An SR-22 form is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves that a driver’s auto insurance coverage meets state requirements.
Maryland doesn’t require SR-22 filings. Instead, the state mandates an FR-19 form if it believes you may be driving without insurance.
High-risk car insurance in Maryland costs $278 per month, on average.
SR-22 requirements in Maryland
In states that use it, an SR-22 certificate is a filing your insurance company sends to the department of motor vehicles confirming that you carry at least the state’s minimum liability coverage. It isn’t a policy in its own right, but rather an attachment to one.
Maryland handles proof of financial responsibility differently. Drivers who have their policy canceled or non-renewed may need to produce a Maryland Insurance Certification Form (FR-19) showing the required coverage was in place. The good news is that the filing is free.[1]
If you don’t maintain Maryland’s required minimum coverage, you’ll face a $50 state fine. Additionally, you’ll need to pay a penalty to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA): $200 for the first 30 days, then $7 per day after that, up to a maximum of $3,500 per 12-month period.[2]
SR-22 Insurance | Maryland Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum bodily injury liability limit | $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident |
| Minimum property damage liability limit | $15,000 |
| Minimum uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury limit | $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident |
| Minimum uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage limit | $15,000 |
| Minimum personal injury protection coverage | $2,500 |
| Filing fee | $0 |
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Maryland
Liability policies for high-risk drivers average $216/mo.
How much is SR-22 insurance in Maryland?
There’s no SR-22 insurance requirement in the Old Line State, but high-risk drivers still pay more than drivers with a clean record.
Maryland drivers with a high-risk designation pay an average of $216 per month for liability-only coverage and $340 per month for full coverage, according to Insurify data. By contrast, drivers with clean records pay $192 per month for basic liability insurance and $302 per month for full coverage.
A driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, a reckless driving conviction, or repeated at-fault accidents affect insurance premiums more than a single speeding ticket. How recently the violation occurred, the rest of your driving history, and your choice of insurance company also affect how much you pay for car insurance in Maryland.
Driver Profile | Average Monthly Cost: Liability Only | Average Monthly Cost: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $192 | $302 |
| High-risk drivers | $216 | $340 |
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Maryland
For basic liability coverage, Allstate offers the cheapest rates for high-risk Maryland drivers. But the least expensive insurer for you will depend on your unique profile, so it’s still crucial to shop around.
Here’s a look at some of the cheapest and best companies for high-risk drivers, according to Insurify data:
Insurance Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $140 | $284 |
| USAA | $146 | $221 |
| Direct Auto | $163 | $304 |
| Safeco | $179 | $241 |
| State Farm | $188 | $284 |
| GEICO | $189 | $292 |
| Elephant | $190 | $289 |
| Clearcover | $196 | $359 |
| National General | $207 | $332 |
| Progressive | $207 | $293 |
| Erie | $213 | $323 |
| GAINSCO | $227 | $440 |
| Root | $232 | $348 |
| Travelers | $253 | $384 |
| Bristol West | $254 | $581 |
| Liberty Mutual | $290 | $396 |
When do you need SR-22 insurance in Maryland?
Maryland won’t require an SR-22 filing from you, but you may get an FR-19 request when the MVA’s records suggest your vehicle doesn’t have insurance. Insurance companies have to report every cancellation and non-renewal to the MVA, so any break in coverage may require proof of insurance.
You can also get one when nothing went wrong on your end, such as when your insurance company reported your coverage incorrectly or the MVA couldn’t verify it.[3]
It’s important to remember that you need to maintain coverage on your registered vehicle at all times, even if you’re not currently using it.
How to get SR-22 insurance in Maryland
Your insurance company submits the FR-19, not you. Your part is getting coverage in place, making sure your insurer files the form, and clearing anything the MVA has assessed against you:
Read the notice carefully. An insurance violation notice lists a case number, the violation period, the total amount due, and your payment deadline. That case number is what your insurance company needs.[4]
Check whether the lapse actually happened. If you believe the MVA has it wrong, ask your insurance company to confirm your coverage dates and to correct and electronically submit an FR-19 to MVA with any missing or incorrect information.
Buy coverage that meets the state minimum. If you don’t already have coverage, shop around to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal.
Ask about Maryland Auto Insurance if an insurer has turned you down. If your insurer has canceled your policy or two or more insurance companies have denied you coverage, you may be eligible for coverage through Maryland Auto Insurance (formerly MAIF).[5]
Have your agent submit the eFR-19. Your insurer files it through the myMVA portal, and the record updates immediately after submission.
Pay any penalty the MVA assessed. If your violation is accurate and has no resolution yet, you’ll need to pay your penalty by the deadline listed in your notice.
Don’t let it happen twice. Each separate lapse period counts as its own violation.
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How long does Maryland require SR-22 insurance?
Maryland requires an FR-19 filing to verify that you have coverage, but the state doesn’t require you to maintain it as another state would require an SR-22 filing. That said, if you ignore the violation notice, the state may suspend your vehicle registration and flag your vehicle, which keeps you from registering it or transferring the title.[6]
And remember, the MVA penalty starts at $200 for the first month but increases by $7 per day, up to $3,500 per 12-month period. Eventually, the state may send your debt to collections, which tacks on an additional 17% to the amount due.
Maryland SR-22 insurance FAQs
Drivers researching SR-22 requirements in Maryland tend to run into the same handful of questions. Here are some answers.
How much does SR-22 insurance cost in Maryland?
Maryland doesn’t use SR-22 filings, but high-risk coverage in the state averages $278 per month, which breaks down to $216 per month for liability-only coverage and $340 per month for full coverage.
How much is the SR-22 filing fee in Maryland?
There isn’t one. Maryland’s equivalent is the FR-19 insurance certification, and your insurance company has to provide it for free.
How long is SR-22 insurance required in Maryland?
There’s no requirement, but if you don’t respond to a violation for a lapse in coverage, penalties can add up to $3,500 per 12-month period and also result in the state suspending your registration.
Sources
- Maryland Insurance Administration. "Will I need to pay a penalty if I do not have automobile insurance?."
- Maryland General Assembly. "Article - Transportation."
- Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. "Auto Insurance Violation Penalties & Payments."
- Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. "Information for Auto Insurers."
- Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. "Auto Insurance Requirements in Maryland."
- Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. "Remove Vehicle Flags."
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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