How much bodily injury coverage do I need in Maryland? This question is about Bodily Injury Liability Insurance

How much bodily injury coverage do I need in Maryland?

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This question is about Bodily Injury Liability Insurance

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@WalletHub • 07/13/21 This answer was first published on 07/13/21. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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You need $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person ($60,000 per accident). Bodily injury liability insurance pays for other people’s injuries after a car accident that you cause, and it can also cover your legal fees if you are sued after a crash.

In addition to bodily injury liability insurance, drivers in Maryland need to purchase $15,000 in property damage liability insurance. Property damage liability coverage pays for damage to others’ property after an accident caused by the policyholder. Together, these liability insurance requirements are often written as 30/60/15.

Maryland also requires drivers to buy uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage equal to the minimum liability limits. For more information, check out WalletHub’s breakdown of how much car insurance you need in Maryland.

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How does car insurance work in Maryland?

Maryland is an at-fault state, which means that the at-fault driver is responsible for paying for everyone injured in the accident. There are no restrictions on the right to sue after an accident in at-fault states, even if the insured buys personal injury protection (PIP). Maryland also requires uninsured motorist protection, which replaces the liability coverage another driver should have had and pays for your costs up to the policy limits.... read full answer

Drivers in Maryland are required to carry at least $30,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, up to $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 in property damage liability insurance. When an insured driver is responsible for an accident, liability insurance covers the other driver’s expenses.

On average, state minimum coverage costs $2,120 per year in Maryland, but there are many factors that can affect how much you pay for a policy. Any coverage above and beyond what is required by Maryland law is optional, but it’s usually worth the money to get some additional protection. The biggest reason is that state minimum coverage doesn’t protect your personal vehicle. For insurance to pay for damage to your car, you’ll need full coverage.

In Maryland, full coverage refers to a policy that includes collision and comprehensive, plus higher coverage limits than what is required by state law. Full coverage car insurance costs about $5,003 per year in Maryland. There may be cases when you don’t need full coverage insurance, but Maryland drivers should buy as much coverage as they can afford as a general rule.

Most policies offer coverage for six months to one year at a time and can be paid in a variety of ways, including monthly payments. The best car insurance companies in Maryland balance affordability with quality coverage and strong customer service. You can easily get a quote from top companies like Geico, State Farm, Erie Insurance and The Hartford online or over the phone, or use WalletHub’s comparison tools to find the best car insurance policy for your needs.

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How much is car insurance in Maryland per month?

Car insurance in Maryland costs $87 per month or $1,038 per year for minimum coverage, on average. The cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland are USAA, Geico, and Travelers, and getting quotes from several companies can help you find the best deal.

The average cost of car insurance in Maryland is 55% higher than the ... read full answer national average auto insurance premium. There are several factors that affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance in Maryland, including your driving record, age and location, the amount of coverage you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Maryland by Category

After an at-fault accident: $302 per month

Driver with poor credit: $132 per month

Teen driver: $360 per month

After a DUI: $154 per month

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Maryland by Company

Company	Minimum Coverage	Full Coverage
Allstate	$1,182 per year	$3,183 per year
Erie	$746 per year	$1,839 per year
Esurance	$1,800 per year	$4,132 per year
Geico	$457 per year	$1,249 per year
Kemper	$887 per year	$2,089 per year
Nationwide	$1,305 per year	$2,360 per year
Progressive	$1,226 per year	$2,134 per year
State Farm	$824 per year	$1,843 per year
Travelers	$577 per year	$1,393 per year
USAA	$365 per year	$1,033 per year

Note: Rates are an approximation based on a 45-year-old man in Maryland with a clean driving record. Actual rates will vary.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Maryland by Age

Age	Average Annual Premium
16 years old	$4,319 per year
17 years old	$4,006 per year
18 years old	$3,576 per year
19 years old	$2,987 per year
20 years old	$2,635 per year
21 years old	$1,945 per year
22 years old	$1,734 per year
23 years old	$1,593 per year
24 years old	$1,482 per year
25 years old	$1,225 per year
35 years old	$1,065 per year
45 years old	$1,038 per year
55 years old	$969 per year
65 years old	$1,108 per year

Note: Rates are an approximation based on a driver in Maryland with minimum coverage and a clean driving record. Actual rates will vary.

How to Lower the Cost of Car Insurance in Maryland

Shop around and compare quotes. We recommend comparing quotes from at least three different insurance companies to make sure you are getting the best rate.

Choose a higher deductible. Your deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premiums but means you will have to pay more out-of-pocket when you file a claim.

Consider lowering your coverage. Consider purchasing only the minimum amount of coverage required by your state, rather than purchasing higher limits or a full coverage policy.

Look for discounts you may be eligible for. For instance, most insurance companies offer a good-driver discount for customers with a clean driving record, a good-student discount, or a discount for paying your premiums in full up front.

To learn more, check out our guide to how much car insurance you need in Maryland as well as our picks for the cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland.

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Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Maryland?

Yes, uninsured motorist coverage is required in Maryland. Drivers in Maryland must purchase at least $30,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person (up to $60,000 per accident), as well as $15,000 in uninsured motorist property damage insurance per accident. Additionally, Maryland drivers need $30,000 in underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person (up to $60,000 per accident) and $15,000 in underinsured motorist property damage insurance per accident.... read full answer

Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance covers a driver’s medical bills and repair costs after an accident if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for the damage. Normally, a Maryland driver can collect damages from the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. However, if the other driver is uninsured, getting compensation can be time-consuming or nearly impossible. That’s where uninsured motorist coverage can help. Instead of having to file a lawsuit, you can file a claim with your own insurance company in order to pay your bills and get the repairs or treatment you need without waiting for the courts.

Even though car insurance is required in Maryland, an average of 12% of drivers in the state don’t have car insurance. Car accidents in Maryland can be extremely expensive, too. For example, fatal accidents in Maryland have a total cost of $690 million each year. As a result, uninsured motorist insurance is a smart investment for Maryland drivers.

Key Facts About Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Maryland:

Minimum Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $30,000 per person and up to $60,000 per accident

Minimum Uninsured Motorist Property Damage: $15,000 per accident

Minimum Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $30,000 per person and up to $60,000 per accident

Min Underinsured Motorist Property Damage: $15,000 per accident

Uninsured Drivers on the Road: 12%

Odds of a Crash with an Uninsured Driver: 1 in 8

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