Updated: May 20, 2024
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Car insurance for high-risk drivers is usually more expensive than a policy for those with a low-risk record or profile. The only way to reduce insurance costs is to shop around and compare quotes from multiple providers.
MoneyGeek found that Erie offers the best blend of affordability and customer service for high-risk drivers. It also has the cheapest rate at an average of $1,738 per year. But your actual rate may vary depending on various personal factors.
Best & CheapestAuto InsuranceHigh-RiskBest Companies for High-Risk Drivers in 2023
High-risk drivers are those who are more likely to file an insurance claim than the average driver. Generally, a high-risk driver is someone with multiple traffic violations, at-fault accidents or a DUI conviction. You may also be considered high risk if you are a student driver or have poor credit.
Auto insurance companies often charge high-risk drivers a more expensive premium to compensate for the risk of covering them. Case in point, high-risk drivers in Maryland pay around 24% more for car insurance than those with a clean or low-risk driving record.
Having a serious violation on your driving record can make you extremely risky to insure. These include driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving recklessly, driving under the influence of alcohol or drag racing.
But a clean driving record doesn’t exempt you from being viewed as high-risk by insurance companies. Several personal factors, like your age and credit score, may determine your likelihood of filing an auto insurance claim.
In the list below, MoneyGeek covers the various types of high-risk drivers.
According to MoneyGeek’s research, Erie offers the cheapest car insurance for bad drivers in Maryland. Its policy for high-risk drivers in the state costs an average of $1,738 per year.
Learn more about this company’s pros, cons and rates by reading MoneyGeek’s Erie auto insurance review.
| Erie | Annual Premium$1,738 |
| Allstate | Annual Premium$1,997 |
| State Farm | Annual Premium$2,332 |
| Travelers | Annual Premium$2,555 |
| GEICO | Annual Premium$2,913 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$2,920 |
| Nationwide | Annual Premium$2,986 |
| Esurance | Annual Premium$5,037 |
Many states require SR-22 insurance if you are caught driving uninsured or commit a serious traffic violation like a DUI. An SR-22 is a form that your insurance provider will file on your behalf to prove that you meet your state's minimum car insurance requirements.
But, SR-22 insurance is not required in Maryland.
With a MoneyGeek score of 97 out of 100, Erie is the best high-risk auto insurance company in Maryland. Allstate offers the second-best high-risk car insurance in the state, receiving a MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100.
Our Erie auto insurance review and Allstate auto insurance review provide more detail about the companies’ affordability, customer satisfaction and financial stability.
Erie offers high-risk auto insurance in Maryland at approximately $1,738 per year, 11% more expensive than a policy for drivers with a clean or low-risk record.
Erie is a top-rated insurance company that offers affordable rates. It provides a unique discount for unmarried young drivers who live with their parents, a bundling discount and for driving a car with anti-lock brakes.
Additionally, the company allows its policyholders to purchase optional coverages like better car replacement, new car replacement and accident forgiveness. It’s worth noting, however, that Erie doesn’t offer gap insurance or roadside assistance.
On average, Allstate’s auto insurance policy for high-risk drivers in Maryland costs $1,997 per year, 16% more than the rate for low-risk drivers.
Allstate is neither cheap nor expensive for most drivers, but it offers relatively cheap rates for teen drivers. It has unique add-on coverages such as portable electronics and media coverage, custom parts coverage and sound system coverage. However, the company lacks better car replacement coverage.
Allstate policyholders can earn unique discounts for having anti-lock brakes, setting up automatic payments or driving a new vehicle.
Quality often comes at a higher cost, but affordable car insurance for low-income drivers in Maryland is available. Since there’s no car insurance assistance for low-income individuals and families in the state, your next best options are state minimum coverage or pay-per-mile insurance if you don’t have high mileage.
At approximately $1,611 per year, Erie is MoneyGeek’s pick for the cheapest car insurance provider in Maryland for those with a DUI conviction. Our Erie auto insurance review provides an in-depth look at the company’s coverages, average costs, discounts and online tools.
Active and former military members with a DUI may also consider USAA as an affordable option for high-risk car insurance in Maryland.
| Erie | Annual Premium$1,611 |
| Allstate | Annual Premium$1,724 |
| State Farm | Annual Premium$2,229 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$2,671 |
| Travelers | Annual Premium$2,794 |
| Nationwide | Annual Premium$3,718 |
| GEICO | Annual Premium$3,760 |
| Esurance | Annual Premium$4,464 |
A look-back period determines how long a DUI conviction remains on your driving record. Although look-back periods vary by state, they are typically long to accommodate a repeat offender’s criminal sentencing. Maryland has a five-year look-back period. If your previous DUI conviction was more than five years ago, your present one would be considered your first.
Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, Allstate offers the lowest car insurance rates for teen drivers in Maryland, averaging $6,836 per year. But your rate will be based on your age and other factors. To find out more about this company, browse our Allstate auto insurance review.
| Allstate | Annual Premium$6,836 |
| Nationwide | Annual Premium$9,175 |
| State Farm | Annual Premium$9,236 |
| GEICO | Annual Premium$15,967 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$16,575 |
Teenage drivers tend to have very expensive auto premiums. Still, MoneyGeek recommends getting full coverage car insurance over minimum coverage as it can provide additional protection in the event of an accident. Shop around and compare rates to find the best cheap car insurance for students on a budget.
MoneyGeek’s analysis determined that Allstate is the most affordable auto insurance company in Maryland for those with bad credit. Its policy costs roughly $2,047 per year, around 22% more than the rate for drivers with a good credit score.
Learn more about this insurer by checking out our Allstate auto insurance review.
| Allstate | Annual Premium2,047 | Percent Change22% |
Your credit score can impact your auto insurance rate. Although it can be challenging, it’s still possible to get affordable car insurance with bad credit. Shop around and compare quotes from different providers to find the best option for your particular needs.
Your driving profile and history play a vital role in determining the cost of car insurance. If you’re considered high-risk by insurance companies, you may get a more expensive premium than low-risk drivers.
In Maryland, high-risk drivers pay an average of $2,810 per year for car insurance, whereas low-risk drivers spend around $2,125 per year. That’s a difference of roughly $685.
Low-Risk Driver
$2,125High-Risk Driver
$2,810This is 32% more expensive.
Get a ballpark figure of your car insurance rate by using MoneyGeek’s Maryland car insurance calculator. Our tool considers factors such as your age, driving record, credit score and vehicle type to provide a rough estimate of how much you’ll pay for a policy.
MoneyGeeks's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Jul 26, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
High-risk drivers are those who are more likely to file an insurance claim due to their driving profile and history. Since car insurance is a voluntary market, insurance companies can deny you coverage if they consider you high risk. Your next best option is to shop for a residual market plan through the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO). Using its state database, this management organization helps overly-risky drivers find coverage where they live.
If you can’t find coverage due to your driving record, you can seek out the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF). It helps lower the number of uninsured motorists in Maryland by offering car insurance to high-risk drivers.
MAIF doesn’t take into account credit history, education or employment information, allowing drivers who do not qualify with standard auto insurers to get coverage that meets their needs.
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:15 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Phone
(800) 492-7120
Fax
Personal Auto: 667-210-5112
Commercial Auto: 667-210-5113
Toll Free: 800.283.7305
Mailing Address
Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), 1215 E. Fort Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21230-5281
You may have a hard time getting car insurance if you’re a high-risk driver. MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about high-risk car insurance in Maryland to help you shop for a policy that meets your needs.
MoneyGeek’s pick for the best car insurance company in Maryland for high-risk drivers is Erie.
Our research found the following average rates for various types of high-risk drivers in Maryland:
You may be considered risky to insure if you have a history of at-fault accidents, traffic violations like tickets or a DUI conviction. Likewise, you may be perceived as a high-risk driver if you are a young, inexperienced driver or have bad credit.
High-risk drivers who can’t find coverage on the voluntary market can seek out the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF). Reach out by calling its hotline at (800) 492-7120 or visiting its office from Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
MoneyGeek calculated average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance and comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Minimum coverage car insurance policy rates were calculated based on each state’s minimum car insurance requirement.
To calculate rates for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek averaged the premiums insurance companies charge for three of the most common driving violations: speeding, at-fault accident and DUI.
To determine the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek scored companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction and complaints — obtained from J.D. Power surveys and NAIC complaint scores — and financial strength ratings as calculated by AM Best. Affordability received the greatest weighting in our calculations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
