Car insurance is expensive for Maryland drivers. Maryland ranks as the tenth-most expensive state for car insurance with the average driver paying $1,149 annually, according to the Insurance Information Institute. But, that's not to say that there aren't still some ways to save if you're willing to put in a few minutes of work.
Shopping around for coverage is the best way to make sure you're getting the best price for you. Car insurance companies consider your location, age, gender, and driving record to calculate rates for premiums. Other factors like credit score, marital status, vehicle type, previous coverage, and miles driven can all play a role in the amount you'll pay for coverage
Every company weighs these factors differently, so getting quotes from different companies and comparing them is the best way to find the most affordable policy for you.
The most popular car insurance companies in Maryland based on market share
The following are the most popular car insurance companies in Maryland, based on the percentage of insured Maryland drivers who use them:
| Company | Market share (%) |
| GEICO | 24.92 |
| State Farm | 17.23 |
| Allstate | 11.8 |
| USAA* | 8.88 |
| Erie Insurance | 8.11 |
| Progressive | 7.60 |
| Nationwide | 5.77 |
| Liberty Mutual | 3.20 |
| Travelers | 1.89 |
| Maryland Automobile Ins Fund | 1.40 |
| Agency Insurance Co. of MD | 1.02 |
| The Hartford | 0.89 |
| Farmers Insurance | 0.63 |
| CSAA Insurance Exchange | 0.54 |
| State Auto | 0.52 |
| Elephant Insurance | 0.51 |
| Amica | 0.49 |
| MetLife | 0.49 |
| National General Holdings | 0.40 |
| Donegal | 0.40 |
*USAA is only for active military, veterans, and their families.
Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence
The best car insurance in Maryland based on customer satisfaction
Customer satisfaction with car insurance providers may factor into your decision. According to J.D. Power, a consumer research company that surveys customers, these are the top car insurance companies in the Mid-Atlantic region (which includes Maryland):
The best cheap car insurance in Maryland based on credit score
Consumer Reports compiled a list of all car insurance pricing formulas from all companies in every state. It used an average single adult driver to find the best pricing in each state, and found that three companies came out on top for three different credit levels. Here are the three best companies and their average price for coverage:
| Excellent credit (FICO 800+) | Good credit (FICO 670-739) | Poor credit (300-579) |
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The best car insurance for drivers with a clean record
For a driver in Maryland age 25 or older with no accidents and one vehicle, the following companies provide the best average rates:
| Company | Average monthly insurance premium |
| Travelers | $156 |
| Root | $162 |
| State Farm | $171 |
| GEICO | $174 |
| Nationwide | $188 |
| USAA* | $189 |
| Progressive | $193 |
| Allstate | $205 |
| Liberty Mutual | $210 |
| Safeco | $250 |
| Esurance | $259 |
*USAA is only for active military, veterans, and their families.
Above data obtained from Savvy, based on 1,624 policyholders in the state of Maryland
Best car insurance for one or more accidents on record
For a driver in Maryland age 25 or older, with one or more accidents and one vehicle, the following companies provide the best average rates:
| Company | Average monthly insurance premium |
| GEICO | $189 |
| Allstate | $219 |
| Progressive | $243 |
| Esurance | $288 |
Above data obtained from Savvy, based on 1,624 policyholders in the state of Maryland
Maryland car insurance rates by city
Below is the estimated average annual premium of auto insurance policies per household in Maryland's most populous cities:
| City | Average annual insurance premium |
| Baltimore | $1,335 |
| Columbia | $1,605 |
| Germantown | $1,564 |
| Silver Spring | $1,448 |
| Ellicott City | $1,678 |
| Waldorf | $1,574 |
| Frederick | $1,470 |
| Glen Burnie | $1,451 |
| Gaithersburg | $1,512 |
| Rockville | $1,561 |
| Bethesda | $1,675 |
| Dundalk | $1,365 |
| Towson | $1,496 |
| Bowie | $1,647 |
| Wheaton | $1,493 |
| Aspen Hill | $1,524 |
| Severn | $1,618 |
| Bel Air South | $1,567 |
| North Bethesda | $1,586 |
| Potomac | $1,766 |
| Odenton | $1,592 |
| Catonsville | $1,547 |
| Annapolis | $1,486 |
| Hagerstown | $1,249 |
| Essex | $1,383 |
| Severna Park | $1,726 |
| Woodlawn | $1,454 |
Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Who gets the best cheap car insurance in Maryland?
As the data above shows, your credit score is one of the bigger influences on the price you'll pay for coverage. But, there are many other factors that play into your premium, too. With every company considering them differently, it's critical to shop around.
If you want to get the best rate for you, you'll need to start by getting quotes from several different insurance companies. Once you have a few different quotes, you'll want to compare them and look for the policy that gives you the most coverage for your money by giving the most coverage types and the highest limits. Also look at the deductible, or the amount you'll pay out-of-pocket if you get into an accident.
The driver who gets the best deal in Maryland is the one who shops around for their coverage. Compare quotes and look beyond the premium to find the best-priced coverage for you.