Best car insurance in Maryland (2024)

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Jessica OlivoFreelance contributorJessica Olivo is a writer living in Connecticut. She specializes in web and blog content in a variety of topics such as parenting, business, and culture, as well as serialized and short fiction.After working in publishing and book publicity for many years, she transitioned to freelance writing full time.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

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Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
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Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Certified Financial PlannerIan Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

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Maryland drivers pay an average of $1,784 per year for car insurance, but shopping around for affordable coverage can help you find some serious savings. We found that the cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland are USAA, GEICO, Travelers, State Farm, and Cumberland.

Ready to shop car insurance?

The best way to save money on car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple companies before you buy. Policygenius can help you see what you’ll pay for coverage from top car insurance companies, so you can be sure you’re picking the right policy.

Key takeaways

  • With an average rate of $806 for full coverage, USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in Maryland

  • Maryland drivers are required to have $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and at least $15,000 in property damage liability coverage

  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage are also required in Maryland

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland

Car insurance rates vary from company to company, which is why it’s important to compare quotes before you buy. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland by average rate:

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

USAA

$67/month

890

GEICO

$76/month

874

Travelers

$102/month

854

State Farm

$115/month

882

Cumberland

$123/month

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Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Maryland

Since young drivers often get into accidents while they are gaining experience behind the wheel, they’re more expensive to insure than older drivers. But as long as they keep a clean driving record, young drivers will see their rates gradually decrease as they approach 25.

Age

Cheapest company

Average cost

16

GEICO

$3,554

18

USAA

$2,317

21

USAA

$1,141

25

USAA

$905

30

USAA

$841

35

USAA

$815

45

USAA

$762

55

USAA

$721

60

USAA

$718

65

USAA

$774

70

USAA

$774

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Maryland

There’s no one right car insurance company for every driver. Since car insurance rates are so personalized, the only way to be sure you’re picking the right policy for you is to shop around and compare options. Policygenius can help you see what you’d pay for coverage with top car insurance companies, so you can be sure you’re making the right choice for your needs.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Maryland

Any accidents or moving violations on your driving history will mean higher car insurance rates. The good news is that most violations won’t stay on your record forever, and after a few years, you could start seeing lower rates again.

Violation

USAA

GEICO

Travelers

State Farm

Cumberland

At-fault accident

$1,318

$1,483

$1,772

$1,736

$1,931

Suspended license

$1,537

$1,076

$1,950

$1,532

$2,278

Open container

$1,177

$1,076

$1,673

$1,532

$2,278

Expired registration

$1,005

$972

$1,673

$1,532

$1,878

Driving without lights

$851

$1,076

$1,641

$1,532

$1,878

Running a red light

$1,005

$1,076

$1,673

$1,532

$1,878

Following too closely

$1,005

$1,076

$1,673

$1,532

$1,878

Hit and run

$2,333

$1,192

$1,950

$1,532

$2,278

Not-at-fault accident

$851

$1,023

$1,295

$1,396

$1,666

Passing a school bus

$1,177

$1,076

$1,950

$1,532

$2,278

Reckless driving

$1,177

$1,844

$1,950

$1,532

$2,278

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Maryland

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

GEICO

$1,192

State Farm

$1,532

Travelers

$1,950

USAA

$2,220

Cumberland

$2,278

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Maryland

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

USAA

$1,005

GEICO

$1,483

State Farm

$1,532

Travelers

$1,950

Cumberland

$2,278

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Maryland

Drivers with poor credit pay more for car insurance, which makes it all the more important for them to shop around and compare quotes before picking a policy. Keep an eye on your credit and make sure there aren’t any errors that could be bringing down your score.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

GEICO

$1,255

USAA

$1,468

Travelers

$2,431

Nationwide

$2,573

Cumberland

$2,745

Car insurance costs in Maryland cities

Where you live in Maryland will also affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Crime rates, average repair costs, and the numbers of accidents and claims will all affect car insurance costs in your area. Here’s how average rates compare in the 10 biggest cities in Maryland:

  • Baltimore: $2,804

  • Frederick: $1,442

  • Rockville: $1,783

  • Gaithersburg: $1,786

  • Bowie: $1,998

  • Hagerstown: $1,450

  • Annapolis: $1,723

  • Salisbury: $1,478

  • College Park: $2,209

  • Laurel: $2,019

Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in Maryland

In Maryland, as in most states, drivers are required to have bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.

Maryland residents are also required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers the cost of your injuries and medical bills after an accident and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which will pay the costs if the other driver is at fault, but doesn’t have any or enough insurance.

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $30,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $60,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: $15,000

  • Personal injury protection: $2,500 per incident

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $30,000 per person; $60,000 per incident; and $15,000 in PD coverage

Even though PIP is required in Maryland, it’s still an at-fault state, meaning the insurance company of the driver responsible for an accident must pay the other party’s repair costs and medical bills, up to the limits of the policy. That’s why it’s important to set your liability limits as high as you can reasonably afford, so you’re fully protected in case of an accident.

Maryland drivers who are denied car insurance policies from multiple companies or who have had their car insurance canceled for a reason other than not paying their premiums can find cheap coverage through the Maryland Auto Insurance Fund.

How to get cheap car insurance in Maryland

Many of the factors that go into calculating your car insurance rate are beyond your control, but discounts can help you save on your policy. Some of the most common car insurance discounts include:

  • Safe driver discount: For drivers with no recent accidents 

  • Low mileage discount: For drivers who drive less than 7,500 miles annually

  • Loyalty discount: For drivers who have been with the same company for a set number of years

  • Bundling discount: For getting more than one insurance policy from the same company 

  • Military discount: For drivers who are active-duty service members and their families

Find car insurance in your city:

Frequently asked questions

Does Maryland have high car insurance?

Drivers in Maryland pay an average of $1,784 per year for car insurance, which is slightly above the national average.

Why should I get more insurance than required in Maryland?

Maryland state minimums only offer the basic level of protection in case you’re in an accident. Since accidents can cost tens of thousands of dollars, it’s safer to be prepared with enough coverage to prevent having to pay out of pocket after an expensive accident.

Who has the cheapest insurance in Maryland?

USAA has the cheapest rates in Maryland, but it's only available to drivers who are affiliated with the military. GEICO is the cheapest insurer in Maryland for the general public.

How much is car insurance per month in Maryland?

Drivers in Maryland pay an average of $149 per month for car insurance, or $1,784 per year.

Authors

Jessica Olivo is a writer living in Connecticut. She specializes in web and blog content in a variety of topics such as parenting, business, and culture, as well as serialized and short fiction.

After working in publishing and book publicity for many years, she transitioned to freelance writing full time.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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