All Maryland residents and drivers are required to have auto insurance coverage that meets certain minimum requirements. These requirements include at least $20,000 in liability insurance for accidents in which one person is injured, $40,000 in liability coverage for accidents in which more than one person is injured, and a minimum of $15,000 in general property damage coverage. These requirements are considered fairly low, though it is recommended that all drivers who can afford to gain more coverage for better protection in the event of an accident.

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Also, because Maryland operates under “no fault” car insurance laws, drivers are required to have personal injury protection in an amount that varies depending on the county in which you reside. Personal injury protection is insurance that, in adequate amounts, will help to pay for your medical expenses in the event of an accident, as well as missed work and lost wages, funeral expenses in the event of a death, and other expenses related to injuries sustained in an accident.

If you are new to the state, you may be unsure how no fault car insurance works, since most other states do not operate under this system. In a no fault car insurance state such as Maryland, neither driver is deemed “ at fault” when an accident occurs, except in cases of gross negligence. Instead, each driver’s auto insurance policy is required to pay for damages to his or her own vehicle or person, hence the need for personal injury protection. As such, you may need your insurance policy to pay at any time! Even if you’re a good driver, you can’t control who else is on the road. Therefore, it’s wise to opt for as much coverage as possible, especially when it comes to personal injury protection, since medical bills can get so high these days.

What are Average Insurance Car Rates in Maryland?

In Maryland, the average car insurance premium is a bit on the high side. Most drivers pay, on average, a hefty $2,296 per year for their automobile insurance policies. When compared to the national average of $1,440, you can really see the difference. The good news, however, is that Maryland has a very competitive car insurance industry and with a little work preforming an auto insurance comparison search most god drivers can quickly find very affordable car insurance coverage. Thoroughly researching many insurance providers in your area, requesting and comparing free rate quotes, and making yourself or your vehicle applicable for certain discounts when possible are all ways that you can save money on your policy and avoid sacrificing protection for a lower rate. Do remember, however, that it is better to pay a little bit more money and get better protection than it is to pay the least amount possible and get inadequate protection. Doing the latter is like paying for car insurance that you really can’t use when you need it the most, and that’s a bigger waste of money than anything.

The Maryland Auto Insurance Fund

Of course, finding cheap automobile insurance isn’t the only problem some people face. Some high risk drivers would gladly pay through the roof if it would mean that they could just have automobile insurance, because many are unable to obtain coverage in the voluntary market at all. If you have had a driving under the influence (DUI), drunk driving, reckless driving, or a similar charge in recent years, you are likely finding it hard, or even impossible, to find a car insurance company that is willing to extend coverage to you. The fact is that your conviction makes you a “high risk” driver, and car insurance companies have no obligation to insure you, at any cost.

Fortunately, however, Maryland has a program in place that can help high risk drives obtain auto insurance. The “Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund” is a program that makes it possible for all individuals to obtain automobile insurance. If you have tried to get car insurance from at least two providers and been denied, or if your former insurance provider cancelled your policy, then you may be eligible for help from the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund. Qualified drivers will automatically have a car insurance company assigned and coverage provided. Although the cost of this insurance is high its still the best way to secure some form of auto insurance for many high risk drivers.

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