The Ultimate Maryland Car Insurance Guide (Costs + Coverage)

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Kalyn Johnson

Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster

Kalyn grew up in an insurance family with a grandfather, aunt, and uncle leading successful careers as insurance agents. She soon found she has similar interests and followed in their footsteps. After spending about ten years working in the insurance industry as both an appraiser dispatcher and a senior property claims adjuster, she decided to combine her years of insurance experience with another...

Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster

Zach Fagiano

Licensed Insurance Broker

Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...

Licensed Insurance Broker

UPDATED: Feb 16, 2024

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Maryland Statistics SummaryDetails
Road MilesTotal in State: 32,037
Vehicle Miles Driven: 57,516 Million
VehiclesRegistered: 4,008,847
Total Stolen: 13,151
State Population6,042,718
Most Popular VehicleCR-V
Uninsured Motorists12.40%
State Rank: 23
Total Driving Fatalities2008-2017
Speeding: 1,584
Drunk Driving: 1,542
Annual Average PremiumsCollision: $353.99
Comprehensive: $152.72
Liability: $609.74
Cheapest ProvidersNAICOA + USAA

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Known for its popular vacation spots like Ocean City, Chesapeake Bay, and Baltimore, the Old Line State is usually defined by its beautiful Atlantic coastline, its American history pertaining to the Civil War, and of course, crabcakes.

Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state with over 3,000 miles of coastline, abundant waterways, snowy mountains, and a sub-tropical climate.

Whether you’re in Maryland studying at one of the many universities, or you live in the busy city of Annapolis full time, one thing is for sure — you’re going to need to purchase a Maryland car insurance policy.

We know finding an insurance policy can be difficult, especially if you have no idea what you’re looking for – and that’s exactly why we came up with the ultimate guide to Maryland insurance.

With some effective research and the right tools, you could save up to 40 percent or more on your car insurance policy.

Shopping for Maryland automobile insurance? If you live in Baltimore, Rockville, Frederick, Gaithersburg, or Columbia, you may acquire up to five rate quotes from top companies in your state through AutoInsuranceEZ.com. Rates fluctuate by company and you ought to compare rates diligently before you purchase a policy. We’ll show you how to acquire the coverage to meet your needs.

So what are you waiting for? Use our free tool by entering your zip code in this box above to get started. Need to do more research? That’s fine too. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about Maryland auto insurance.

Table of Contents

Maryland Car Insurance Coverage and Rates

You might be wondering where to start when it comes to finding the right insurance policy. You may have questions like, how much car insurance do I actually need? Who is the cheapest provider? What type of car insurance do I need?

Before we dive into some of these questions, let’s first talk about how much car insurance is legally required by the state of Maryland.

To help you better understand Maryland’s rhyme and reason when it comes to car insurance, it might be a good idea to read about Maryland’s car culture below.

Maryland’s Car Culture

Maryland may not be known as a historic capital of automobiles, but drivers here spend a lot of time in their cars.

The state has a history of not only driving vehicles but also of making them. The Broening Highway General Motors Plant, more commonly known as the Baltimore Assembly, operated from 1935 to 2005 and had produced Buicks, Chevrolets, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs and Chevrolet Trucks.

Marylanders also have a love for auto racing and vintage cars. There are also a number of annual car shows in the state including the OC Car Show in Ocean City which is one of the hottest and longest-running shows on the East Coast.

Maryland Minimum Car Insurance Coverage Requirements

Okay, now back to the real show. What in the world do we mean by minimum car insurance requirements?

Maryland is considered to be an at-fault car accident state.

Maryland is an at-fault car accident state. If you don’t already know what this means, it is a huge part of the reason why Maryland requires every driver to carry at least a minimum car insurance policy.

In at-fault car accident states, drivers who cause an accident are responsible for paying the costs of all repairs to damaged vehicles, replacing totaled vehicles, and covering the costs of all medical bills for anyone who was involved in that accident.

In short, if you break it, you buy it.

So now that you know what at-fault means, let’s move onto Maryland minimum liability requirement laws.

Liability insurance acts as a safety net. You’re probably not going to die if you land in a safety net, but you’re most likely going to have some injuries – but it’s definitely a gamble when it comes to how serious those injuries are.

Just like the safety net protects you from dying, liability insurance protects you from owing thousands of dollars if you ever do get into a bad accident.

Since it’s only liability insurance however, you are most likely going to owe some money after you cause an accident with an innocent victim.

So what’s the bottom line? Maryland minimum insurance liability laws are as follows:

  • $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
  • $60,000 for total bodily injury or death liability in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
  • $15,000 for property damage per accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle

You may have heard this called the 30/60/15 policy. Don’t think you need more insurance than what is required? Keep reading to find out why you actually should have more insurance coverage than what is required.

Forms of Financial Responsibility

What is a form of financial responsibility? A form of financial responsibility is just a fancy term for proof of insurance.

Every driver in the state of Maryland must be able to show proof of insurance, license, and registration at any time when a law enforcement officer requests to see it.

Are you wondering how to show proof of insurance? When you sign up for car insurance, your insurance company will give you an insurance card.

While this is an acceptable form of proof of insurance, there are also other forms of proof of insurance that you may show to an officer if you get pulled over.

Acceptable forms of proof of insurance are:

  • Valid liability insurance ID cards
  • Copy of your current car’s insurance policy
  • Valid insurance binder (a temporary form of car insurance)
  • Picture of proof of insurance on your smartphone
  • Electronic insurance card

So what happens if you are unable to show proof of financial responsibilty when an officer requests it?

  1. You may lose your license plates and vehicle registration privileges.
  2. You will need to pay a fine of at least $175.

It is illegal to drive without insurance in Maryland, but it’s also illegal to drive without proof of insurance.

Premiums as a Percentage of Income

In 2014, Maryland’s annual average per capita income was $46,875. This is the average amount of money Maryland residents take home after paying their taxes. But why is this important to know?

In 2014, Maryland drivers paid an average of $1,096.37 for a full comprehensive coverage auto insurance policy. That means Maryland drivers spend 2.34 percent of their annual income on car insurance alone!

Estimates are a good, quick way to figure out what you might have to pay for your car insurance policy. But keep in mind that because this estimate was taken in 2014, you can bet car insurance costs have increased a little since then.

From 2012-2014, Maryland car insurance costs increased by about $40.

The national average per capita income in 2014 was $40,859 and the national average cost of a full coverage insurance policy from the same year was $981.77.

Even though this number is slightly lower than Maryland’s average cost and income, Maryland usually has cheaper car insurance than Washington, D.C., and Delaware.

Core Car Insurance Coverage in Maryland

The data from the table below is pulled directly from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Coverage TypeAnnual Costs (2015)
Liability$609.74
Collision$353.99
Comprehensive$152.72
Combined$1,116.45

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Since this data is from 2015, you can expect insurance rates to be slightly higher today.

Having minimum coverage is important (it’s required by law to carry it) however, it’s always smart to carry more coverage than what is actually required. Your wallet will thank us if and when you get into a car accident.

Additional Liability Coverage in Maryland

Loss Ratio201520142013
Personal Injury Protection80.28%76.37%78.14%
Medical Payments (MedPay)84.19%81.75%88.89%
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UUM)74.08%71.49%71.73%

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The additional insurance coverage types in the table above are all optional add-ons that anyone can add to an existing or new insurance policy.

But why would anyone want to add them on to a policy voluntarily? Insurance is already expensive, so why would anyone want to pay even more for a policy?

Uninsured/underinsured coverage is important to have because not every driver obeys the law and actually carries car insurance. It is impossible to monitor millions of people at all times.

If an uninsured driver hits you and causes damage to your vehicle, that driver may not be able to just write you a check to cover repairs — he or she is likely going to go bankrupt while trying to pay for these damages and/or medical bills.

12.40 percent of Maryland drivers are uninsured. This means Maryland is ranked 23rd in the U.S. for uninsured drivers.

This is where additional liability coverage steps in. Long story short, it protects you when you’ve been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.

But what about loss ratio percentage?

Loss ratio percentage shows a company’s financial strength. It also tells how many filed claims were paid and how many filed claims went unpaid.

Take a look at the percentages in the table above. If a company has a loss ratio that is too low (under 50 percent) the company might be scamming its clients because it isn’t paying enough of the filed claims received.

IMPORTANT: When you get into an accident, you file a claim with your insurance company stating the damage done and the estimated cost of repairs. You can also file a claim for medical bills.

On the other hand, if a company has a loss ratio percentage that is too high (over 100%) the company could be at risk of going bankrupt because it is paying too many claims – some of these claims are likely to be fraudulent.

So what should you look for when finding a new provider?

Stay away from companies with loss ratio percentages under 50 percent and over 100 percent.

Add-ons, Endorsements, and Riders

Are you looking for even more insurance? More insurance is always better insurance.

Click on the links below to find out more about each individual insurance add-on.

Add one or add them all, the choice is up to you.

Male vs. Female Annual Car Insurance Rates in Maryland

Did you know factors like gender, marital status and age can affect your car insurance rate? People usually think that women pay more for car insurance than men do. However, this is usually not the case.

CompanyMarried 35-year old femaleMarried 35-year old maleMarried 60-year old femaleMarried 60-year old maleSingle 17-year old femaleSingle 17-year old maleSingle 25-year old femaleSingle 25-year old male
Allstate Indemnity$3,479.22$3,341.48$3,315.46$3,402.86$10,126.25$11,877.20$3,142.00$3,180.86
Geico Cas$2,409.20$2,633.97$2,737.58$3,154.25$7,238.09$8,259.04$2,057.84$2,171.06
Liberty Mutual Fire Ins Co$6,671.15$6,671.15$6,594.83$6,594.83$12,964.69$19,221.87$6,671.15$8,990.68
NAICOA$2,001.73$2,008.48$1,810.88$1,863.99$4,680.47$6,150.29$2,316.18$2,493.50
Progressive Select$2,445.57$2,204.58$2,128.62$2,174.55$8,688.04$9,494.13$2,844.59$2,778.79
State Farm Mutual Auto$2,384.38$2,384.38$2,189.99$2,189.99$7,402.28$9,470.28$2,661.50$3,004.10
USAA$1,974.24$1,939.21$1,843.88$1,839.49$4,378.75$5,166.68$2,274.19$2,536.67

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If you’re 17 years old and bumming out about how expensive car insurance will most likely be, don’t read into this table too much.

As soon as you turn 25, your rates drastically decrease because car insurance companies have deemed 25 as the age at which you become an “experienced driver”.

This data is based on actual purchased coverage by the state population and includes rates for high risk drivers and those drivers who choose to purchase more than the state minimum as well as other types of coverage not required such as uninsured/underinsured motorist, PIP, and MedPay.

Just remember to keep a clean record as a young driver – this will affect your rate much more than your age.

Rates in Maryland’s Ten Largest Cities

Here’s a list of some average rates for Maryland’s top ten most populated cities.

CityZipcodeAverage
BALTIMORE20601$5,112.33
BALTIMORE20602$4,936.41
BALTIMORE20603$4,963.34
BALTIMORE20606$4,256.97
BALTIMORE20607$5,297.52
BALTIMORE20608$5,010.20
BALTIMORE20610$4,302.09
BALTIMORE20611$4,603.69
BALTIMORE20612$4,610.02
BALTIMORE20613$5,217.62
BALTIMORE20615$4,338.99
BALTIMORE20618$4,287.99
BALTIMORE20619$4,200.98
BALTIMORE20620$4,226.08
BALTIMORE20622$4,504.97
BALTIMORE20623$5,585.48
BALTIMORE20627$4,239.29
BALTIMORE20629$4,278.27
BALTIMORE20637$4,637.89
BALTIMORE20640$4,959.02
BALTIMORE20645$4,618.40
BALTIMORE20653$4,190.67
BALTIMORE20661$4,627.89
BALTIMORE20664$4,628.84
BALTIMORE20744$5,788.76
COLUMBIA20866$5,108.79
COLUMBIA20876$4,588.40
COLUMBIA20896$4,355.80
GERMANTOWN21076$4,984.48
GERMANTOWN21088$4,575.44
SILVER SPRING20670$4,229.87
SILVER SPRING20721$5,555.04
SILVER SPRING20733$4,839.42
SILVER SPRING20740$5,158.35
SILVER SPRING20742$5,373.56
SILVER SPRING20837$4,626.70
SILVER SPRING20880$4,710.96
FREDERICK21625$3,747.63
FREDERICK21632$3,697.12
FREDERICK21641$3,688.53
FREDERICK21656$3,750.06
WALDORF20736$4,628.05
WALDORF20784$5,969.59
WALDORF20815$4,168.33
GLEN BURNIE20720$4,890.93
GLEN BURNIE20874$4,572.58
GAITHERSBURG20882$4,433.72
GAITHERSBURG21009$4,598.74
GAITHERSBURG21155$5,209.94
GAITHERSBURG21206$7,306.98
ROCKVILLE20879$4,696.73
ROCKVILLE20903$5,762.99
ROCKVILLE21082$5,004.30
ROCKVILLE21161$4,766.11
ELLICOTT CITY20895$4,264.12
ELLICOTT CITY20905$4,896.53

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Cheapest Rates by Zip Code in Maryland

Did you know that where you live can affect your rate?

Cheapest ZIP Codes in Maryland CityAverage by ZIP CodesMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
21783SMITHSBURG$3,658.86Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,292.55
21629DENTON$3,679.84Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48USAA$2,154.13Nationwide$2,199.10
21767MAUGANSVILLE$3,680.30Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,451.41
21721CHEWSVILLE$3,682.15Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,292.55
21660RIDGELY$3,683.98Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48USAA$2,154.13Nationwide$2,199.10
21641HILLSBORO$3,688.53Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48USAA$2,154.13Nationwide$2,199.10
21670TEMPLEVILLE$3,688.53Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48USAA$2,154.13Nationwide$2,199.10
21655PRESTON$3,689.34Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48USAA$2,154.13Nationwide$2,199.10
21601EASTON$3,689.45Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,199.10USAA$2,283.88
21719CASCADE$3,696.13Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,292.55
21811BERLIN$3,696.78Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,213.21USAA$2,322.55
21632FEDERALSBURG$3,697.12Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,255.85USAA$2,377.24
21742HAGERSTOWN$3,697.62Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,292.55
21842OCEAN CITY$3,698.26Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,213.21USAA$2,322.55
21862SHOWELL$3,699.60Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,213.21USAA$2,407.74
21810ALLEN$3,699.92Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,247.24USAA$2,424.67
21627CROCHERON$3,701.33Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,255.85USAA$2,377.24
21663SAINT MICHAELS$3,702.10Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,199.10USAA$2,278.74
21652NEAVITT$3,702.66Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,199.10USAA$2,253.04
21653NEWCOMB$3,702.66Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,199.10USAA$2,253.04
21795WILLIAMSPORT$3,706.29Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,451.41
21852POWELLVILLE$3,706.88Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,247.24USAA$2,424.67
21654OXFORD$3,708.41Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,199.10USAA$2,253.04
21659RHODESDALE$3,711.42Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,255.85USAA$2,377.24
21734FUNKSTOWN$3,711.93Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,292.55

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It makes sense for Baltimore to have to highest insurance rate because it is the biggest city in the state of Maryland.

Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Maryland CityAverage by ZIP CodeMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
21216BALTIMORE$8,830.19Liberty Mutual$18,053.57Progressive$9,230.34USAA$4,945.10Nationwide$5,400.63
21215BALTIMORE$8,651.27Liberty Mutual$18,053.57Progressive$9,004.76USAA$4,632.39Nationwide$5,400.63
21213BALTIMORE$8,455.92Liberty Mutual$16,417.60State Farm$8,891.65USAA$4,390.01Nationwide$5,201.68
21217BALTIMORE$8,407.60Liberty Mutual$18,053.57Progressive$8,410.13USAA$4,625.95Nationwide$5,400.63
21223BALTIMORE$8,230.60Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Progressive$8,481.40USAA$4,945.10Nationwide$5,201.68
21205BALTIMORE$7,886.36Liberty Mutual$16,417.60State Farm$8,088.92USAA$3,761.94Nationwide$5,201.68
21207GWYNN OAK$7,721.94Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Progressive$7,844.78USAA$4,882.32Nationwide$5,400.63
21251BALTIMORE$7,596.61Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Progressive$7,616.45USAA$4,158.69Nationwide$5,201.68
21218BALTIMORE$7,591.34Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Allstate$7,693.18USAA$3,928.12Nationwide$5,201.68
21239BALTIMORE$7,485.36Liberty Mutual$15,481.52Allstate$7,585.22USAA$4,158.69Nationwide$4,504.09
21202BALTIMORE$7,310.39Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Allstate$7,693.18USAA$3,761.94Nationwide$5,201.68
21206BALTIMORE$7,306.98Liberty Mutual$12,595.13Progressive$8,639.76USAA$4,219.07Nationwide$4,504.09
21133RANDALLSTOWN$7,288.96Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Allstate$7,585.22USAA$3,682.84Nationwide$4,860.80
21244WINDSOR MILL$7,164.27Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Allstate$7,585.22USAA$3,906.13Nationwide$4,509.81
21233BALTIMORE$7,044.14Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Progressive$7,721.98USAA$3,831.40Nationwide$4,504.09
21201BALTIMORE$7,013.37Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Allstate$7,693.18USAA$3,734.89Geico$4,760.90
21231BALTIMORE$6,850.34Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Allstate$7,693.18USAA$3,831.40Progressive$4,824.71
21208PIKESVILLE$6,777.46Liberty Mutual$14,015.81Allstate$7,585.22USAA$3,662.08Nationwide$3,990.65
21214BALTIMORE$6,699.88Liberty Mutual$10,811.14Allstate$7,693.18USAA$3,954.72Nationwide$4,504.09
21209BALTIMORE$6,520.50Liberty Mutual$14,015.81Allstate$7,585.22USAA$3,358.11Nationwide$4,504.09
20743CAPITOL HEIGHTS$6,517.08Liberty Mutual$14,583.12Allstate$6,180.00Nationwide$4,077.69USAA$4,095.03
20747DISTRICT HEIGHTS$6,402.12Liberty Mutual$14,583.12Allstate$6,180.00USAA$4,040.83Nationwide$4,077.69
20785HYATTSVILLE$6,358.32Liberty Mutual$14,583.12Allstate$6,180.00USAA$4,032.68Nationwide$4,077.69
21212BALTIMORE$6,321.77Liberty Mutual$11,974.20Allstate$7,585.22USAA$3,832.56Nationwide$4,504.09
20710BLADENSBURG$6,313.14Liberty Mutual$14,583.12Allstate$6,205.95Nationwide$3,588.66USAA$3,865.45

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Cheapest Rates by City in Maryland

Find your city in the tables below.

Cheapest Cities in Maryland Average by CityMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
Cavetown$3,658.86Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,292.55
Denton$3,679.84Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48USAA$2,154.13Nationwide$2,199.10
Maugansville$3,680.30Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,451.41
Chewsville$3,682.15Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,292.55
Ridgely$3,683.98Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48USAA$2,154.13Nationwide$2,199.10
Hillsboro$3,688.53Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48USAA$2,154.13Nationwide$2,199.10
Templeville$3,688.53Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48USAA$2,154.13Nationwide$2,199.10
Preston$3,689.34Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48USAA$2,154.13Nationwide$2,199.10
Easton$3,689.44Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,199.10USAA$2,283.88
Cascade$3,696.13Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,292.55
Berlin$3,696.78Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,213.21USAA$2,322.55
Federalsburg$3,697.12Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,255.85USAA$2,377.24
Fountainhead-Orchard Hills$3,697.62Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,292.55
Ocean City$3,698.26Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,213.21USAA$2,322.55
Showell$3,699.60Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,213.21USAA$2,407.74
Allen$3,699.92Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,247.24USAA$2,424.67
Crocheron$3,701.33Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,255.85USAA$2,377.24
St. Michaels$3,702.09Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,199.10USAA$2,278.74
Neavitt$3,702.66Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,199.10USAA$2,253.04
Newcomb$3,702.66Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,199.10USAA$2,253.04
Halfway$3,706.29Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,451.41
Powellville$3,706.88Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,247.24USAA$2,424.67
Oxford$3,708.41Liberty Mutual$8,068.52Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,199.10USAA$2,253.04
Rhodesdale$3,711.42Liberty Mutual$7,741.31Allstate$4,095.48Nationwide$2,255.85USAA$2,377.24
Funkstown$3,711.93Liberty Mutual$7,798.10Allstate$4,058.11Nationwide$2,288.47USAA$2,292.55

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Cavetown and Denton have the cheapest rates in Maryland.

Most Expensive Cities in Maryland Average by CityMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
Randallstown$7,288.96Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Allstate$7,585.22USAA$3,682.84Nationwide$4,860.80
Windsor Mill$7,164.27Liberty Mutual$15,383.48Allstate$7,585.22USAA$3,906.13Nationwide$4,509.81
Baltimore$6,862.78Liberty Mutual$13,543.49Allstate$7,512.52USAA$3,899.06Nationwide$4,576.97
Capitol Heights$6,517.08Liberty Mutual$14,583.12Allstate$6,180.00Nationwide$4,077.69USAA$4,095.03
District Heights$6,402.12Liberty Mutual$14,583.12Allstate$6,180.00USAA$4,040.83Nationwide$4,077.69
Cheverly$6,358.32Liberty Mutual$14,583.12Allstate$6,180.00USAA$4,032.68Nationwide$4,077.69
Bladensburg$6,313.13Liberty Mutual$14,583.12Allstate$6,205.95Nationwide$3,588.66USAA$3,865.45
Forest Heights$6,203.36Liberty Mutual$13,517.97Allstate$5,762.95USAA$4,029.40Nationwide$4,077.69
East Riverdale$6,143.03Liberty Mutual$14,583.12Allstate$6,205.95Nationwide$3,588.66USAA$4,003.22
Garrison$6,113.39Liberty Mutual$11,974.20Allstate$7,529.77USAA$3,552.82Nationwide$4,160.22
Camp Springs$6,017.80Liberty Mutual$13,119.41Allstate$5,901.97USAA$3,873.61Nationwide$3,944.81
Hyattsville$5,969.59Liberty Mutual$12,306.94Allstate$6,205.95Nationwide$3,588.66USAA$3,865.45
Arbutus$5,965.66Liberty Mutual$9,170.39Allstate$7,639.20USAA$3,039.87Nationwide$3,878.95
Brentwood$5,917.22Liberty Mutual$12,306.94Allstate$6,205.95Nationwide$3,588.66USAA$4,003.22
Adelphi$5,893.97Liberty Mutual$12,626.36Allstate$6,090.60Nationwide$3,779.60USAA$3,809.53
Riverdale$5,880.83Liberty Mutual$12,306.94Allstate$6,205.95Nationwide$3,588.66USAA$4,003.22
Essex$5,871.01Liberty Mutual$10,811.14Allstate$7,307.83USAA$3,220.02Nationwide$3,767.26
Mount Rainier$5,870.98Liberty Mutual$12,306.94Allstate$6,205.95Nationwide$3,588.66USAA$4,003.22
Glenarden$5,728.56Liberty Mutual$12,306.94Allstate$6,070.33USAA$3,262.16Nationwide$3,588.66
Bowleys Quarters$5,711.38Liberty Mutual$10,811.14Allstate$6,509.97USAA$3,401.99Nationwide$3,767.26
Clinton$5,633.08Liberty Mutual$12,322.28Allstate$5,701.21USAA$3,348.43Nationwide$3,679.06
Reisterstown$5,628.38Liberty Mutual$10,684.93Allstate$6,016.35USAA$3,302.66Nationwide$3,449.67
Edgemere$5,593.30Liberty Mutual$10,104.80Allstate$7,693.18USAA$3,220.02Nationwide$3,767.26
Kettering$5,586.04Liberty Mutual$12,306.94Allstate$6,008.58USAA$3,239.35Nationwide$3,588.66
Cheltenham$5,585.48Liberty Mutual$12,322.28Allstate$5,701.21USAA$3,348.43Nationwide$3,679.06

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Find the Cheapest Insurance in Your City: Discover the Most Affordable Insurance in Maryland

Looking for affordable insurance rates in Maryland? Our table presents a comparison of insurance costs across several cities in the state. Whether you’re in Baltimore, Columbia, Frederick, Gaithersburg, or Rockville, finding the most budget-friendly insurance option is just a click away. Start comparing rates now to secure the best deal for your needs.

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Enter your ZIP code below to compare auto insurance rates.

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Maryland’s Best Car Insurance Companies

With literally hundreds of car insurance companies out there, it can be difficult to choose just one to trust with your money – and let’s be honest, your piece of mind.

But no one has hours and hours to sift through the details and reviews of hundreds of companies, and that is exactly why we wanted to include this section.

In these next few sections, we will go over financial ratings, company complaints, AM Best ratings, and more.

The Top Ten Largest Company’s Financial Ratings

CompanyAM RatingDirect Premiums WrittenMarket ShareLoss Ratio
GeicoA++$1,173,73923.98%71.93%
State Farm GroupA$940,40419.21%76.11%
Allstate Insurance GroupA+$582,87211.91%56.19%
USAA GroupA++$422,1168.62%78.75%
Erie Insurance GroupA$376,2417.69%78.20%
Nationwide Corp GroupA+$373,0327.62%63.41%
Progressive GroupA+$310,1706.34%59.90%
Liberty Mutual GroupA$185,1533.78%61.25%
Travelers Groupa+$81,1221.66%63.94%
Hartford Fire & Casualty GroupA+$50,0751.02%61.65%

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Similar to loss ratios, AM Best ratings show a company’s financial strength.

As you can see in the table above, none of the companies have loss ratio percentages above 100 percent or under 50 percent.

Maryland Car Insurance Companies with the Best Ratings

If you’re standing on the side of the road waiting for your insurance company to pick up the phone after you’ve just been in an accident, the last thing you want to hear is a rude person on the other end of the line.

We all know that customer service is pertinent when you are looking for a new car insurance company, and J.D. Power knows this as well.

J.D. Power conducts a study every year that ranks car insurance companies based on customer satisfaction grades.

The 2019 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, now in its 20th year, examines customer satisfaction in five factors (in order of importance): interaction; policy offerings; price; billing process and policy information; and claims.

Maryland J.D. Power Study

According to this study, with the exception of USAA (a company that only services military members and their families), Erie Insurance was ranked as the number one car insurance company for customer service in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.

The study is based on responses from 42,759 auto insurance customers and was fielded from February through April 2019.

The Top Ten Largest Companies with the Most Complaints in Maryland

The data from the table below is pulled from the NAIC.

CompanyNational Median
Complaint Ratio
Company Complaint
Ratio 2017
Total Complaints
2017
GeicoN/A0.0076
State Farm Group10.441482
Allstate Insurance Group10.5163
USAA GroupN/A02
Erie Insurance Group10.722
Nationwide Corp Group10.2825
Progressive Group10.75120
Liberty Mutual Group15.95222
Travelers Group10.092
Hartford Fire & Casualty Group14.689

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Don’t be discouraged by these statistics. Every company receives complaints. How a company chooses to handle a complaint it what really matters.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Maryland

CompanyAverageCompared to State AveragePercentage Compared to State Average
Allstate Indemnity$5,233.17$650.4712.43%
Geico Cas$3,832.63-$750.07-19.57%
Liberty Mutual Fire Ins Co$9,297.55$4,714.8550.71%
NAICOA$2,915.69-$1,667.01-57.17%
Progressive Select$4,094.86-$487.84-11.91%
State Farm Mutual Auto$3,960.86-$621.83-15.70%
USAA$2,744.14-$1,838.56-67.00%

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If you’re looking for a cheap car insurance company, check rates with NAICOA. Keep in mind that USAA only services military members and their families.

Commute Rates by Companies in Maryland

Did you know that how far you drive every day can affect the cost of your car insurance rate? Statistically, the more you’re driving on the road, the more likely you are to be involved in a car accident.

Group10 miles commute, 6000 annual mileage25 miles commute, 12000 annual mileage
Allstate$5,159.18$5,307.15
Geico$3,768.30$3,896.96
Liberty Mutual$9,048.56$9,546.53
Nationwide$2,915.69$2,915.69
Progressive$4,094.86$4,094.86
State Farm$3,858.87$4,062.86
USAA$2,658.84$2,829.44

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As you can see, some rates don’t change at all based on mileage, some change by $100 or less, and some change by about $500.

Coverage Level Rates by Companies in Maryland

Sometimes, car insurance companies will give you a break on your rate if you have more insurance than what is required.

Take a look at the table below to see what we mean.

GroupLow CoverageMedium CoverageHigh Coverage
Allstate$5,102.42$5,199.95$5,397.13
Geico$3,694.42$3,808.14$3,995.32
Liberty Mutual$9,027.48$9,275.12$9,590.04
Nationwide$2,792.62$2,924.01$3,030.44
Progressive$3,907.33$4,095.34$4,281.91
State Farm$3,753.81$3,972.14$4,156.65
USAA$2,601.17$2,753.05$2,878.19

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Having better coverage is only a couple of hundred dollars more a year and can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Credit History Rates by Companies in Maryland

Credit history can also affect insurance rates.

GroupPoor Credit HistoryFair Credit HistoryGood Credit History
Allstate$6,779.90$4,730.97$4,188.63
Geico$4,344.33$3,598.70$3,554.85
Liberty Mutual$13,288.03$8,563.61$6,040.99
Nationwide$3,726.47$2,636.53$2,384.07
Progressive$5,161.32$3,875.85$3,247.40
State Farm$5,794.48$3,437.51$2,650.60
USAA$3,659.27$2,509.68$2,063.46

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According to Experian, Maryland’s average credit score is 672.

The national average credit score is 675.

Basically, if you have decent credit, you’ll usually end up with a decently lower rate. Wreck your credit score, and you’re rate is sure to be significantly higher than it normally would be.

As you can see from the table above, a poor credit score can drive up your rate by thousands of dollars.

Driving Record Rates by Companies in Maryland

The biggest factor to decide your car insurance rate is your driving record.

GroupClean recordWith 1 speeding violationWith 1 accidentWith 1 DUI
Allstate$4,632.04$5,510.30$6,158.29$4,632.04
Geico$2,719.17$3,232.71$4,234.15$5,144.48
Liberty Mutual$6,722.01$8,465.21$8,825.47$13,177.49
Nationwide$2,565.95$2,908.52$3,443.50$2,744.79
Progressive$3,496.06$4,020.51$4,633.82$4,229.05
State Farm$3,551.42$3,915.37$4,461.30$3,915.37
USAA$2,158.09$2,323.31$2,645.44$3,849.72

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Check out Liberty Mutual’s rate – if you get just one DUI, your rate will increase by up to $5,000 per year.

Number of Licensed Insurers in Maryland

DomesticForeignTotal Number of Licensed Insurers
32860892

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You might be wondering what the difference is between foreign insurance laws and domestic laws.

Domestic insurance laws are formed under the laws of the state of Maryland while foreign insurance laws are formed under the laws of the U.S.

Maryland State Laws

Knowing every single Maryland state law ever written isn’t necessary (especially when some are very out of date), however, it’s important to be familiar with Maryland state driving laws.

Knowing driving laws will help you avoid traffic tickets and fines, and help you stay safe while on the beautiful Maryland coastline. In this section, we will cover car insurance laws, high-risk insurance, auto fraud laws, vehicle licensing laws, and much more.

The following information is brought to you by the NAIC, the IIHS, Carwindshields.info, and Responsibility.org.

Car Insurance Laws in Maryland

Before we get into Maryland auto insurance laws, let’s first talk about how auto insurance laws are formed.

According to the NAIC, domestic car insurance rate filing laws are formed using a system called file and use. 

When creating form filing laws, Maryland uses a different system called prior approval.

To find out more about how state car insurance laws are formed in Maryland, please visit www.maryland.gov.

Windshield Coverage

If you need your windshield replaced because a huge rock flew up and cracked it while you were driving, your insurance company isn’t obligated by law to fix it unless you want to pay a hefty deductible first.

However, some car Maryland auto insurance companies may offer a comprehensive plan that includes windshield repairs and replacements.

Carwindshields.info says an insurer who has this plan may use aftermarket parts if they are of “like kind and quality” (used parts are acceptable).

A separate endorsement may be purchased (prior to the loss) that requires the insurer to use OEM parts. You may use any repair shop of your choice (but you may have to pay the difference in price).

High-Risk Insurance

What is SR22 high-risk insurance?

If you get caught driving without insurance, the Department of Motor Vehicles may require you to carry SR22 insurance or “high-risk insurance”. An SR22 form is a form that must be carried at all times because it proves you are an insured driver.

You might also need to carry high-risk insurance if you have been convicted or involved in one of the following actions:

  • DUI Conviction
  • Uninsured auto accident
  • If you have too many points on your driving record
  • If you are convicted of a DUI and you didn’t have insurance when convicted
  • A traffic violation that results in a fatality or serious injury
  • If you are an older driver
  • If you have your license suspended

Keep in mind that it is the right of any insurance company to refuse service to you if you need high-risk insurance.

Low-Income Government Aid Insurance Plan

Unfortunately, the state of Maryland doesn’t have a government-aided insurance plan for families with low income. But don’t let this get you down, there are still many more ways to save money on your insurance policy.

Ask your insurance company if you qualify for any of the following discounts:

  • Good driver discount
  • Student discount
  • Homeowner’s discount
  • Bundle discount
  • Military discount
  • Multi-car discount

Hawaii, California, and New Jersey are the only states in the U.S. that provide insurance aid to families with low income.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Maryland

What do we mean when we’re talking about automobile insurance fraud?

According to this article, Maryland accounts for a third of CSAA Insurance Group’s questionable claims.

The IIHS says insurance fraud can be “hard” or “soft.” Hard fraud occurs when someone deliberately fabricates claims or fakes an accident.

Soft insurance fraud, also known as opportunistic fraud, occurs when people pad legitimate claims, for example, or, in the case of business owners, list fewer employees or misrepresent the work they do to pay lower premiums for worker’s compensation.

Insurers said two of the most common — and costly — problems in Maryland are claims for accidents involving a second car that left the scene, which makes details hard to prove, and people using out-of-state addresses to secure lower insurance rates.

If you or someone you know would like to get a hold of the Maryland Insurance Administration, you can visit their website at www.mdinsurance.state.md.us or give them a call at 800-492-6116.

You can also visit their office at the office listed below.

525 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202-2272

Do you want to stay out of trouble with auto insurance fraud? Don’t pad your claims and don’t fake an accident.

The Statute of Limitations Law in Maryland

The statute of limitations law protects insurance companies from people who decide that they want to file a claim many years after an accident has occured.

At the same time, the statute of limitations law also protects a driver by giving him or her ample time to file a claim with their respected insurance company.

In the state of Maryland, drivers have just three years from the day of their accident to file a property damage claim and/or a personal injury claim.

Maryland’s Vehicle Licensing Laws

Car insurance isn’t cheap — but driving without it can really hurt your wallet and your peace of mind. We want this next section to be dedicated to vehicle licensing laws.

We’ll go over teen driving laws, penalties for driving without insurance, license renewal procedures and more.

Real ID

Have you ever heard of a REAL ID?

After October 2020, drivers will need a Real ID to go through airport security and board any domestic flight.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Maryland

By now you should know that driving without insurance is against the law in Maryland. But if you get caught driving without insurance, what penalties could you be facing?

You could . . .

  • Lose your license plates and vehicle registration privileges
  • Have to pay uninsured motorist penalty fees for each lapse of insurance — $150 for the first 30 days, $7 for each day thereafter
  • Pay a restoration fee of up to $25 for a vehicle’s registration

According to Maryland.gov, the penalties for driving without insurance are always the same, even if it’s your fourth time being caught and charged as an uninsured driver.

Since we’re parked here, let’s review acceptable forms of proof of insurance.

Acceptable proof of insurance forms in Maryland are:

  • Valid liability insurance ID cards
  • Copy of your current car’s insurance policy
  • Valid insurance binder (a temporary form of car insurance)
  • Picture of proof of insurance on your smartphone
  • Electronic form of proof of insurance card

Whenever you are pulled over and a law enforcement officer requests to see a copy of your proof of insurance, you must be able to show it — otherwise, you will receive a fine for driving without proof of insurance.

Anytime you are pulled over, have your proof of insurance, license, and registration handy. You can take a photo of your insurance card if you’re not good with carrying paper cards.

Like we said – insurance isn’t cheap, but at least it’s less expensive than getting caught without insurance.

Want to get started saving on Maryland auto insurance right now? Enter your zip code in the box below.

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Teen Driver Laws

Teens can start driver education at 15 years and nine months old. In Maryland, driver education is required regardless of applicant age.  Take a look at the table below to view more laws about teen driving and restricted license laws.

Requirements for Getting a Maryland LicenseDetails
Mandatory Holding Period9 months
Minimum Supervised Driving Time60 Hours, 10 must be at night
Minimum Age16, 6 months

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License applicants who are 19 years old (or 18 with a high school diploma) but younger than 25 must hold a learner’s permit for three months before taking the road test. All applicants 25 and older must hold the permit for 45 days.

Sixty supervised driving hours are required for all applicants younger than 25. Applicants age 25 and older are required to drive for fourteen supervised hours.

Check out the restricted license laws in the table below.

Restricted License Laws in MarylandDetails
Nighttime restrictionsmidnight-5 a.m.
Passenger restrictions (family members excepted unless noted otherwise)no passengers younger than 18, secondary enforcement
Minimum age at which restrictions may be lifted
Nighttime restrictionsuntil age 18 (min. age: 18)
Passenger restrictions5 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 11 mos.)

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The night and passenger restrictions only apply to intermediate license holders younger than 18.

License Renewal Procedures

It doesn’t matter if you’re 18 years old or 80 years old, every driver in the state of Maryland must renew his or her license every eight years.

IMPORTANT: Mail and online renewal is permitted, but only at every other renewal.

If you’re 40 years old or older, you must be able to provide adequate proof of vision at every renewal. If you’re under 40, don’t worry about proof of vision.

New Residents in Maryland

According to the DMV, if you’ve just moved to Maryland, there are a few things you need to take care of with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) soon after your move.

These include:

  • applying for a Maryland driver’s license,
  • registering your out-of-state vehicle, and
  • updating your voter and organ donor registrations

If you’re a military member recently stationed in Maryland, some licensing and registration requirements may not apply to you.

If you’ve brought your out-of-state vehicle with you to Maryland, you have 60 days to register it with the MVA before you risk being penalized.

Contact your previous state’s DMV to check whether you need to return your license plates to them or notify them of your new address.

It would also be a good idea to let your insurance company know you are moving to the state of Maryland and you will need adequate Maryland car insurance.

Maryland’s minimum liability car insurance requirements are as follows:

  • $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
  • $60,000 for total bodily injury or death liability in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle, and
  • $15,000 for property damage per accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle.

Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)

According to Driving Laws Published by Nolo, negligent driving—which is a “lesser included offense” of reckless driving—is defined as driving a vehicle “in a careless or imprudent manner that endangers any property or the life or person of any individual.”

The difference between reckless and negligent driving is a matter of degree, and the dividing line isn’t always clear.

Basically, reckless driving involves the operation of a vehicle that’s obviously dangerous, whereas more subtle instances of bad driving might be in the negligent driving category.

The penalties for negligent driving are less severe than those for reckless driving. Like reckless driving, negligent driving is a misdemeanor.

But the scheduled fine for negligent driving is only $140, and the maximum fine a judge can impose in court is $500. A negligent driving conviction puts three points on the driver’s record.

Maryland Rules of the Road

What do we mean by Maryland rules of the road?

To give it to you straight, this next section will include Maryland seat belt and car seat laws, speed limit laws, ridesharing laws, and keep right or move over laws.

First up, let’s cover our bases and define the term at-fault.

Fault vs. No-Fault

Maryland is an at-fault car accident state.

This means that any driver who causes an accident is held responsible for the property damage repairs and medical bills of any person (or any vehicle) who was involved in the accident.

Because of Maryland’s at-fault status, it is very important to have more insurance than what is required by the state.

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

Are you familiar with Maryland’s seat belt laws? If you get caught with an unbuckled seat belt, you may be facing some serious fines.

Seat Belt Laws in MarylandDetails
Effective SinceJuly 1, 1986
Primary Enforcementyes; effective 10/01/97 (secondary for rear seat occupants; effective 10/01/13)
Age/Seats Applicable16+ years in all seats
1st Offense Max Fine$50

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Help keep your child safe by making sure they are in the proper car seat.

Type of Car Seat RequiredAge/Details
Must be in Child Safety Car Seat7 years and younger and less than 57 inches
Maximum base fine$50
Preference for Rear Seatlaw states no preference for rear seat
Adult Belt Permissible8 through 15 years; children who are at least 57 inches

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Have you ever wondered if it’s illegal to ride in the cargo area of a pick-up truck?

According to AAA, riding in the cargo area of a pickup truck is not permitted for persons under the age of 16. If the vehicle is traveling more than 25 mph, proper child restraints are still required.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

Have you ever heard of keep right or move over laws?

In the state of Maryland, left lane driving prohibited if a driver is traveling under the speed limit.

Maryland code 21-301 says any vehicle going 10 miles an hour or more below the applicable maximum speed limit shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

AAA says state law requires drivers traveling in the same direction and approaching a stopped emergency vehicle using flashing lights, including tow trucks or service vehicles, to change into a lane not immediately adjacent to the vehicle, if possible, or to slow to a speed safe for the weather, road, and traffic conditions.

Also included in the law are municipal vehicles, such a waste or recycling vehicles.

Speed Limit Laws

The information below is brought to you by the IIHS.

Are you aware of Maryland’s maximum speed limits?

Type of RoadwaySpeed Limit
Rural Interstates70 mph
Urban Interstates70 mph
Other Limited Access Roads70 mph
Other Roads55 mph

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Keep in mind that it is illegal to drive over the speed limit.

Ridesharing Laws

What is ridesharing?

Taxi services like Uber or Lyft are considered to be ridesharing services. If you are an employee or a driver for companies like these, you’ll need to apply for ridesharing insurance.

If you need ridesharing insurance, try calling any of these providers listed below.

    • Allstate
    • Erie
    • Farmers
    • Geico
    • Liberty Mutual
    • USAA

Some insurance companies may refuse to insure you if you work as a driver for a ridesharing company.

Automation on the Road

Technology has come a long way in the last few years. The word “automation” means something totally different today than it did 40 years ago.

The IIHS says automation involves using radar, camera, and other sensors to perform parts or all of the driving tasks on a sustained basis instead of the driver.

One example is adaptive cruise control, which continually adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain a set minimum following distance.

Features such as automatic braking, which acts as a back-up if the human driver fails to brake, or blind-spot detection, which provides additional information to the driver, aren’t considered automation under this definition.

Could vehicle automation be the answer to distracted driving?

Currently, Maryland doesn’t have any laws about vehicle automation, but with new technology changing every day, laws about automation are probably going to start taking effect in the near future.

Safety Laws in Maryland

What’s a more important topic than safety? Let’s take a look at laws to help keep you safe while on the road.

In this section, we will go over DUI laws, distracted driving laws, and drugged driving laws,

DUI Laws in Maryland

From 2008-2017, there were over 1,542 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in the state of Maryland. This is why Maryland has strict laws against drunk driving.

Name for OffenseDriving Under the Influence (DUI)
BAC Limit0.08
High BAC Limit0.15
Criminal Statusall misdemeanors
Look Back Period5 years

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To discourage drivers from drinking and driving, we’ve included a section on the penalties for drinking and driving. Take a look at the table below.

Number of OffenseALS or RevocationImprisonmentFineOther
First Offense6 monthsno minimum, but up to 1 yearno minimum, but up to $100012 points on license
Second Offense1 year; if 2 convictions w/in 5 years, IID program mandatory5 days - 2 yearsno minimum, but up to $2,00012 points on license
Third Offense18 months up to lifetimeno minimum, but up to 3 yearsno minimum, but up to $3,00012 points on license

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These penalties may seem harsh, but in 2017, 186 people died from drunk driving accidents. In the same year, more than 14,000 people were arrested for drunk driving.

Please don’t drink and drive; every time you do, you risk your life and someone else’s.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

At this time, there aren’t any specific laws in Maryland about taking marijuana while driving. However, a law enforcement officer can pull you over and charge you for something called impaired driving.

If you are suspected of driving impaired, a law enforcement officer has every right to pull you over. This is called primary enforcement.

If you are charged with impaired driving, most likely you will be penalized with fines and jail time.

Distracted Driving Laws

Cell phones have come a long way in the last 40-50 years. We use them everywhere, so why not use them while driving?

Studies have shown that the effects of texting while driving can be worse than drinking and driving.

According to AAA, using a text messaging device to write, read, or send a text message while driving is prohibited for all drivers.

The use of a handheld telephone is prohibited for all drivers. The use of wireless communication devices by all drivers under 18 is prohibited.

That text can wait! Save a life and wait to answer your phone until you are safely parked.

Driving in Maryland

Since we’ve covered a good portion of Maryland laws, it’s time to get into Maryland’s can’t miss facts.

In this next section, we want to discuss vehicle theft, traffic fatality rates, traffic congestion, transportation statistics and more.

We’ve collaborated with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Responsibility.org, Data USA, the FBI and Inrix to bring you all of the following information and statistics.

Keep reading to find out more about how vehicle theft rates can affect your car insurance rate.

Vehicle Theft in Maryland

Is your vehicle on this most-stolen list?

The year with the vehicle is just the most popular model year stolen. The number listed as stolen for that make and model includes all model years of it.

Make/ModelYear of VehicleThefts
Dodge Caravan2003727
Honda Accord2008675
Toyota Camry2014347
Honda Civic2012313
Ford Pickup (Full Size)2004287
Nissan Altima2013230
Toyota Corolla2014204
Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee2015194
Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)1999192
Hyundai Sonata2013169

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Apparently, Dodge Caravans are the most stolen vehicles in Maryland. This next list comes from the FBI. It shows vehicle theft by city in Maryland in 2017.

StateMotor
vehicle
theft
Aberdeen6
Annapolis40
Baltimore5,171
Baltimore City Sheriff0
Bel Air2
Berlin0
Berwyn Heights4
Bladensburg66
Boonsboro0
Bowie77
Brentwood4
Brunswick7
Cambridge26
Capitol Heights6
Centreville2
Chestertown3
Cheverly17
Chevy Chase Village2
Colmar Manor6
Cottage City3
Crisfield0
Cumberland16
Delmar2
Denton8
District Heights11
Easton8
Edmonston7
Elkton49
Fairmount Heights3
Federalsburg8
Forest Heights4
Frederick43
Frostburg4
Fruitland2
Glenarden10
Greenbelt67
Greensboro0
Hagerstown124
Hancock0
Havre de Grace3
Hurlock12
Hyattsville78
Landover Hills4
La Plata29
Laurel58
Lonaconing0
Luke0
Manchester1
New Carrollton33
North East4
Oakland0
Ocean City18
Ocean Pines1
Oxford25
Perryville7
Pocomoke City1
Princess Anne1
Ridgely1
Rising Sun1
Riverdale Park26
Rock Hall0
Salisbury68
Seat Pleasant20
Smithsburg0
Snow Hill2
St. Michaels0
Sykesville2
Takoma Park33
Taneytown1
Thurmont1
Trappe0
University Park1
Upper Marlboro1
Westminster15

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Some of these cities had zero theft in 2017. That’s not a typo – that’s correct!

Road Fatalities in Maryland

It’s time to get into a more sobering topic: road fatality rates.

What causes them? Where do they happen the most? How can we prevent traffic fatalities?

Before we start answering all of these questions, let’s look at Maryland’s most dangerous road.

Most Fatal Highway in Maryland

Every year, over 30,000 people are killed in road crashes in the United States.

To determine the most dangerous highway in Maryland, a Fatal Crash Rate was calculated that is based on the annual number of road fatalities and fatal crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

It was adjusted for the average daily traffic counts provided by the Federal Highway Administration.

According to geotab.com, US Route 1 in Maryland sees around 12 fatal accidents every year. It runs through Pennsylvania and D.C.

Fatal Crashes by Weather Condition and Light Condition

Did weather and light conditions have anything to do with the fatality rate in Maryland?

Weather ConditionDaylightDark, but LightedDarkDawn or DuskOther / UnknownTotal
Normal184117104180423
Rain14994036
Snow/Sleet201003
Other150006
Unknown168152243
TOTAL217139129242511

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According to this list above, most of these fatal accidents occured under normal weather conditions. Many of them happened in broad daylight and at night.

Fatalities (All Crashes) by County

The table below shows fatal crashes by counties in Maryland.

CountyFatalities
2013
2014201520162017Fatalities
Per 100K
Population
2013
2014201520162017
Allegany County1191331.361.3712.4118.014.19
Anne Arundel County34373744446.126.66.567.737.68
Baltimore City31304253384.974.816.748.596.21
Baltimore County58646954727.047.748.326.498.65
Calvert County11813111012.168.8314.3712.0710.93
Caroline County81269824.4936.8618.3927.3724.1
Carroll County201116212511.966.579.5712.5614.9
Cecil County171416213116.6813.6915.6220.4530.17
Charles County16815293510.485.189.6318.4221.92
Dorchester County5565615.3515.3818.5115.518.66
Frederick County20182016278.297.388.156.4510.71
Garrett County6379620.0310.1223.830.6720.52
Harford County251722252110.046.828.819.988.33
Howard County16161823175.265.25.767.265.29
Kent County3212115.1310.115.0810.185.16
Montgomery County40394742333.923.794.524.013.12
Prince Georges87989678999.7510.8710.578.5610.85
Queen Anne1231181324.726.1422.4316.2726.12
Somerset County3021511.5507.783.8719.29
St. Mary691212195.498.1810.810.7316.86
Talbot County42114510.555.3229.3310.7513.48
Washington County212517181414.0916.7711.3912.029.3
Wicomico County1891791017.838.8616.668.779.72
Worcester County311101585.8221.3319.4329.1215.48

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Traffic Fatalities: Rural vs Urban

Usually, more traffic fatalities happen in rural areas than in urban areas because there aren’t as many EMS service locations in rural areas as there would be in the city.

Area2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
Rural222203182170180167149125108126
Urban368342313311325295293378408416
Unknown14146301768
Total591549496485511465442520522550

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However, this was not the case in Maryland. From 2008-2017, one hundred to two hundred more fatalities happened per year in urban areas.

Fatalities by Person Type

Did person or vehicle type have anything to do with the fatal crash rate?

Person Type20132014201520162017
OccupantsPassenger Car181174214192213
Light Truck - Pickup3924423342
Light Truck - Utility4048504751
Light Truck - Van198111912
Large Truck57101210
Other/Unknown Occupants22896
Total Occupants286264335318337
Light Truck - Other01003
Bus00060
MotorcyclistsTotal Motorcyclists6269757686
NonoccupantsPedestrian10810197108114
Bicyclist and Other Cyclist65111610
Other/Unknown Nonoccupants33243
Total Nonoccupants117109110128127
TotalTotal465442520522550

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Fatalities by Crash Type

What types of crashes caused fatalities?

Crash Type20132014201520162017
Total Fatalities (All Crashes)465442520522550
(1) Single Vehicle269254280288304
(2) Involving a Large Truck5849586348
(3) Involving Speeding148134124132160
(4) Involving a Rollover7165996059
(5) Involving a Roadway Departure226205249222262
(6) Involving an Intersection (or Intersection Related)100127145146163

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Most traffic fatalities were the result of a single-vehicle crash.

Five-Year Fatality Trend for the Top Ten Largest Counties in Maryland

Below is the five-year fatality trend for the largest counties in Maryland.

County20132014201520162017
Prince Georges8798967899
Baltimore County5864695472
Anne Arundel County3437374444
Baltimore City3130425338
Charles County168152935
Montgomery County4039474233
Cecil County1714162131
Frederick County2018201627
Carroll County2011162125
Harford County2517222521

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According to this list, Prince Georges County had the highest fatality rate from 2013-2017.

Fatalities Involving Speeding by County

Speeding is a huge culprit for crashes that result in a fatality.

CountyFatalities
2013
2014201520162017Fatalities
Per 100K
Population
2013
2014201520162017
Allegany County111411.361.371.385.541.4
Anne Arundel County15121315142.72.142.32.642.44
Baltimore City13131215152.092.081.932.432.45
Baltimore County13171016181.582.061.211.922.16
Calvert County533225.533.313.322.22.19
Caroline County5332215.319.219.26.086.03
Carroll County1033255.981.791.791.22.98
Cecil County437893.922.936.837.798.76
Charles County5353173.271.943.211.9110.64
Dorchester County100103.07003.10
Frederick County6673122.492.462.851.214.76
Garrett County111313.343.373.410.223.42
Harford County854743.2121.62.81.59
Howard County467881.311.952.242.522.49
Kent County3101015.135.0605.090
Montgomery County118350.10.10.770.290.47
Prince Georges29362418303.253.992.641.983.29
Queen Anne7104214.422.0508.134.02
Somerset County00110003.893.870
St. Mary235171.832.734.50.896.21
Talbot County101032.6402.6708.09
Washington County7136634.78.724.024.011.99
Wicomico County720316.931.9702.920.97
Worcester County0136101.945.8311.651.93

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Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver (BAC = .08+) by County

In 2017, there were 186 alcohol-impaired fatalities in the state of Maryland.

CountyFatalities
2013
2014201520162017Fatalities
Per 100K
Population
2013
2014201520162017
Allegany County1031101.3604.1415.240
Anne Arundel County1291510192.161.612.661.763.31
Baltimore City54169100.80.642.571.461.63
Baltimore County12121318291.461.451.572.163.48
Calvert County226232.212.216.632.23.28
Caroline County334329.189.2112.269.126.03
Carroll County732554.191.791.22.992.98
Cecil County5426124.913.911.955.8411.68
Charles County83310135.241.941.936.358.14
Dorchester County131113.079.233.093.13.11
Frederick County415441.660.412.041.611.59
Garrett County3113310.023.373.410.2210.26
Harford County545542.011.6221.59
Howard County525561.640.651.61.581.87
Kent County120005.0410.11000
Montgomery County1114126101.081.361.150.570.94
Prince Georges34423523393.814.663.852.524.27
Queen Anne214074.122.058.16014.06
Somerset County100113.85003.873.86
St. Mary1243110.921.823.62.689.76
Talbot County102232.6405.335.388.09
Washington County7810334.75.376.721.99
Wicomico County635415.942.954.93.90.97
Worcester County156721.949.6911.6613.593.87

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Teen Drinking and Driving

Teenage drinking and driving has become an epidemic in the U.S.

DUI Arrest (Under 18 years old)DUI Arrests (Under 18 years old) Total Per Million PeopleRank
6044.4939

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Maryland is ranked 39th in the U.S. for under-18 DUI arrests. According to Responsibility.org, in 26 states and D.C., under 21 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities per 100k population were at or below the national average of 1.2 deaths per 100,000 population.

Maryland had .6 deaths per 100,000 population. This number is half the national average.

Transportation

Insurance companies often base their rates off of national and state averages. These averages include car ownership, commute time and how people travel to work every day.

To take a closer look at these numbers, take a look at the graphs below.

Car Ownership

According to Data USA, the following chart displays the households in Maryland distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket.

The largest share of households in Maryland have two cars, followed by three cars.

Maryland Car Ownership

The orange bars represent Maryland’s average while the gray bars represent the national average.

Commute Time

Using averages, employees in Maryland have a longer commute time (31.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 4.8 percent of the workforce in Maryland have “super commutes” in excess of 90 minutes.

Maryland Commute Time

Commuter Transportation

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Maryland was Drove Alone, followed by those who Carpooled and those who Public Transit.

Maryland Commuter Transportation

Traffic Congestion in Maryland

According to Inrix, Baltimore is the 88th most traffic-congested city in the world.

City2018 World RankHours Lost in CongestionCost of Congestion (Per Driver)
Baltimore, MD8894$1,315

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As we’ve said above, your auto insurance policy should be as unique as you are.

Now that you’ve read through this ultimate guide to Maryland auto insurance, it’s time to start shopping for your own policy by using our free tool and entering your zip code in the box below.

Good luck and happy shopping.

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