Maryland Car Insurance Requirements: Complete Guide

Maryland car insurance requirements are among the more comprehensive in the nation, mandating three types of coverage rather than just liability. As an at-fault state that requires uninsured motorist coverage (including the relatively rare uninsured motorist property damage) and personal injury protection, Maryland gives drivers more baseline protection than many states, but also stricter rules. With no grace period for lapses and steep penalties for going uninsured, understanding these requirements matters for every Maryland driver.

This guide explains Maryland’s car insurance requirements, including the minimum liability limits, the mandatory uninsured motorist and PIP coverages, how the at-fault system works, optional coverages, and the penalties for driving uninsured. Understanding these rules helps you stay legal and protected on Maryland roads.

Maryland Is an At-Fault State

Maryland operates under an at-fault (tort) system, meaning the driver who causes an accident is financially responsible for the resulting damages and injuries. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance pays for the other party’s medical bills and property damage, up to the policy limits.

What sets Maryland apart is that it requires more than just liability coverage. Drivers must carry three types of coverage to register a vehicle and drive legally: liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and personal injury protection. This layered structure provides broader baseline protection than the liability-only minimum many states use. Understanding all three requirements is essential to staying compliant in Maryland.

Minimum Liability Requirements

Maryland law requires every driver to carry minimum liability coverage of 30/60/15. The table below breaks down what those numbers mean.

Maryland’s 30/60 bodily injury limits are higher than the 25/50 many states require. Use our car insurance calculator to estimate appropriate coverage levels.

Mandatory Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Maryland is one of a handful of states that require uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and it cannot be waived. This coverage must match your liability limits, so 30/60 for bodily injury, protecting you and your passengers if a driver who causes an accident has no insurance or not enough, including in hit-and-runs.

Maryland is also distinctive in requiring uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage, which helps pay for damage to your own vehicle caused by an uninsured driver, with a minimum of $15,000 to match the property damage liability limit. Since a meaningful share of drivers are uninsured, this mandatory coverage provides important protection that many other states leave optional. Underinsured motorist coverage further protects you when an at-fault driver’s limits are too low to cover your losses.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

The third required coverage is personal injury protection (PIP), with a minimum of $2,500. PIP pays for medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers (and household members listed on the policy) after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. This first-party coverage pays quickly, without waiting for a fault determination.

Maryland is unusual in that PIP is part of the standard policy structure but can be waived in writing. Whether to waive it is a real decision: if you have strong health insurance with low deductibles, waiving PIP might be reasonable to save a small amount, but if your health coverage is limited or has high out-of-pocket costs, keeping the inexpensive $2,500 in PIP is wise, since it pays promptly after an accident. Review this carefully when shopping, since it’s the one required coverage you can decline.

Optional Coverages Worth Considering

Beyond the three required coverages, optional protections round out your policy. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own vehicle after a crash regardless of fault, while comprehensive coverage protects against non-collision losses like theft, vandalism, fire, weather, and animal strikes. Together these are often called full coverage.

If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender will require both collision and comprehensive. Other useful options include higher PIP limits, rental reimbursement, and roadside assistance. While Maryland’s 30/60/15 minimums are higher than many states, they can still be exhausted by a serious accident, so raising your liability limits, toward benchmarks like 100/300/100, is a worthwhile and affordable upgrade that better protects your assets from a lawsuit.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured

Maryland enforces its insurance requirements strictly, with no grace period for lapses. If you fail to maintain the required coverage, the Motor Vehicle Administration can assess uninsured-vehicle penalties starting around $150 to $200 for the first 30 days and about $7 for each additional day, up to an annual maximum per vehicle. Maryland also doesn’t allow alternatives like a self-insurance bond for regular drivers, you must carry a compliant policy.

Beyond the daily fines, penalties can include suspension of your vehicle registration, vehicle impoundment, and a requirement to file an SR-22 proving financial responsibility. Driving with a suspended registration can lead to towing and additional fines. Because Maryland’s system flags even short lapses, maintaining continuous coverage is essential. Beyond the legal penalties, driving uninsured leaves you personally liable for any accident you cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Maryland’s minimum car insurance requirements?

Maryland requires three types of coverage: liability of 30/60/15 ($30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, $15,000 property damage), uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at matching limits, and personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $2,500.

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland is one of a handful of states that require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and it cannot be waived. It must match your liability limits (30/60). Maryland also distinctively requires uninsured motorist property damage coverage for damage to your own vehicle.

Does Maryland require PIP?

Maryland includes personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $2,500 in the standard policy, covering your and your passengers’ medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. However, PIP can be waived in writing, unlike the liability and uninsured motorist requirements, which cannot.

Should I waive PIP in Maryland?

It depends on your health coverage. If you have strong health insurance with low deductibles, waiving PIP might save a small amount. If your health coverage is limited or has high out-of-pocket costs, keep the inexpensive $2,500 PIP, since it pays quickly after an accident without a fault determination.

Is Maryland an at-fault state?

Yes. Maryland uses an at-fault (tort) system, so the driver who causes an accident is financially responsible for the resulting damages. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance pays the other party’s costs up to the policy limits, which is why liability coverage is mandatory.

What happens if I drive without insurance in Maryland?

Maryland has no grace period. The MVA assesses uninsured-vehicle penalties of roughly $150 to $200 for the first 30 days plus about $7 per day after, up to an annual maximum. You also risk registration suspension, vehicle impoundment, and an SR-22 requirement, plus personal liability for any accident.

Can I avoid buying insurance in Maryland?

No. Unlike some states, Maryland doesn’t allow alternatives like a self-insurance bond or cash deposit for regular drivers. You must maintain a car insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum requirements to register a vehicle and drive legally.

Is the Maryland minimum coverage enough?

While Maryland’s 30/60/15 minimums are higher than many states, they can still be exhausted by a serious accident, leaving you personally responsible for the excess. Raising your liability limits, toward benchmarks like 100/300/100, is an affordable way to better protect your assets.

The Bottom Line

Maryland requires three types of car insurance, more than most states: liability of 30/60/15, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at matching limits (including the distinctive uninsured motorist property damage coverage), and personal injury protection of at least $2,500. Under the at-fault system, the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the resulting damages.

The mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, which cannot be waived, provides protection many states leave optional, while PIP, which can be waived in writing, offers quick first-party medical coverage regardless of fault. Maryland’s higher 30/60 bodily injury minimums give more baseline protection, though they can still fall short in a serious accident.

Maryland enforces its rules strictly, with no grace period, no self-insurance alternative, and escalating daily penalties, registration suspension, and impoundment for lapses. Because the minimums can still be exceeded by a major crash, carrying higher liability limits plus optional collision and comprehensive coverage protects you far better. Understanding these layered requirements helps you stay legal and protected on Maryland roads.

Ready to make sure you’re properly covered in Maryland? Visit Matrix Insurance to explore your options. Use our car insurance calculator to estimate your needs, or contact our team for personalized guidance on Maryland car insurance.