Maryland Car Insurance Requirements in 2026

Maryland car insurance requirements at a glance

Coverage	Minimum Requirement in Maryland
Bodily injury liability	$30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
Property damage liability	$15,000 per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage	$30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage
Personal injury protection	$2,500, but you can decline it

Maryland car insurance requirements explained

Maryland requires drivers to carry liability insurance, which covers the medical expenses and damages you cause to others. In addition, drivers must have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Insurers must also offer personal injury protection, but you can decline it if you have adequate health insurance.^[1]

Maryland bodily injury liability insurance requirements

Maryland drivers must have bodily injury liability coverage with limits of at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident, or 30/60. That’s higher than the 25/50 minimum liability limits most states require.

If you cause an accident that injures another driver and their passenger, your policy would cover up to $60,000 in medical expenses.

Maryland property damage liability insurance requirements

Property damage liability coverage has a $15,000 minimum in Maryland. This falls in the middle of the national range, since many states require $25,000 in coverage.

For example, if you cause a wreck that damages a $25,000 vehicle and have a state-minimum policy, you’re responsible for paying the remaining $10,000 out of pocket.

Maryland uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)insurance requirements

Maryland requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on every policy. Not every state requires this coverage. UM/UIM coverage helps pay your expenses when an at-fault driver who is uninsured or doesn’t have enough coverage causes an accident.

Your UM/UIM coverage limits must meet the state minimum for liability coverage, but you can choose to purchase higher limits for added protection.^[2]

The state also offers enhanced UIM coverage. UIM can stack on top of the at-fault driver’s liability payment, so you can recover more than standard coverage pays even when you have the same limits. A new opt-out process took effect on July 1, 2024, so you’ll see it on your policy unless you decline it.

Maryland personal injury protection (PIP) requirements

Every new Maryland auto insurance policy includes at least $2,500 in personal injury protection (PIP). You may be able to buy higher limits for added protection, and you can also choose to waive coverage if your health insurance is enough to cover injuries or you prefer to pay medical costs out of pocket.

PIP helps pay for your hospital bills and lost wages after a crash, regardless of fault.

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Are Maryland’s car insurance requirements sufficient for most drivers?

For many drivers, the state minimum isn’t enough coverage. It satisfies Maryland’s minimum liability coverage rules, but a serious crash can lead to medical bills and repair costs well above those limits. You pay the difference yourself if claims go beyond your policy limit.

The table below shows recommended coverage types and levels Maryland drivers may want to consider. Just keep in mind that higher limits and additional coverage options may raise your rates.

Coverage	What to Consider in Maryland
Bodily injury and property damage liability	Limits above Maryland’s 30/60/15 minimum to better protect your assets after a serious crash
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage	Match your liability limits and consider enhanced UIM (EUIM), which gives you access to your full UIM limit in addition to the at-fault driver’s coverage
Personal injury protection	Keep a $2,500 minimum PIP limit, and consider raising it for added financial protection
Medical payments (MedPay) coverage	Consider MedPay if you want additional medical-expense protection beyond PIP
Comprehensive and collision	Recommended for newer or higher-value vehicles, and typically required with a loan or lease

Other car insurance requirements to be aware of in Maryland

If you finance or lease your vehicle, like around 34% of Maryland drivers, your lender will likely require full-coverage insurance until you’ve paid off your loan. Full coverage typically includes comprehensive and collision coverage, which protects the vehicle itself.

Drivers for rideshare services like Uber or Lyft should be aware that personal auto policies usually won’t cover you while you’re driving for pay. The Maryland Insurance Administration recommends adding commercial or rideshare coverage for additional financial protection.^[3]

How Maryland’s car insurance requirements influence rates

Maryland drivers pay an average of $191 per month for liability-only coverage and $302 per month for full coverage, according to Insurify data.

Those averages are a useful benchmark, but what you actually pay for Maryland car insurance can vary. Choosing higher coverage limits than the state minimum may increase your rate. Insurers also consider factors such as your driving record, claims history, marital status, credit history, and other details.

The coverage limits you choose also determine how much protection you have after an accident. For example, if you only carry Maryland’s $15,000 minimum for property damage and are at fault in an accident that totaled a $40,000 vehicle, you’ll have to pay the remaining damages out of pocket.

Cheapest state-minimum required car insurance in Maryland

The below rates in Maryland are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
USAA	$116
Allstate	$118
Direct Auto	$137
State Farm	$149
Safeco	$150
GEICO	$157
Elephant	$158
Clearcover	$162
Erie	$170
Progressive	$171
National General	$172
GAINSCO	$190
Root	$198
Travelers	$201
Bristol West	$213
Liberty Mutual	$243

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 car insurance laws and related programs

Auto insurers report coverage information electronically to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), but in some cases, the MVA may require you to submit proof of coverage. If you receive an insurance violation notice, you’ll need to contact your insurer to submit a Maryland Insurance Certification, or FR-19, to the MVA as proof of insurance.^[4]

Drivers who are unable to buy coverage through standard insurers still need car insurance to drive legally in Maryland. Maryland Auto Insurance, formerly the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, sells insurance to drivers who private insurers have declined to insure.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Maryland

Driving without insurance in Maryland can result in penalties, including:

• Administrative penalty fees: The MVA charges $200 for the first 30 days without coverage, then $7 per additional day, up to $3,500 per vehicle in a 12-month period.^[5] Unpaid fees can result in license suspension, flags on your vehicle, and compounding fees. The MVA may send your remaining balance to the Maryland Central Collection Unit, which may add an additional 17% charge.

• Registration suspension: To reinstate a suspended vehicle registration, your insurer may need to submit a Maryland Insurance Certification, or FR-19, directly to the MVA.

• Criminal charges: A first offense of driving without Maryland insurance can result in fines of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail. A second or later offense can result in up to two years in jail, plus a fine of up to $1,000.

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Other car insurance coverages worth considering in Maryland

A few optional coverages can make sense for many Maryland drivers:

• Comprehensive coverage: Maryland has the 12th-highest vehicle theft rate in the nation, according to Insurify data, and the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata top the state’s stolen-car list. Comprehensive insurance covers theft, vandalism, and storm damage, minus your chosen deductible.

• Collision coverage: Collision insurance pays to repair your vehicle after a crash, regardless of who’s at fault. About 5% of Maryland drivers have an at-fault accident on record, according to Insurify data.

• Gap insurance: This optional coverage helps pay the difference between what you owe and the car’s value if you total it. For the roughly 34% of Maryland drivers who have a vehicle lien or lease, this coverage is worth considering.

• MedPay: This coverage supplements your PIP coverage and pays medical bills for you and your passengers after a crash.

• Enhanced UIM: Also called EUIM, this coverage provides financial protection against the 12% of drivers in Maryland who are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council. It pays on top of the at-fault driver’s liability limits, which can leave you with more coverage for medical bills and car repairs after a crash.

Maryland car insurance requirements FAQs