Maryland Motorist: What You Need to Know about the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

The state of Maryland requires that all drivers have an insurance policy from a company licensed to provide insurance in the state. In Laurel, you’ll find plenty of options, and it’s your job to shop around and get the policy that works best for you. Before getting quotes, you’ll need to decide how much coverage you want.

Maryland’s auto coverage requirements are that you have at least $30,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person, or $60,000 for an accident with two or more people, and $15,000 of property damage liability insurance. Although Maryland minimum auto coverage requirements are higher than those in many other states, you still may want to consider purchasing more than the minimum. This is because you could be held financially liable for damages beyond your coverage limits.

For example, the minimum property damage you have to carry on your insurance policy is $15,000. However, if you cause an accident in which a vehicle that costs $25,000 to replace is totaled, you’ll be held financially responsible for the $10,000 of damage above your coverage. People who own a home in Laurel or have other significant assets may want to purchase closer to $100,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 per accident, and $50,000 of property damage liability to protect their assets.

In addition to liability insurance, you must carry uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits as your liability. You can also opt for personal injury protection coverage, which pays medical costs for you and your passengers if you’re injured, and comprehensive and collision coverage to pay for damages to your vehicle.

Call your local insurance agent in Laurel today to ask any more questions about what you need to know to purchase the best insurance policy for your needs.

Reasons Why You May Need Short Term Car Insurance in Laurel, Maryland

You may not know much about temporary insurance. But if you’re taking a vacation, test-driving a new car or even buying a new auto, there may be several reasons for short term car insurance in Laurel, Maryland.

Short term car insurance, also known as temporary car insurance, is usually available for Maryland residents for periods of from one to 28 days. As its name suggests, this form of insurance is designed to provide you with financial protection on a temporary basis.

Who needs short term car insurance? You might need it if you don’t normally drive a car but you plan on driving a friend’s car while you’re on your next vacation. This temporary insurance will protect you financially if you damage a vehicle during a serious auto accident or if you injure someone during the same accident.

One of the other reasons for short term car insurance occurs when you’re buying a new car. It may take some time for your insurance carrier to put your new vehicle on your existing auto insurance policy. To protect yourself while driving your new vehicle, you might need to take out a short term car insurance policy while you motor down the highways and side streets in Laurel.

The good news is that taking out a short term car insurance policy is an easy task. All major auto insurance carriers offer this type of policy. And it’s possible for savvy consumers to research life temporary insurance quotes live on the Web. This way, you can make sure that you don’t pay too much for your short term car insurance.

If you need more advice about who needs short term car insurance, consider talking with an independent insurance agent in Laurel, MD. These financial professionals can give you the inside information on when short term car insurance makes the most financial sense.

What is the best Auto Coverage for my Teen Driver in Laurel, Maryland?

When your teen starts getting close to driving age, you are probably left with a lot of concerns—What will she drive? Will she stay safe? Can you trust her to drive alone? One thing you may not have considered is what type of auto insurance coverage you will need for your teen driver in Laurel Maryland.

Insurance for teen drivers is so important because teens are more likely than other drivers to get into accidents. Not only do you need the insurance to protect yourself, but also to pay for the damages of the other car if your teen causes a multi-car accident. So how do you find the right insurance police for your teen?

First, you might talk to your agent who holds your own car insurance. Sometimes this works, but you cannot always find the best deal this way. Make sure you compare prices before you blindly add her to your policy. Depending on the laws and regulations in your state, you may find it is actually more affordable to find your teen her own insurance agent.

Comparing insurances prices is often easier online where you can find tools that allow you to see who can offer the best values. However, especially when dealing with insurance for teens, you do not want to take the lowest rate without further investigation. It is important to make certain the insurance will cover everything you need it to cover.

Figuring out insurance is tough for anyone. Do not let it confuse you where you wind up leaving your teen driver underinsured. Make sure you spend some time researching the laws in your state and then talk to a professional. This is the best way to determine the best Auto Coverage for your Teen Driver in Laurel, Maryland.

What Type of Coverage Will Pay for a Hit and Run Accident in Laurel, Maryland?

When you are the victim of a hit and run accident, you often don’t know what to do. First off, of course you should call the police and while you are waiting for them, write down everything you can remember about the car and driver who hit you. Next, it’s time to call your insurance company. What that call gets you depends on the type of insurance you have and how successful the police are in finding the hit and run driver.

If the police aren’t able to catch the offending driver and hold him and his insurance company responsible, you will need to file a claim with your insurer, if you can. In Laurel, Maryland, the type of policy you would need to have to pay for your expenses in a hit and run accident would be uninsured motorist insurance. This type of insurance policy covers both hit and run accidents and accidents wherein the driver at fault is breaking the Maryland state law by not having any auto insurance coverage. There are two types of uninsured motorist coverage–bodily injury and property damage. Bodily injury coverage would pay your medical expenses related to the accident while property damage would pay for damage to your car, but both would require you to pay a deductible first.

If you do not have uninsured motorist insurance, the costs related to a hit an run accident would fall to you to pay. Your medical insurance might cover a portion of your medical expenses, but property damage expenses would be entirely out of pocket. With that in mind, if you’re driving in Laurel, Maryland, you would be wise to get some uninsured motorist coverage so that you are covered in case of a hit and run.

How Gap Insurance Converage Can Protect Automobile Owners in Laurel, Maryland

When you are purchasing a new vehicle, or a late model used car, you should always give some consideration to the purchase of GAP coverage. Guaranteed Auto Protection, often simply called GAP, is an supplemental type of car insurance that your insurance agent may offer.

GAP is very useful for Laurel, Maryland car or truck owners who want to be assured that their vehicle will be fully covered by insurance in case of a theft or in case the car is totaled in an accident. As most car buyers know, a new vehicle will start to depreciate as soon as you drive it away from the car dealership. In the case of a theft or a wreck, your insurance policy will pay only the current market value of your vehicle, and due to depreciation this will usually mean you are left owing a significant sum on the balance of the vehicle.

GAP will cover the difference between what your regular insurance policy pays out and what you actually still owe on the car. This can often amount to thousands of dollars, and therefore having GAP insurance coverage can protect you from being in a lot of debt on an auto that you can no longer use.

Having GAP insurance means that you can truly enjoy your new vehicle and drive with peace of mind, knowing that if disaster struck that you would be protected by your insurance company. Some people already have GAP because it was purchased at the time they bought their vehicle, but this isn’t the only time you can buy GAP. Your insurance agent can help you to learn more about GAP, and to determine if you are eligible for this type of coverage. Even if you have had your car for a while, you may still be able to get the ultimate protection that GAP offers you.

What Will Cause My Car Insurance Rates to Change in Laurel, MD?

There are several reasons that may require car insurance rates to change in Laurel, Maryland. If you have recently moved into the area, your rates may go up or down depending on the location. Checking over your insurance policy will be important any time you have a life change. Comparing rates on insurance may even save you some money.

Depending on where you live in Laurel, Maryland, your car insurance may be more expensive. If you live in an area where there are more incidents of theft, your rates may go up. If you are no longer able to keep your vehicle in a garage, the rates could increase. If you do not want to pay more money, compare quotes from other insurance carriers and find a premium you can afford. Working with an independent agent will give you the added advantage of a knowledgeable professional who will help you get the best deal.

Other reasons that cause car insurance rates to change include the likelihood of you filing a claim. Some areas in Maryland are more prone to natural disasters like flooding and this could also cause your rates to change. Although, there may be savings by area if you are living in a safe neighborhood. If you have moved into a quiet family friendly suburb with your own garage, you may be able to save money on your current policy. The best way to ensure you are not paying too much for your insurance is to compare all of the options in your local area. When you speak with an independent agent who is familiar with your location, he can find rates that will fit into your budget. Don’t just keep paying higher rates for car insurance when you move into the area, compare quotes and save yourself some money.

Is Anyone Who Drives My Car Automatically Covered by My Insurance Policy?

While specific insurance laws can vary, generally, if you have given someone permission to drive your car, they will be covered under your insurance policy. So in this way, yes — anyone who drives your car will automatically be covered by most insurance policies.

Insurance companies generally ask that everyone in the household who possesses a driver’s license be listed on the insurance policy. In this way, you can be certain that anyone of legal driving age and possessing a license in your household will in effect be insured and covered by your policy.

There are some cases where someone you know might not be covered by your insurance policy; for example, if your girlfriend or a relative comes to visit you or moves in with you and uses your car without permission, then gets into a car accident, that person would likely not be covered.

Permission seems to be the key here. If you authorize someone to use your car, it doesn’t matter if their name is listed on the insurance policy or not. This applies to Burtonsville and Adelphi residents, and everyone in between. Whether the person lives in your household or elsewhere, as long as you’ve granted them permission, they will be covered by your insurance policy. That said, there may be some exceptions. Be sure to check with your insurance company to verify how your specific policy works.

How Does Age Affect Auto Insurance Rates?

There are many variables attached to how insurance rates are determined for drivers and age is definitely one of those variables. Since driving is a new adventure and an entirely new set of responsibilities for young people, their novice status is taken into account. The lack of experience, coupled with a young driver’s excitement and sense of freedom behind the wheel, make for a higher risk in the eyes of insurance companies. Young drivers –both male and female, though males pay even slightly higher rates– do foot a larger auto insurance bill in order to legally drive.

Whether you live in Greenbelt, Maryland City or Cloverly, Maryland, New England, or most anywhere in the United States, you must have insurance to drive legally. The time when young people will begin to naturally see lowered insurance rates is at age 25 and older.

While you can’t get around the fact that age does affect insurance rates until you reach the age of 25, some companies reward responsible young drivers and reduce rates based on factors such as good grade point averages at 3.0 and better while enrolled in university or community college. Proving to your insurance carrier that you are a responsible driver will generate discounted insurance rates well before the time you reach 25 years of age.

Can I Get an Auto Insurance Discount if I Barely Drive My Car?

Getting auto insurance discounts is one of the best ways to reduce the cost of your premiums, and often, all you have to do to get the discount is to ask. If you don’t use your car to commute to work, or have a very short commute, you may qualify for a discount because you rarely drive the car. After all, a car that’s not on the road as much presumably won’t be as likely to be involved in an accident.

The specifics of how to get the discount vary from one insurance company to another, but you should always explain your situation and ask the agent if you qualify. Many insurance companies ask for your estimated annual mileage and automatically adjust your premiums based on the mileage. Others have a specific low mileage discount if your annual mileage is below a specific threshold.

If you only drive your car during particular times of the year, ask about seasonal auto insurance. This type of insurance adjusts the coverage to the state minimum during your off season, and then boosts your coverage to the levels you want during the season when you drive it. You can also ask about labeling a driver on your policy as an occasional driver, which is perfect for college students who will drive only during their breaks from school.

What are the best liability policy limits?

One of the choices drivers in Cloverly, Colesville and elsewhere in Maryland will have to make when buying an insurance policy is picking out a liability policy limit. This is the top amount your insurer will pay out in the event of an accident with property damage or injuries to others. Policies with lower limits will have lower premium costs. However, in the case of an accident where damages exceed your coverage, you could wind up on the hook for the excess expenses.

In general, the legal minimums are probably not high enough to thoroughly protect you. Here in Maryland, the minimum limit is $60,000. If you are in an accident that causes more than that in medical bills and property damage, you will be legally responsible for the excess.

To pick the best liability limit for you, consider a number of issues. How is your driving history? Careful drivers are less likely to get into at-fault accidents, and could, without an excessive amount of risk, carry a lower limit on their liability policy. While accidents are more common on surface roads, they are more expensive on the highway. If you do a lot of highway driving, you may want to consider higher limits. Carefully consider all factors, and choose the liability limits on your policy with those in mind.