Does Maryland Require SR-22 Insurance? (2024)

Maryland doesn’t require SR-22 insurance forms, but drivers may need to report a FR-19 form as proof of insurance.

Nick Dauk
Written byNick Dauk
Nick Dauk
Nick Dauk
  • 6+ years writing about insurance, travel, and personal finances

  • Contributor to brands like Credible

In addition to insurance, Nick specializes in writing about business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. He’s been featured in myriad web publications, including Fox Business.

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Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Updated October 30, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates in Maryland for drivers with an SR-22

Drivers in and around Maryland have found policies from Root, USAA, Safeco, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Maryland within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Maryland within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

An “SR-22 insurance policy” isn’t insurance coverage; it’s a certificate of financial responsibility that states request to prove that a high-risk driver has an active car insurance policy meeting the state’s minimum coverage limits.

Maryland doesn’t require FR-44 or SR-22 car insurance forms, but it requires drivers to file form F-19 if the Department of Transportation received a cancellation notice of a car insurance policy.[1] However, high-risk drivers in Maryland may struggle to find affordable coverage or even a company willing to provide coverage at all.

Here’s what you need to know about SR-22 requirements, finding high-risk car insurance coverage in Maryland, and comparing quotes to get cheap coverage.

Quick Facts
  • Maryland drivers pay an overall average of $272 per month for car insurance when they have a clean driving record, but $354 per month with an incident on their record.

  • Maryland may require you to get your insurer to file an FR-19 with the state if you switched insurers, had a policy cancel, changed vehicles on your policy, removed a vehicle from the policy but didn’t turn in the license plates, or had your name pulled in a random draw.

  • The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) helps high-risk drivers get insurance when private insurers deny them coverage.

Does Maryland require SR-22 insurance?

An SR-22 insurance form isn’t an insurance policy; it’s a separate form that verifies a driver’s proof of financial responsibility to the state.[2] Maryland doesn’t require SR-22 forms for high-risk drivers.

Other states may require drivers to file SR-22 forms for the following reasons:

  • Driving under the influence (DUI) convictions

  • Excessive traffic or moving violations

  • Driving without insurance

  • Driving without a license

  • Multiple at-fault accidents

Even though Maryland is one of a handful of states that don’t require SR-22 insurance for high-risk drivers, it still requires minimum-liability coverage. If your insurance company doesn’t automatically verify your coverage with the state, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) may notify you and ask for an F-19 form to verify coverage.[1]

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Cheapest companies for high-risk drivers in Maryland

Even though high-risk drivers in Maryland don’t have to file and maintain SR-22 insurance coverage with the state, they may still struggle to find affordable coverage. If you have a poor driving record, multiple lapses in coverage, or bad credit, or if you live in an area with a high risk of claims, insurance companies might deny you coverage.[3]

And the insurance companies willing to insure you may charge expensive premiums to offset their risk. It’s important to shop around for coverage, especially if you’re a high-risk driver, to find affordable premiums for your needs.

Here are some of the cheapest companies for high-risk drivers in Maryland to start your search.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Liability Only
Full Coverage
USAA$124$189
GEICO$148$225
State Farm$158$241
Safeco$162$227
Erie$188$285
Progressive$194$296
Travelers$218$331
Direct Auto$224$445
CSAA$226$307
National General$229$399
Elephant$235$382
GAINSCO$270$640
Allstate$286$435
Bristol West$306$665
Nationwide$332$504
Liberty Mutual$352$551
State Auto$607$759
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Check Out: Rates After Car Insurance Coverage Lapses

Check Out: Rates After Car Insurance Coverage Lapses

Cheapest insurance companies in Maryland for high-risk drivers by city

Your location and ZIP code are just two of the factors that influence your insurance rates.

For example, a city with a higher rate of car accidents may have higher average car insurance rates because of the higher risk of claims. And cities with more uninsured drivers may also increase average car insurance rates for insured drivers in the area.[4]

The table below shows average liability and full-coverage rates for high-risk drivers in Maryland, by city.

City
Liability Only
Full Coverage
Baltimore$393$608
Columbia$224$425
Frederick$174$303
Silver Spring$228$402
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

How your driving record affects future rates in Maryland

High-risk drivers pay more for car insurance coverage, which is why it’s especially important to maintain a good driving record. Incidents — like speeding tickets, DUIs, and at-fault accidents — typically stay on your driving record for three to five years, so your insurance rates may be more expensive during that time. But as long as you drive safely and avoid more infractions and violations, your rates will decrease over time.

Here’s how you can lower your rates as you wait for infractions to fall off your driving record:

  • Look for specialized car insurance companies. Some car insurance companies specialize in coverage for high-risk drivers. If you have a history of driving infractions, these companies may offer you cheap rates despite your spotty record.

  • Take advantage of discounts. Even though you may not be eligible for good driver or claims-free discounts, you can still reduce rates with auto-pay, student, defensive driving education, and paperless billing discounts.

  • Shop around for car insurance. Although many insurance companies cater to high-risk drivers, you should still get quotes from standard car insurance companies, independent agents, and even online comparison tools to ensure you’re getting the lowest rates available.

Cheapest recent rates in Maryland for drivers with an SR-22

Drivers in and around Maryland have found policies from Liberty Mutual, GEICO, Root, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Maryland SR-22 insurance FAQs

Learn more about car insurance for bad drivers, and find quick answers to commonly asked questions about SR-22 insurance in Maryland below.

  • What if you can’t find coverage in Maryland?

    If you’re having trouble finding coverage in Maryland because you’re a high-risk driver, speak to an insurance agent about a policy through the MAIF. This state-sponsored program is available for qualifying drivers who can’t find coverage on the private insurance market. Be aware that MAIF premiums may actually be more expensive than standard premiums.

  • What happens to your SR-22 if you move to Maryland?

    Maryland doesn’t require SR-22 insurance, so you won’t need to ask your insurance company to file an SR-22 form with Maryland. But you may have to maintain your SR-22 insurance requirements with your previous state for the full duration if you move to Maryland.

  • Do you need insurance in Maryland if you don’t have a car?

    No, you don’t need auto insurance in Maryland if you don’t have a car. But all Maryland drivers must maintain the state-required minimum insurance coverages when operating a vehicle. If you frequently borrow other people’s vehicles or rent cars, you should purchase non-owner car insurance coverage. Keep in mind that a lapse in insurance may increase your future rates.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration. "MDOT MVA Insurance Compliance Division Frequently Asked Questions."
  2. American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. "SR22/26."
  3. III. "What if I can't find auto coverage?."
  4. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
Nick Dauk
Nick Dauk

Nick Dauk is a freelance writer specializing in business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. His work has been featured in Fox Business, BBC, The Edge, Business Insider, and Bisnow. Nick is a first-generation college graduate, having majored in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Central Florida. His eclectic coursework, combined with previous managerial roles in the retail and broadcast television industries, have helped him develop an interdisciplinary approach to writing.

For nearly a decade, Nick has created content for mom-and-pop businesses and global corporations. As a travel writer, his global adventures have also been featured on Inside Hook, Houston Chronicle, Culture Trip, and Matador. When he's not traveling, Nick can be found in Orlando spending time with his wife and toddler.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

Featured in

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