Maryland Auto Insurance Requirements
Maryland drivers must carry liability insurance with 30/60/15 minimum limits, uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection. This guide explains what the law requires and what to discuss with a licensed professional.
Written by: US Insurance Guide Editorial Team · Insurance Content Editor
Reviewed by: US Insurance Guide Review Team · Insurance education content
Maryland requires every registered vehicle to carry auto insurance that meets state minimum standards. Unlike some neighboring jurisdictions, Maryland mandates not only liability and uninsured motorist coverage but also requires insurers to offer personal injury protection (PIP) — though you may be able to waive or limit that coverage in writing.
This guide summarizes Maryland's auto insurance requirements based on state law and official publications from the Maryland Insurance Administration and Motor Vehicle Administration. Requirements can change, so verify current limits with official sources or a licensed insurance professional before you buy or renew a policy.
For broader context, see our Maryland insurance guides and auto insurance category hub.
Is Auto Insurance Required in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland law requires all motor vehicles registered in the state to be covered by an insurance policy from a company licensed to do business in Maryland. When you register or renew a vehicle, you sign an insurance certification acknowledging that minimum coverage will be maintained throughout the registration period.
Driving without insurance — or allowing your coverage to lapse — can result in fines, registration suspension, and higher premiums when you seek new coverage.
Minimum Liability Coverage Limits
Maryland sets minimum bodily injury and property damage limits that every policy must meet:
| Coverage type | Minimum limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury — one person | $30,000 |
| Bodily injury — two or more people (per accident) | $60,000 |
| Property damage (per accident) | $15,000 |
These limits are commonly written as 30/60/15.
What liability coverage pays for
Liability insurance covers damages you may be legally responsible for when you cause an accident:
- Bodily injury liability — may pay for another person's medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and related damages
- Property damage liability — may pay for damage you cause to another person's vehicle or property
Liability coverage does not pay for your own injuries or damage to your own vehicle. Optional coverages such as collision, comprehensive, or PIP address different types of losses.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Maryland requires uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage as part of every standard auto policy. Minimum UM/UIM limits mirror your liability minimums:
| Coverage type | Minimum limit |
|---|---|
| UM/UIM bodily injury — one person | $30,000 |
| UM/UIM bodily injury — per accident | $60,000 |
| Uninsured motorist property damage | $15,000 |
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may protect you when you are hit by a driver who has no insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may apply when an at-fault driver's policy limits are too low to cover your damages.
You may purchase UM/UIM limits above the state minimum. Higher limits may provide additional protection if you are injured by a driver with little or no coverage.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Maryland is not a pure no-fault state, but it does require insurers to offer personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP pays certain medical expenses and lost wages after an accident regardless of who was at fault, up to your policy limits.
Minimum PIP and coverage options
Maryland law requires insurers to offer at least $2,500 in PIP coverage. You have several choices:
| PIP option | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| Full PIP | Covers you, household family members, and non-family occupants of your vehicle |
| Limited PIP | Excludes PIP benefits for you and household members age 16 and over, but retains coverage for younger household members and passengers |
| PIP waiver | An affirmative written waiver on the state-required form eliminates PIP benefits entirely |
Under Maryland Insurance Code § 19-506, a PIP waiver must be made in writing on a form prescribed by the Insurance Commissioner. The insurer must provide written notice explaining the nature, extent, and cost of PIP before you waive it. A waiver is binding on listed drivers and certain household members covered by the policy.
Why PIP matters even if you have health insurance
Some drivers waive or limit PIP because they have health insurance and want a lower premium. However, PIP may cover expenses that health insurance does not — such as lost wages and medical costs for household members — and it pays without waiting to establish fault. Discuss the tradeoffs carefully with a licensed professional before signing a waiver.
Optional Coverages to Consider
Maryland does not require collision, comprehensive, rental reimbursement, or roadside assistance. These optional coverages may help protect your vehicle and reduce out-of-pocket costs after an accident:
- Collision — may pay to repair or replace your vehicle after a crash
- Comprehensive — may cover theft, vandalism, weather damage, and animal strikes
- Rental reimbursement — may help pay for a rental car during covered repairs
Proof of Insurance and Registration
Maryland verifies insurance electronically. When you register or renew a vehicle, your insurer reports coverage to the MVA. You should carry proof of insurance — such as an insurance ID card — whenever you drive.
If the MVA cannot verify your coverage, you may be required to submit an FR-19 certificate from your insurer confirming that adequate insurance has been in place since the vehicle was registered. Insurers must provide FR-19 forms free of charge to policyholders.
Penalties for Lapses and Driving Uninsured
Allowing your insurance to lapse can trigger significant consequences in Maryland:
- Penalty fees — $150 for the first 30 days without verified coverage, plus $7 for each additional day
- Registration suspension — Your vehicle registration may be suspended until coverage is restored and penalties are resolved
- FR-19 requirement — You may need to file an FR-19 showing continuous coverage before reinstatement
- Higher future premiums — Insurers may charge more after a lapse, and some may decline to offer coverage
Maintaining continuous insurance is both a legal requirement and a practical step toward keeping your registration active and your premiums stable.
Factors That May Affect Your Premium in Maryland
Auto insurance premiums vary by insurer and individual circumstances. Factors that may influence what you pay include:
- Driving history, including at-fault accidents and traffic violations
- Vehicle garaging location and annual mileage
- Vehicle type, age, and safety features
- Coverage limits, deductibles, and PIP elections
- Age and driving experience
- Credit-based insurance scores, where permitted by law
For more on why premiums change over time, see our guide on why car insurance rates may increase.
Maryland vs. Neighboring Jurisdictions
Minimum limits and mandatory coverages differ across the DMV region. Virginia now requires 50/100/25 liability with matching UM/UIM coverage and does not mandate PIP. Washington, D.C. requires 25/50/10 liability and offers PIP as optional coverage. Your policy should meet the requirements of the state where your vehicle is registered.
Questions to Ask a Licensed Professional
Maryland's combination of liability, UM/UIM, and PIP requirements gives you meaningful choices at purchase time. Before buying or renewing a policy, consider asking a licensed insurance agent or broker:
- Do my liability and UM/UIM limits meet Maryland's 30/60/15 minimum?
- Should I choose full PIP, limited PIP, or an affirmative waiver — and what are the consequences of each?
- Would higher liability or UM/UIM limits make sense given my assets and commute?
- Do I need collision and comprehensive coverage for my vehicle?
- What deductibles balance affordability with adequate protection?
- How does Maryland's electronic verification system affect me if I switch insurers mid-term?
A licensed professional can walk you through PIP waiver forms and help you build a policy that meets both legal requirements and your personal needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are Maryland's minimum auto insurance requirements?
- Maryland requires minimum liability limits of $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property damage (30/60/15). You must also carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at the same bodily injury and property damage minimums, and insurers must offer at least $2,500 in personal injury protection (PIP) unless you make an affirmative written waiver.
- Is personal injury protection (PIP) required in Maryland?
- Insurers must offer PIP coverage with a minimum of $2,500, but you may waive it through an affirmative written waiver on the form required by the Maryland Insurance Administration. You may also choose limited PIP, which excludes benefits for you and household members age 16 and over. Waiving or limiting PIP may reduce your premium but affects how medical expenses and lost wages are handled after an accident.
- Does Maryland require uninsured motorist coverage?
- Yes. Maryland law requires uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage of at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident, plus uninsured motorist property damage coverage of at least $15,000. These minimums mirror your liability limits.
- What happens if my Maryland auto insurance lapses?
- Maryland uses an electronic insurance verification system through the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). If coverage cannot be verified, you may face penalty fees — $150 for the first 30 days without insurance and $7 for each additional day. Your registration may be suspended, and you may need to file an FR-19 certificate showing continuous coverage before reinstatement.
- Is Maryland a no-fault state?
- Maryland is generally considered an at-fault (tort) state for bodily injury claims, but it requires insurers to offer PIP coverage that pays certain medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault, up to policy limits. PIP works alongside — not instead of — liability coverage.
- Do I need more than Maryland's minimum coverage?
- Minimum limits satisfy legal requirements but may not cover the full cost of a serious accident. Medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lawsuits can exceed 30/60/15 limits quickly. A licensed insurance professional can help you evaluate whether higher limits or additional coverages such as collision and comprehensive fit your needs.
Sources & References
- Maryland Insurance Administration — Maryland Insurance Administration
- Maryland Auto Insurance Guide (PDF) — Maryland Insurance Administration
- Insurance Requirements for Maryland Vehicles (PDF) — Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
- Maryland Insurance Code § 19-506 — PIP Coverage Waivers — Maryland General Assembly
- Maryland Transportation Code § 17-103 — Required Security — Maryland General Assembly
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