Required Liability Auto Insurance in Maryland

Reader’s Question:

I am quite unfamiliar with insurance matters. What are the requirements of liability auto insurance in Baltimore, Maryland?

Troy

Baltimore, MD

The streets of Baltimore are ranked second most congested in the country next to Washington D.C. This essentially means that the odds for accidents are very high. And as such, the federal government requires much higher auto insurance coverage to effectively protect its residents from serious financial losses after an accident.

Liability insurance has to be 20/40/15. $20,000 pays for the medical expenses of one person, $40,000 for hospital bills if there were two or more passengers in the other motorist’s car, and $15,000 to pay for all destruction to property. Additionally, MD requires that Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance be obtained by every driver. This insurance also has to adhere to the 20/40/15 coverage just like the liability auto insurance. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is another obligation even if MD does not follow the no-fault law. PIP should be at $2,500 for each individual listed in the policy. Some elect to obtain just the minimum levels of PIP because they have an excellent health insurance plan. Although this will definitely be allowed, just remember that any lost wages will not be provided by your health insurance. In the end, the best rule to follow when buying auto insurance is to get as much protection as you can afford.

Type of Cars and Auto Insurance Rates

Reader’s Question:

I am new here in Maryland and am planning to buy my first car. What do I need to look for in a car, and how does this affect the auto insurance quote I’ll get?

Anna

Baltimore, MD

The kind of car you will buy ultimately dictates the premiums you will pay your auto insurance company. Typically, insurers give out a higher auto insurance quote if the car to be insured is expensive. Thieves target pricy cars. Moreover, expensive cars cost more to repair. Big cars like SUVs also get a higher premium assessment. The reason for this is that big cars have the capacity to inflict more damage. On the other hand, small cars do not necessarily get a low rating. Small cars are more prone to damage. So it’s quite possible that they get a high premium appraisal, too.

Essentially, the value of the car has a significant effect on the auto insurance premium rate. You also have to obtain sufficient car insurance based on the financial responsibility laws of Maryland.

Since it is a no-fault state, you have to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to cover for any medical treatments you may need to avail following an accident. You also have to obtain the minimum liability insurance to cover for any remaining amount that the other motorist’s insurance was not able to shoulder because it exceeded his or her coverage limits. Having underinsured/uninsured motorist insurance is also required. This will help you in cases where a driver with no sufficient or no coverage at all is liable for the accident but is not able to extend any financial assistance to you.