Car insurance is a necessary expense for Baltimore drivers, but finding affordable coverage can be challenging. The average cost of car insurance in Baltimore is $359 per month, which is higher than the national average, according to our research. This is likely due to factors such as Baltimore’s dense urban environment and high accident rate.[1]
But many companies offer rates well below the citywide average. The three cheapest car insurance companies in Baltimore are USAA, Direct Auto, and Safeco, with USAA offering the lowest average liability rate, at $249 per month.
In this article, we’ll cover the cheapest insurers in Baltimore for various driver types, how to choose the right insurer, and ways to save on your car insurance.
USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Baltimore, with an average monthly rate of $249.
The average rates for liability and full coverage in Baltimore are $308 and $410 per month, respectively.
Maryland requires all drivers to have minimum liability coverage of 30/60/15, uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Baltimore, Maryland
While average rates in Baltimore are higher than the national average, several companies offer policies for much less. The table below shows the cheapest insurers in Baltimore, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $249 |
| Direct Auto | $263 |
| Safeco | $278 |
| GEICO | $295 |
| Elephant | $298 |
| Clearcover | $308 |
| Progressive | $314 |
| State Farm | $321 |
| National General | $324 |
| Root | $345 |
| GAINSCO | $354 |
| Erie | $364 |
| Bristol West | $396 |
| Travelers | $432 |
| Liberty Mutual | $461 |
USAA offers the lowest average monthly liability-only rate, at $249. That said your age, driving record, and where you live can all affect how much you pay.
In the following sections, we’ll break down the cheapest companies for various driver types and coverage levels.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Baltimore by Driver and Coverage Type
While the companies listed above are a good starting point, your personal rates will vary widely due to factors like your age, driving record, and address. It’s important to compare rates from multiple insurers to find the best deal for your specific situation.
The table below shows the cheapest companies for various driver profiles and coverages, according to our data.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | USAA | $249 |
| Full coverage | CSAA | $325 |
| Teens | USAA | $421 |
| Seniors | USAA | $205 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $314 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $324 |
| Drivers with a DUI | USAA | $380 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | USAA | $219 |
| Drivers with poor credit | USAA | $306 |
Let’s take a closer look at the cheapest options for different driver types and coverage levels.
Find the Best Company for You
Policies in Baltimore start as low as $249 per month.
Maryland requires drivers to purchase state-minimum coverage, which includes bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
The average rate for minimum coverage in Baltimore is $308 per month, according to Compare.com data. But most experts recommend purchasing more than the state minimum because it may not provide enough protection if you get into a serious accident.[2]
If you need basic coverage that meets Maryland’s minimum requirements, we’ve highlighted the five cheapest companies in the chart below.
The below rates in Baltimore, MD, are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Liability Rates by Company
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $249 Direct Auto $263 Safeco $278 GEICO $295 Elephant $298 Clearcover $308 Progressive $314 State Farm $321 National General $324 Root $345 GAINSCO $354 Erie $364 Bristol West $396 Travelers $432 Liberty Mutual $461 Most drivers should consider full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage in addition to liability insurance. Full coverage protects your vehicle from damage caused by accidents, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
Lenders and leasing companies typically require full coverage if you finance or lease your car, too.[3] We found that the average rate for full coverage in Baltimore is $410 per month. But several insurers offer full-coverage rates in line with the average liability price in Baltimore.The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Baltimore for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
The below rates in Baltimore, MD, are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumCSAA $325 Safeco $354 USAA $373 Elephant $424 Progressive $429 Direct Auto $434 GEICO $445 State Farm $482 National General $496 Root $501 Clearcover $519 Erie $546 Liberty Mutual $595 Travelers $649 GAINSCO $656 Bristol West $847 Teens have some of the most expensive auto insurance rates of any age group due to their lack of driving experience and higher likelihood of car accidents. In fact, teens are nearly three times more likely to get into a fatal crash than drivers age 20 or older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[4]
Nationwide, the average teen pays nearly double that of someone 20 or older, according to our data.
The average rate for teens in Baltimore is $541 per month. But teens can still find a good deal.
The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Baltimore for teens, according to Compare.com data.
The below rates in Baltimore, MD, are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates for Teens
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $421 Clearcover $458 Root $467 Direct Auto $470 Progressive $473 GEICO $487 Elephant $488 Safeco $521 GAINSCO $572 State Farm $573 National General $596 Erie $613 Bristol West $640 Liberty Mutual $735 Travelers $831 Seniors tend to have the cheapest auto insurance rates of any age group due to their extensive driving experience and typically safer driving habits. Older drivers tend to drive less often and generally avoid nighttime driving, which reduces their chance of getting into a crash, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[5]
The average rate for seniors in Baltimore is $320 per month. Even with these low average rates, you can likely find a better deal from several companies.
The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Baltimore for seniors, according to Compare.com data.
The below rates in Baltimore, MD, are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates for Seniors
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $205 Direct Auto $219 GEICO $238 Safeco $246 Elephant $247 State Farm $256 National General $259 Clearcover $276 Progressive $280 Erie $283 GAINSCO $308 Root $322 Bristol West $336 Travelers $351 Liberty Mutual $389 Getting a ticket can raise your car insurance rates the next time your policy renews. This is because it indicates to insurers that you’re more likely to file insurance claims in the future.[6] Our research shows that even a single speeding ticket causes average rates to increase by 28% nationwide.
The average rate for drivers with a recent ticket in Baltimore is $427 per month, according to our data, but several insurers offer lower rates.
The chart below highlights the five cheapest companies in Baltimore for people with a recent ticket, according to Compare.com data.
The below rates in Baltimore, MD, are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With a Ticket
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $314 Direct Auto $322 Elephant $350 Safeco $357 Progressive $374 GEICO $377 Clearcover $383 National General $394 State Farm $397 Root $401 GAINSCO $413 Erie $470 Bristol West $487 Travelers $547 Liberty Mutual $574 Causing an accident can cause your rates to increase substantially. This is because it indicates to insurers that you’re more likely to file a claim in the future. Our research shows that a single at-fault accident causes average rates to increase by 33% nationwide.
The average rate for people with a recent accident in Baltimore is $444 per month, but you can often find a better deal with one of the five insurers highlighted in the chart below.
The below rates in Baltimore, MD, are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With an Accident
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $324 Direct Auto $347 Safeco $375 GEICO $377 Elephant $377 Progressive $388 State Farm $413 National General $418 Root $419 Clearcover $426 GAINSCO $439 Erie $473 Bristol West $507 Travelers $566 Liberty Mutual $593 A DUI conviction causes the biggest increase in car insurance rates of any incident. Our research shows that average rates increase by 59% nationwide after a DUI. Even with higher rates, getting a DUI can make it difficult to find coverage at all.[7]
Thankfully, some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers, including people with DUIs. The average rate for Baltimore drivers with a DUI conviction is $578 per month, according to our data. But you’re not necessarily stuck with sky-high rates.
Check out the five cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Baltimore with a DUI , according to Compare.com data.
The below rates in Baltimore, MD, are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With a DUI
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $380 Direct Auto $402 GEICO $447 Safeco $449 Clearcover $452 Elephant $455 State Farm $490 National General $495 Progressive $506 Root $527 GAINSCO $541 Erie $556 Bristol West $605 Travelers $660 Liberty Mutual $704 Some insurance companies look at your credit history when calculating your rates. Insurers use a credit-based insurance score” to determine your likelihood of defaulting on your bill or filing claims in the future.[8] Our research shows that drivers with poor credit pay 40% more, on average, than people with excellent credit.
The average rate for people with poor credit in Baltimore is $449 per month. But not all companies use credit, and some offer extremely affordable rates, regardless of your credit history.
The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Baltimore for drivers with bad credit, according to our data.
The below rates in Baltimore, MD, are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With Bad Credit
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $306 Direct Auto $325 Safeco $344 GEICO $365 Elephant $369 Clearcover $381 Progressive $393 National General $401 Root $427 GAINSCO $438 State Farm $462 Bristol West $490 Erie $533 Travelers $534 Liberty Mutual $552
Get Cheaper Rates in Minutes
Compare personalized quotes from Baltimore’s top insurers.
Maryland Auto Insurance Requirements
)
Maryland, like nearly every U.S. state, requires all drivers to have car insurance. Drivers need to meet the following minimum auto insurance requirements:
Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
Personal injury protection: $2,500 (can be waived)
You can find more information about these requirements from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration.
Most experts recommend buying coverage above the state’s minimum limits. Lenders require comprehensive and collision coverage if you finance or lease your car.
Consider this scenario: You cause an accident that results in $50,000 in medical bills for the other driver. Your minimum coverage would only pay $30,000, leaving you responsible for the remaining $20,000 out of pocket.
Baltimore Auto Insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in Baltimore.
How much is car insurance in Baltimore?
The average cost of car insurance in Baltimore is $359 per month, according to our data. Liability insurance costs an average of $308 per month, while full coverage averages $410.
Is car insurance in Baltimore expensive?
Yes. Car insurance is expensive in Baltimore. The average rate in Baltimore is $359 per month, which is higher than the national average of $140, according to our research.
What’s the cheapest auto insurance company in Baltimore?
USAA offers the lowest average premiums in Baltimore, with an average rate of $249 per month, according to our data. But your actual rate may be higher or lower depending on your personal rating factors.
Our editorial team used highly trained generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the first draft of this article before multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.
We research, write, edit, and review all content on Compare.com in accordance with our strict editorial standards to ensure accuracy, clarity, and helpfulness. Learn more about our editorial process here.
Sources
- Maryland Insurance Administration. "Confuse by Increases in Your Auto Insurance Premiums?."
- III. "How much auto coverage do I need?."
- Naic.org. "What You Should Know About Auto Insurance Coverage."
- Teen Drivers. "Risk Factors for Teen Drivers."
- Iihs.org. "Older drivers."
- III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- III. "What if I can't find auto coverage?."
- Naic.org. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores Aren’t the Same as a Credit Score. Understand How Credit and Other Factors Determine Your Premiums."
Methodology
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
- All of Compare.com's content is written and reviewed for accuracy by a team of experienced writers and editors who are experts on the topics they cover.
- None of Compare.com's content is ever influenced by the companies and brands we partner with.
- Compare.com's editorial team operates independently of any of the company's partnership or business development interests. We publish unbiased information strictly for the benefit of our readers.
- All of the content you see on Compare.com is based on comprehensive analysis and all data is gathered and vetted from trustworthy sources.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)