Best car insurance in Maryland for 2021

According to the Department of Transportation, there are 4,407,973 licensed drivers in the state of Maryland, all of different ages and backgrounds. No matter who you are, if you own and drive a vehicle in Maryland, it’s important to have the best cheap car insurance Maryland has to keep you protected while you’re on the road, without putting a dent in your wallet.

© Westend61/Getty Images
Westend61/Getty Images

© Westend61/Getty Images
aerial view of Maryland coast

When shopping for a Maryland auto insurance provider, remember that there are a variety of factors that will influence your rate quotes such as your age, marital status, employment, make and model of your vehicle and your driving history.

Best car insurance companies in Maryland

Accidents can occur at any time, which is why finding the right insurance provider is all about getting the best car insurance in Maryland for the lowest price. According to the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, here are the top five best car insurance in Maryland insurance companies:

Geico

Geico is highly regarded for its exceptional customer service and low monthly premiums. It’s standard Maryland car insurance plans include bodily injury, collision, comprehensive, personal injury, property damage and uninsured and underinsured driver coverage.

Customers can purchase additional coverage for emergency road service, rental reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance. With Geico’s coverage calculator, it’s easy to estimate your monthly payments and find ways to save. Geico offers a variety of discounts, including 10% off for transferring existing insurance to Geico, insuring more than one car, renewing with Geico after the first year and more.

Progressive

Progressive may have the best car insurance in Maryland options, especially for high-risk drivers. Its Name Your Price web tool makes comparison shopping easier. Drivers with one or more accidents can redeem their driving history by using Progressive’s Snapshot program. Download the mobile app and allow Snapshot to monitor your driving habits. You’ll earn discounts as a reward for driving safely.

State Farm

State Farm offers standard coverage, which includes liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, rental car reimbursement, uninsured and underinsured drivers, ridesharing and emergency road service. If your car is stolen or totaled, State Farm’s Payoff Protector(R) ensures that you’ll get reimbursed for the full value of your vehicle. State Farm offers discounts for good driving, maintaining a clean driving record, completing driving training, driving a car with safety features, bundling multiple policies and more.

USAA

USAA offers insurance coverage for members of the military and their immediate family members. USAA’s standard car insurance Maryland plans include comprehensive, collision, bodily injury, liability, personal injury protection, extended benefits and underinsured and uninsured driver coverage. Customers can upgrade their policies with coverage for roadside assistance, rental reimbursement and accident forgiveness.

USAA members may be eligible for discounts such as being a safe driver, insuring a new vehicle, bundling policies, staying with the company for an extended period of time and more.

Average cost of car insurance in Maryland

The average cost of Maryland car insurance is slightly higher than the national average for full coverage car insurance which is $1,738.

State minimum insurance requirements in Maryland

Each state has unique car insurance requirements. Maryland has several requirements regarding minimum insurance. Liability insurance is designed to cover medical expenses and damage costs for people involved in an accident that you were deemed responsible for. Uninsured coverage ensures that if you sustained an injury or your vehicle was damaged in an accident caused by an uninsured or low-insured driver, you will still be covered.

The minimum legal Maryland car insurance coverage is:

• Bodily injury liability coverage: $30,000 minimum per person, $60,000 minimum per accident
• Property damage liability coverage: $15,000 minimum
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $30,000 minimum per person, $60,000 minimum per accident
• Uninsured motorist property damage coverage: $15,000 minimum
• Personal injury protection: $2,500 minimum

Obtaining minimum coverage may seem attractive, especially when you’re on a stringent budget. However, in the long run, you could actually end up paying more in costs for any damages caused by a no-fault accident. Minimum coverage also doesn’t protect you from uninsured motorists, so this is another to keep in mind.

How to get the best car insurance

To find the best car insurance,do your research on the top rated car insurance companies in your area. Check out Bankrate’s Top Car Insurance Companies to help you get started in your research.

As each car insurance company is different, identifying what you’re looking for in a car insurance premium first, and then evaluating your current situation and past driving records will help save you time in the long run. Here are some things to consider:

• Your needs: A few questions to ask yourself are whether you’re on a budget, what add-ons you’re looking for, what discounts you would be eligible for and whether you plan to add any additional drivers in the future. For example, if you know that you are about to buy a home in the near future, you may want to look for insurance companies that have a bundling option and a homeowners discount so you can save on premiums.
• Consider state factors: Thankfully, most insurance companies have local agents to assist you since they know the geographic needs of customers in the ZIP code. For example, a few things to consider are climate and safety. If you live in an area with heavy rain or snow, you’ll want to add on emergency roadside assistance. Furthermore, if you live in an area with a high theft rate, you’ll want to consider adding on anti-theft.

Car insurance discounts in Maryland

There are various programs offered to help you save the most amount of money on your Maryland auto insurance premiums. Here are a list of the most common types of discounts and which car insurance Maryland providers offer them:

Frequently asked questions

What information is needed in order to get car insurance in Maryland?

You’ll be asked to prove identification documents, including your social security card and driver’s license. This includes any driver that you will be adding to your insurance policy. Proof of vehicle registration is required, along with bank information to pay for the policy.

What is included with full coverage insurance in Maryland?

While minimum liability insurance is mandatory, full coverage is a premium that pays for any damage or injury caused to yourself and your vehicle. This includes comprehensive and collision up to a certain limit. Full coverage insurance does not apply to wear and tear or mechanical breakdown.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our sample drivers own a 2018 Honda Accord, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.