The cheapest car insurance in Maryland comes from USAA, Geico, Travelers, Erie and Kemper for both liability and full-coverage auto insurance.
Discover if you are overpaying for car insurance below.
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The cheapest car insurance in Maryland comes from USAA, Geico, Travelers, Erie and Kemper for both liability and full-coverage auto insurance.
Discover if you are overpaying for car insurance below.
With our comparison partner,
We at the MarketWatch Guides team took an in-depth look at some of the country’s top auto insurance providers by examining policies, prices, ratings and customer reviews. We then tailored that list to name the cheapest car insurance providers in Maryland. Use our findings to make an informed decision about the policy that best suits your needs, starting by getting free car insurance quotes from providers.
Key Takeaways:
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
Car insurance rates are slightly more expensive than the national average in the Old Line State. But that doesn’t mean Maryland drivers can’t find great car insurance coverage.
Below, we’ll look at the cheapest car insurance companies and coverage options in Maryland, beginning with the most affordable providers in the state.
Geico, USAA, Erie Insurance, State Farm and Progressive are the cheapest car insurance companies in Maryland. We considered coverage options, average statewide premiums and customer satisfaction scores when ranking the cheapest providers in the state.
Top Maryland Car Insurance Companies | Overall Rating | Cost Rating | Number of Discounts Available | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
9.1 | 9.1 | 16 | ||
9.2 | 9.7 | 10 | ||
9.4 | 9.9 | 9 | ||
9.4 | 9.3 | 10 | ||
9.0 | 7.8 | 14 |
Top Maryland Car Insurance Companies | Overall Rating | Cost Rating | Number of Discounts Available | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
9.1 | 9.1 | 16 | ||
9.2 | 9.7 | 10 | ||
9.4 | 9.9 | 9 | ||
9.4 | 9.3 | 10 | ||
9.0 | 7.8 | 14 |
*Our research team considers nationwide factors when scoring providers. The ranking of providers in this table is specific to car insurance in Maryland.
Each car insurance company has its own calculation methods for insurance premiums. That’s why we recommend reaching out to several car insurance providers if you want to find the cheapest car insurance in Maryland.
The coverage level you choose will impact your car insurance rates. Many car insurance quotes from providers include estimates for minimum-liability and full-coverage car insurance. While minimum liability is what you are required to carry under state law, it’s a good idea for drivers to consider a full-coverage policy.
Below, we provide the cheapest auto insurance options in Maryland for both coverage types.
At $39 per month or $471 per year, USAA offers the cheapest minimum liability car insurance in Maryland on average. Geico, Travelers, Erie Insurance and Kemper also provide affordable car insurance for motorists.
Cheapest Liability Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $39 | $471 |
Geico | $42 | $508 |
Travelers | $59 | $705 |
Erie Insurance | $62 | $741 |
State Farm | $66 | $790 |
Nationwide | $80 | $965 |
Kemper | $87 | $1,049 |
Progressive | $96 | $1,147 |
Penn National Insurance | $101 | $1,214 |
Allstate | $119 | $1,430 |
According to our research, Geico provides the cheapest full-coverage car insurance rates in Maryland, costing $104 per month or $1,245 per year. USAA, Travelers, Erie Insurance and Kemper, are also good choices for Maryland motorists.
Cheapest Full-Coverage Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
Geico | $104 | $1,245 |
USAA | $107 | $1,278 |
Travelers | $122 | $1,461 |
Nationwide | $144 | $1,732 |
Kemper | $145 | $1,741 |
Erie Insurance | $151 | $1,812 |
State Farm | $157 | $1,884 |
Penn National Insurance | $169 | $2,026 |
Progressive | $173 | $2,077 |
Allstate | $257 | $3,078 |
*These rate estimates are based on the profile of a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record and a good credit score.
Several factors impact the cost of car insurance in Maryland, including age, driving history and a person’s credit scores. We’ll compare cheap car insurance estimates for Maryland drivers in these categories below.
Young drivers pay substantially more for car insurance than older adults. The tables below show the cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Maryland, along with estimated monthly and annual costs.
Travelers tends to offer the cheapest coverage for 16-year-old drivers in Maryland at an estimated cost of $4,797 per year, or $400 per month. The average rate estimate for 16-year-old Maryland drivers is $7,065 per year, or $589 per month. That’s more than 389% higher than the average rate for a 35-year-old driver in the state.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
Travelers | $400 | $4,797 |
Geico | $415 | $4,977 |
Erie Insurance | $420 | $5,040 |
Kemper | $461 | $5,527 |
USAA | $497 | $5,959 |
When it comes to 17-year-old Maryland drivers, USAA tends to offer the cheapest rates, with an average estimate of $2,891 per year, or $241 per month. The average rate estimate for 17-year-old drivers in Maryland is $11,527 per year, or $961 per month. This rate is 276% higher than the average for a 35-year-old driver in the state.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $241 | $2,891 |
Geico | $259 | $3,111 |
Erie Insurance | $298 | $3,571 |
Travelers | $347 | $4,165 |
Kemper | $405 | $4,863 |
*Costs were taken from 2022 information.
USAA typically offers the lowest car insurance rates for 18-year-olds in Maryland, with an estimate of $2,741 per year, or $206 per month. The average estimate for an 18-year-old Maryland driver is $9,889 per year, or $824 per month. This figure is 223% higher than the state average for a 35-year-old driver.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $206 | $2,471 |
Geico | $246 | $2,957 |
Erie Insurance | $285 | $3,423 |
Travelers | $290 | $3,482 |
State Farm | $388 | $4,652 |
*Costs were taken from 2022 information.
For 21-year-old Maryland drivers, USAA tends to offer the lowest rates at an estimated cost of $1,237 per year, or $103 per month. The average rate in Maryland for a 21-year-old driver is $5,357 per year, or $446 per month. This is nearly 75% more than the average rate for a 35-year-old Maryland driver.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $103 | $1,237 |
Geico | $151 | $1,806 |
Travelers | $180 | $2,164 |
Erie Insurance | $243 | $2,918 |
State Farm | $264 | $3,166 |
*Costs were taken from 2022 information.
USAA tends to offer the cheapest car insurance in Maryland for 25-year-old drivers with an estimated cost of $1,413 per year, or $118 per month. The average estimated rate for a 25-year-old Maryland driver is $2,108 per year, or $176 per month.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $118 | $1,413 |
Travelers | $130 | $1,555 |
Geico | $132 | $1,588 |
Kemper | $176 | $2,108 |
Erie Insurance | $188 | $2,259 |
As drivers get more experience on the road, the cost of car insurance starts to go down. Drivers in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s tend to receive the lowest car insurance rates on average, while older drivers in their 70s may see their rates start to increase in Maryland.
As with most other age groups, USAA tends to be the cheapest car insurance provider for 30-year-old drivers in the Old Line State at $990 per year or $83 per month. Geico is a close second, averaging around $1,128 per year or $94 per month for a full-coverage car insurance policy.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $83 | $990 |
Geico | $94 | $1,128 |
Travelers | $120 | $1,437 |
Erie Insurance | $144 | $1,727 |
Kemper Insurance | $150 | $1,795 |
*Costs were taken from 2022 information.
Averaging around $104 per month or $1,245 per year, Geico provides the cheapest car insurance for 35-year-old military members, veterans and their families on average. USAA is the second most affordable choice for this age group, costing $107 per month or $1,278 per year.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
Geico | $104 | $1,245 |
USAA | $107 | $1,278 |
Travelers | $122 | $1,461 |
Kemper Insurance | $145 | $1,741 |
Erie Insurance | $151 | $1,812 |
Most 40-year-old drivers in Maryland can expect to find affordable coverage through USAA or Geico. With USAA, Maryland auto insurance tends to average $77 per month or $929 per year for a full-coverage policy, while Geico costs an average of $90 per month or $1,085 per year.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $77 | $929 |
Geico | $90 | $1,085 |
Travelers | $107 | $1,283 |
Erie Insurance | $129 | $1,543 |
Kemper Insurance | $143 | $1,717 |
*Costs taken from 2022 information.
In our research, we found that USAA is one of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Maryland for 50-year-olds, costing $73 per month or $875 per year. Drivers may also find affordable coverage through Geico, Travelers and Erie Insurance.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $73 | $875 |
Geico | $83 | $997 |
Travelers | $106 | $1,266 |
Erie Insurance | $121 | $1,453 |
Kemper Insurance | $139 | $1,665 |
*Costs taken from 2022 information.
Active duty military and retired veterans around 65 years old will likely find affordable coverage through USAA, averaging around $79 per month or $942 per year. Other 65-year-old drivers may find cheap car insurance in Maryland through Geico, Travelers and Erie Insurance.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $79 | $942 |
Geico | $107 | $1,282 |
Travelers | $127 | $1,526 |
Erie Insurance | $133 | $1,594 |
Penn National | $152 | $1,824 |
*Costs taken from 2022 information.
Based on our cost estimates, USAA and Geico offer the cheapest Maryland auto insurance on average. USAA costs an average of $79 per month or $942 per year for full coverage, while Geico averages $124 per month or $1,493 per year.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $79 | $942 |
Geico | $124 | $1,493 |
Travelers | $127 | $1,526 |
Erie Insurance | $133 | $1,594 |
Penn National | $152 | $1,824 |
High-risk drivers with a speeding ticket or recent accident can expect to pay more for car insurance coverage overall in Maryland. The sections below provide estimates for the cheapest car insurance rates for drivers who may fall into these categories.
A speeding ticket can raise your auto insurance rates dramatically. The following providers offer the cheapest prices for car insurance in Maryland to drivers with a recent speeding ticket on their record.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
Geico | $121 | $1,449 |
USAA | $127 | $1,520 |
Travelers | $157 | $1,883 |
Erie Insurance | $175 | $2,102 |
Kemper Insurance | $210 | $2,521 |
You’ll see your rates jump if you’ve been found at fault for a recent accident. Below are some of the cheapest rates for Maryland drivers with an accident on their driving record.
Car Insurance Company | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $127 | $1,520 |
Travelers | $157 | $1,883 |
State Farm | $172 | $2,062 |
Erie Insurance | $175 | $2,102 |
Progressive | $201 | $2,411 |
Your credit score can greatly affect how much you pay for car insurance in Maryland. Generally, the lower your credit score, the higher your premiums. These auto insurance providers commonly offer some of the lowest rates to Maryland drivers with poor credit scores.
Car Insurance Company | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
Geico | $134 | $1,605 |
USAA | $187 | $2,240 |
Nationwide | $207 | $2,478 |
Travelers | $219 | $2,630 |
Progressive | $248 | $2,978 |
Our research shows that Maryland car insurance costs are on par with the national average. But that doesn’t mean that Maryland motorists shouldn’t take advantage of the car insurance discounts available to them. The table below compares car insurance deals and discounts by the top providers in the state, which we’ll discuss in further detail below.
Maryland Car Insurance Discounts | Geico | USAA | Erie Insurance | State Farm | Progressive |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Multi-policy | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Multi-vehicle | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Safe driver | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
Student | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Defensive driving | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||
Driver training | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
New vehicle | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
Car safety equipment | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
Loyalty | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
Military | ✔️ | ✔️ |
*These are the standard car insurance discounts offered by each company. Discount availability can vary by state, so you’ll need to speak with an insurance agent to find out which car insurance discounts you may qualify for.
Shopping around for car insurance is the best way to see which discounts and deals opportunities you may qualify for with other providers. As you shop around, pay attention to the types of coverage each car insurance company offers and the discounts available for your situation. Be sure to speak with your insurance agent to find out if there are any discount opportunities you may qualify for with your current policy.
Here are further details on the common types of car insurance discounts offered by providers:
For those who want to know more about the cheapest car insurance providers in the Old Line State, the sections below contain more detailed information.
Drivers pay an average of $1,833 per year, or $153 per month, for car insurance in Maryland, according to our rate estimates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record. These premiums are about 10% lower than the national average of $2,008, making Maryland one of the more expensive states for car insurance.
Here’s how Maryland car insurance costs compare with the rest of the nation:
The average rate estimate for a minimum coverage policy for car insurance in Maryland is around $901 per year, or $75 per month. This is 31% higher than the national average of $627 per year.
While multiple factors contribute to the rate you pay for premiums, age is perhaps the single most important one. Younger drivers — especially teen drivers — tend to pay significantly higher rates for car insurance in Maryland and other states than drivers from other age groups. The table below shows the average rates for drivers of different ages.
Age | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
16 | $589 | $7,065 |
17* | $961 | $11,527 |
18* | $824 | $9,889 |
19* | $628 | $7,540 |
21* | $446 | $5,357 |
25 | $176 | $2,108 |
35 | $153 | $1,833 |
40* | $254 | $3,042 |
45 | $146 | $1,756 |
50* | $238 | $2,861 |
55 | $136 | $1,626 |
65* | $234 | $2,808 |
75* | $296 | $3,552 |
*Costs were taken from 2022 information.
Rates between drivers in different cities in Maryland will vary, even with all other factors the same. That’s because insurers adjust rates based on different risk factors associated with different cities and ZIP codes. The table below shows the average full-coverage rate estimates for different Maryland cities.
City in Maryland | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
Baltimore | $272 | $3,266 |
Columbia | $192 | $2,303 |
Germantown | $188 | $2,259 |
Silver Spring | $210 | $2,521 |
Waldorf | $207 | $2,490 |
Glen Burnie | $201 | $2,416 |
Ellicott City | $193 | $2,316 |
Frederick | $165 | $1,982 |
Dundalk | $233 | $2,801 |
Rockville | $191 | $2,288 |
Bethesda | $178 | $2,134 |
Gaithersburg | $190 | $2,278 |
Towson | $217 | $2,600 |
Bowie | $206 | $2,466 |
Wheaton | $206 | $2,466 |
Bel Air | $185 | $2,215 |
Potomac | $182 | $2,189 |
Severn | $198 | $2,375 |
North Bethesda | $183 | $2,192 |
Catonsville | $221 | $2,654 |
Hagerstown | $221 | $2,654 |
Essex | $233 | $2,794 |
Annapolis | $191 | $2,296 |
Severna Park | $191 | $2,296 |
Clinton | $219 | $2,628 |
The rates you receive will most likely vary from the ones you see listed in the tables. Insurance companies use a number of different variables to determine your premiums.
These are the most important factors insurers use to calculate your rates:
Most states in the U.S. require drivers to carry some combination of property damage liability insurance and bodily injury liability coverage. That list sometimes includes personal injury protection (PIP) too.
Maryland drivers are not required to carry PIP, but they do need to hold underinsured motorist and uninsured motorist coverage. Here are the minimum coverage requirements in the state, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA):
Driving without valid car insurance in Maryland is a misdemeanor criminal offense. That means driving without the proper insurance could result in up to one year of jail time in addition to a $1,000 fine and five points on your license.
While you can legally drive with this minimum coverage, you’ll likely want more auto insurance protection. That’s because Maryland is an “at-fault” state, so whoever causes a car accident is responsible for the damages incurred.
Here are some common coverage options to consider to insulate yourself from financial risk:
Insurance companies often offer insurance add-ons that cover extra services and even protect the value of your vehicle. If you want to keep your financial situation as safe as possible, find a provider that offers the following:
The cheapest car insurance in Maryland will almost certainly be a minimum coverage policy, but most experts recommend getting more coverage than that. We always suggest getting car insurance quotes online from multiple providers so that you can compare and find the best rates for you.
Geico topped our list of the best insurance providers in Maryland, owing mainly to its low rates and customer service. However, we feel comfortable recommending any of the providers that made our top-five list.
Below are frequently asked questions about cheap car insurance in Maryland:
Maryland auto insurance averages $1,818 per year or $152 per month for a full-coverage policy, according to our rate estimates for a 35-year-old driver. In addition, Maryland minimum-liability insurance costs an average of $81 per month or $972 per year.
If you have a lapse in coverage in Maryland, you can expect to pay $150 for the first 30 days and $7 for each day afterward. You’ll also need to pay a restoration fee of up to $25 for a vehicle’s registration, according to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
According to our rate estimates, new 16-year-old drivers who get their own car insurance policies can expect to pay $14,981 per year or $1,248 per month for car insurance coverage.
Car insurance in Maryland costs $1,818 per year on average, which is slightly higher than the nationwide average of $1,730. Rates may be slightly lower in rural areas versus in Baltimore or the Washington suburbs.
USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Maryland. However, not everyone is eligible for coverage from USAA. Progressive offers the cheapest coverage in Maryland among providers that are open to everyone.
According to the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration, this is the minimum car insurance you need in Maryland:
Yes, you have to carry car insurance in Maryland. It’s a misdemeanor criminal citation to drive uninsured in the Old Line State, with penalties of up to one year in prison, a $1,000 fine and five points on your license.
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
Our credentials:
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.