Like all states, Maryland has its own requirements for minimum insurance required for drivers to carry. Before purchasing an auto insurance policy in Maryland, it is a good idea to find out the minimum requirements, so you can select the best policy for your given needs and budget.
Maryland requires liability insurance on all cars registered in the state. Maryland is specific about the minimum amounts of liability coverage. Minimum insurance for bodily injury is $30,000 per person or $60,000 for two or more people along with $15,000 for property damage.
In addition to the minimum Maryland auto insurance requirements, Maryland has some other rules when it comes to auto insurance. All cars registered in Maryland must be insured by a Maryland state insurance company. In other words, the insurance company must be licensed to sell insurance by the Maryland State Insurance Department.
Maryland is not one of the 12 no-fault states. In Maryland, when an accident occurs, it must be determined who is at fault before it can be decided whose insurance will pay for the damages. People involved in accidents can take each other to court since Maryland has a fault based system. This allows people to try to collect for pain and suffering in addition to the more tangible costs of repairs and medical visits.
To help mitigate the effects of this, in Maryland, drivers may purchase what is known as add-on no-fault coverage. This plan means that an insurance company will pay benefits regardless who is at fault. Unfortunately, this insurance will not protect a driver from being sued.
As seen above, the Maryland auto insurance minimum requirements are designed to protect the other people in an accident not the driver. If living in the more densely populated parts of Maryland, it would be a good idea to get more insurance in the form of collision insurance and other full coverage options. If the driver parks his or her car in a parking garage then insurance covering scratches, dings and other incidental damage could end up saving the driver money in the long run. Depending on the area, theft insurance would also be a good idea. In the more rural areas, especially those that are densely forested, collision insurance specifically for accidents involving animals is a must. A deer may appear delicate but running into one will usually result in a car being destroyed.
Like all insurance, Maryland auto insurance is way for a driver to protect himself or herself in case the worst happens. Each driver should take some time to look at their budget and the regular uses of his or her car in order to determine what kind of accidents he or she is most at risk of. By doing this, a driver can determine how to get the best protection for the best possible price.