Maryland Auto Insurance Requirements For Drivers

By Maryanne Goff


In the United States, the jurisdiction requiring vehicle owners to insure their car is left to the state. Maryland auto insurance regulations require each vehicle legally registered to also be insured. When owners register their vehicle, they must provide documentation proving they meet financial responsibility laws.

While some states allow the vehicle owners to make a monetary deposit with the state, MD is not one of these. Insuring the vehicle is the only way to meet the requirements. State law has no other provisions for those who own an automobile.

The liability coverage requirements for private vehicles are 20/40/15. This indicates coverage in thousands of dollars for bodily injury, injury to two or more persons and for property damage. In addition, the owner must purchase uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection, that covers accident related medical injuries to passengers in your car.

Owners may also want to consider additional coverage. Most banks require owners to provide full coverage for financed vehicles. However, once vehicles are paid in full and their value drops the time comes to drop the additional coverage. When an automobile is valued at less than $2000, owners will pay more for coverage than would be collected if the vehicle were a total loss in an accident.

Younger drivers often pay more for those with several years driving experience. Additionally, coverage for female drivers is less than for men. Vehicles covered along with the location it is garaged overnight also affect the cost of the policy. Drivers with poor past driving history will pay more for coverage than those who have no moving violations or accidents. Some companies consider credit rating while others do not. Most carriers offer free quotes that can be used to compare prices to insure one or more vehicles.

To register a vehicle, the driver must include a FR-19 form with the application. The carrier will complete the form and it may be brought in person, mailed or faxed to the department of motor vehicles. If you drop the coverage the company writing the policy is required to notify the department. You must provide a new FR-19 form to prevent the assumption that you no longer are covered.

Drivers who do not insure their vehicles face many penalties. In addition to any fines issued by the courts, vehicle owners may be required to pay fees of $150 for the first month they are not covered. After that the fee goes to $7 daily. The vehicle registration can also be revoked and cost the driver another $25 to reinstate it. Drivers who provide false proof of coverage can be fined $1000 or spend up to a year in jail.

Although car owners must have Maryland auto insurance to register a vehicle, the coverage is in their best interest as it protects their financial futures. Homeowners in their thirties or above will want more than the state minimum liability coverage. Visit with a financial planner or agent in order to decide the amount of coverage you would like to purchase in order to protect your finances and vehicle.




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