Compare Best Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Maryland, 2023
Maryland drivers save as much as $842/year when switching with Jerry. Compare quotes from top insurance companies including Progressive, Allstate, and AAA for free today!
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
To fulfill the minimum car insurance requirements in Maryland, you can expect to spend $2,887 per year on average. If you get collision and comprehensive insurance, also known as "full coverage," you will spend an average of $3,141 every year.
Compare Best Car Insurance Quotes in Maryland
The rates you get from providers may be higher or lower depending on a number of factors, from your age, driving history, and ZIP code to your credit score, your vehicle’s engine, and your marital status.
Here are some real quotes and savings from customers in Maryland who switched with Jerry:
Some of the best auto insurance companies for Maryland drivers include the Big Three: State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive. But even though these are the biggest insurance companies in the country—and they can all offer competitive rates for many drivers—you might find your best rate elsewhere.
For example, military members and their families can usually find the lowest rates with USAA—especially with a high credit score. If you already have a homeowners insurance policy with Allstate or Nationwide, they may also have the best rate on auto insurance if you bundle your policies. And you may even find the cheapest insurance from a smaller regional company like Erie.
The bottom line: the best car insurance company in Maryland is different for everyone. That’s because every company uses a slightly different methodology to calculate your annual premium. Certain factors—like poor credit or a teen driver on your policy—may matter less with some companies.
How much is insurance for an 18-year-old in Maryland?
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Insurance for an 18-year-old in Maryland is generally more than $3,000 and often closer to $4,000. Teen driver insurance rates are expensive no matter where you live, although the rates are a bit better in Maryland since it ranks 20th in the country for teen driver safety.
Is $200 a lot for car insurance in Maryland?
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Maryland has expensive insurance compared to the national average, so $200 a month for car insurance is relatively cheap here. The average monthly payment in Maryland is closer to $300 (or more) for a full-coverage policy.
Is car insurance high in Maryland?
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Yes—car insurance is relatively high in Maryland compared to the national average. The state’s high population density, flooding-prone coastal location, and high rate of uninsured drivers (about 14%) are all to blame for the state’s high insurance rates.
Can you go to jail for not having car insurance in Maryland?
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Yes! Drivers who don’t carry the minimum car insurance required in Maryland could face up to a year in jail, fines of up to $1,000, and license plate confiscation.
How much does car insurance cost in Maryland?
The average cost of car insurance in Maryland is considerably higher than the national average—about 48% higher, according to estimates from WalletHub.
What makes car insurance so expensive here? To begin with, Maryland has the 10th highest population density in the country, leading to a higher rate of car accidents. On top of that, Maryland’s coastal position makes it vulnerable to flooding, which can also drive up auto insurance rates. And according the Insurance Information Institute (III), about 14.1% of Maryland drivers are uninsured, which raises costs for everyone else.
All that might sound discouraging, but the truth is that it’s easier than ever to find affordable auto insurance coverage in Maryland. All you need to do is download the Jerry app, answer a few simple questions, and pick the quote and coverage limits that work best for you.
$2,500 per person in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance
How much insurance do I need in Maryland?
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Maryland requires $30,000 per person for bodily injury liability, $60,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $15,000 of property damage liability per accident. You are also required to have uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury covering $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident, and uninsured motorist property damage covering $15,000.
What do you need if you’re pulled over?
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If you get pulled over, you are required to show your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration. Thankfully, digital insurance ID cards are accepted by police and the DMV so you will always have your stored proof of insurance available 24/7 in the Jerry app.
Is Maryland a no-fault state?
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No, Maryland is an at-fault state that gives you the option of buying no-fault coverage. If you purchase personal injury protection (PIP), and are involved in an accident, you and your passengers will have medical expenses paid for immediately, regardless of who is at fault for the accident or if you have health insurance.
If you do not opt for this coverage, the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for you and your passengers' injuries, once their insurance company accepts liability and confirms that there is enough coverage.
The graph below compares the cost of liability insurance—the most important required coverage—with the costs to add collision coverage and comprehensive insurance to your policy. Unlike liability insurance, these two types of coverage aren’t required by law. They’ll pay for damage to your vehicle from a variety of incidents.
Although not required, collision and comprehensive are so important that a policy that includes both is often called a full-coverage car insurance policy!
Cheap car insurance with a DUI or speeding ticket in Maryland
A wide range of traffic violations—from a speeding ticket to a reckless driving charge—can cause your insurance rate to increase. And in Maryland, violation points stay on your record for two years, keeping your rates high.
Don’t let your coverage lapse due to inflated car insurance premiums—driving without proof of insurance that meets state minimums could make your situation even worse! Luckily, Jerry is an expert at finding affordable coverage for drivers with violations. Take a look at our record below.
Young drivers—especially teenagers—have some of the highest average car insurance premiums of any group in Maryland. Why? Because they lack experience on the road and have a statistically higher accident rate, insurance companies view young drivers as a serious risk.
Of course, not every teen driver is a dangerous driver. In fact, Maryland ranks 20th in the country for teen driver safety, making it a little easier to get affordable coverage here before your 25th birthday (when premiums drop).
How can young drivers save money on car insurance in Maryland?
Building up good credit(a low score can cause your rates to climb)
Practicing defensive driving or taking a driver training course for a safe driver discount
Where you live in Maryland can also have an impact on your insurance premium.
It’s probably no surprise that Baltimore car insurance costs are among the highest in the state. High rates of property crime, along with the high accident rate that comes with a dense urban setting, drive rates up in Charm City. On the Eastern Shore, however, you’re likely to see much lower rates. Salisbury car insurance costs are about half of Baltimore’s!
Here’s a more specific breakdown of insurance prices for Jerry across Maryland:
Drivers in smaller areas like Cumberland will have cheaper rates. Cumberland is the least expensive city in Maryland for car insurance, costing an average of $991 annually.
City with Highest Rates of Accidents in Maryland
14.23% of drivers in Bowie have a prior at-fault accident on their record. This raises rates for all drivers in Bowie due to the increased accident risk.
With an average commute of 51.6 minutes, the city of Indian Head has the longest commute in Maryland. Drivers in Indian Head can expect higher-than-average rates due to increased traffic and mileage.
The car you drive also has a significant impact on how much you’ll pay for insurance. In general, less expensive cars cost less to insure—and vice versa. But it’s a little more complicated than that!
If you’re one of the many, many Maryland drivers who own a Honda Accord, good news: Honda Accord car insurance costs are very low thanks to the car’s popularity, safety, and reliability. Because replacement parts are affordable and easy to find and there’s rarely any need for specialized service, insurance claims for the Accord are smaller than average—and a policy costs less.
But if your Accord has a hybrid powertrain, your costs may go up—and the insurance costs for an Acura TLX (the Accord’s luxury sibling) are much higher thanks to more expensive components.
Want to see where your car sits in the lineup from pricey to cost-effective? Check out the features below.
The most popular vehicle in Maryland is the Honda CR-V. CR-V owners pay around $1,100 annually in car insurance. To find the most affordable rates, use a quote comparison site like Jerry.
Do you need the minimum car insurance in Maryland?
Most states have minimum insurance requirements that you must meet to hit the road. But keep in mind that these are just the minimum requirements—and although they’re heftier than in most states, they still might not cover all your expenses in the event of an accident!
That’s because liability coverage only covers repairs and medical bills for other drivers in an at-fault accident, while uninsured motorist coverage only covers your costs if an uninsured driver hits your car. And although PIP insurance will supplement your health insurance to pay for any medical costs, your own vehicle remains perilously vulnerable with state minimum coverage.
This is why most experts recommend adding collision insurance and comprehensive coverage for a full-coverage car insurance policy. In fact, if you’re financing your vehicle, these two types of insurance may be a requirement from your lender.
The features below go over some risk factors that make additional coverage worth it in Maryland.
Coming in dead last, Maryland ranks 50th for traffic and infrastructure in the U.S. Poor infrastructure and high traffic rates increase collision rates, so Maryland drivers will want collision coverage to stay protected.
10,469 vehicles were stolen in Maryland in 2020. Car owners in Maryland will want comprehensive coverage to protect their vehicles from theft. Comprehensive will also cover other non-collision damages, such as hail damage.
Uninsured motorist coverage is required in Maryland, so you’ll need to at least get the state minimum. 14.10% of drivers in Maryland are uninsured, so the coverage could come in handy.
Maryland residents rate their roads a low 5.58/10, and the state ranks last in the U.S. for infrastructure. Drivers should get roadside assistance to help them in case bumpy roads put their vehicle on the side of the road.
How to save money on car insurance in Maryland
No matter your driving history or personal financial situation, there are always ways for you to bring down the cost of your car insurance in Maryland.
Shop around for quotes
The #1 way to lower your car insurance costs is to compare car insurance quotes from at least three companies. Comparing quotes is time-consuming and can be frustrating, so it's a good idea to get help from a local insurance broker or download a car insurance comparison app like Jerry.
Look for discounts
Just about every insurance company has lots of discounts for policyholders—but they won’t always advertise them! If you’re in Maryland, here are some common insurance discounts you should look for:
Clean Driving Record Discounts
Drivers with clean records will get discounted rates from their insurer. This is because drivers with clean records are far less likely to file a claim, so insurers offer cheaper rates as a way of saying “thanks.”
Bundling Discounts
Drivers who buy their auto and home insurance with the same company are all but guaranteed to get a bundling discount.
Continuous Coverage Discount
Drivers who avoid lapses in coverage and stay insured for a long amount of time will get lower rates.
Increase your deductible
If your insurance policy includes collision or comprehensive coverage, you may be able to lower your monthly costs by raising your deductible—the amount you agree to pay out of pocket on a claim before insurance kicks in.
Common collision and comprehensive deductible include $500 and $1,000, but you can go higher—and the higher your deductible, the less you pay month-to-month. Just be careful: choosing a deductible that’s higher than what you could reasonably pay out of pocket is a recipe for trouble.