15 years writing about personal finance
Created content for Credit Karma, KeyBank, and Thrivent
Sarah is a freelance writer who covers personal finance and economics. She enjoys delving into the details of insurance, credit, loans, and the labor market.
Featured in
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
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Updated October 3, 2024
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Table of contents
Columbia drivers pay $172 per month for liability insurance. This is comparable to the Maryland state average of $195 per month but much higher than the national average of $104 per month.
Maryland requires drivers to carry higher amounts of minimum car insurance than many other states, which likely contributes to the expensive insurance costs in the state.
Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance in Columbia, including how to compare quotes and coverage options from multiple companies.
USAA, Safeco, and GEICO have the cheapest average liability insurance rates in Columbia.
Columbia drivers pay $327 per month for full-coverage car insurance. For comparison, full-coverage insurance in Maryland costs $348 per month on average.
In addition to standard liability insurance, Maryland requires drivers to purchase minimum amounts of uninsured motorist bodily injury and property damage coverage.[1]
Best car insurance companies in Columbia
The best car insurance company depends on your financial situation and coverage needs. Before you compare insurers, consider how you use your car — how often you drive, how many miles you drive, and any other drivers you need to list on your policy. All these factors can affect which features and coverage types are best for you.
The following are three of the best insurers that sell auto policies in Columbia. Each insurer is best for certain drivers. The quotes below reflect statewide insurance costs in Maryland.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best for ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
GEICO | 9.0 | $183 | $120 | Cheap rates |
State Farm | 9.3 | $198 | $130 | Teen drivers |
Erie | 9.0 | $224 | $148 | High-mileage drivers |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for cheap rates: GEICO
User Reviews | 3.1 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0/10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $122/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $180/mo |
GEICO is one of the largest car insurers in the U.S., and it sells a variety of policy types. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The company has an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, which is the highest possible rating.
Numerous discounts
24/7 customer service
No insurance agents in Columbia
No discount for bundling car and life insurance
Average
Horrible Experience
Fair
Best insurer for teen drivers: State Farm
User Reviews | 3.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3/10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $131/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $196/mo |
State Farm has been in business for more than 100 years and insures various vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles, RVs, and boats. It also sells life, home, health, and business insurance. State Farm received an above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Good student discount allows for savings of up to 25%
Steer Clear program offers discounts to young drivers who complete training
Anti-theft device discount not available in Maryland
Many complaints from customers on third-party review sites
Average
Okay Insurance, But Too Expensive
Buyer Beware!
Best insurer for high-mileage drivers: Erie
User Reviews | 3.8 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0/10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $149/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $222/mo |
Erie is a major regional insurer that sells policies in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1925, it sells various insurance products, including car, homeowners, renters, life, and business insurance. J.D. Power gave Erie the top customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Rate Lock feature allows you to keep your rate until you make specific changes to your policy
Diminishing deductibles and accident forgiveness available
People report difficulties using the mobile app
No online claims filing
Disappointed with Service
Disappointing
Erie Lacks Customer Communication
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Columbia
The rates insurance companies quote you for car insurance depend on many factors, including your car’s safety record and cost to repair, your credit history, age, gender, ZIP code, and whether you have any incidents on your driving record.
While some variables might be out of your control, you can still take steps to find a low rate, including:
Sign up for usage-based insurance. Some insurers offer telematics programs that track your driving habits and may give you a discount if you demonstrate safe habits on the road.
Buy only the coverage you need. Ensure you aren’t paying twice for coverage you already have through another policy, like your health insurance.
Bundle policies. Many insurers offer discounts to drivers who buy both their auto and home insurance with them.
Look for up-front premium discounts. Some insurers charge a lower rate if you pay your entire premium in a lump sum instead of making multiple payments during the term.
See if you’re eligible for a group plan. Your premium could be lower if you buy a policy through a professional association or your employer.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Columbia: USAA
Liability-only car insurance protects you after a car accident. If you must pay for damage to someone else’s car or their medical treatment, a liability policy can help cover some of what you owe. Liability coverage doesn’t help pay to repair your vehicle if it’s damaged and doesn’t help with your own medical costs if you’re injured.[2]
On average, Columbia drivers pay $172 per month for liability-only coverage.
The following insurers offer some of the most affordable liability policies in Columbia, Maryland.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
USAA | $102 |
Safeco | $113 |
GEICO | $122 |
State Farm | $131 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $132 |
Erie | $149 |
Progressive | $159 |
Elephant | $166 |
CSAA | $174 |
National General | $176 |
Travelers | $177 |
Direct Auto | $178 |
GAINSCO | $193 |
Liberty Mutual | $205 |
Allstate | $234 |
Nationwide | $269 |
State Auto | $305 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Columbia: USAA
Full-coverage car insurance includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, providing broader protection than a liability-only policy. Collision coverage reimburses you if you hit another vehicle or object and sustain damage. Comprehensive coverage protects you in case some event other than a collision damages your car and in case of theft.[2]
On average, Columbia drivers pay $327 per month for full coverage.
If you have a new vehicle, you might need a full-coverage policy to lessen the financial effect if anything happens to it. Below are some of the cheapest full-coverage options for Columbia drivers.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
USAA | $152 |
Safeco | $166 |
GEICO | $180 |
State Farm | $196 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $207 |
Erie | $222 |
CSAA | $232 |
Progressive | $235 |
Travelers | $264 |
Elephant | $269 |
National General | $319 |
Direct Auto | $344 |
Allstate | $349 |
Liberty Mutual | $364 |
Nationwide | $401 |
State Auto | $481 |
GAINSCO | $500 |
Cheapest recent rates near Columbia, Maryland
Drivers in and around Columbia, Maryland have found policies from Allstate, Safeco, GEICO, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Columbia, Maryland within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 3, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Columbia, Maryland within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 3, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Maryland
Maryland requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance and to show proof of insurance when registering a vehicle. You can face fines of up to $2,500 per vehicle per year if you drive without insurance in this state.[1]
Below is the minimum amount of coverage needed to comply with Maryland law.
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability |
|
Property damage liability |
|
Uninsured/underinsured bodily injury liability |
|
Uninsured motorist property damage liability |
|
Maryland also requires insurers to offer you $2,500 of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This pays for medical bills and some lost income if you’re in an accident. You can decline it, which could make sense if your health insurance already provides sufficient coverage and you aren’t interested in protection against lost earnings.[3]
The state insurance requirements are just the minimum amounts you must carry. You may want to buy higher levels of coverage or some of these optional coverage types:
Comprehensive coverage
This compensates you if your car is damaged, stolen, or destroyed by events other than crashes, and most lenders require it if you have an auto loan.
Collision coverage
If you’re in an accident, this coverage pays to repair the damage or pays your car’s value if it’s destroyed. Lenders also typically require it.
Medical payments coverage
This pays healthcare costs if you or your passengers are injured in an accident.
Rental reimbursement coverage
This pays for a rental car while you repair your car after an event covered by your comprehensive insurance.
Transportation expense coverage
This compensates you for other costs of going from one place to another, like bus fares, if you need to repair your car after an event covered by your comprehensive policy.
Towing and labor coverage
This add-on pays to tow your car if you need to take it to an auto body shop.
Mechanical breakdown coverage
This offsets the cost of repairs if you experience a mechanical problem.
Cheapest car insurance for Columbia drivers with an incident
Insurers will quote you higher rates if you have an incident on your driving record. Incidents include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and other moving violations, and they can lead to higher premiums because insurance companies view you as a riskier driver. The average cost of car insurance for Columbia drivers with a past incident is $224 per month for liability coverage and $425 for full coverage.
How much an incident affects rates depends on the specific violation and how the insurer calculates rates. You can generally expect to pay higher premiums for three to five years following an incident.[4]
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA
Speeding is a risk for insurers because it can cause crashes. Keep in mind that speeding affects your rates even if you received it in another state. If you were cited for speeding in Delaware, for example, that could show up on your Maryland driving record and result in higher quotes.
Find some of the most affordable monthly quotes for drivers in Columbia with a speeding ticket below. On average, drivers with a speeding ticket in Columbia pay $225 per month for liability coverage and $427 for full coverage.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $102 | $127 |
Safeco | $113 | $143 |
GEICO | $122 | $152 |
State Farm | $131 | $161 |
Erie | $149 | $190 |
Progressive | $159 | $198 |
Elephant | $166 | $224 |
CSAA | $174 | $222 |
National General | $176 | $220 |
Travelers | $177 | $222 |
Direct Auto | $178 | $221 |
GAINSCO | $193 | $261 |
Liberty Mutual | $205 | $277 |
Allstate | $234 | $291 |
Nationwide | $269 | $338 |
State Auto | $305 | $414 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
How much an accident raises your rates depends on how serious it is. A small fender bender may not have a large effect, but a crash that totals a car could lead to dramatically higher premiums. The average cost of auto coverage for Columbia drivers with a past accident pay $231 per month for liability coverage and $439 for full-coverage insurance.
Here are some of the cheapest average monthly quotes for drivers in Columbia with a past at-fault accident.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $102 | $133 |
Safeco | $113 | $144 |
GEICO | $122 | $159 |
State Farm | $131 | $169 |
Erie | $149 | $198 |
Progressive | $159 | $209 |
Elephant | $166 | $211 |
CSAA | $174 | $236 |
National General | $176 | $230 |
Travelers | $177 | $232 |
Direct Auto | $178 | $236 |
GAINSCO | $193 | $240 |
Liberty Mutual | $205 | $286 |
Allstate | $234 | $305 |
Nationwide | $269 | $353 |
State Auto | $305 | $436 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA
A DUI is a very serious driving offense, and having this incident on your record can raise your car insurance rates by hundreds of dollars a month.
If you have a DUI on your record, you may find a more affordable rate if you look for discounts that don’t depend on your driving record. Consider bundling your auto coverage with homeowners insurance to get a multi-policy discount, or check for discounts on safety features in your car.
On average, Columbia drivers with a DUI pay $265 per month for liability coverage and $504 for full-coverage insurance. Below, you can find some of the lowest average monthly quotes for Columbia drivers with a DUI.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $102 | $163 |
Safeco | $113 | $180 |
GEICO | $122 | $195 |
State Farm | $131 | $209 |
Erie | $149 | $238 |
Progressive | $159 | $254 |
Elephant | $166 | $265 |
CSAA | $174 | $278 |
National General | $176 | $281 |
Travelers | $177 | $283 |
Direct Auto | $178 | $284 |
GAINSCO | $193 | $308 |
Liberty Mutual | $205 | $327 |
Allstate | $234 | $374 |
Nationwide | $269 | $429 |
State Auto | $305 | $487 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA
Average car insurance rates are typically high for young adults and decrease around when drivers turn 35. Drivers generally start to see rising rates again around age 75. Seniors are often safer drivers than their younger counterparts, but they typically have slower reflexes, increasing risk, so insurers charge higher rates to account for this increased risk.
Here are the cheapest average monthly quotes for senior drivers in Columbia. The average cost of coverage for senior drivers in the city is $141 per month for liability insurance and $327 for full-coverage insurance.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $81 | $121 |
Safeco | $95 | $139 |
GEICO | $97 | $143 |
State Farm | $102 | $152 |
Erie | $112 | $167 |
Progressive | $114 | $168 |
CSAA | $134 | $179 |
Elephant | $134 | $218 |
National General | $135 | $245 |
Travelers | $138 | $206 |
Direct Auto | $139 | $268 |
GAINSCO | $162 | $418 |
Liberty Mutual | $171 | $303 |
Allstate | $188 | $280 |
Nationwide | $201 | $299 |
State Auto | $232 | $365 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA
Car insurance rates for teens are generally much higher than for adults. Teens have less driving experience than older motorists and are more likely to be involved in an accident. Teens can save on car insurance rates if they can stay on their parents’ insurance policy and drive a relatively cheap car to insure.
It can help to look for discounts for good grades or passing a safe driving course. Teens might also want to look into a high-deductible insurance policy to keep premiums lower until they can establish a responsible driving record and qualify for better rates.[5]
On average, teen drivers in Columbia pay $265 per month for liability coverage and $327 for full coverage. Below are the average rates per month for teen drivers in Columbia.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $160 | $238 |
GEICO | $181 | $267 |
State Farm | $210 | $314 |
Safeco | $214 | $315 |
Erie | $235 | $351 |
Elephant | $254 | $412 |
CSAA | $264 | $353 |
Progressive | $267 | $394 |
Travelers | $301 | $449 |
Direct Auto | $306 | $591 |
GAINSCO | $317 | $821 |
National General | $329 | $596 |
Liberty Mutual | $342 | $607 |
Allstate | $389 | $581 |
Nationwide | $437 | $652 |
State Auto | $511 | $806 |
Columbia car insurance quotes by credit tier
Insurers in Maryland can use your credit-based insurance score when determining your car insurance premium.[6] Insurance companies consider drivers with excellent or good credit history less likely to file claims as drivers with poor credit history, so they tend to quote lower rates to those with better scores. Keeping your credit report spotless could save you money on premiums.
The following are average monthly quotes for full-coverage car insurance in Columbia by credit tier.
Rates by Credit Tier
Is car insurance more expensive in Columbia?
On average, car insurance in Columbia costs $172 per month for liability insurance and $327 for full-coverage insurance, which is more affordable than the Maryland average of $195 for liability and $348 for full coverage. Columbia car insurance, however, is more expensive than the national average of $104 per month for liability coverage and $211 for full coverage.
Rates differ by city in part because some locations experience more claims than others. For example, drivers might get into more accidents or have their cars stolen more often in a bustling city than in a quiet suburb or small town.[7] That might help explain why car insurance is cheaper in Columbia than in nearby Baltimore.
More cities in Maryland
Compare the average liability and full-coverage insurance costs in other major cities in Maryland below.
City ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Baltimore | $302 | $468 |
Frederick | $134 | $233 |
Silver Spring | $175 | $309 |
Columbia, Maryland, car insurance FAQs
Finding the right car insurance can be a challenge. Below, you’ll find answers to some commonly asked questions about how to find the best auto insurance in Columbia.
How much is car insurance in Columbia?
Columbia drivers pay an average of $327 per month for full-coverage insurance and $172 for liability coverage. Your unique rate will depend on your insurer, age, driving record, credit history, vehicle type, chosen coverage level, and more.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Columbia?
USAA has the cheapest liability insurance in Columbia, with an average rate of $102 per month. Safeco and GEICO also have cheap rates on average, with respective liability insurance rates of $113 and $122 per month. The best way to find cheap car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple insurers.
What are the best car insurance companies in Columbia?
With an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 9.0 out of 5 and an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior), GEICO is the best car insurance company in Columbia. On average, Maryland drivers with coverage from State Farm pay $130 per month for liability coverage and $198 for full coverage. Other top Columbia insurers include State Farm and Erie.
How much car insurance do you need in Maryland?
Maryland drivers must carry $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance and $15,000 in property damage liability coverage. Drivers must also carry the following limits for uninsured motorist coverage: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury coverage and $15,000 for property damage coverage.
Is Maryland a no-fault state?
No. Maryland isn’t a no-fault state. It’s an at-fault state, meaning the driver responsible for the accident will be liable for any damages.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Maryland
Sources
- Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration. "Insurance Requirements for Maryland Vehicles."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What is covered by a basic auto insurance policy?."
- Maryland Insurance Administration. "A Consumer Guide to Auto Insurance."
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "A Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance for teen drivers."
- Maryland Insurance Administration. "Use of Your Credit History for Auto Insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
Sarah Brodsky is a freelance writer with 15 years of experience covering personal finance and economics. She enjoys delving into the details of insurance, credit, loans, and the labor market. She’s written for publications including Bankrate, CNET, and Investopedia, and she’s created content for brands like Credit Karma, KeyBank, and Thrivent. When she’s not writing, you might find her learning languages or baking pizza. She has an AB in economics from the University of Chicago, and she lives in St. Louis, MO. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Featured in