Best Car Insurance in Maryland: Top Companies in 2024 (2024)

Best Car Insurance in Maryland

Out of the many options for car insurance in Maryland, different companies stand out for different qualities. To rank providers in the state, our team considered categories of reputation, availability, coverage, cost and customer experience. We looked at multiple data points within each of these categories.

Compare Maryland Auto Insurance

Below, you can compare our top picks for Maryland car insurance side by side.

Customer Experience

Customer experience is an important factor when comparing car insurance companies, and it’s a bit trickier to quantify than coverage options or price. We looked at customer experience from a few different angles:

• We surveyed nearly 7,000 car insurance customers on their experiences with major companies.
• We conducted our own secret shopping analyses.
• We analyzed reviews and included scores from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and J.D. Power in our customer experience ratings.

Best Car Insurance Companies in Maryland

Next, we’ll look at all of our recommendations for Maryland car insurance in detail. These sections include ratings from the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠, which surveyed policyholders on their satisfaction with their insurers’ billing process, claims, interactions, policy offerings and price and broke down ratings by region. For this article, we look at results from the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia.

Costs in this section apply to 35-year-old drivers with good credit scores and clean driving records. Rates vary depending on driving history, credit score, location, vehicle and more.

#1 Geico: Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers

J.D. Power score: 818/1,000

AM Best financial strength rating: A++

BBB rating: A-

Geico offers affordable rates of $42 per month for minimum coverage and $104 per month for full coverage in Maryland.

Read more: Geico Insurance Review

Coverage

Geico, like all our top recommendations, offers six standard car insurance coverage options:

• Liability insurance: Covers damage and injury you may cause to other people in an accident
• Collision insurance: Repairs/replaces your car after an accident with a moving vehicle
• Comprehensive coverage: Repairs/replaces your car after an accident with a non-moving object, vandalism, theft or damage from the environment
• Medical payments: Covers your medical bills and health insurance deductible after an accident
• Personal injury protection: Covers your medical bills, lost wages and death benefits no matter who was at fault
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Covers your repairs and medical bills when someone without insurance causes an accident

Geico customers can also choose from a few more add-ons:

• Emergency road service: Covers battery jump-start, fuel delivery, spare tire installation, towing and lockout assistance
• Rental reimbursem*nt: Pays for a rental car up to a limit per day and per claim for a covered repair
• Mechanical breakdown insurance: Covers mechanical repairs after a $250 deductible

Mechanical breakdown insurance isn’t very common in the industry, so it’s a nice option to have. It’s available on vehicles that are up to 15 months old with less than 15,000 miles and you can renew it for up to 100,000 miles.

Reputation

Geico’s A- rating on the BBB shows it responds to complaints on the platform in a timely manner. In our survey, customers rated their satisfaction with Geico a 4.1 out of 5. That said, Geico performed a bit below average in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study℠, which polled customers on their experiences comparing and buying insurance, and the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠. While this indicates customers might find better service with some other companies, Geico is still a good option for its low rates in Maryland.

#2 Travelers: Best for Most Drivers

J.D. Power score: 822/1,000

AM Best financial strength rating: A++

BBB rating: A

Travelers also offers low rates in Maryland — $59 per month for minimum and $122 per month for full coverage.

Read more: Travelers Insurance Review

Coverage

Travelers has all the basic options like liability and full coverage. The company also provides a few additional options you can get, including roadside assistance and rental car coverage. Other options include:

• Loan/lease gap insurance: Covers the difference between the cash value of your car and the balance of your loan if the car is totaled
• New car replacement: Covers a new make and model of your car if it’s totaled within the first five years of ownership
• Accident forgiveness: Prevents your rates from rising after one accident
• Ridesharing insurance: Covers you when you’re working for an app like Uber and waiting to accept a job

Reputation

Travelers has an A rating from the BBB, which shows it responds to customers quickly. That said, Travelers scored slightly below average in three J.D. Power studies: the Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Insurance Shopping Study and Auto Insurance Study. It still scored 822/1,000 points or above on these studies, but other providers ranked ahead of Travelers.

#3 USAA: Best for Military Members

J.D. Power score: 877/1,000

AM Best financial strength rating: A++

BBB rating: Not Rated

USAA is another affordable insurance company in Maryland with minimum-coverage rates of $39 per month or full-coverage rates of $106 per month.

Read more: USAA Insurance Review

Coverage

USAA is available to military members and veterans plus their immediate family members. You can get standard insurance options from USAA like liability, comprehensive, collision and medical payments. USAA also offers roadside assistance and rental car reimbursem*nt like many competitors.

What sets USAA apart is its car replacement assistance add-on. This option can cover 20% above your car’s actual cash value if it’s totaled, no matter the age of the vehicle. If you own the car outright, you get the extra 20% and can use it how you want. This is different from gap insurance, which only applies if you have a loan and other types of new car replacement add-ons, which may only apply to newer vehicles.

USAA also has a nice discount of 60% for storing your car. While it’s different from car storage insurance, the discount helps you save if you aren’t driving for a while.

Reputation

USAA has a great reputation in the industry. It maintains high scores on the following J.D. Power studies:

• 874/1,000 on the Insurance Shopping Study
• 877/1,000 on the Auto Insurance Study for the Mid-Atlantic
• 900/1,000 on the Auto Claims Satisfaction Study

USAA would rank in first or second place for each of these studies, except J.D. Power doesn’t formally rank the company because of its membership restrictions.

At this time, USAA is not rated by the BBB. This is because USAA is in the process of responding to previously closed complaints.

#4 Erie: Best for Basic Insurance Coverage

J.D. Power score: 863/1,000

AM Best financial strength rating: A+

BBB rating: A+

Erie is a highly rated provider with affordable minimum-coverage rates of $62 per month in Maryland.

Read more: Erie Insurance Review

Coverage

Erie provides a few extra benefits automatically (though some only come with a full-coverage policy):

• First accident forgiveness
• Windshield repair with no deductible
• Pet injury coverage up to $500 per pet ($1,000 total)
• Travel expenses for accidents far from home

Most companies don’t include first accident forgiveness or pet injury coverage automatically, so these are nice perks to have. You can also add other options from Erie:

• Erie Auto Plus^®: Includes diminishing deductible, extra transportation coverage after a total loss, increased coverage limits, waived deductible in some situations and death benefits
• Erie Rate Lock^®: Keeps your rate the same unless you move or change vehicles or drivers
• New car replacement: Pays the full value of your vehicle without depreciation if it’s totaled
• Rental car coverage: Covers multiple rental car types after an accident

Reputation

Erie has a good reputation — especially in Maryland — since it ranks first on the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study for the Mid-Atlantic region. This shows the majority of Erie customers in Maryland have good experiences.

Erie has an A+ rating on the BBB. It has 66 reviews, though, which is a small number for an insurance company. Some reviewers mention denied claims or difficulty reaching customer service.

#5 Nationwide: Best for Usage-Based Insurance

J.D. Power score: 820/1,000

AM Best financial strength rating: A

BBB rating: A+

Nationwide is one of the most affordable companies in Maryland for full coverage with monthly rates of $144.

Read more: Nationwide Insurance Review

Coverage

Nationwide offers a good number of add-ons. You can get rental car coverage, roadside assistance, gap insurance or accident forgiveness. Nationwide also offers a vanishing deductible option that decreases your deductible by $100 every year you go without an at-fault accident or traffic/speeding ticket (up to $500 off). Nationwide waives your comprehensive or collision deductible in the event of a total loss with another add-on.

Like many major companies, Nationwide offers a usage-based discount for safe driving called SmartRide. What’s more unique is its SmartMiles program, which bases your rate on your monthly mileage. This can be a great way for students or people who work from home to save money.

Reputation

Nationwide is one of the few major insurance companies that has an A+ rating from the BBB plus accreditation. Getting accredited is optional and requires a fee, and major insurers tend to not do it. Nationwide takes that extra step. The company also ranked third on the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study.

How To Find the Best Car Insurance in Maryland

It can take a bit of time to find the right car insurance in Maryland, but it’s worth doing. You can start by reviewing the state’s requirements, deciding what to look for and comparing providers.

Know Maryland’s Requirements

Maryland has certain car insurance requirements like nearly every other state. These mandated coverages exist to compensate other people if you cause an accident. Here’s what the state requires:

• $30,000 for bodily injury liability per person
• $60,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
• $15,000 for property damage liability per accident

State-required minimum liability is the cheapest auto insurance option. However, if you get a minimum-coverage policy, keep in mind that it doesn’t cover your car or your injuries if you cause an accident.

If someone else causes an accident, their liability coverage should compensate you. But there’s a chance they could be uninsured, or your medical bills go beyond their coverage. This is why underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage can be a good idea to have.

Decide What You’re Looking For

Next, decide the type of coverage levels you want. Choosing between minimum- and full-coverage car insurance (which includes comprehensive and collision) is just one part. You can choose higher liability insurance amounts or add coverage for personal items and even pets from some companies. This step may narrow your options if you’re looking for something specific.

Shop Around

Once you know the coverage you want, compare quotes from at least three companies. Our data shows prices vary drastically between companies — even for the same driver profile — so it pays to shop around for lower rates.

Get free quotes for the same coverage types, limits and deductibles as you shop. This way, you’ll get a good comparison between each company.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Maryland

Our rate data shows good drivers in Maryland pay about $901 per year or $75 per month for minimum coverage, which is higher than the national average of $627 per year. On the other hand, full coverage in Maryland costs about $1,833 per year or $153 per month, which is a bit cheaper than the national average of $2,008 per year.

Maryland Car Insurance Costs by City

Car insurance premiums vary depending on your zip code. Average rates of accidents, theft and vandalism can affect rates. Below, you can see average rates for 20 populous areas of Maryland.

Car Insurance Discounts in Maryland

Looking at average premiums is one thing, but getting quotes with discounts specific to your situation is the best way to compare companies. Below are a few common car insurance discounts in Maryland.

Safe Driver

Being a safe driver can pay off, as most companies give discounts if you don’t have any at-fault accidents or tickets in your history. Some companies might require five years of a clean driving record while others might require more.

Usage-Based Discounts

Programs like Travelers’ IntelliDrive and Geico’s DriveEasy award discounts based on real-time driving habits. You’ll usually score the best rates if you limit late-night driving and total mileage. Some companies can raise your rate if you aren’t a safe driver, though, so read the fine print before signing up.

Good Student

Students in certain age groups with at least a B average can save with most providers. This discount varies, but State Farm gives one of the best discounts for teen drivers, students and other young drivers in the industry at 25%.

Bundling Discounts

All major providers offer bundling discounts if you have more than one vehicle or multiple types of property to cover. You’ll see this reflected in car insurance quotes as you fill out your information and select options for adding other types of coverage. Homeowners can bundle auto and home insurance, and some companies offer additional discounts for simply owning a home — with or without bundling coverage.

Best Car Insurance in Maryland: The Bottom Line

Our top picks for the best car insurance in Maryland are Geico, Travelers, USAA, Erie and Nationwide. The best provider for your situation depends on many factors, so compare multiple companies when you shop.

Best Car Insurance in Maryland: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the best car insurance in Maryland.

Our Methodology

Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.

Here are the factors our ratings take into account:

• Industry standing (20% of total score): Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
• Availability (10% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
• Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Cost and discounts (25% of total score): Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
• Customer experience (15% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.

Our credentials:

• 800 hours researched
• 45 companies reviewed
• 8,500+ consumers surveyed

*Data accurate at time of publication.