📊 Maryland at a Glance
Avg Annual Premium
$2,290
full coverage
National Ranking
#25
middle of pack
vs National Avg
-$407
below avg
Uninsured Rate
12.2%
#26 nationally
🎉 Consumer Win: Credit Score Protections
Maryland has unique credit score rules: insurers can only use credit to give you a DISCOUNT—they cannot use it to increase your rates, deny coverage, or cancel your policy. This "ratchet" effect means your rate can only improve, never worsen, due to financial changes.
📋 Maryland Minimum Coverage Requirements
📢 2024 Update: Maryland enhanced uninsured motorist coverage requirements, providing better protection for drivers.
| Coverage Type | Minimum Required |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $30,000 |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $60,000 |
| Property Damage | $15,000 |
| PIP (Personal Injury Protection) | $2,500 (waivable) |
| Uninsured Motorist (UM) | Required: $30,000/$60,000 |
| Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | Required: $30,000/$60,000 |
🤔 Should You Waive PIP?
Maryland's $2,500 PIP coverage is waivable. Here's how to decide:
✓ Keep PIP If:
- • You have a high health insurance deductible
- • Your health plan has slow payments
- • You want immediate medical coverage
- • You have passengers often
△ Consider Waiving If:
- • You have excellent health insurance
- • Your health plan has low deductibles
- • You need to reduce premium costs
- • You mostly drive alone
Our take: Keep PIP unless you have great health insurance. $2,500 isn't much coverage, but it pays immediately without waiting for health insurance processing.
⚖️ How Maryland's Insurance System Works
At-Fault (Tort) State
Maryland uses a traditional tort system. The at-fault driver's insurance pays for damages.
Contributory Negligence ⚠️
Maryland uses pure contributory negligence—if you're even 1% at fault, you may recover nothing. This is harsh and rare among states.
⚠️ Critical: Maryland's contributory negligence rule is one of the harshest in the country. If you're found even slightly at fault for an accident, you may be barred from recovering damages. This makes UM/UIM coverage especially important.
💰 Cheapest & Most Expensive Cities
✓ Cheapest Areas
✗ Most Expensive Cities
DC suburbs and Baltimore are significantly more expensive. Rural Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore offer the best rates.
🏆 Best Insurance Companies in Maryland
| Insurer | Best For |
|---|---|
| GEICO | Good drivers (headquartered in nearby MD suburbs!) |
| State Farm | Bundling, local agents |
| Progressive | Drivers with violations |
| USAA | Military (large presence in MD/DC) |
| Erie Insurance | Regional favorite, Rate Lock feature |
Pro tip: GEICO is headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD—they often have excellent rates for Maryland drivers. Erie Insurance is a beloved regional option with their famous "Rate Lock."
🎁 Available Discounts
Defensive driving course
Good student discount
Bundle home + auto
Low mileage (under 7,500 miles/year)
💡 Tips for Maryland Drivers
- ✓ Take advantage of credit protections - Credit can only help you here, not hurt
- ✓ Max out UM/UIM coverage - Contributory negligence rules make this critical
- ✓ Quote GEICO first - Local company often has best MD rates
- ✓ Consider Erie's Rate Lock - Prevents increases unless you change vehicles/drivers
- ✓ Use MD Insurance Administration - State resources at insurance.maryland.gov
The Bottom Line
Maryland offers solid consumer protections—credit can only give discounts, never increase rates. At $2,290/year, you're below the national average. But beware the contributory negligence rule: if you're even 1% at fault, you may recover nothing.
Best strategy: Quote GEICO (headquartered locally) and Erie Insurance. Max out your UM/UIM coverage because Maryland's harsh fault rules could leave you with nothing. Bundle home+auto for major savings in the expensive DC suburbs.