The state of Maryland had an average car insurance premium of $2,295 in 2009 as compared to the national average, which is $1,735. For most of the residents of Baltimore, the average work commute time is 31.1 minutes. Baltimore reported 41 fatal car crashes in 2007, with a total of 105 people and 55 automobiles involved in those crashes. The average speed of those involved was 30 MPH.
Baltimore reported about 5,816 auto 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 the 1998 Plymouth Voyager. These statistics about Baltimore and the state of Maryland affect how Baltimore car 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 fall among the statistics.
Auto Insurance Requirements for Baltimore, Maryland Residents
Maryland is one of the few “no fault” states with add-on coverage for Personal Injury Protection (PIP), generally a $2,500 limit. This protection will help pay for medical expenses, lost wages due to time out of work and funeral expenses if necessary following an accident. Maryland is also on a Tort system, requiring an at-fault driver to pay for repairs in the event of an accident. Maryland residents must carry liability insurance, which will pay for damages or injuries to the other driver, any passengers involved and the other vehicle in the event of an accident for which the insured is responsible.
Bodily Injury Liability limits in Maryland are $20,000 per injured person and $40,000 total per accident. The Property Damage Liability limit is $15,000. The coverage may also be seen written as 20/40/15.
A minimum Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage of $20,000 per person and $40,000 total per accident is required for all MD drivers (20/40 UM). In the event that a Baltimore, Maryland resident is involved in an accident with a driver that has no insurance, this coverage will assist with repairs to their vehicle and any medical expenses incurred. This also applies when a driver has insufficient car insurance to pay for the amount of damages, or if there’s a hit-and-run incident. Collision and comprehensive coverage are not law requirements in Maryland, but are strongly recommended if your vehicle is of value and you feel it’s worth the added coverage.
Searching for Baltimore Insurance Online
If you are searching online for cheap auto insurance in Baltimore, there are several things to consider so you will end up with the best policy for your needs. Get quotes from various insurance providers online by typing in the required information about yourself and your car. Once you get several quotes, make a comparison of the financial stability and customer service ratings of each auto insurance company before choosing a provider.
When filling out the information for your quotes, always include accurate information. If you don’t, it could lead to the cancellation of your policy. Keep your policy information updated, such as job changes, an address change or additional family members that need to be added to your policy. Some changes can result in lower car insurance premiums as rates can fluctuate based on various factors.
Don’t be discouraged…cheap car insurance in Baltimore is just a click away!