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Best Cheap Car Insurance In Maryland (2023)

Searching for the best car insurance in Maryland? Our expert team covers everything you need to know about the top auto insurance companies for Maryland drivers.

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09/19/2023 04:04 PM

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Because Maryland is one of the more expensive states for auto insurance in the U.S., it can be challenging for drivers in the state to find affordable coverage. Our team of experts has done the research for you to identify the best car insurance in Maryland.

Our team took a close look at the cost, coverage, reliability, and service of several leading providers in the state of Maryland. USAA, Erie Insurance, and Geico stood out as the top choices for Maryland drivers. We recommend comparing car insurance quotes from several top providers to find the best coverage for your situation.

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Cheap Car Insurance In Maryland

According to our rate estimates, the cheapest car insurance in Maryland comes from a minimum coverage policy at USAA, which costs roughly $32 per month or $380 per year on average. Maryland drivers can generally find the cheapest car insurance with USAA, Geico, and Erie Insurance.

Auto Insurance ProviderMinimum Coverage Estimated Annual CostFull Coverage Estimated Annual Cost
USAA$380 $920
Geico$468 $1,100
Travelers$681 $1,404
Erie Insurance$744 $1,576
Kemper Insurance$883 $1,702
State Farm$895 $1,915
Progressive$1,372 $1,904

*Based on the profile of a 35-year-old married driver with good credit and a clean driving record.

How Much Is Auto Insurance In Maryland?

The average cost of full-coverage car insurance in Maryland is $1,818 per year. Compared to the national average of $1,730 per year, Maryland drivers pay about five percent more for auto coverage annually.

Although the average cost of auto insurance in Maryland is above the national average, the amount you pay will vary due to a number of personalized factors, including:

  • Age: Young drivers are considered high risk because of their lack of experience on the road, which leads to higher car insurance costs.
  • Gender on license: Men tend to pay more for car insurance than women.
  • Marital status: Most married drivers pay less for coverage on average and have more access to family or bundling discounts.
  • Driving record: Speeding tickets, reported accidents, and DUIs can harm your chances of getting cheap car insurance rates. Those with clean driving records save the most money on coverage.
  • Credit score: In most states, drivers with poor credit scores pay significantly more for auto insurance coverage than those with good credit scores.
  • Coverage level: Full coverage car insurance policies cost more than state minimum liability coverage.

Cheapest Maryland Car Insurance: Young Drivers

In general, insuring a teen or young adult driver tends to be more expensive due to their lack of experience. Below are the average annual and monthly rates for full-coverage car insurance in Maryland. These providers tend to be the cheapest options for each age group.

Cheapest Car Insurance In Maryland: 16-Year-Olds

In Maryland, the cheapest full-coverage car insurance for 16-year-olds comes from Geico at $287 per month. Erie Insurance comes in a close second at $313 per month. Sixteen-year-old drivers often pay some of the highest rates in most states.

Cheap Car Insurance In MarylandAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
Geico$287 $3,444
Erie Insurance$313 $3,750
USAA$336 $4,030
Travelers$420 $5,036
Kemper Insurance$423 $5,081

Cheapest Car Insurance In Maryland: 18-Year-Olds

Eighteen-year-old drivers in Maryland can find the cheapest car insurance from USAA at around $206 per month and from Geico at around $246 per month.

Cheap Car Insurance In MarylandAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
USAA$206 $2,471
Geico$246 $2,957
Erie Insurance$285 $3,423
Travelers$290 $3,482
State Farm$388 $4,652

Cheapest Car Insurance In Maryland: 21-Year-Olds

The cheapest car insurance in Maryland for 21-year-olds comes at roughly $103 per month on average from USAA. Geico also offers affordable coverage at $151 per month.

Cheap Car Insurance In MarylandAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
USAA$103 $1,237
Geico$151 $1,806
Travelers$180 $2,164
Erie Insurance$243 $2,918
State Farm$264 $3,166

Cheapest Car Insurance In Maryland: 25-Year-Olds

Like the previous ages, 25-year-old drivers can find cheap car insurance in Maryland from USAA and Geico. USAA offers full-coverage policies as low as $87 per month.

Cheap Car Insurance In MarylandAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
USAA$87 $1,045
Geico$108 $1,297
Travelers$124 $1,492
Erie Insurance$156 $1,874
Kemper Insurance$165 $1,985

Cheapest Maryland Car Insurance: High-Risk Drivers

Drivers that don’t have good credit or the cleanest driving records will pay more for car insurance than the average driver. That doesn’t mean that high-risk drivers in Maryland still can’t find relatively fair prices for full-coverage auto insurance. The following averages are for 35-year-old male drivers.

Cheapest Maryland Car Insurance: Speeding Tickets

Drivers who have gotten multiple speeding tickets in recent years can find relatively affordable full coverage from USAA at $97 per month, and from Geico at $115 per month.

Cheapest Car Insurance In MarylandAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
USAA$97 $1,166
Geico$115 $1,379
Travelers$142 $1,701
Erie Insurance$160 $1,922
Progressive$174 $2,085

Cheapest Maryland Car Insurance: Recent Accidents

Car insurance rates are much higher than average for Maryland drivers who have been in a car accident. However, USAA offers a fair full-coverage auto insurance policy at around $138 per month on average. For those who can’t qualify for USAA coverage, Geico is the next-best option to consider.

Cheapest Car Insurance In MarylandAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
USAA$138 $1,661
Geico$169 $2,025
Travelers$183 $2,196
Erie Insurance$199 $2,384
State Farm$206 $2,469

Cheapest Maryland Car Insurance: DUIs

Drivers with DUI convictions often pay very high prices. In Maryland, DUI drivers can find affordable coverage with Geico, at $121 per month. Erie Insurance also provides relatively cheap coverage at $160 per month.

Cheapest Car Insurance In MarylandAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
Geico$121 $1,451
Erie Insurance$160 $1,922
Travelers$162 $1,948
State Farm$182 $2,178
Progressive$198 $2,381

Cheapest Maryland Car Insurance: Poor Credit

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, car insurance companies in the state of Maryland are limited when it comes to using a person’s credit score to determine car insurance premiums. This is better compared to most states. However, prices are still higher for Maryland drivers with poor credit versus drivers with good credit.

Maryland drivers with bad credit can find relatively affordable auto insurance rates at USAA and Progressive.

Cheapest Car Insurance In MarylandAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
USAA$122 $1,463
Progressive$181 $2,166
Geico$188 $2,257
Nationwide$214 $2,566
Travelers$271 $3,255

Top 5 Auto Insurance Companies In Maryland

Our review team researched and ranked the best car insurance companies in Maryland based on their cost, coverage options, customer service, and reliability. Whether you’re in Baltimore, Annapolis, or anywhere else in the state, we believe USAA is an excellent option for auto insurance coverage. Geico, Erie, Progressive, and State Farm are also smart choices for Maryland drivers.

Best Car Insurance in MarylandOverall RatingCost RatingCoverage Rating
1. USAA4.64.94.6
2. Geico4.64.74.2
3. Erie Insurance4.54.84.3
4. Progressive4.34.44.4
5. State Farm4.74.64.6

*Our research team scores car insurance companies by taking nationwide factors into account. The order of insurers in this table is specific to auto insurance in Maryland.

#1 USAA: Best For Military Members

USAA is our top choice for car insurance in Maryland. While coverage is only available to military members, veterans, and their families, this company is a great option for those who qualify. USAA is the fifth-largest auto insurer in the country, largely because it consistently offers some of the lowest average rates for many types of drivers.

Maryland drivers can save even more with the provider’s great bundling discounts for auto, renters, and homeowners insurance, as well as discounts for families, students, and teen drivers. USAA’s A++ financial strength rating from AM Best also shows the company’s reliability for paying out claims.

Read more: USAA insurance review

#2 Geico: Best For Discounts

Because Geico offers fairly competitive car insurance rates across the board, this company is one of our top recommendations for Maryland drivers. It’s an especially great option for students and military members. 

Geico currently holds an A++ AM Best financial strength rating, which highlights its ability to reliably pay out claims. The company has also been awarded an A+ rating from the BBB. Many customer reviews praise the company for its easy claims process and broad range of car insurance discounts. Policyholders can get a safe driver discount by scoring high enough in Geico’s usage-based insurance program, DriveEasy.

Read more: Geico insurance review

#3 Erie Insurance: Good Basic Coverage

Erie Insurance has been providing quality car insurance coverage since 1925. It offers some of the best rates in the state on average, and it’s an especially great option for those looking to insure a young driver in the state of Maryland. In addition to its competitive pricing, the insurer is known for its comprehensive coverage options.

Erie holds a positive reputation within the insurance industry, with an A+ AM Best financial strength rating as well as an A+ BBB rating. The company also placed third in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠, with a score of 893 out of 1,000 possible points.

Read more: Erie Insurance review

#4 Progressive: Best Usage-Based Insurance

Our review team ranked Progressive number one in the nation for high-risk drivers, as it offers more affordable prices for motorists who have gotten DUI convictions or at-fault accidents on their driving records. 

Progressive also offers multiple savings opportunities, including with its Snapshot program, a usage-based driving app which awards policyholders discounts based on their driving habits. Additionally, Progressive was given an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best. This provider is available in all 50 states and offers accident forgiveness and gap insurance.

Read more: Progressive insurance review

#5 State Farm: Best Overall Provider

State Farm is a great option for car insurance coverage in Maryland, with low average rates for young drivers and its variety of savings opportunities for students in particular.

State Farm is the largest auto insurance company in the U.S., and it holds a positive reputation within the industry. The insurer holds an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best and many positive customer service reviews due to its network of local insurance agents.

Read more: State Farm insurance review


Maryland Car Insurance Requirements

As is standard in most states, Maryland has state minimum coverage requirements that all drivers are required to meet. According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), the coverage requirements for Maryland include:

  • Property damage liability coverage: $15,000 per accident
  • Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage (property damage): $15,000 per accident

Personal injury protection (PIP) must be offered by insurance companies, but Maryland drivers have the option to waive coverage.

Is Maryland A No-Fault State?

No. Maryland is an at-fault state, like the majority of states throughout the country.This means that the party who caused a car accident becomes financially responsible for any damage that occurred.

The at-fault driver’s insurance provider will handle the financial losses of the other party (or parties) involved in a collision up to policy limits. The at-fault process begins with the party who sustained injury or damages from a collision filing a claim with their insurance provider. Then, the insurance provider will file a claim against the at-fault driver’s provider.


How To Get Maryland Car Insurance Quotes

Following thorough research and review, our team found USAA to be the best choice for car insurance in Maryland. USAA’s extensive list of discounts and positive reviews paired with its offering of usage-based insurance separates this company from the competition. Erie, Progressive, Geico, and State Farm can also be smart choices for Maryland drivers.

To get started, we recommend getting online quotes to compare car insurance options. Most major providers offer online quotes, which is generally the most efficient way to figure out how much you’ll pay for coverage. You can also reach out to providers by phone or get car insurance quotes through an insurance agent or broker for a more personalized experience.

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FAQ: Cheapest Car Insurance In Maryland

How much is car insurance a month in Maryland?

On average, car insurance is roughly $152 per month or $1,818 per year in Maryland. This is a full-coverage policy for the profile of a 35-year-old married driver with good credit and a cleaning driving record. The price you pay depends on factors such as your age, driving history, vehicle, and more.

Is car insurance high in Maryland?

The national average for full-coverage car insurance in Maryland is $1,818 per year, which is about five percent more than the national average of $1,730 per year.

What type of car insurance is required in Maryland?

Maryland requires car insurance coverage with 30/60/15 limits for liability insurance and underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.

Is Geico car insurance good?

Our review team rated Geico as the Best Overall Provider for car insurance in 2022. The company is frequently recognized for its customer service excellence and smooth claims process.

What is the cheapest plan for car insurance?

The cheapest policy for car insurance in Maryland comes from USAA and includes the minimum limits for both liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. The average amount of minimum coverage for USAA is $380 per year in Maryland.

How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
  • Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
  • Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer easy-to-use claims apps.

*Data accurate at time of publication.