Maryland's Car Insurance: Who's Covered When You're Driving

In Maryland, car insurance typically follows the car, not the driver. This means that if you lend your car to someone else, they also borrow your insurance coverage. In the event of an accident, your insurance will likely cover any resulting damage, and your premiums will probably increase. However, there are a few situations where car insurance follows the driver, such as when the car's insurance limits are exceeded, or when the car is driven without permission. Maryland requires all drivers to carry minimum insurance, and the penalties for driving without insurance can be severe, including fines, jail time, or license suspension.

Insurance follows the car, not the driver

In Maryland, auto insurance typically follows the vehicle, not the driver. This means that if you lend your car to someone and they get into an accident, your insurance will likely be the one to cover any resulting damage. This is the case even if the person borrowing your car has their own auto insurance policy. However, it's important to note that there are some exceptions and variations among insurance carriers.

When someone borrows your car with your permission, they also borrow your insurance coverage in most cases. This means that if they cause an accident, your insurance policy will be responsible for paying for injuries to the other driver and their passengers, as well as damage to the other driver's car. This includes the types of car insurance that follow the car in Maryland, such as bodily injury liability, personal injury liability, uninsured motorist protection, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

However, it's always a risk to lend your car to someone else, as your insurance premiums may increase if they get into an accident. Additionally, if a court finds that you were negligent in allowing an unlicensed or incompetent driver to operate your vehicle, you might be held liable and face charges, as well as points on your driving record. It's worth noting that some insurance policies may provide less coverage or even no coverage for other drivers, so it's important to review your policy carefully.

In the case where the damage caused by the borrower exceeds your coverage limits, their liability policy can act as secondary coverage. This means that their insurance will kick in only after your coverage has been exhausted. It's important to understand the specifics of your insurance policy and any applicable laws, as they may vary from state to state and between insurance carriers. Consulting with a qualified traffic lawyer or insurance professional can help clarify these details and ensure you make informed decisions regarding lending your vehicle to others.

Minimum insurance requirements in Maryland

In Maryland, car insurance usually follows the car, not the driver. This means that if you lend your car to someone and they get into an accident, your insurance will likely be the one to cover any resulting damage. However, there are exceptions. If your car is taken without permission or the driver is unlicensed, the driver is responsible. Additionally, if the insurance limits of the car owner are exceeded, the driver's insurance coverage can be used as secondary coverage.

Regarding minimum insurance requirements in Maryland, Maryland law mandates uninsured motorist limits of 30/60/15, which equates to $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per person for property damage. This coverage protects you from bodily injury and property damage caused by an uninsured driver, including hit-and-run incidents, after any applicable deductible.

You can also opt for increased uninsured motorist limits by paying an additional premium, but these limits cannot surpass your third-party liability limits. Higher limits offer augmented protection in severe accidents and can provide underinsured coverage if you are involved in an accident with a driver who has minimum limits coverage.

Additionally, Maryland requires you to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, also known as "PIP" protection. This covers medical expenses and lost income for you and your passengers injured in a covered accident, up to $2,500 per person.

You may also choose to add other coverage options to safeguard yourself from financial loss in an accident. For instance, you can include protection for damage to your vehicle caused by colliding with another car or object. This coverage may be mandatory if you have a loan on your car. Similarly, you can opt for coverage that pays for damage to your car from causes other than collisions, such as theft, fire, hail, or animals. This coverage may also be required if you have a loan on your vehicle.

What happens if someone else drives your car?

In Maryland, vehicle insurance typically follows the car, not the person. This means that if someone else drives your car and gets into an accident, your car insurance will likely cover any resulting damage, even if the driver does not have their own insurance. However, it is important to note that there may be an increase in your premiums as a result.

There are a few situations where car insurance follows the driver. For example, if the driver has their own insurance and the damage caused exceeds your coverage limits, their liability policy can act as secondary coverage. Additionally, if your car is taken without your permission or the driver is not licensed, the driver is responsible. In this case, if your car is stolen, your insurance company will investigate the theft, and you will not be held liable for any damages caused.

It is always a risk to lend your car to someone else, as you may end up filing a claim using your own insurance. In Maryland, you must give someone permission to drive your car for them to be covered by your insurance. If you do not give permission and the person borrowing your car has their own insurance, their policy may take over. However, the claim may be denied by your insurance carrier.

It is important to review your insurance policy, as different companies have different rules regarding coverage for other drivers. For example, your policy might provide less coverage for other drivers or even no coverage at all. Additionally, if you are caught driving without insurance or with insurance that does not meet Maryland's minimum requirements, you may face severe penalties, including hefty fines, jail time, or license suspension.

What happens if your car is taken without permission?

In Maryland, car insurance usually follows the car and not the driver. This means that if someone borrows your car and gets into an accident, your car insurance will likely cover any resulting damage. However, there are a few situations where car insurance follows the driver. For example, if the car insurance limits are exceeded, the driver's coverage can be used to fill in the gaps. It's important to note that different insurance companies have different policies, and some may provide less coverage or even no coverage for other drivers.

Now, if your car is taken without permission, it can be charged as "unauthorized use of a motor vehicle" in Maryland. This is considered a misdemeanor, with a minimum sentence of 6 months and a $50 fine, and a maximum sentence of 4 years and a $100 fine. Additionally, the property (in this case, your car) must be returned to the owner, or the owner must be compensated for its value. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle can be a significant charge because it carries a minimum sentence for conviction, which is unusual among Maryland car theft offenses.

Along with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, you might also be charged with Motor Vehicle Theft and/or general theft of a motor vehicle. The penalties for these charges vary based on the value of the car. If the car is worth $1,500 or more, it is considered a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine, or even more if the value exceeds $25,000. If the car is worth less than $1,500, it is still considered a misdemeanor, but the specific penalties are not mentioned.

It's important to note that Maryland's general theft statute requires an intent to deprive the owner, not just an intent to borrow a car. This means that if someone takes your car without permission but doesn't intend to keep it permanently, it could potentially be considered a lesser offense. However, it's always best to consult with a lawyer to understand your specific legal situation.

What happens if an uninsured driver borrows your car?

In Maryland, car insurance usually follows the car, not the driver. This means that if an uninsured driver borrows your car and gets into an accident, your insurance will likely be the primary source of coverage for any resulting damage. The types of car insurance that follow the car in Maryland include bodily injury liability, personal injury liability, uninsured motorist protection, collision, and comprehensive.

If the uninsured driver causes an accident while driving your car, your bodily injury liability insurance will cover the injuries of the other driver and their passengers, while your property damage liability insurance will cover the damage to the other driver's car. However, if the damage caused by the uninsured driver exceeds your coverage limits, their liability policy can act as secondary coverage. It's important to note that your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay coverage will not be affected since these follow the driver and not the car.

While your insurance may cover the damages, lending your car to an uninsured driver can still have consequences for you. In Maryland, driving without insurance is a misdemeanor crime, and if a court finds that you negligently allowed an uninsured driver to use your vehicle, you might be held liable and face charges. Additionally, your insurance premiums will likely increase after an accident.

To minimize risk, it is generally advised not to allow someone outside your household to drive your car, especially if they do not have their own insurance coverage. It is also important to review your insurance policy, as different companies have varying levels of coverage for other drivers, and there may be situations where your policy provides less coverage or even no coverage at all for a permissive driver.

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