Why purchase car insurance in Baltimore?
Baltimore can be a very wet city, especially in the late summer and early fall, otherwise known as hurricane season. After a major storm, it’s common to see fallen limbs—even entire trees—in the road, and minor flooding is a fact of life here.
Theft and break-ins are also common hazards. Since most residents have no choice but to park in the street, their cars are exposed to both nature and criminals. Having car insurance in Baltimore reduces your repair costs from damage no matter who or what caused it.
The Maryland Insurance Administration requires all motorists to be insured, and they have strict guidelines for how much coverage you need.
Minimum coverage requirements in Maryland:
- Bodily injury liability: $30,000 minimum per person / $60,000 minimum per accident
- Property damage liability: $15,000 minimum
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $30,000 minimum per person / $60,000 minimum per accident
- Uninsured motorist property damage: $15,000 minimum
- Personal injury protection: $2,500 minimum (this can be waived depending on your age and driving record)
How much does car insurance cost in Baltimore?
Baltimore car insurance costs vary depending on where you live. In the eight most populated areas of the city, annual premiums for liability-only insurance vary by up to $500 per year based on the ZIP code alone. This is due to accidents rates in these ZIP codes. All of these expensive insurance areas have busy highways or thoroughfares used by commuters and thus have higher accident rates.
A great example is ZIP code 21218, which has Interstate 83 running through it as well as the Howard Street corridor connecting northern and south central Baltimore. Car insurance in this area costs an average of $200 more per year than neighborhoods like Canton or Federal Hill where walking, biking and scooters are the transportation of choice for many residents.