About 17% of Maryland drivers are on the road without insurance. That’s roughly one in six drivers, and in some parts of the state, the number is even higher. If one of those drivers hits you, who pays for your injuries and vehicle damage?
The answer might surprise you. It’s not the other driver. They don’t have insurance. It’s not the state. Maryland doesn’t have a fund that covers every uninsured driver accident.
It’s you. Or more specifically, it’s your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
If you don’t have it, or if you have the minimum limits, you could be left holding the bill for someone else’s mistake. Let’s talk about why UM coverage matters more in Maryland than in most states, and what you need to know.
Maryland’s Uninsured Driver Problem Is Real
Let’s put the numbers in perspective. Nationally, about 12.6% of drivers are uninsured. In Maryland, it’s 17%. That’s significantly higher.
Maryland ranks 14th in the country for uninsured drivers. That’s not a ranking to be proud of, and it means the odds of being hit by an uninsured driver are higher here than in most states.
Why are so many Maryland drivers uninsured? The reasons are complicated. High premiums, the use of credit scores and ZIP codes in rating, and financial hardship all play a role. The Consumer Federation of America found that over 600,000 Marylanders actively drive uninsured because they can’t afford coverage.
Whatever the reason, the result is the same. You’re sharing the road with many drivers who have no way to pay if they hit you.
What Uninsured Motorist Coverage Actually Does
Maryland law requires every auto insurance policy to include uninsured motorist coverage. It’s mandatory, but a lot of drivers don’t understand what it does.
Here’s the simple version: UM coverage protects you if an uninsured driver hits you. It covers your injuries, your passengers’ injuries, and your property damage up to your policy limits.
Maryland’s minimum UM coverage is 30/60/15. That’s $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage.
But here’s the catch: the minimum might not be enough.
Why Minimum UM Coverage Isn’t Enough
Imagine an uninsured driver hits you. You have $50,000 in medical bills from the accident. Your UM coverage is the state minimum: $30,000.
You’re covered for $30,000. The remaining $20,000? That’s on you. You either absorb the cost, or you try to collect from someone who couldn’t afford insurance in the first place. That’s the gap, and thousands of Maryland drivers face it every year.
The Insurance Information Institute and other experts recommend carrying UM coverage at 100/300 limits. The premium difference is often $100 to $200 per year. That’s far less than the financial exposure you’re reducing.
Think about it this way: for less than $20 per month, you can protect yourself from tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. That’s a pretty good trade.
Maryland’s UM Rules Are Actually Pretty Good
Here’s some good news. Maryland’s UM laws are stronger than in many states.
First, UM coverage is mandatory. Every policy issued in Maryland must include it unless you specifically waive higher limits in writing. That protects drivers who might otherwise skip it.
Second, Maryland requires insurers to offer UM coverage equal to your liability limits unless you affirmatively waive it. The default setting is “full recovery,” as the courts have described it. If you don’t actively choose lower limits, you get the higher coverage.
Third, Maryland now requires insurers to offer Enhanced Underinsured Motorist (EUIM) coverage. This lets you collect from both the at-fault driver’s policy and your own policy without reduction. It costs more, but it provides much better protection if someone with insufficient insurance hits you.
These rules exist because Maryland lawmakers understand that uninsured and underinsured drivers are a real problem here. They’ve built protections into the system, but you have to actually use them.
What About the Uninsured Division?
If you’re hit by an uninsured driver and don’t have UM coverage, or if your UM coverage isn’t enough, you have one more option: the Uninsured Division of Maryland Auto Insurance.
The Uninsured Division assists Maryland residents who have no access to insurance coverage and who have been injured in accidents caused by uninsured drivers. It’s a state program that pays claims when there’s no other insurance available.
But the eligibility requirements are strict. You must:
- Be a Maryland resident, and the accident must have happened in Maryland
- Have no available insurance coverage
- Not have been at fault for the accident
- Not own a vehicle and not live with someone who owns a vehicle (whether insured or not)
In other words, the Uninsured Division is for people who truly have nowhere else to turn. If you own a car and have insurance, you’re not eligible. You’re expected to use your own UM coverage.
That’s why having adequate UM coverage matters so much. It’s your first line of defense.
How MAIF Insurance Provider Can Help
At MAIF Insurance Provider, we specialize in helping Maryland drivers get the coverage they need. We’re an authorized MAIF provider, the state’s insurer of last resort for drivers who can’t get coverage elsewhere.
We also help drivers understand their coverage options. If you have questions about UM coverage, we can walk you through them. We can help you choose limits that fit your situation and budget.
If private insurers have turned you down because of your driving record or credit history, we can help you get covered through MAIF. We don’t turn anyone away.
If you’re looking for car insurance in Maryland and you want to make sure you’re protected, give us a call. We’ll help you find the right coverage at the right price.
Call us at 301-438-6243 or get a free quote online. Don’t wait until you’re hit by an uninsured driver to find out your coverage isn’t enough.