In a Nutshell
Could you be saving money on your car insurance? The cost of car insurance in Maryland depends on individual circumstances like your age, credit, driving history and the vehicle you drive. We researched car insurance companies around the state to determine the average cost of car insurance and which insurers offer the lowest minimum-coverage rates for Maryland drivers.Note from our editor: Maybe you’re searching for car insurance for the first time or want to do some insurance shopping to help lower your monthly premium? This article can serve as a starting point for your car insurance research. There are a lot of factors when it comes to the cost of car insurance, so while you may not see the exact premiums we’ve researched, they can give you an idea of some of the insurers offering the cheapest rates in your state.
Whether driving the Historic National Road or the Beltway, folks in Maryland need car insurance.
But are you getting the best value you can? We compared rates across several insurance companies to find the average cost of car insurance and figure out some of the cheapest basic-coverage options for Maryland drivers.
Unless otherwise noted, we based our calculations on a relatively neutral driver profile — someone with no claims, tickets or accidents. That gives us a way to compare auto insurers evenly and calculate the average cost of minimum-coverage in the state (see our full methodology). But we know not every driver is the same — your rates could vary depending on several factors that affect car insurance, like age, vehicle type, mileage and coverage options. That’s why we also figured out the cheapest options for drivers with different needs.
Read on to learn about Maryland’s average car insurance rates and our findings for the cheapest options for minimum coverage.
- Cost of car insurance in Maryland
- 5 cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland
- Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Maryland
- Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in Maryland
- Cheapest car insurance for good credit in Maryland
- Cheapest car insurance for poor credit in Maryland
- Cheapest car insurance for drivers with multiple claims in Maryland
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Maryland
- Maryland auto insurance requirements
- Is usage-based insurance available in Maryland?
- FAQs about the cheapest car insurance rates in Maryland
- Methodology
Cost of car insurance in Maryland
Average monthly premiums for minimum-coverage car insurance in Maryland range from just over $95 up into the $200s, depending on the type of coverage and driver profile.
Average monthly auto insurance premiums in Maryland
| Driver or coverage | Avg. monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Full-coverage car insurance in Maryland | $224.00 |
| State-minimum car insurance in Maryland | $95.45 |
| Drivers with poor credit in Maryland | $179.75 |
| Drivers with multiple claims in Maryland | $209.68 |
| Young drivers in Maryland | $197.24 |
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland
We found that Cumberland Mutual offered the cheapest basic auto insurance coverage for our standard Maryland driver profile and a wide range of Maryland driver needs.
As detailed in our methodology, we based these rates on a specific profile to get a sense of the costs for an average driver. Unless otherwise noted, our Maryland driver has a 680 to 719 credit score, is age 36 to 45 with no tickets or coverage gaps, and has a $20,000 to $30,000 car. Your rates will vary based on your driver profile, so we calculated minimum-coverage rates for several different driver needs.
Here are the five cheapest car insurance companies for basic coverage in Maryland.
1. Cumberland Mutual
Cumberland Mutual offers car insurance coverage in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Cumberland offers coverages such as liability, collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payment and towing. Discounts for bundling multiple policies or having certain anti-theft and safety devices might be options for you, too. Cumberland also offers first-accident forgiveness.
2. Geico
Geico offers a wide range of coverage options and many opportunities to save money for safe driving habits, safety equipment and customer loyalty. Its mobile app allows users to manage their policies, pay bills, request roadside assistance and more. Read reviews of Geico to learn more.
3. Travelers
Travelers car insurance is available in most states and offers customers who remain accident- and violation-free with a decreasing deductible every six months. Standout coverage options include new-car replacement coverage and accident forgiveness. Prospective customers can get a quote online, over the phone or through a local agent. Read reviews of Travelers to learn more.
4. Erie
Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance includes automatic extras such as windshield repair and pet injury coverage, which will help cover vet treatment costs by reimbursing you up to $500 per pet (or $1,000 total) for pets injured in your vehicle in an accident. Standout options include new car replacement coverage, which gives you the true replacement value of your vehicle if it’s totaled. Read reviews of Erie to learn more.
5. Kemper Insurance (previously Unitrin)
Unitrin now does business under the name Kemper Insurance and offers a range of coverage options and flexible policies. Customers buy Kemper insurance through independent agents, who can help design a custom policy and apply appropriate discounts.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Maryland
Full coverage includes bodily injury, property damage, uninsured motorist, personal injury protection, collision and comprehensive coverages. Maryland mandates a minimum 30/60/15 auto insurance policy, which is not considered full coverage. If you have a car loan, your lender may require full coverage.
These companies have the lowest estimated rates for drivers interested in full-coverage insurance.
5 cheapest full-coverage car insurance companies in Maryland
| 1 | Cumberland Mutual | $141.42 |
| 2 | Penn National | $157.67 |
| 3 | Progressive | $162.00 |
| 4 | Nationwide | $162.33 |
| 5 | Travelers | $170.92 |
Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in Maryland
As its name implies, state-minimum insurance is the most basic coverage you can carry according to Maryland law. State-minimum insurance often has lower premiums, but you may end up paying more out-of-pocket if you have an accident or major damage.
Here are the five cheapest insurers for drivers looking for state-minimum coverage.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland for state-minimum coverage
| 1 | Cumberland Mutual | $50.75 |
| 2 | Geico | $71.03 |
| 3 | Travelers | $72.92 |
| 4 | Erie | $75.79 |
| 5 | Kemper | $77.25 |
Cheapest car insurance for good credit in Maryland
One of the several factors affecting your car insurance cost is your credit. Most often, drivers with good credit scores pay lower insurance premiums than those with poor credit.
If you have higher credit scores, you may find the cheapest basic-coverage car insurance from the following insurers.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland for those with good credit
| 1 | Cumberland Mutual | $44.81 |
| 2 | Erie | $54.68 |
| 3 | Travelers | $58.50 |
| 4 | Geico | $61.90 |
| 5 | Kemper | $65.96 |
Cheapest car insurance for poor credit in Maryland
Insurers often view drivers with poor credit as riskier to insure and may charge them more for insurance. But remember, credit is only one factor determining the cost of car insurance, so there are still other ways to keep your costs low, like maintaining a clean driving record and choosing an appropriate amount of coverage.
Here are the five cheapest car insurance companies for Maryland drivers with less-than-perfect credit, based on rates for minimum coverage.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland for those with poor credit
| 1 | Cumberland Mutual | $77.83 |
| 2 | Geico | $106.46 |
| 3 | Travelers | $115.00 |
| 4 | Kemper | $121.97 |
| 5 | Nationwide | $123.01 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with multiple claims in Maryland
Insurance companies also look at your claims history when calculating your insurance premium. In general, drivers with a history of no claims will pay less for car insurance than drivers with multiple claims.
The following insurance companies have the lowest estimated basic-coverage rates for drivers with multiple claims by insurance companies.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland for multiple claims
| 1 | Cumberland Mutual | $64.83 |
| 2 | Travelers | $116.83 |
| 3 | Geico | $138.42 |
| 4 | Progressive | $155.36 |
| 5 | Erie | $158.67 |
Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Maryland
Your age can also influence how much you pay for insurance. Insurance companies tend to view younger drivers as riskier to insure, so policies for younger drivers are often more expensive.
If you’re between the ages of 18 and 21, you may find the cheapest basic-coverage car insurance at these five insurers.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland for young drivers
| 1 | Travelers | $110.75 |
| 2 | Geico | $127.08 |
| 3 | Cumberland Mutual | $128.92 |
| 4 | Erie | $142.52 |
| 5 | Progressive | $152.68 |
Maryland auto insurance requirements
Driving without insurance in Maryland is illegal. The state requires drivers to maintain at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and an additional $15,000 for property damage. If you lease your car, your lender may require more robust coverage.
Is usage-based insurance available in Maryland?
Usage-based insurance is vehicle insurance that allows customers to pay premiums based on their driving behavior. Maryland drivers may be able to take advantage of their insurance provider’s UBI (also called telematics or pay-as-you-drive) insurance programs to save money on their premiums for safe or low-mileage driving.
FAQs about the cheapest car insurance rates in Maryland
The Insurance Information Institute considers Maryland to be an add-on state. That means that although Maryland is not a true no-fault state, drivers may still receive some compensation from their insurance company (for things like medical bills, wage loss and replacement services) in the event of an accident, as they would in a no-fault state.
Average monthly premiums for car insurance in Maryland range from just over $95 for basic coverage up into the $200s, depending on type of coverage and driver profile.
Uninsured drivers in Maryland could face fines ranging from $150 to $2,500, plus additional fees. Your registration could also be suspended, and your vehicle could be impounded if you drive with a suspended registration.
Methodology
This article’s estimated rates are the lowest for minimum coverage based on the profile of a driver aged 36 to 45 living in Maryland. Unless otherwise noted, the rates displayed assume a single driver on the insurance policy with no tickets on their driving record and no claims or coverage lapses. The vehicle used in this estimate is valued between $20,000 and $30,000 and has annual mileage of 12,000 to 15,000. Estimated rates for insurance for good credit apply to scores of 720 or higher. Estimated rates for insurance for poor credit apply to scores from 350 to 579. Estimated rates for young drivers include those age 18 to 21. Estimated rates for those with multiple claims are calculated based on two claims.
Note that the rates are provided every six months by Quadrant Information Services. Quadrant Information Services doesn’t include all insurance companies in its rate data. These are estimated rates meant only to provide a frame of reference and comparison. Your rates may vary depending on various factors, such as your age, vehicle driving habits and history.
The average monthly premium for full coverage car insurance includes bodily injury, property damage, uninsured motorist, personal injury protection, collision and comprehensive coverages. The average monthly premium for state-minimum car insurance includes a Maryland-mandated 30/60/15 insurance policy.