48 out of 50 states require motorists to carry liability insurance, but less than half require that you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Maryland is one of them. In Maryland, uninsured motorist coverage pays for property damage, injuries, lost income and pain and suffering for you and your passengers if you are in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist. It also includes underinsured motorist coverage (UIM).
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Maryland
Maryland only requires driver to carry the following in liability and UM coverage:
- $30,000 bodily injury per person up to $60,000 per accident
- $15,000 property damage
The minimums are not enough to cover severe injuries, but you are allowed to pay for greater coverage. The UIM part of your insurance policy is used to pay when you are hurt by someone who is insured, but doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your injuries, but only pays the difference between their limit and yours. So, if they have minimum liability coverage and you have minimum UM coverage, there is no difference and UIM does not help you.
Enhanced Underinsured Coverage
You are not required to carry enhanced uninsured motorist coverage (EUIM) but, as of July 2018, your auto insurance company is required to offer it. It lets you “stack” your UIM with the other driver’s liability coverage. So, unlike with basic UIM, in Maryland, with EUIM if the other driver’s liability limit is $30,000 and your UM limit is $30,000, you can receive the full $60,000 for your injuries.
To learn more about Maryland UM/UIM coverage and how you can recover compensation for your auto accident injuries, please call Alison Mason Heurich, Esq. at 240-346-4883 or contact us today and schedule your free consultation.
Alison Mason Heurich, Esq., Senior Attorney