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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.

Although the drivers in some locations are allowed to prove their financial responsibility with a cash deposit left with the state, MD does not allow this. The only acceptable proof is insuring vehicles at the minimum requirements. There are no other provisions.

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.

Premiums are usually higher for younger drivers than those with more experience. In addition, women usually pay less for coverage than men. The vehicle one owns and the zip code where it is garaged overnight all figure into the policy cost. Some companies consider the customer's credit rating while others do not. If an owner has a good score, he or she may qualify for lower premiums than if the score is not considered. Most carriers provide free quotes that are useful in comparing prices.

When registering a vehicle, drivers will be asked for an FR-19 form. This is provided by the policy provider and may be dropped in person, faxed or mailed to the local office. If owners drop coverage, carriers must report to the department. In addition, the owner should report the change to the department and provide a new FR-19 form or it may be assumed that the vehicle is no longer covered.

Not insuring a vehicle can lead to penalties. In addition to the fines the court may issue, the owner of the automobile may be required to pay $150 for the first month the car is not insured. If coverage is still not purchased, the fee goes to $7 per day. The automobile registration can also be revoked costing $25 for reinstating. If a driver gives false proof of coverage, he may be fined up to $1000 or be imprisoned for up to a year just for the falsified document.

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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