Auto insurance is a necessity if you own or drive a car, but with so many different types of coverage and many different insurance companies to choose from, finding cheap car insurance in Maryland can be confusing. To find a policy that offers the best rates with the coverage you need, it’s important to shop around and compare rates from several insurance companies.
What Companies Offer Cheap Car Insurance In Maryland?
The average Maryland driver will pay between $1,043 and $2,400 a year for auto insurance. The annual premium will depend on several factors, including:
- Age
- Driving record
- Amount of coverage
Overall, USAA offers the cheapest auto insurance to Maryland drivers, but its products are only available to you and your family if you are or have been in the military. If you are not eligible for USAA membership, you can find cheap car insurance through Progressive, Geico, Travelers, and Erie Insurance Group.
What is the Minimum Required Car Insurance In Maryland?
According to the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration, in order to register a car and drive legally in the state of Maryland, you need to carry the minimum required liability insurance. The state requirements include:
- $30,000 for bodily injury.
- $15,000 for property damage.
- $60,000 of liability coverage for two or more people.
You must always have proof of this coverage in your vehicle when driving, and you have to show it at the request of law enforcement.
It’s important to note that these amounts are just the minimum required by the state, and they might not be enough to provide the financial protection you need if you get into an accident. Keeping just the minimum is one of the ways you can get cheap car insurance in Maryland, but it’s not always the best financial decision in the long run. If you have to file a claim and the minimum doesn’t cover the cost of injuries, you’ll have to cover the rest out of your own pocket.
Uninsured and underinsured coverage in Maryland is recommended but not required by the state, and personal injury protection to cover medical expenses for you and your passengers if you get into an accident is also recommended.
What Factors Affect Auto Insurance Premiums in Maryland?
Several factors will affect your premiums. In addition to your age and driving record, insurance companies will look at:
- The number of miles you drive. If you drive less than 7,500 miles per year, you’ll pay less than if you drive 20,000 miles a year or more.
- Your coverage amounts. Full coverage costs more than just carrying liability.
- Your driving record. Drivers with a clean record will pay lower premiums than drivers with a DUI, speeding ticket, or an at-fault accident.
- Your marital status. Married drivers will pay up to 4% less than single drivers.
Cheap Full Coverage Car Insurance In Maryland
Full coverage refers to a policy that combines liability coverage with comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision covers the cost of repairing your car if it gets hit or hits another vehicle or object, and comprehensive pays for damage to your vehicle in the event of vandalism, theft, or impact with an animal.
A few companies offer cheap full coverage insurance in the state of Maryland. State Farm has full coverage options that run over 20% lower than the state average. USAA also offers cheap full coverage for its eligible members.
Cheap Car Insurance for Maryland Drivers With Poor Credit
Your credit history has a significant impact on your premiums. Good credit will help keep them lower, but the insurance company may see you as a higher risk if you have some blemishes on your credit history. It might take some shopping around to get cheaper insurance if you have bad credit.
Geico is one company that offers competitive rates for drivers with poor credit, with annual premiums significantly lower than other companies. Travelers is another company to consider, along with Kemper.
Cheap Car Insurance For Young Drivers in Maryland
Young drivers with less experience behind the wheel are a considerably higher risk than experienced drivers, so they pay higher premiums. Geico, State Farm, and Erie Insurance Group are the three companies that offer the lowest rates for young teen drivers.
Cheap Car Insurance in Maryland for Drivers With DUIs
Drivers with DUIs on their driving records can expect to pay more for their insurance. This is one of the most serious violations, and insurance companies view it as a high risk. Some companies to look into if you have a DUI on your record include Progressive, State Farm, and Erie Insurance Group.
You might also be able to lower your rates after a DUI or several speeding tickets if you take a defensive driving course.
How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Maryland
The best way to find the cheapest car insurance rates is to shop around. Make sure to get quotes from large national insurance companies and regional insurers as well. In Maryland, local insurers such as The Hartford and Erie might have lower rates than the big national insurers.
Don’t let your coverage lapse. If you have a gap in coverage, most companies will charge you higher premiums, even if you don’t own a car. If this is the case, you’ll want to find a non-owner policy to help you keep the minimum coverage without a lapse. Another way to find cheap car insurance in Maryland is to find and use discounts. Insurance companies offer discounts for a variety of reasons, and they are available to anyone. Check for student discounts, safe driving discounts, paperless billing, and multiple policy discounts.
If you’re just moving to Maryland or are in the process of moving within the state, check to see where insurance rates are the cheapest. You can do a ZIP code search to find out the most and least expensive areas for car insurance.
The easiest way to find cheap car insurance in Maryland is to keep your driving record clean, have good credit, and live in a safe area. If you don’t meet all these requirements, you might have to do some digging and research, but you can still find reasonable rates.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
