reduces the amount drivers pay.
Methodology
Insurance.com partners with Quadrant Information Services to field average car insurance rates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. National and state average rates are based on state minimum coverage and on the following parameters:
- 40-year-old driver
- Honda Accord LX
- Good credit
- A clean driving record
- 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage
State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.
Learn more about our data and methodology.
Maryland car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs
Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Maryland?
Yes. Drivers in Maryland must maintain the minimum insurance required under state law. Mandatory coverage includes 30/60/15, UMBI, UMPD and PIP, $2,500. Driving without the required policy can result in fines, license or registration penalties, and higher premiums when you purchase insurance again.
Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?
Yes, your car insurance will cover an eligible claim when you drive in another state. If the state where the accident occurs requires higher liability limits, your policy will automatically adjust to meet those limits for the claim. However, this does not add collision or comprehensive coverage to a minimum policy.
What happens if I drive without car insurance in Maryland?
Driving without car insurance in Maryland can lead to fines, license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and increased insurance premiums. Repeat offenses may carry more serious consequences, including jail time. You will also be personally responsible for medical bills, repairs, and other damages if you cause an accident while uninsured.
Compare state minimum requirements with other states
You might also be interested in- Maryland DUI and insurance: How much does a DUI raise your insurance?
- Speeding ticket calculator in Maryland
- Non-owner car insurance in Maryland: Best and cheapest companies
- Maryland gap insurance: Everything you need to know
- Low-income car insurance in Maryland
- Maryland car insurance guide
- Maryland car insurance coverage calculator
- Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Maryland
- Cheapest home and auto insurance bundle in Maryland
- Best condo insurance in Maryland for 2026
