Finding car insurance in Maryland after a DUI
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Drinking and driving accidents cause 28 deaths per day in the U.S. DUIs are serious offenses and typically come with steep penalties. After being convicted of a DUI in Maryland, you will likely see an increase in your auto insurance premium. Having an understanding of DUI laws and how they affect your insurance could help you make educated decisions about your car insurance.
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Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
DUI laws in Maryland
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Maryland could result in loss of your license or even jail time if you are convicted of a DUI.
Under Maryland law, a DUI for those over the age of 21 is defined as driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. If you are convicted of a DUI in Maryland, you could face the following charges:
- First offense: If this is your first DUI offense, you may be assessed a fine up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail. You could also have up to 12 points put on your driving record, and your driver’s license could be suspended for up to six months.
- Second offense: For a second DUI offense, you may have to pay up to a $2,000 fine and serve up to two years in jail (with a minimum requirement of five days). Twelve points will be put on your license, and your license could be suspended for up to one year.
- Two convictions within five years: In this case, your license will be suspended, followed by your mandatory participation in Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program. Ignition interlock devices require you to pass a breathalyzer test before the ignition of your vehicle will be unlocked.
For any of these offenses, you may be required to participate in an alcohol misuse program.
If you are convicted of a DWI in Maryland, you could face the following charges:
- First offense: You could be fined up to $500 and be jailed for up to two months. You may have eight points added to your driving record, and your license could be suspended for up to six months. If you are under 21, your license could be suspended for up to a year.
- Second offense: You may have to pay a fine of up to $500 and could face up to a year in jail. You will see eight points put on your license, and your license could be suspended for nine months to a year. If you are under 21, your license could be suspended for two years.
If you have a minor in the vehicle, cause an accident or cause serious injury or death, the penalties for these offenses could be steeper. Your penalty may differ depending on the specific circumstances of your DUI or DWI.
Drivers under 21 found in violation of the state’s alcohol restriction will automatically have to enroll in the Ignition Interlock Program or have their license suspended. The blood alcohol concentration minimum is lower for drivers under 21, with anything over 0.02 percent considered a DUI in Maryland.
How a DUI affects your car insurance in Maryland
A DUI on your record will likely result in a premium increase on your insurance policy. Car insurance rates are based partly on risk, and after you have a DUI on your record, you will likely be viewed as a high-risk driver by insurance companies. Some insurance companies may not extend coverage to high-risk drivers.
Maryland drivers see an average annual auto insurance premium increase of 59 percent after a DUI conviction. Nationally, the average increase is 63 percent. Your personal rate increase could differ, as car insurance companies have their own underwriting guidelines, and rates are based on various factors, including your ZIP code, age, claims history and credit-based insurance score. The premiums in the table below are average annual full coverage rates for a driver with a single DUI conviction.
| Average annual full coverage premium before a DUI | Average annual full coverage premium in Maryland after a DUI | Percent increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $1,931 | $3,530 | 59% |
| National average | $1,771 | $3,421 | 63% |
Finding car insurance after a DUI in Maryland
Although you will likely be considered a high-risk driver after a DUI, there may be ways for you to find affordable auto insurance coverage.
Every insurance company may have different policies and rates for drivers with a DUI, so getting quotes from several companies may help you find coverage that fits your needs. Below are average annual full coverage premiums after a DUI from several major insurance providers in Maryland. Your rate will vary from their averages, so requesting a personalized quote is likely the best strategy to find the cheapest car insurance for your needs following a high-risk incident. These averages are for drivers with a single DUI conviction.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium in Maryland before a DUI | Average annual full coverage premium in Maryland after a DUI | Percent increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,963 | $4,325 | 75% |
| Geico | $1,690 | $1,839 | 8% |
| Progressive | $1,833 | $2,339 | 24% |
| Allstate | $2,265 | $3,314 | 38% |
| USAA | $1,398 | $3,717 | 91% |
Frequently asked questions
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You will likely be able to find car insurance in Maryland after a DUI, though your options may be limited, and your quoted premium may be more expensive. Car insurance companies review your driving record, credit score, age, marital status, and several other factors before determining your eligibility or rate. This is why most insurance professionals recommend requesting quotes from multiple providers to find the best car insurance company for you.
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Even if you have a DUI on your record, you may still be eligible for discounts on car insurance. While you may not be eligible for good driving discounts, you could still get other discounts, such as those for vehicle safety features or bundling. Each company offers different discounts, so researching discount options from different companies could help you choose a company with the most potential savings.
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A DUI conviction can stay on your record indefinitely in Maryland, while points accessed will likely clear after two years. Maryland DUI laws do not allow for expungement on an offender’s criminal record. While a DUI conviction will remain on your record permanently, it will likely only impact your insurance rates for up to 10 years, depending on the company.
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Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2020 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
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