INSURANCE
Required Automobile Insurance Coverage
In Maryland, a vehicle must be covered by liability insurance in order to register (tag) it,
prevent suspension of the tags, or renew the registration (obtain your stickers).
Liability Insurance
Pays for bodily injury to another person or property damage you cause due to the negligent operation of a vehicle. It may also pay if the accident was caused by a member of your family living with you or a person using your car with your permission. Currently, Maryland requires minimum liability limits of 30/60/15 or $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 per accident for property damage.
You may want to consider higher limits if you lease a car, or in order to protect your assets. Higher limits are available for an additional premium.
Uninsured Motorist
This coverage provides recovery for bodily injury and property damage caused by the operator of an uninsured automobile, including a hit-and-run driver, after any applicable deductible. Maryland Law requires uninsured motorist limits of 30/60/15 or $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident as respects to bodily injury and $15,000 per person for property damage.
Increased limits are available for an additional premium (but these limits cannot exceed the third party liability limits). Higher limits give you additional protection in the event of a serious accident and can provide underinsured coverage for you, if you are involved in an accident with a driver who has minimum limits coverage.
Personal Injury Protection
Also known as “PIP” protection, this covers medical expenses and lost income for you and your passengers who are injured in a covered accident, up to $2,500 per person. PIP pays your medical bills without regard to fault.
Personal Injury Protection may be waived for a reduced premium, but household relatives under 16 years old, and certain others are still covered.
Possible Required Coverage
These additional types of coverage may be required by your lender if you have a loan on your automobile:
COLLISION:
Pays for damage to your car caused by striking another car or object.
COMPREHENSIVE:
Will pay for damage to your car from almost all other causes such as theft, fire, hail, animals, etc.
Optional Coverages
You may choose to add one or more of these coverage options to protect yourself from financial loss in an accident:
Collision Insurance
Pays for damage to your car caused by striking another car or object. (This may be required if you have a loan on your car.)Comprehensive Insurance
Will pay for damage to your car from almost all other causes such as theft, fire, hail, animals, etc. (This may be required if you have a loan on your car.)
Rental Insurance
Pays up to $25 per day, up to a maximum of $750.00 per claim if you have to rent a car due to a covered accident.
Towing
Reimburses up to $75.00 of the cost of towing incurred as the result of a breakdown.