Cheap Car Insurance for Low-Income Drivers in Maryland

What is low-income car insurance in Maryland?

Low-income car insurance isn’t a specific type of insurance policy. It’s a term for affordable options for low-income drivers.

Drivers can choose between liability-only policies that satisfy the state’s minimum requirements and full-coverage policies. Full-coverage insurance in Maryland typically includes liability insurance, collision coverage, comprehensive insurance, and uninsured motorist coverage.

While some states, such as California, have programs that offer affordable liability insurance to drivers who meet income requirements, Maryland doesn’t.^[1] Maryland drivers can reduce their premiums by adjusting their coverage level, taking advantage of discounts, and shopping around for quotes.

The Maryland Insurance Administration has a rate guide tool that lets you compare sample auto insurance premiums from major insurers for predefined driver scenarios in your area.

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Cheapest car insurance in Maryland

The cheapest auto insurer in Maryland is Allstate, with average liability rates of $116 per month.

The average cost of liability insurance in Maryland is $192 per month, the highest rate in the country, according to Insurify data. It’s about double the national average of $98 per month. Car insurance in Maryland tends to be expensive due to its population density and high theft rates.

Drivers near Baltimore or Upper Marlboro pay some of the highest rates in the state. By contrast, drivers in Hagerstown typically have lower rates than the state average. The table below highlights the cheapest liability insurance rates in Maryland.

The below rates in Maryland are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Quote: Liability Only
Allstate	$116
USAA	$121
Direct Auto	$135
Safeco	$148
State Farm	$155
GEICO	$156
Elephant	$157
Clearcover	$162
National General	$171
Progressive	$171
Erie	$176
GAINSCO	$188
Root	$192
Travelers	$209
Bristol West	$210
Liberty Mutual	$240

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Maryland car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Maryland may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor credit in Maryland

Not all U.S. states allow insurers to use credit-based insurance scores when determining rates, but some Maryland insurers do.^[2] Credit-based insurance scores differ from typical FICO credit scores, and drivers with poor credit tend to pay much higher rates than those with good to excellent credit.

The below rates in Maryland are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Liability Quote: Poor Credit
Allstate	$145
USAA	$150
Direct Auto	$167
Safeco	$183
GEICO	$193
Elephant	$195
Clearcover	$201
National General	$212
Progressive	$214
State Farm	$225
GAINSCO	$233
Root	$238
Travelers	$247
Erie	$258
Bristol West	$260
Liberty Mutual	$287

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Maryland car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Maryland may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Maryland Auto Insurance Fund

If you’re unable to get insurance in Maryland because of your driving record, you may be eligible for the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) — also known as Maryland Auto Insurance. It’s a program that provides liability insurance to Maryland drivers who can’t purchase coverage on their own.

High-risk drivers or drivers with poor credit obtain coverage through MAIF to meet Maryland’s state-required liability limits. The program offers liability insurance, but you can also add optional types of insurance, such as collision and comprehensive coverage, to your policy.

To qualify for MAIF, you must be a resident and have a Maryland driver’s license or current vehicle registration.^[3] Also, at least two private insurers must have denied your car insurance request, or your insurer must have canceled or non-renewed your policy for a reason other than non-payment.

MAIF can be a good option for drivers with poor credit, serious traffic violations, or driving histories with multiple accidents or speeding tickets. MAIF isn’t a low-cost program, but you can take steps to save, such as maintaining a good driving record, paying your premium on time, or lowering your deductible amount.

Minimum car insurance requirements in Maryland

As is typical in most states, Maryland requires drivers to have car insurance, and policies must meet the state’s minimum requirements.

Maryland is an at-fault, or tort, state, meaning the driver responsible for an accident is liable for the other party’s damages.^[4] The state requires all drivers to have policies with the following coverage minimums:

• Bodily injury liability: This coverage pays for injuries you cause in an at-fault accident, up to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.

• Property damage liability: This coverage pays for damages to another person’s vehicle or property, up to $15,000 per accident.

• Uninsured motorist protection: Policies must include uninsured motorist bodily injury and uninsured motorist property damage coverage. This coverage pays for your injuries or vehicle damage if an uninsured driver causes an accident.

Eligible drivers can reject personal injury protection (PIP) coverage under certain circumstances, potentially reducing their premiums.

While you can opt for state-minimum coverage for affordability, there’s some risk. Maryland has a high level of vehicle thefts.

For example, say you catch a Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium, and someone steals your car from where you parked it downtown. Without comprehensive coverage, your auto policy won’t cover theft of your vehicle, so you’d have to replace it yourself.

The table below shows the minimum auto insurance requirements in Maryland and what each covers.

Coverage	Minimum Requirement	What It Covers
Bodily injury liability	$30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident	Injuries to other driver or their passengers
Property damage liability	$15,000 per accident	Damages caused to the other driver’s vehicle or property
Uninsured motorist	At least $30,000/$60,000 for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage	Injuries and damage to your vehicle caused by an uninsured at-fault driver

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What affects car insurance rates in Maryland?

Maryland has more expensive car insurance rates than other states for several reasons. It’s among the worst states for vehicle theft by volume, according to Insurify data. The increased risk of motor vehicle theft means insurers charge higher rates.

The state also has a higher-than-average rate of uninsured drivers. About 15% of its drivers are uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Maryland is also prone to intense weather and receives an average of 20.6 inches of snow per year. During the summer months, it averages one thunderstorm every five days, so there’s an increased risk of fallen trees and decreased visibility while driving.

Maryland has a higher population density than the national average, and its workers have longer average commutes.^[5] On average, workers spend 31.1 minutes commuting to work — about 18% higher than the national average.

Car insurance rates vary by ZIP code in Maryland due to traffic congestion and crime rates. For example, coverage in Baltimore tends to be considerably more expensive than in the rest of the state. That’s not surprising, considering Baltimore ranks No. 31 on the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard.

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