Maryland requires at least $30,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 per accident and $15,000 of property damage liability, often written as 30/60/15. Every policy also needs $2,500 of personal injury protection (PIP), which some policyholders can waive, and uninsured motorist coverage of at least 30/60/15.
Maryland watches coverage closely. Insurers report policies to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) electronically, and a lapse brings daily penalties that can reach $3,500 a year for each vehicle.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland requires 30/60/15 liability, $2,500 of PIP and uninsured motorist coverage equal to your liability limits unless you waive that in writing. UM can’t go below 30/60/15.
- Enhanced underinsured motorist coverage, which doesn’t subtract the at-fault driver’s payment, is currently included on new policies issued since July 1, 2024 unless you opt out in writing.
- A lapse costs $200 for the first 30 days and $7 a day after that, up to $3,500 per vehicle in 12 months. If you’re dropping coverage and not replacing it, return your plates before the policy ends.
- Driving a car you know or have reason to know is uninsured can bring up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both for a first offense, plus 5 points on your record.
Maryland Minimum Car Insurance at a Glance
| Coverage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $15,000 per accident |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | $2,500. The first named insured can waive it in writing. |
| Uninsured motorist (includes underinsured drivers) | Equal to your liability limits unless waived, but at least $30,000/$60,000 for injuries and $15,000 for property damage |
| Enhanced underinsured motorist | Currently included on new policies issued since July 1, 2024 unless you opt out in writing |
| Collision and comprehensive | Not required by law, but usually required by lenders and lessors |
The MVA lists the liability minimums, which are set in Transportation Article section 17-103. The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) covers the other required coverages in its auto insurance guide. RateFrog’s guide to liability limits explains how the numbers work.
PIP in Maryland
PIP pays medical expenses and some other losses after a crash. Under Insurance Article section 19-506, the first named insured can waive it with a written waiver on the state’s form, after the insurer explains what PIP covers and what it costs. The waiver doesn’t apply to household family members under 16.
The MIA says you can also buy limited PIP, and that some policyholders with health insurance choose to waive it “if they feel they have adequate health care coverage and/or can afford to pay for medical treatment.” Before you decide, check what your health plan covers after a crash. The MIA points out that PIP also pays lost wages, which health insurance doesn’t. RateFrog’s guide to PIP insurance explains how PIP works in other states.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Maryland
Under Insurance Article section 19-509, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage equals your liability coverage unless you waive it, and it can’t go below 30/60/15. In Maryland, UM also covers drivers who are underinsured. The MIA’s UM page adds that it “only applies if the other driver is found to be 100% at fault.”
Standard UM coverage is reduced by what the at-fault driver’s insurance pays. The MIA gives an example: if you and the other driver both carry the minimum, you can’t receive any additional payment from your own insurer.
Enhanced Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Enhanced underinsured motorist (EUIM) coverage fixes that gap. It pays without subtracting the at-fault driver’s payment, so in the MIA’s example, the other driver’s $30,000 plus your $30,000 of EUIM adds up to $60,000. According to the MIA’s EUIM page:
- It’s the default on new policies issued on or after July 1, 2024. To decline it, you have to sign a written opt-out.
- It isn’t being added to existing policies at this time.
- It will raise your premium.
State law is scheduled to change this again in 2029, when insurers will only have to offer EUIM rather than include it by default. RateFrog’s guide to uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage explains how these coverages work.
Proof of Insurance and How Maryland Checks Coverage
Under Transportation Article section 17-104.2, you have to carry evidence of insurance in the car, and you can show it on your phone. Not having it carries a $50 fine. RateFrog’s guide to getting proof of insurance fast can help if you need a card right away.
The MVA says insurers report coverage to it electronically, so in most cases you don’t have to do anything. Since January 1, 2025, every auto insurer has had to take part in the MVA’s online verification program, which confirms coverage in real time for registration renewals and law enforcement. If you cancel your insurance and don’t plan to replace it, the MVA says you must return your license plates before the policy ends.
Penalties for an Insurance Lapse in Maryland
Under Transportation Article section 17-106, the MVA charges a penalty for each vehicle that goes without insurance:
| Length of lapse | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 30 | $200 |
| Day 31 on | $7 more for each day |
| Maximum | $3,500 per vehicle in a 12-month period |
The $200 and $3,500 figures took effect July 1, 2024, replacing the old $150 and $2,500 amounts that many websites still show. Until the penalty is paid, you can’t reinstate, renew or get a new registration. If the MVA suspends your registration, you have 48 hours to surrender it. To challenge a penalty, the MIA says to contact the MVA at 410-768-7000. RateFrog’s guide to what happens when insurance lapses covers the broader risks.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Maryland
Under Transportation Article section 17-107, it’s illegal to drive a car you know or should know is uninsured, or as the owner to let someone else drive it. The penalties are:
- First offense: up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both
- Later offenses: up to two years in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both
- Points: 5 points on your driving record, under section 16-402
If you cause a crash while uninsured, the people you hurt may be able to file a claim with the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund‘s Uninsured Division, which has several eligibility requirements, and you may be personally responsible for the damages.
Does Maryland Use SR-22 Filings?
RateFrog didn’t find an official Maryland page describing SR-22 filings. Maryland’s official pages do mention the FR-19, which certifies that a vehicle had Maryland liability coverage on the specific dates the MVA asks about. If the MVA asks you for proof of insurance, ask exactly which form it needs. For how SR-22 filings generally work, see RateFrog’s SR-22 guide.
If You Can’t Find Coverage
The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, known as Maryland Auto, sells coverage to drivers who can’t get it from standard insurers. According to its FAQ, you’re eligible if you:
- Live in Maryland
- Own a car registered in Maryland or have a valid Maryland driver’s license
- Were canceled or nonrenewed by a standard insurer for a reason other than nonpayment, or were turned down by two standard insurers
- Don’t owe Maryland Auto any unpaid premium
Maryland Auto sells through agents and online, and its phone number is 800-492-7120.
How Maryland Insurers Use Credit
Maryland limits how insurers use credit. According to the MIA’s credit guide, an insurer may consider your credit history in setting your premium when you first apply, but it can’t use credit to turn you down, refuse to renew, cancel or raise your renewal premium. It also can’t add a surcharge of more than 40% based on credit, and you can ask the insurer to recheck your credit score once during each policy period. RateFrog’s guide to the factors that affect car insurance rates covers the rest.
Cancellation Rules and Your Right to Protest
Under Insurance Article section 27-613, your insurer has to give at least 45 days’ notice before canceling, nonrenewing or reducing your coverage, and at least 10 days’ notice before canceling for nonpayment. The notice has to give the actual reason.
For most of these actions, you can protest to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner within 30 days after the notice was mailed, and your insurer has to keep the same coverage and premium in force until a final decision. Neither the protest right nor that coverage rule applies to cancellations for nonpayment. RateFrog’s guide to car insurance grace periods explains what usually happens when a payment is late.
Is Maryland’s Minimum Coverage Enough?
A $15,000 property damage limit may not cover a newer car, and injury claims can pass $30,000 per person. If a claim is more than your limits, you could owe the rest. Higher liability limits protect you if you cause a crash. Higher UM limits and EUIM give you more protection when the other driver carries only the minimum. RateFrog’s guide to how much car insurance you need can help you choose, and you can compare car insurance quotes at several coverage levels.
Where to Get Help
The Maryland Insurance Administration takes calls at 1-800-492-6116, and its property and casualty complaint unit is at 410-468-2340. You can file a complaint online through its complaint page. For lapse penalties and registration questions, contact the MVA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Waive PIP in Maryland?
The first named insured can waive PIP in writing on the state’s form. The waiver doesn’t apply to household family members under 16, and you can buy limited PIP instead.
What Is Enhanced Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
It’s underinsured motorist coverage that pays without subtracting what the at-fault driver’s insurer paid. It’s currently included on new Maryland policies issued since July 1, 2024 unless you opt out in writing.
What Is the Penalty for an Insurance Lapse in Maryland?
$200 per vehicle for the first 30 days, then $7 a day, up to $3,500 per vehicle in a 12-month period. You can’t renew or reinstate your registration until it’s paid.
Can I Show Proof of Insurance on My Phone in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland law allows evidence of insurance in electronic form, including on a phone.
Sources
- Maryland MVA: Auto Insurance Requirements
- Maryland MVA: Uninsured Motorists
- Maryland Insurance Administration: Auto Insurance Guide (PDF)
- Maryland Insurance Administration: Enhanced Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Maryland Insurance Administration: Uninsured Motorist Coverage
- Maryland Insurance Administration: Use of Credit History (PDF)
- Maryland Transportation Article 17-103
- Maryland Transportation Article 17-104.2
- Maryland Transportation Article 17-106
- Maryland Transportation Article 17-107
- Maryland Transportation Article 16-402
- Maryland Insurance Article 19-506
- Maryland Insurance Article 19-509
- Maryland Insurance Article 27-613
- Maryland Auto: FAQs
- Maryland Auto: Resources for Uninsured Marylanders
- Maryland Insurance Administration: File a Complaint