When driving on public roads in Maryland, drivers are required to carry auto insurance. If you aren’t covered by insurance, you could risk hefty fines and registration suspension. But you can’t just own any insurance policy. There are minimum requirements you must meet before driving in Maryland. Maryland auto insurance requirements can be a bit tricky to understand, but it’s crucial if you want to avoid the penalties for driving uninsured.
What Are the Maryland Auto Insurance Requirements?
Maryland follows a 30/60/15 policy for auto insurance. This means that, at minimum, a driver must be insured for:
- $30,000 for bodily injury per person
- $60,000 for bodily injury per accident for two or more people
- $15,000 for property damage per accident
This is just the minimum requirement needed for Maryland drivers. However, most drivers opt for more comprehensive coverage to help mitigate the financial frustrations of an accident. While the 30/60/15 ratio may seem like a decent amount of coverage, larger accidents can quickly increase the out-of-pocket costs.
Understanding the Types of Coverage
When it comes to an auto accident, there are two types of damage that insurance can cover. Bodily injury refers to expenses related to pain, suffering, and loss of life. This includes things like hospital bills, costs of medication, and lost wages. Property damage refers to expenses related to damage done to a vehicle or other piece of property. This includes things like repair shop costs or rentals during repair. Having both types of coverage is crucial to ensure you don’t have to face the full price of injury or damage after an accident.
Do You Need Maryland Insurance if You’re Just Visiting?
Every state has its own insurance requirements. Your insurance policy should be from the same state that your car is registered in. If you’re just passing through or visiting for a short trip, then you don’t need to worry about making sure you meet the Maryland requirements. Your insurance plan should still cover you for the accident based on that state’s insurance policies.
However, if you’re moving to Maryland or are spending more than 50% of the year in Maryland, then you should change the registration of your vehicle and get new insurance. It’s crucial that your insurance and registration match. An inconsistency could lead to financial difficulties as well as additional fines or penalties for accidents and traffic violations.
Where to Get Maryland Auto Insurance
If you don’t meet the minimum Maryland auto insurance requirements, then you could face financial ruin after an accident. At Roadway Insurance, we help Maryland drivers get the coverage they need to drive safely. Call us today at 301.476.1183 to speak with an insurance provider and learn more about our coverage options.