Cheapest Auto Insurance in Baltimore, Maryland (2024)

Car insurance in Baltimore — the largest city in Maryland — costs $283 per month for liability insurance. This is significantly higher than the Maryland state average of $173 for liability and the national average of $104.

Baltimore is a densely populated city of about 570,000 people. This high population density can lead to more car accidents, so insurance companies typically charge higher rates to drivers in Charm City to account for the increased risk.

If you’re looking for cheap Baltimore car insurance, it’s worth shopping around and comparing quotes from different insurers to find the right fit.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Baltimore

With so many companies offering different coverages and prices, knowing which policy is best for you can be difficult. The company with the cheapest average rates may not have the specific coverages you need.

USAA is the best for active military members, veterans, and their families, offering exclusive coverage with unique discounts and perks. GEICO is one of the cheapest insurers in Baltimore and is available to more than just military-affiliated drivers. State Farm is one of the best all-around options, offering a variety of coverages and discounts to drivers of all types.

Below are the top three insurers for different types of drivers in Baltimore. The rates below reflect statewide average insurance costs in Maryland.

Best insurer for military members: USAA

Best insurer for affordable rates: GEICO

Best insurer for teen drivers: State Farm

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Baltimore

Auto insurance companies base their rates on several factors, including your age; the year, make, and model of your vehicle; the policyholder’s credit score; and the ZIP code where your car is parked at night.

While some of these factors are outside your control, you can keep your auto insurance rates low by taking the following steps:

• Select a higher deductible. Choosing a higher deductible for your comprehensive and collision coverage means you’ll pay more out of pocket if you have a covered claim, but it also means you’ll pay less in premiums. If you can afford to pay your deductible out of pocket, it may be a good way to save money in the long run.

• Bundle your home and auto insurance. Many insurance companies offer discounts for policyholders who buy two or more policies from them. If you don’t own a home, you may qualify for lower rates when you bundle life insurance, renters, or other insurance products with your auto insurance.

• Take advantage of other discounts. Most auto insurance companies offer a variety of discounts to drivers. You may qualify for a discount for things like installing a car alarm, maintaining good credit, or keeping a clean driving record. Ask your insurance agent about available discounts.

• Shop around. Rates vary from company to company — even for the same coverage, location, and circumstances. Shopping for coverage with multiple different companies is a good way to find the best rate.

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Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Baltimore: USAA

Liability-only car insurance covers the cost of damages to other vehicles, pedestrians, and property caused by the insured driver but not damage to the driver’s own vehicle.^[2]

Liability-only coverage is cheaper than full-coverage auto insurance, so you may be interested in one of these policies if you have an older model car that isn’t worth a lot. On average, Baltimore drivers pay $283 per month for liability insurance.

The table below shows the companies offering the cheapest liability-only policies in Baltimore.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Baltimore: USAA

Full-coverage auto insurance includes liability coverage, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Collision and comprehensive coverage protect your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident or another covered incident, such as vandalism, weather, and theft.

The table below shows the insurance companies offering the cheapest full-coverage policies in Baltimore. The average cost of full-coverage insurance in Baltimore is $417 per month.

Car insurance requirements in Maryland

Drivers in Maryland must show proof of insurance to register their vehicles. All drivers must carry a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability coverage purchased from an insurance company that’s licensed to do business in Maryland. The table below shows the minimum coverages you’ll need to carry to drive legally.^[3]

You may want to consider carrying more than the minimum required insurance coverage. Some optional insurance products to consider include:

• 

  Collision coverage

  This reimburses you for damage to your own vehicle due to a collision with another vehicle or object.

• 

  Comprehensive coverage

  This reimburses you for theft or damage to your car due to events other than a collision, such as theft, vandalism, hail, etc.

• 

  Medical payments coverage

  This covers healthcare costs if you or your passengers get injured in an accident.

• 

  Glass coverage

  This coverage pays to repair or replace your windshield, windows, and sunroof with no deductible.

• 

  Gap insurance

  This pays the difference between the fair market value of your vehicle and what you owe on your auto loan if it’s stolen or totaled in an accident.^[4]

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Incidents include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, driving under the influence (DUI), and other moving violations. Having incidents on your driving record typically increases your car insurance rates above what drivers with a clean record pay because insurance companies see you as a higher risk and charge higher premiums to offset that risk.

On average, Baltimore drivers with a past incident on their record pay $371 per month for liability insurance and $417 for full coverage.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

If you have a speeding ticket on your record, you’ll likely end up facing an increase in car insurance rates, depending on the severity of the ticket and how many you’ve gotten before.

The following table shows the cheapest car insurance options available in Baltimore for drivers with a speeding ticket. Liability insurance for Baltimore drivers with a past speeding ticket costs $370 per month on average.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA

Finding affordable car insurance after an at-fault accident can be tough. Insurers see you as higher risk than before the accident, and many will increase your rates significantly to account for the extra risk. On average, Baltimore drivers with a past accident pay $380 per month for liability insurance.

Here are the best cheap car insurance options for Baltimore drivers with an at-fault accident on their record.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be a costly mistake that affects your car insurance rates for years. If you’re convicted of a DUI, your current insurance company might decline to renew your policy, and finding a cheap replacement policy can be difficult.

Drivers with a past DUI in Baltimore pay $437 per month for liability insurance. The following insurance companies offer the most competitive rates for Maryland drivers with a DUI.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that drivers 70 and older have higher rates of fatal crashes per mile driven than middle-aged drivers. As a result, insurance companies tend to increase rates once drivers reach around age 70.^[5]

The insurance companies below offer some of the most competitive monthly rates for senior drivers in Baltimore. Senior drivers in Baltimore pay $213 per month for liability insurance and $314 for full-coverage insurance.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA

Many car insurance companies charge higher rates for teen drivers because they have less experience behind the wheel.^[6] Insurers consider them high risk and charge much higher rates to account for that extra risk. You can still find ways to save on car insurance policies for teens, though.

Teens can keep rates low by staying on their parents’ policy as long as possible and taking advantage of offerings, such as discounts for good students or taking a defensive driving course.

On average, teen drivers in Baltimore pay $435 per month for liability and $641 for full coverage. Compare the cheapest car insurance companies for teenage drivers in Baltimore below.

Baltimore car insurance quotes by credit tier

Maryland allows car insurance companies to use your credit-based insurance score when determining your premiums.^[7] Insurance companies view drivers with a poor credit history as riskier and more likely to file claims than drivers with a good or excellent credit history. This means drivers with low credit often pay higher rates than people with higher credit scores.

The table below shows the average monthly rates in Baltimore for each credit tier.

Is car insurance more expensive in Baltimore?

Car insurance is more expensive in Baltimore than the national average for states in the U.S. — and even other cities in Maryland — due to a couple primary factors:

• Population density: Baltimore has a large population, which means there are a lot of cars on the road, and drivers are at greater risk of being involved in an accident.

• Location: Urban areas have higher crime rates, so insurance companies increase rates to offset the risk of cars being stolen or vandalized.^[8]

With an average liability insurance rate of $283 per month and a full-coverage rate of $417, it costs significantly more to insure a vehicle in Baltimore than most other cities in Maryland.

More cities in Maryland

To help compare the cost of car insurance amongst several popular cities in Maryland, consider the table below. It shows the average monthly premium for full-coverage policies in several Maryland cities. See how Baltimore’s rates stack up against other major cities in the state.

Baltimore car insurance FAQs