What to know about non-owner car insurance in Maryland
A non-owner auto policy is a type of liability car insurance for drivers without a car. It can pay for property damages and injuries you cause while driving someone else’s vehicle. But it won’t cover damage to the vehicle you’re driving or your medical expenses.
If you’re among the 9% of Maryland households that don’t own a car, and you regularly drive a vehicle someone else owns, non-owner car insurance is an important financial protection.
For example, let’s say you often borrow a friend’s car and get into an accident while driving it. Your friend’s auto policy would typically pay first, up to the policy limits. If the resulting damages or injuries are more than your friend’s coverage limits, your non-owner policy will act as secondary coverage and help cover the remaining costs.
Non-owner car insurance requirements in Maryland
Maryland doesn’t require drivers to have non-owner car insurance, but some people choose to purchase it for financial protection while driving someone else’s car.
Drivers in Maryland must carry minimum liability coverage, which includes $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $15,000 of property damage liability coverage.[1]
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Who should get non-owner car insurance in Maryland?
While non-owner car insurance isn’t a requirement in Maryland, drivers may want to consider it in the following situations:
You borrow cars frequently. If you don’t own a vehicle but regularly drive cars that belong to friends or relatives, a non-owner car insurance policy might be worth it.
You want to avoid coverage gaps. Maintaining continuous insurance coverage may help you avoid higher insurance premiums in the future.
You rent cars often. Non-owner car insurance can supplement or replace rental car insurance if you frequently rent vehicles.
SR-22 requirements in Maryland
Maryland is one of the few states that doesn’t have SR-22 requirements for high-risk drivers. Instead, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) may request an FR-19, which serves as proof of insurance and verifies that you carry at least the state-minimum auto insurance coverage.[2]
Your insurance company submits the form on your behalf, similar to an SR-22. Drivers need to have their insurer file an FR-19 in Maryland after a coverage lapse or cancellation. If you don’t own a car but need to provide proof of coverage in Maryland, a non-owner car insurance policy may satisfy the requirement.
In other states, drivers may need to file an SR-22 after serious driving violations, such as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving without insurance.
Expert’s insight
“Non-owner insurance is one of the cheapest types of car insurance you can buy. It’s an affordable way to protect yourself financially if you don’t own a car and regularly drive someone else’s.”
Cost of non-owner car insurance in Maryland
With an average cost of $72 per month, non-owner car insurance in Maryland costs more than the national average of $46 per month for non-owner coverage. But it’s significantly cheaper than traditional insurance rates in the state, which average $192 per month for liability coverage and $302 per month for full coverage.
The table below highlights non-owner car insurance costs in Maryland compared to the national average.
Non-Owner Car Insurance | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Maryland average | $72 |
| National average | $46 |
How to get non-owner car insurance in Maryland
Getting non-owner coverage in Maryland generally involves the following steps:
Gather documents. Make sure you have your driver’s license, driving history, and personal details ready to share with insurers.
Compare car insurance quotes. Request quotes from a handful of insurance companies to see which can offer you the best deal and has the coverage you’re looking for. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples by comparing quotes for at least the state-minimum coverage. In Maryland, that’s $30,000/$60,000/$15,000.
Pick an insurance company. Choose an insurer that has a good rate, a solid financial reputation, and good customer reviews. Pay close attention to any customer feedback about the claims process.
Pay your premium. Once you select an insurer, you can generally choose to pay your premium up front or monthly, similar to a traditional auto insurance policy. If you can afford to make an up-front payment, you may qualify for a discount.
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Liability-only rates start as low as $116/mo.
Non-owner car insurance in Maryland FAQs
Explore answers to frequently asked questions about Maryland non-owner car insurance below.
What are the benefits of non-owner car insurance in Maryland?
The main benefits of Maryland non-owner car insurance are liability protection and peace of mind while driving a borrowed car.
How much does non-owner car insurance cost in Maryland?
The average cost of non-owner car insurance in Maryland is $72 per month, which is higher than the national average of $46 per month, according to Insurify data.
How much does Maryland charge for not having car insurance?
Maryland fines uninsured drivers $200 for a 30-day coverage lapse and $7 per day — up to $3,500 — for every day after that initial 30 days.[3] The charges are per vehicle, too. So if you have more than one car in your household without coverage, you’ll pay a separate fine for each.
Sources
- Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. "Auto Insurance Requirements in Maryland."
- Maryland Insurance Administration. "Will I need to pay a penalty if I do not have automobile insurance?."
- Maryland Auto Insurance Fund. "READER COMMENTARY: New law should help Maryland motorists get insurance."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 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 500+ 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.
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