Does Maryland require car insurance?
Asked by: Cristopher Kutch | Last update: May 9, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (48 votes)
Can you drive without insurance in Maryland?
Driving without insurance is against the law in most places, including Maryland. If you were driving someone else's uninsured car when the accident happened, you could face serious consequences. These consequences might include getting fined, taking your driver's license away, or even going to jail.
Is car insurance mandatory in Maryland?
Liability insurance coverage is legally required in Maryland. This coverage pays for injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering that you cause to another driver or their passengers in an accident. This coverage also covers damage to the other driver's vehicle as well.
What states is it illegal to not have car insurance?
New Hampshire is the only state that doesn't mandate car insurance. However, drivers who choose not to buy car insurance must prove they have sufficient funds to meet the state's financial responsibility requirements (PDF) in the event they cause an accident.
Which states have mandatory car insurance?
Almost every state in the U.S. requires drivers to have some form of car insurance. The only state that doesn't require car insurance is New Hampshire. Instead, drivers must prove they have enough funds to cover any costs if they cause an accident.
Do You Have to Carry Liability Car Insurance In Maryland?
What states don't need insurance?
New Hampshire is the only state with no auto insurance requirements, while Florida is the only one that doesn't require bodily injury liability (which pays for the other party's injuries in the event of an accident that you caused). Louisiana has lower liability limits than most other states.
Is it illegal to have out of state car insurance?
In general, your car must be registered and insured in the same state, since both vehicle registration and auto insurance are based on your permanent residence.
When did car insurance become mandatory by state?
SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld the 1984 state mandatory auto insurance law requiring motorists stopped for traffic violations to prove they have liability coverage or eventually face losing their licenses.
Do you need car insurance in Virginia?
Virginia Code § 46.2-706 requires all Virginia registered motor vehicles to be insured by a liability policy issued through an insurance company licensed to do business in Virginia, and it must remain insured while registered, whether or not it is operated. Penalties are severe for violation of this requirement.
Why don't you need car insurance in New Hampshire?
Unlike most states, New Hampshire doesn't mandate auto insurance for all drivers. Instead, it requires proof of financial responsibility, meaning you must show you can cover costs for bodily injury and property damage if you cause an accident. Understanding these laws is crucial.
Is Maryland a no fault car insurance state?
Maryland is an at-fault state for car accidents. That means that drivers are allowed to sue another driver for compensation after a crash. However, there are certain insurance benefits that are not based on fault, which gives drivers additional options to recover damages after a collision.
What happens if you don't pay car insurance in Maryland?
Uninsured drivers in Maryland are subject to penalties. $150 for the first 30 days, then $7 every day after – and that's for each uninsured vehicle – adding up to over $2,400 per year… less than the average annual Maryland Auto policy ($2,000). The good news – you can get a valid insurance ID today!
What is the cheapest car insurance in Maryland?
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Maryland: State Farm
State Farm has the cheapest full-coverage car insurance for most Maryland drivers at $1,408 a year, or $117 a month. Geico has the next-cheapest rate of $143 a month. USAA has Maryland's cheapest full coverage overall at $91 a month.
Do I need car insurance in MD?
All Maryland vehicles MUST be insured at ALL times by a vehicle insurance company licensed in Maryland. Your vehicle insurance must cover, at a minimum: $30,000 for bodily injury. $60,000 for 2 or more people.
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Maryland?
Remember, vehicle insurance in Maryland follows the car and not the person. Even if your friend does not have their auto insurance, yours will cover damages in the event of an accident. However, that does not mean you should allow someone outside of your household to drive your car.
Can you go to jail for driving without a license in Maryland?
Driving without a license is an offense that can land a person in Maryland jail. Licenses suspensions and unlicensed driving would both be considered a “must appear ticket.” For a first offense, the fine can be up to $500, including up to 60 days in jail.
What state doesn't require car insurance?
New Hampshire and Virginia are the only two states that don't require car insurance. That said, there is no one country-wide rule when it comes to how much car insurance you have to have. Each state has a different minimum amount of car insurance that drivers must obtain in order to legally drive on public roads.
What states legally require car insurance?
Auto liability insurance is mandatory in 49 states and the District of Columbia. New Hampshire, the only state that does not require auto liability insurance, requires drivers to show that they are able to provide sufficient funds in the case of an at-fault accident (i.e., financial responsibility).
Can you have an uninsured car in your driveway?
So as long as the vehicle is not operated on public roads and only on private property. It doesn't need to be insured. But keep in mind. If your driving on private property and you hit someone or something.
Why do states have laws against driving without insurance?
Why is it illegal to drive without insurance? Lawmakers in most states have made it illegal to drive without insurance to protect constituents from the high costs of covering medical expenses or property damage. These laws also serve as a deterrent.
Why are we forced to have car insurance?
Since your vehicle has the potential to cause physical or material harm, you need to carry enough insurance to cover the costs of these damages. To legally register and drive your vehicle, you need to maintain at least your state's minimum level of liability insurance.
Do you need car insurance in Canada?
The law is clear. Every Canadian vehicle owner must have auto insurance in order to operate your vehicle. It is compulsory in all territories and provinces. If you are caught driving without insurance, your license can be suspended, your vehicle can be confiscated, and you will face a hefty fine.
Do I need to tell my car insurance if I move states?
Each state has its own laws and requirements for auto insurance, so you need to update your policy to comply with your new state's regulations. Additionally, factors like your new location, driving environment, and even the distance of your daily commute can influence your insurance rates.
Can I have a car registered in one state and insured in another?
Can You Have Car Insurance In a Different State Than Your Registration? Registering a vehicle in one state while holding an insurance policy in another is not permitted for most drivers. This restriction is due to variations in traffic laws and minimum insurance coverage requirements.
Can you have insurance in one state and live in another?
There's also no such thing as a multi-state car insurance policy that originates from two or more states. Any auto policy you buy will originate from one state only, typically the state where you reside.