The state of Maryland had an average auto insurance premium of $2,295 in 2009 compared to the national average of $1,735. For most Baltimore residents, the average commute time to work is 31.1 minutes. Baltimore reported 41 fatal car accidents in 2007, with a total of 105 people and 55 cars involved in those accidents. The average speed of those involved was 30 MPH.
Baltimore reported about 5,816 car thefts in 2007. The Top 10 list of most stolen vehicles in 2008 for the state of Maryland included the 1994 Honda Accord, 2000 Honda Civic, 1990 Toyota Camry, 1996 Dodge Caravan, 1995 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee , 2001 Dodge Stratus, 1997 Ford Taurus, and 1998 Plymouth Voyager. These statistics about Baltimore and the state of Maryland affect how Baltimore auto insurance premiums are determined. Providers use statistics along with other factors to arrive at premium amounts, which can result in cheaper car insurance rates, or sometimes higher rates, depending on where you are among the statistics.
Auto Insurance Requirements for Baltimore, Maryland Residents
Maryland is one of the few “no-fault” states with additional coverage for Personal Injury Protection (PIP), usually capped at $2,500. This protection will help pay for medical expenses, lost wages due to time away from work, and funeral expenses if needed after an accident. Maryland is also on a Tort system, which requires the at-fault driver to pay for repairs in the event of an accident. Maryland residents must have liability insurance, which will pay for damages or injuries to the other driver, the passengers involved, and the other vehicle in the event of an accident for which the insured is responsible.
The limits of liability for bodily injury in Maryland are $20,000 per injured person and $40,000 total per accident. The property damage liability limit is $15,000. Coverage can also be seen written as 20/40/15.
A minimum uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of $20,000 per person and a total of $40,000 per accident is required for all MD (20/40 UM) drivers. In the event that a resident of Baltimore, Maryland is involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, this coverage will help with vehicle repairs and medical expenses incurred. This also applies when a driver does not have enough auto insurance to pay the amount of damages, or if there is a hit and run incident. Comprehensive and collision coverage are not legal requirements in Maryland, but are strongly recommended if your vehicle is valuable and you think the additional coverage is worth it.
Baltimore Insurance Search Online
If you’re looking online for cheap auto insurance in Baltimore, there are several things to consider so you end up with the best policy for your needs. Get quotes from various insurance providers online by entering the required information about yourself and your car. Once you get several quotes, compare the financial stability and customer service ratings of each auto insurance company before choosing a provider.
When filling in information for your quotes, always include accurate information. Failure to do so could result in cancellation of your policy. Keep your policy information up to date, such as job changes, a change of address, or additional family members that need to be added to your policy. Some changes may result in lower car insurance premiums, as rates can fluctuate based on various factors.
Don’t be discouraged… cheap auto insurance in Baltimore is just a click away!