The best car insurance companies in Maryland are The General, Direct Auto, and National General, based on user ratings on WalletHub. Drivers in Maryland can save up to $3,356 per year just by comparing quotes and picking one of the best insurers in the state.
The best auto insurance isn’t always the cheapest, though. Good car insurance is about more than just affordable coverage, after all. The best auto insurance companies in Maryland also have high customer satisfaction ratings, a streamlined claims process, and helpful policy management tools.
It pays to be protected by a great insurer in Maryland. There are roughly 108,656 car accidents in Maryland each year, resulting in billions of dollars in damage. Around 14% of drivers in Maryland are driving without insurance, too. Fortunately, Maryland drivers have both national and regional car insurance options to choose from.
To find the best car insurance in Maryland for different types of drivers, WalletHub’s editors compared coverage options and rates from local, regional and national auto insurance providers. You can find the top options listed below.
The General is a licensed car insurance agency based in Nashville, Tennessee. It&rsquo,s a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corp. (PGC), and is known for offering auto insurance to high-risk drivers... show more
National General Insurance is headquartered in New York City and was founded in 1939. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the largest insurance providers in the... show more
Esurance is an online insurance company that specializes in selling bundled insurance policies at affordable prices. The company was purchased by Allstate in 2011 in a $1 billion deal. Here... show more
Farmers is one of the oldest auto insurance companies in the U.S., having opened in 1928. The Farmers Insurance Group of Companies now serves more than 50 million individual policies... show more
State Farm is the largest provider of auto and home insurance policies in the U.S., insuring more than 80 million people across the country. The company is headquartered in Bloomington,... show more
Horace Mann was founded in 1945 by two Springfield, Illinois, teachers who saw a need for quality, affordable auto insurance for teachers. Since then, they have broadened their mission to... show more
Progressive is one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., and it operates in all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C. The company now serves more than 13... show more
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and most diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide has been in... show more
21st Century Insurance was founded in 1958 and is based in Wilmington, Delaware. 21st Century, which became part of The Farmers Group of Insurance Companies in 2009, specializes in car... show more
Direct Auto Insurance, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and founded in 1991, specializes in insurance for high-risk drivers. Direct Auto Insurance is available in 14 states, including Georgia, Texas, and Virginia. Here... show more
The best car insurance in Maryland is from The General, based on user reviews. The General has a user rating of 4.0 out of 5 on WalletHub, and the company offers solid coverage options as well as nine discounts for policyholders to take advantage of.
In addition to its standard coverage choices, The General offers specialty policy add-ons such as roadside assistance and customized equipment coverage. Check out the table below to learn more about the best car insurance companies in Maryland.
Car insurance in Maryland costs an average of $87 per month or $1,038 per year for minimum coverage. This means drivers in Maryland pay about 55% more for state-minimum coverage than drivers throughout the rest of the country.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Maryland by Company
Note: Rates are an approximation based on a male driver in Maryland with minimum coverage and a clean driving record. Actual rates will vary.
Tips for Finding the Best Car Insurance in Maryland
1. Shop Around
It’s important to explore your options so you can find the best policy for your needs with the most competitive rate. It’s typically recommended that you compare quotes from at least three different insurance companies before purchasing a policy in order to find the best deal.
You can begin by comparing quotes from the best car insurance companies in Maryland. Maryland drivers should also compare quotes from local insurance companies such as NJM and Partners Mutual.
2. Find the Best Companies for Your Age Group
To help drivers determine which companies to compare quotes from, WalletHub’s editors have ranked the cheapest insurers for specific categories of people. For instance, you can learn more about the best car insurance companies for teens and young drivers, college students, and seniors. The best car insurance companies for middle-aged drivers will typically be the same as the best companies in Maryland overall.
3. Look Into the Company’s Reputation
Research the reputation of each insurance company you’re considering, including their financial stability and customer service record, by checking out their profile on WalletHub. You can see ratings from consumer watchdog groups like AM Best and read reviews that WalletHub users have left based on their experiences with each company. Additionally, you should ask for recommendations from friends, family members, and colleagues.
4. Look for Discounts
In addition to comparing quotes, you should compare the discounts each insurance company offers. Consider how much the discounts save you and how many you are eligible for. Discounts can vary based on factors like your driving history, your policy choices, and your car.
For example, many insurers offer a pay-in-full discount for drivers who pay for their entire policy up front. Additionally, you can get a discount if your vehicle is equipped with certain safety features such as an anti-theft device.
5. Determine How Much Coverage You Need
You have to purchase enough coverage to meet the minimum requirements in Maryland in order to drive legally. Whatever coverage you purchase beyond that is based on your individual needs and circumstances.
If you are struggling to find affordable rates, then opting only for minimum coverage may be the best choice. It’s important to note that if your car is leased or financed, your lender or lessor may have additional coverage requirements that you will need to meet.
Video: Best Car Insurance Companies in Maryland
Methodology
In order to identify the best car insurance companies in Maryland, WalletHub evaluated more than 30 of the largest insurance companies that: 1) are licensed in the state, 2) allow consumers to buy and manage auto insurance policies online, and 3) have agents licensed in the state.
To be eligible for the label “Best Car Insurance Company in Maryland”, an insurance company must have an average rating of 3.7 or higher among user reviews on WalletHub, with a minimum of 10 reviews. In the absence of at least five insurance companies that meet the review criteria, we included the next-best companies.
Best Car Insurance In Maryland FAQ
Comparing car insurance can be tough. But you've got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. Other consumers have a wealth of knowledge to share, and we encourage everyone to do so while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution's responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.
The #1 car insurance company is State Farm because it is the largest auto insurer in the U.S., with a market share of 16%. State Farm insures over 80 million people and offers coverage in all 50 states.
The top 10 car insurance companies - State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, USAA, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, Nationwide, American Family and Travelers - own more than 70% of the auto insurance market share in the U.S. As a result, it shouldn't come as a surprise that these companies tend to be the best options for most types of drivers.
Maryland law requires you to have $30,000 in coverage for one person's bodily injury or death, up to $60,000 total per accident, and $15,000 in coverage for other people's property damage when you are at fault. Maryland also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. UIM/UM replaces the liability coverage an at-fault driver should've had.
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 Allstate, Erie, and Esurance, 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 national average auto insurance premium. There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in Maryland, including...
Liability insurance pays for others' medical expenses and property damage after an accident you were responsible for. In addition, drivers in Maryland will need to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage equal to the minimum liability limits to satisfy the state's minimum car insurance requirements.
Full coverage insurance in Maryland costs $211 per month, or $2,533 per year, on average. This is more expensive than the national average cost of full coverage, which is $2,117 per year.
To help drivers find the best car insurance in Maryland, WalletHub posed the following questions to a panel of experts. Click on the links below to find their commentary and advice.
Why are car insurance prices so different from state to state?
Are car insurance companies really able to save drivers as much as they advertise?
What are the most important things to look for when shopping for car insurance?
What is the best way to save on car insurance?
What advice would you give to someone shopping for car insurance for the first time?
Why are car insurance laws so different from state to state?
What are the pros and cons of choosing a national car insurance company over a local insurer?
Roland T. Rust Distinguished University Professor and David Bruce Smith Chair in Marketing; Vice President of Publications, American Marketing Association; Executive Director, Center for Excellence in Service, Department of Marketing, Robert H. Smith School of Business - University of Maryland Read More
Lisa Fairchild Ph.D., Professor of Finance, Sellinger School of Business, Loyola University Maryland Read More
Mia Russell Senior Lecturer and Director, Clark Scholars Program, Center of Leadership Education, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Read More
Dorothy M. Nuckols MPH, AFC®, Financial Wellness Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Maryland Extension Read More
Carrie Sorenson MPH, AFC® – Family and Consumer Sciences Educator – University of Maryland Extension Read More
Jesse M. Ketterman Ph.D., AFC®, Extension Educator (Family and Consumer Sciences, Financial Capability), University of Maryland Extension, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences Read More
P. K. Kannan Dean’s Chair in Marketing Science, Professor of Marketing, Robert H. Smith School of Business – University of Maryland, College Park Read More
Christina DePasquale Ph.D., Associate Professor of Practice, Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins University Read More
D. Scott Emge MBA, CPA, CFP®, Executive in Residence, Department of Finance, Loyola University Maryland Read More
Dina El Mahdy Ph.D., CFE, Visiting Scholar at George Washington University - Associate Professor of Accounting, Morgan State University Read More
Stephen M. Berry Instructional Specialist, Coach, BEES - Business, Economics, and Entrepreneurial Studies, School of Business and Law, Anne Arundel Community College Read More
Gustavo Schneider Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Marketing, Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, Salisbury University Read More
Kwang Soo Cheong Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics & Finance, Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins University Read More
Amna Kirmani Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Marketing; Chair, Marketing Department, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland Read More
David Abrahams Department Chair, Associate Professor and Public Administration Program Coordinator, Department of Management, Marketing, and Public Administration, College of Business, Bowie State University Read More
Pamela Queen Associate Professor, School of Business & Management, Morgan State University Read More
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers, companies or professionals (collectively “listings”) that appear on this site, originate from paying advertisers. For full transparency, here is a list of our current advertisers.
Advertisers compensate WalletHub when you click on a link, or your application is approved, or your account is opened. Advertising impacts how and where listings appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear and their prevalence). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, companies and professionals, but our listings do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Advertising enables WalletHub to provide you proprietary tools, services, and content at no charge. Advertising does not impact WalletHub's editorial content including our best picks, reviews, ratings and opinions. Those are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any issuer, as our editors follow a strict editorial policy.
WalletHub is not a financial advisor. Our goal is to provide you with top-notch content, data, and tools. You are responsible for deciding what financial products and providers are best for your needs.
We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. Actual terms may vary. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.
Your web browser (Internet Explorer) is out of date and no longer supported.
Please download one of these up-to-date, free and excellent browsers: