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Best Cheap Car Insurance in Maryland for 2021

April 30, 2021

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When it comes to getting low rates on auto insurance in Maryland, shopping around is key. Prices can swing dramatically from one insurer to the next and depend on personal factors such as age, marital status and credit.

Cheapest Car Insurance Company Overall in Maryland
Geico	$123/month	4.5 NerdWallet rating
Cheapest for Minimum Coverage
Geico	$54/month	4.5 NerdWallet rating
Cheapest for Young Drivers
Allstate	$100/month	4.5 NerdWallet rating
Cheapest for Drivers with Poor Credit
Nationwide	$158/month	4.0 NerdWallet rating

To help drivers simplify their shopping and find cheap car insurance in Maryland, NerdWallet looked at quotes from 23 insurers in the state to find the five cheapest options for the following groups:

Cheapest car insurance in Maryland for 20-year-old drivers

Young drivers may have to get a lot of quotes to find cheap car insurance. Prices can be sky-high for younger 20-somethings, but tend to come down as drivers get more experience on the road. To cut down on costs, young drivers might want to consider buying only state-mandated coverage, rather than full coverage insurance. Still, some companies routinely have lower insurance rates for drivers in their 20s, so it's best to shop around to find them.

Many insurance companies offer ways for young drivers to save, such as good student discounts for those in college or premium reductions for those who take a defensive driving course. If you live in an apartment, consider getting your renters and auto insurance from the same company to take advantage of bundling discounts.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Maryland for 20-year-olds

Drivers in Maryland with clean driving records may want to consider the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

Allstate: $2,941 per year.
Geico: $2,972 per year.
Nationwide: $3,393 per year.
Esurance: $3,791 per year.
Progressive: $4,008 per year.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Maryland for 20-year-olds

Drivers in Maryland who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

Allstate: $1,195 per year.
Geico: $1,292 per year.
Donegal: $1,636 per year.
Erie: $1,702 per year.
Progressive: $2,063 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 20-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Maryland should look at the following insurers with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

Allstate: $1,526 per year.
Geico: $1,907 per year.
Maryland Auto Insurance: $2,375 per year.
Esurance: $2,731 per year.
Progressive: $2,863 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 20-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident in Maryland, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

Geico: $1,692 per year.
Allstate: $1,836 per year.
Donegal: $1,920 per year.
Erie: $2,314 per year.
Progressive: $2,319 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 20-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI is shown here, alongside the insurers’ average rates for minimum coverage.

Allstate: $1,234 per year.
Geico: $1,633 per year.
Erie: $1,967 per year.
Esurance: $2,141 per year.
Progressive: $2,269 per year.

Cheapest car insurance in Maryland for 30-year-old drivers

By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices.

Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of car insurance discounts. You may be able to save by insuring multiple vehicles with the same carrier, or by bundling your auto policy with your home insurance. Also, keep an eye out for discounts based on your profession or affiliations; some insurers offer more affordable insurance rates for teachers, members of the military or alumni of certain colleges.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Maryland for 30-year-olds

Drivers in Maryland with clean driving records may get the lowest rates from these companies:

Nationwide: $1,406 per year.
Geico: $1,476 per year.
Penn National: $1,666 per year.
Allstate: $1,887 per year.
Progressive: $1,914 per year.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Maryland for 30-year-olds

Drivers in Maryland who want their state’s minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

Geico: $646 per year.
Donegal: $745 per year.
Nationwide: $763 per year.
Erie: $825 per year.
Allstate: $901 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 30-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Maryland should consider the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

Nationwide: $1,898 per year.
Geico: $2,253 per year.
Esurance: $2,421 per year.
Allstate: $2,573 per year.
Progressive: $2,740 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 30-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers in Maryland with a recent accident, here are the lowest average rate options for full coverage:

Geico: $2,121 per year.
Nationwide: $2,504 per year.
Esurance: $2,656 per year.
Donegal: $2,756 per year.
Progressive: $2,764 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 30-year-old drivers after a DUI

For the cheapest auto insurance after a DUI, we found the following options for full coverage.

Geico: $1,884 per year.
Allstate: $1,961 per year.
Esurance: $2,077 per year.
Erie: $2,127 per year.
Progressive: $2,293 per year.

Cheapest car insurance for 40-year-old drivers in Maryland

Drivers in their 40s tend to have better insurance rates than their younger counterparts but still pay more than older age groups. Shopping around for cheap car insurance quotes with multiple insurers is the best way to find lower rates. Good drivers who don’t get behind the wheel often might want to consider pay-per-mile insurance, which charges drivers by how many miles they drive.

Ask about discounts for signing up for autopay, paying your premium in full rather than quarterly or monthly, and opting for electronic statements. If you own your home, consider insuring it with the company that provides your auto insurance; most carriers offer bundling discounts.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Maryland for 40-year-olds

Drivers in Maryland with clean driving records may want to think about the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

Nationwide: $1,376 per year.
Geico: $1,400 per year.
Penn National: $1,582 per year.
Progressive: $1,818 per year.
Esurance: $1,870 per year.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Maryland for 40-year-olds

Drivers in Maryland who want just the minimum coverage may want to check prices from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

Geico: $630 per year.
Donegal: $745 per year.
Nationwide: $751 per year.
Erie: $777 per year.
Allstate: $901 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 40-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Maryland can check out the following insurers with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

Nationwide: $1,856 per year.
Geico: $2,132 per year.
Esurance: $2,344 per year.
Allstate: $2,573 per year.
Progressive: $2,614 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 40-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Maryland, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

Geico: $2,011 per year.
Nationwide: $2,461 per year.
Esurance: $2,588 per year.
Erie: $2,634 per year.
Progressive: $2,647 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 40-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance we found for drivers with a DUI came from the following companies.

Geico: $1,786 per year.
Allstate: $1,961 per year.
Erie: $1,993 per year.
Esurance: $2,018 per year.
Progressive: $2,195 per year.

Cheapest car insurance in Maryland for 50-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 50s have, on average, cheaper auto insurance rates than most other age groups. Prices will continue to drop as they inch toward their 60s and gain more driving experience. Rates can still vary depending on other factors such as a driver’s gender and location, so it’s smart to shop around to find the cheapest price you can. Our list of the best cheap car insurance companies is a good place to start.

Some insurers offer senior discounts to policyholders in their 50s, though some may require you to take a defensive driving course to snag the savings. If you’ve been with your insurer for many years, you may qualify for a loyalty discount. Still, it’s a good idea to check with other companies periodically to make sure you’re not paying too much.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Maryland for 50-year-olds

Drivers in Maryland with clean driving records may want to get quotes from these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

Geico: $1,279 per year.
Nationwide: $1,292 per year.
Penn National: $1,444 per year.
Progressive: $1,642 per year.
Donegal: $1,758 per year.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Maryland for 50-year-olds

Drivers in Maryland who opt for the state minimum coverage may want to consider the following companies, with the lowest average rates:

Geico: $581 per year.
Donegal: $653 per year.
Nationwide: $715 per year.
Erie: $755 per year.
MetLife: $872 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 50-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Maryland can check with the following companies, which showed the lowest average rates for full coverage:

Nationwide: $1,736 per year.
Geico: $1,950 per year.
Esurance: $2,172 per year.
Progressive: $2,362 per year.
Allstate: $2,437 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 50-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers living in Maryland with a recent accident, here are the insurers with the lowest average full coverage rates:

Geico: $1,880 per year.
Nationwide: $2,336 per year.
Donegal: $2,493 per year.
Progressive: $2,494 per year.
Erie: $2,555 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 50-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found for drivers with a recent DUI comes from the following companies, listed with rates for full coverage.

Geico: $1,648 per year.
Allstate: $1,864 per year.
Erie: $1,931 per year.
Progressive: $2,069 per year.
Esurance: $2,112 per year.

Cheapest car insurance in Maryland for 65-year-old drivers

Although 65-year-olds have cheaper car insurance rates than many other age groups on average, prices will start increasing as they get older. To find cheap auto insurance for seniors, drivers in their mid-60s should shop around to find the lowest rate.

Drivers in this age group should also take advantage of any available discounts for senior citizens. For example, some companies will discount your rate if you take a defensive driving course. You may also be able to save money after retirement if you’re driving fewer miles each year.

Finally, consider whether you need all the coverage you currently have. If you’re not commuting to work each day, for instance, you may not need rental reimbursement coverage when your own car is in the shop for repairs.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Maryland for 65-year-olds

Drivers in Maryland with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

Nationwide: $1,413 per year.
Geico: $1,469 per year.
Penn National: $1,541 per year.
Donegal: $1,586 per year.
Esurance: $1,903 per year.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Maryland for 65-year-olds

Drivers in Maryland who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

Donegal: $591 per year.
Geico: $684 per year.
Erie: $792 per year.
Nationwide: $818 per year.
MetLife: $892 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 65-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Maryland can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

Nationwide: $1,912 per year.
Geico: $2,218 per year.
Esurance: $2,343 per year.
Progressive: $2,760 per year.
Allstate: $2,807 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 65-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Maryland, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

Geico: $2,118 per year.
Donegal: $2,318 per year.
Nationwide: $2,526 per year.
Erie: $2,715 per year.
Penn National: $2,874 per year.

Cheapest auto insurance in Maryland for 65-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

Geico: $1,908 per year.
Erie: $2,034 per year.
Allstate: $2,131 per year.
Esurance: $2,268 per year.
Encompass: $2,465 per year.

Cheapest car insurance for military families

If you’re an active member of the military or a veteran — or have an immediate family member who is — chances are you’ll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company that isn’t available to the general public.

Because of that restriction, USAA isn’t ranked with the others, but it was among the cheapest five auto insurance options for 24 of the 40 driver profiles we examined.

» MORE: Best car insurance for veterans and military

Minimum auto insurance limits required in Maryland

Maryland car insurance policies must include liability insurance. This pays for other people’s injuries or property damage, up to your chosen limit, when you cause an accident.

The minimum auto insurance coverage levels you must purchase in Maryland are:

$30,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$60,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$15,000 property damage liability per accident.
$30,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person.
$60,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident.
$15,000 uninsured/underinsured property damage coverage per accident.

Liability car insurance covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s predefined limits.

Uninsured motorist coverage will cover expenses from injuries or damage after an accident with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage will cover the same expenses if you’re hit by a driver with some car insurance, but not enough to cover all costs from the crash.

It’s often smart to buy more than the legal minimum to ensure you don’t have to pay out of pocket in case of a severe crash. You may also want to consider optional coverages such as collision and comprehensive insurance.

Check out NerdWallet’s guide to state car insurance requirements for more detail on the various parts of a Maryland auto policy.

Alternative car insurance in Maryland

Drivers who have been denied coverage by at least two car insurance companies could qualify for a policy through the Maryland Auto Insurance Fund. The organization was created to help drivers who can’t get standard insurance because of a checkered accident history, poor credit rating or other factors.

For more help finding Maryland car insurance at the most competitive price, try NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool.

Methodology

For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates from an average of 14 insurers in each state and Washington, D.C., for single male and female drivers with good credit and no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.

For full coverage policies, we used the following coverage limits:

$100,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$50,000 property damage liability per accident.
$100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. Some policies include additional coverages at the insurer’s discretion.

We used a 2018 Toyota Camry L for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.
We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 80 years old in five-year increments.

We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:

For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect minimum required coverage by law in the state.
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.

These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.