Insurance in Maryland: State Rules and Requirements

Insurance in Maryland

The rules that shape car, home and business insurance in Maryland, each linked to its official source, and how to get coverage shopped here. Sam Alishahi holds a Maryland nonresident insurance producer license (#3004487571, NPN 21022298) and places Maryland policies directly.

By Sam Alishahi · Reviewed October 2026

Car insurance in Maryland (30/60/15)

Minimum car insuranceMaryland requires at least $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident and $15,000 property damage. It also requires $2,500 of PIP, which the first named insured can waive in writing. Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory at least at the minimum limits, and insurers must offer enhanced underinsured motorist coverage. Source
Fault systemMaryland is an at-fault (tort) state with required PIP added on: PIP pays your own initial medical and wage losses, but you keep the full right to sue the at-fault driver. Source

Business insurance rules in Maryland

Workers’ compensationEach employer must secure workers' compensation for all covered employees through an authorized insurer, an approved self-insurance group or self-insurance, generally starting with the first employee. Maryland is not monopolistic and does not allow opting out. Source
Contractor licensingThe Maryland Home Improvement Commission licenses home improvement contractors and salespersons. Since June 1, 2024, contractors must carry at least $500,000 of general liability insurance and pay into the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, which can repay homeowners up to $30,000 for losses from poor or unfinished work. Source

Home insurance in Maryland

Home insurer of last resortThe Joint Insurance Association, which every insurer writing essential property insurance in Maryland must join, provides property coverage to owners who cannot get it elsewhere. Hurricanes and coastal storms are the main catastrophe exposure. Insurers may use percentage hurricane deductibles, but these apply only while a National Hurricane Center hurricane warning is in effect for Maryland and are capped at 5% of the dwelling limit unless the insurer files a higher standard. Source

High-value homes in Maryland.

Disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes in Maryland

Maryland disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes, from federal records
Measure	Maryland	Rank among the states	Detail
Federal major disaster declarations since 2000	16	#42 of 51	Most often for severe storm (5), hurricane (4), flood (3). Howard County has been in 10 of them.
National Flood Insurance Program claims, 2005–2025	7,479	#29 of 51	$114.0 million paid; 41% of claims with a known flood zone were outside FEMA’s high-risk zones.
Hail reports, 2016–2025	388	#33 of 51	20 of them 2 inches or larger. Largest stone 4 inches, Washington County, August 2023.
Tornadoes, 2016–2025	69	#31 of 51	7 rated EF2 or stronger; 425 recorded since 1950.
Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, 2000–2025	1	#28 of 51	Largest: magnitude 4.6, 220 km SE of Ocean City, Maryland, January 15, 2019.

From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.

Look up the storm history of any county in Maryland.

The property risks that matter in Maryland

Maryland's Chesapeake shoreline and Ocean City face storm surge, and the Maryland Auto Insurance Fund serves drivers who can't find private auto coverage.

Standard homeowners and renters policies exclude flood. In Maryland, flood coverage comes from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer, and NFIP policies generally carry a 30-day waiting period, so buy before storm season. Check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Wind from tropical storms is the defining property risk along the Maryland coast. Ask whether your policy uses a named-storm deductible, how it is triggered, and whether roof upgrades or shutters earn a mitigation credit.

Nor'easters bring coastal flooding, wind and heavy snow to Maryland. Wind damage is generally covered; storm-surge flooding needs flood insurance.

Worth knowing in Maryland

Maryland runs its own state auto insurer, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), which provides the required coverage to eligible drivers who cannot get it from a private insurer.

What to review each year in Maryland

Compare your auto liability limits with the Maryland minimum of 30/60/15 and with your actual assets.
Check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and price an NFIP or private flood policy before storm season (NFIP usually has a 30-day wait).
Find your hurricane or named-storm deductible in dollars and set aside that amount.
Clear gutters and check for storm-surge flood exposure before winter.
Keep a current home inventory stored off-site.

Maryland’s insurance regulator

Insurance in Maryland is regulated by the Maryland Insurance Administration, which handles consumer complaints and licenses insurers and agents.

Sam Alishahi holds a Maryland nonresident insurance producer license (#3004487571, NPN 21022298) and places Maryland policies directly.

Common questions

What is the minimum car insurance in Maryland?

Maryland requires at least $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident and $15,000 property damage. It also requires $2,500 of PIP, which the first named insured can waive in writing. Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory at least at the minimum limits, and insurers must offer enhanced underinsured motorist coverage.

Is Maryland a no-fault state?

Maryland is an at-fault (tort) state with required PIP added on: PIP pays your own initial medical and wage losses, but you keep the full right to sue the at-fault driver.

Do employers in Maryland need workers’ comp?

Each employer must secure workers' compensation for all covered employees through an authorized insurer, an approved self-insurance group or self-insurance, generally starting with the first employee. Maryland is not monopolistic and does not allow opting out.

What can a Maryland homeowner do if no insurer will write the house?

The Joint Insurance Association, which every insurer writing essential property insurance in Maryland must join, provides property coverage to owners who cannot get it elsewhere. Hurricanes and coastal storms are the main catastrophe exposure. Insurers may use percentage hurricane deductibles, but these apply only while a National Hurricane Center hurricane warning is in effect for Maryland and are capped at 5% of the dwelling limit unless the insurer files a higher standard.

Do I need flood insurance in Maryland?

If you're in a high-risk flood zone with a federally backed mortgage, your lender will require it. Elsewhere it's optional but worth pricing, because homeowners policies exclude flood.

Does Maryland homeowners insurance cover hurricanes?

Wind damage from hurricanes is generally covered, often subject to a separate hurricane deductible. Storm-surge flooding requires flood insurance.

More answers: Maryland homeowners insurance guide Maryland renters insurance and security deposit guide Maryland small business insurance requirements Maryland flood risk and NFIP guide Maryland life insurance consumer guide Baltimore home and auto insurance guide

Sources

General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.

Tell me what you need insured.

Home, car, business, trucks or something harder to place. One request, and I take it from there.

Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage.

Insurance in Maryland