5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
Featured in
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Featured in
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Updated November 7, 2024
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Table of contents
The average cost of car insurance in Maryland is $272 per month, or $3,260 per year. Car insurance rates in Maryland are higher than the U.S. national average of $158 per month.
Because Maryland’s coastal location makes it prone to tropical storms and flooding, car insurance companies charge drivers more for coverage to offset the higher risk.[1] Additionally, Maryland has one of the highest population densities in the U.S., which can increase the likelihood of accidents.[2]
Here’s what you need to know about getting cheap car insurance in Maryland and how to compare quotes to find the best deal for your needs.
On average, Maryland drivers pay $195 per month for liability insurance and $348 per month for full coverage.
USAA is the cheapest full-coverage car insurance company in Maryland, with monthly rates of $154.
The minimum liability coverage requirements in Maryland are 30/60/15.[3]
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland
Drivers have many options for cheap car insurance in Maryland. However, the best auto insurance in Maryland is different for every driver. The right insurer for you will depend on your individual situation, coverage needs, and budget.
Below are three of the cheapest options for affordable auto coverage 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 ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Safeco | 8.3 | $182 | $130 | Coverage options |
USAA | 9.4 | $154 | $101 | Military members |
Clearcover | 6.8 | $126 | N/A | Fast claims |
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 coverage options: Safeco
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
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. | 8.3 /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. | $130/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. | $182/mo |
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Bonnie
November 2, 2024
The Price of Car Insurance
Harris
October 31, 2024
Just Fine
Barbara
October 28, 2024
Insurance Keeps Going Up
Maryland drivers who want to customize their auto insurance policy with add-on coverages should consider Safeco. The company offers various coverage options, including roadside assistance, new-vehicle replacement coverage, accident forgiveness, and diminishing deductible.
Safeco customers also get access to its guaranteed repair network. If your car needs repairs after a claim, the company guarantees repairs that meet industry standards under Safeco’s President’s Guarantee.
Customizable coverage options
Guaranteed repair network
Fewer discounts than other insurers
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region
Best insurer for military members: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
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. | 9.4 /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. | $101/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. | $154/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Tom
November 7, 2024
A Large Company Managed Inefficiently
Martin
November 6, 2024
Sharing My Experience with You
Richard
November 5, 2024
Excellent
With more than 345,000 veterans and 13 military bases across the state, many drivers in Maryland can qualify for USAA car insurance. USAA exclusively sells car insurance to active-duty and retired military members and their spouses and children.
The company is known for its low rates and excellent discounts, including several discounts for military personnel. USAA also consistently receives the highest third-party ratings for overall customer satisfaction, claims satisfaction, and financial strength.
Excellent car insurance discounts
Highest third-party ratings in most categories
Only available to eligible military members and family
Few endorsements
Best insurer for fast claims: Clearcover
User Reviews | 3.3 |
---|---|
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. | 6.8 /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. | $94/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. | $179/mo |
Drivers appreciate the helpful customer service, initial low prices, and reasonable coverage but dislike the significant price increases over time.
Drivers appreciate the helpful customer service, initial low prices, and reasonable coverage but dislike the significant price increases over time.
Catherine
October 22, 2024
Great Customer Service
Brett
October 12, 2024
Unexpected Rate Increases
Richard
October 7, 2024
T.B.
Clearcover stands out for its fast and efficient claims-handling process. You can file a claim for vehicle damage from your smartphone. Clearcover uses AI technology to analyze photos of the damage and can issue payment for eligible claims in minutes.
According to the company, most claims are paid in less than a week. Clearcover is a digital insurance company, so you must purchase your policy online or through the mobile app. You can chat with an agent if you need assistance.
Fast claim payouts
Highly rated mobile app for Apple and Android devices
No in-person agents
Limited discounts
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Maryland
Car insurance premiums are different for every driver. Factors like your age, credit score, ZIP code, gender, and vehicle type can all affect your personalized premiums.
However, Maryland drivers can reduce their car insurance premiums in the following ways:
Choose high deductibles. For policies that require a deductible — such as collision insurance and comprehensive insurance — selecting a higher deductible will lower your monthly premium. However, make sure you can afford a higher deductible if you need to file a claim.
Look for discounts. Most Maryland car insurance companies offer discounts that can reduce your insurance costs. Every insurer has different discounts, but some common ones are good student discounts, defensive driving course discounts, payment discounts, and safe vehicle discounts.
Bundle your policies. Purchasing two or more insurance policies from the same company, like car insurance and home insurance, can help you qualify for a bundling discount.
Shop around. The cost of car insurance will differ among insurance companies. To find the most affordable car insurance in Maryland for your situation, shop around and compare personalized quotes from several insurance companies.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Maryland: USAA
Maryland requires liability-only car insurance for all drivers. It covers your financial responsibilities when you injure someone else or damage their property in an accident you cause. Liability-only insurance doesn’t provide any coverage for your injuries or vehicle damages.
Liability-only policies in Maryland cost an average of $195 per month, according to Insurify data.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance in Maryland for liability-only coverage.
10 cheapest insurers for liability-only
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Maryland: USAA
Full-coverage car insurance provides more protection than minimum coverage. A typical full-coverage policy usually includes liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance.
Full coverage is optional for most Maryland drivers, but you may need it if you lease or finance your vehicle. Even if you own your vehicle, full coverage is a good idea if you drive a high-value or specialty vehicle.
Maryland drivers pay $348 per month for a full-coverage policy, on average. Below are other cheap full-coverage car insurance options in Maryland.
10 cheapest insurers for full coverage
Cheapest recent rates in Maryland
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $92/mo for liability only and $112/mo for full coverage in Maryland.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 7, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 7, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Maryland
Car insurance is a legal requirement for all drivers in Maryland. Maryland is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for causing an accident must compensate others for their bodily injuries and property damages, usually through their liability coverage.
Drivers must carry liability insurance with coverage limits of at least 30/60/15. Here’s what those numbers translate to:[3]
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $15,000 per accident |
Uninsured/underinsured | $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident |
In addition to the required coverages, many Maryland drivers can also benefit from endorsements. These optional coverages fill gaps in your standard policy. Below are some of the most common additional coverages available in Maryland, depending on your insurance company:
Collision coverage
Collision insurance covers your vehicle repairs after you hit a stationary object or another vehicle, regardless of fault.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance pays for vehicle damages from non-collision events, like severe weather, falling objects, theft, and vandalism.
Gap coverage
Gap insurance pays the difference between a lease or auto loan balance and insurance settlement if your insurance company totals your vehicle.
Roadside assistance coverage
Roadside assistance covers the cost of basic roadside repairs, like flat-tire changes, new batteries, fuel delivery, and towing.
Accident forgiveness coverage
With accident forgiveness, your car insurance premium won’t go up after your first at-fault accident.
Maryland Auto Insurance
If car insurance companies in Maryland deny you coverage, you can get guaranteed coverage through Maryland Auto Insurance.
This program, formally known as the Maryland Auto Insurance Fund (MAIF), insures drivers who can’t get car insurance through the private market due to their credit score, lapses in coverage, or similar issues. Maryland Auto Insurance provides state-minimum and full-coverage policies, as well as several add-ons, including rental car coverage and towing insurance.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Car insurance companies usually consider drivers with incidents on their record as high-risk drivers. If you have incidents such as speeding tickets or at-fault accidents, you’ll probably pay more for car insurance than someone with a clean record. More serious violations, such as driving under the influence (DUI) convictions, usually have the biggest effect on rates.
For example, people with a clean driving record in Maryland pay $195 per month for car insurance, on average. But after a speeding ticket, that average rate increases to $255 per month. And a DUI can cause it to jump to $301 per month.
These increases in premiums after driving infractions and violations are why it’s important to always drive safely and obey traffic laws.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA
While speeding is often a minor offense, getting a speeding ticket can affect your car insurance premium. If you get a speeding ticket, you might see your insurance premium increase when the policy renews.
The cheapest insurance company for drivers with a speeding ticket in Maryland is USAA, but here’s how average rates vary among other companies.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $101 | $125 |
GEICO | $120 | $149 |
Safeco | $130 | $164 |
State Farm | $130 | $160 |
Erie | $148 | $189 |
Progressive | $157 | $195 |
CSAA | $174 | $222 |
Travelers | $176 | $221 |
Direct Auto | $179 | $222 |
Elephant | $180 | $243 |
National General | $186 | $233 |
GAINSCO | $207 | $280 |
Allstate | $233 | $290 |
Bristol West | $250 | $311 |
Nationwide | $268 | $337 |
Liberty Mutual | $270 | $365 |
State Auto | $440 | $597 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
Maryland reported more than 500 fatal crashes in 2023.[4] If you cause an accident, you can expect your insurance premium to increase when your policy renews.[5]
Drivers with an accident on their record can still find affordable rates — starting with USAA, which has the cheapest rates in Maryland. Other cheap car insurance companies in Maryland for drivers with an at-fault accident are listed below.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $101 | $131 |
GEICO | $120 | $157 |
Safeco | $130 | $165 |
State Farm | $130 | $168 |
Erie | $148 | $197 |
Progressive | $157 | $207 |
CSAA | $174 | $236 |
Travelers | $176 | $231 |
Direct Auto | $179 | $238 |
Elephant | $180 | $229 |
National General | $186 | $244 |
GAINSCO | $207 | $258 |
Allstate | $233 | $303 |
Bristol West | $250 | $323 |
Nationwide | $268 | $352 |
Liberty Mutual | $270 | $377 |
State Auto | $440 | $629 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA
A DUI is one of the most serious violations, and more than 100 fatal crashes in Maryland involved impairment in 2023.[4] If you have a DUI conviction on your record, your car insurance premiums will likely increase significantly. Depending on the situation, your insurance company could even refuse to renew your policy.
Although you can expect a big rate increase after getting a DUI, some insurers have lower rates than others. Below are the cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland for drivers with a DUI on their record.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $101 | $161 |
GEICO | $120 | $192 |
Safeco | $130 | $208 |
State Farm | $130 | $208 |
Erie | $148 | $236 |
Progressive | $157 | $251 |
CSAA | $174 | $278 |
Travelers | $176 | $281 |
Direct Auto | $179 | $286 |
Elephant | $180 | $287 |
National General | $186 | $297 |
GAINSCO | $207 | $330 |
Allstate | $233 | $372 |
Bristol West | $250 | $399 |
Nationwide | $268 | $428 |
Liberty Mutual | $270 | $431 |
State Auto | $440 | $702 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA
Senior drivers typically pay more expensive car insurance rates than middle-aged adults. For most drivers, car insurance rates decrease around age 35 and increase around age 70. Older people may have changes to driving abilities, and they have higher crash rates than drivers in younger age groups.[6]
The table below shows cheap car insurance companies for seniors in Maryland for liability-only coverage and full coverage.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He ’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $81 | $123 |
GEICO | $96 | $146 |
State Farm | $101 | $154 |
Safeco | $109 | $153 |
Erie | $111 | $169 |
Progressive | $112 | $171 |
CSAA | $134 | $182 |
Travelers | $138 | $209 |
Direct Auto | $139 | $277 |
National General | $143 | $248 |
Elephant | $146 | $237 |
GAINSCO | $173 | $411 |
Allstate | $187 | $284 |
Nationwide | $200 | $303 |
Bristol West | $200 | $434 |
Liberty Mutual | $225 | $352 |
State Auto | $334 | $418 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA
Teen drivers typically pay the most expensive car insurance rates. Drivers ages 16 to 19 have a higher accident rate than any other age group. Young drivers are also more likely to make critical driving errors that can result in collisions.[7]
However, teen drivers can reduce their car insurance premiums in a few ways. For example, teens who stay insured on a parent’s policy pay significantly less than getting their own policy. Additionally, many insurers offer discounts for smart students, taking a defensive driving course, and insuring a safe vehicle.
Teen drivers shopping for auto insurance should compare rates from several insurers. These are the cheapest car insurance companies for teens in Maryland for minimum coverage and full coverage.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $158 | $241 |
GEICO | $178 | $271 |
State Farm | $208 | $317 |
Erie | $234 | $354 |
Safeco | $246 | $345 |
CSAA | $264 | $359 |
Progressive | $264 | $401 |
Elephant | $276 | $449 |
Travelers | $300 | $454 |
Direct Auto | $308 | $610 |
GAINSCO | $340 | $807 |
National General | $347 | $605 |
Allstate | $388 | $589 |
Bristol West | $397 | $863 |
Nationwide | $436 | $660 |
Liberty Mutual | $450 | $706 |
State Auto | $737 | $921 |
Maryland car insurance quotes by credit tier
In Maryland, car insurance companies can use credit-based insurance scores when underwriting policies.[8] When you apply for a policy, the insurance company may check your credit history to help determine your premium. Drivers with good credit scores usually pay cheaper rates than drivers with poor credit scores.
Here’s how credit scores affect average rates in Maryland.
Rates by Credit Tier
Maryland car insurance FAQs
Learn about quote-comparison sites to help you shop for car insurance, and check out the answers to common questions about auto coverage in Maryland below.
How much is car insurance in Maryland?
The average cost of car insurance in Maryland is $195 per month for liability insurance and $348 per month for full coverage.
Which companies have the cheapest car insurance in Maryland?
USAA, GEICO, and Safeco are the cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland, with rates of $101, $120, and $130 per month, respectively.
The best way to find the cheapest rates for your situation is to compare quotes from at least three car insurance companies. This way, you can see which company offers you the lowest rates for the coverage you need.
What are the best car insurance companies in Maryland?
Some of the best car insurance companies in Maryland include Safeco, Clearcover, and USAA. These insurers have solid coverage options, plenty of discounts, and high Insurify Quality (IQ) Scores.
Why is car insurance so high in Maryland?
Car insurance might be expensive in Maryland due to its coastal location, which puts it at risk for tropical storms and hurricanes, and because of its dense population, which can increase the risk of car accidents.[1] [2]
What is the minimum required car insurance in Maryland?
Maryland requires drivers to carry 30/60/15 minimum car insurance limits. This translates to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability coverage and $15,000 per accident for property damage liability coverage.
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 State Climatologist Office. "Hurricanes."
- U.S. Census Bureau. "Highest Density."
- Motor Vehicle Administration. "Insurance Requirements for Maryland Vehicles."
- Zero Deaths Maryland. "Fatal Crash Dashboard."
- III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- Centers for Disease Control. "Older Adult Drivers."
- Centers for Disease Control. "Teen Drivers and Passengers: Get the Facts."
- Maryland Insurance Administration. "Use of Your Credit History for Auto Insurance."
Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer covering insurance and personal finance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance. Her byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and Insurance.com.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Featured in
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.