Maryland · Uninsured driver · Updated Oct 2026

Hit by an uninsured driver in Maryland: coverage, penalties and what to do

Your coverage, the penalties and how to claim your losses.

Short answer

If your insurance lapses, your registration is suspended and the MVA can charge an uninsured motorist penalty of $200 for the first 1-30 days, then $7 per day, up to $3,500 per violation in 12 months (Transp. § 17-106). Required.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage
Required
Minimum liability
30/60/15
Insurance system
Fault (tort)

Uninsured motorist coverage in Maryland

Uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
Required. Uninsured motorist coverage must at least equal the minimum liability limits (including loss of use of your car) and, unless you waive it, must equal your liability limits. Since July 1, 2024, new policies include 'enhanced underinsured motorist' coverage unless you waive it in writing.
Liability minimum
30/60/15
Official text
Read the official text

Compare every state in the minimum insurance table.

If the other driver has no insurance in Maryland

  • If the other driver has no insurance, your required uninsured motorist coverage pays, including property damage and loss of use of your car (Ins. § 19-509).

Penalties for driving uninsured in Maryland

  • If your insurance lapses, your registration is suspended and the MVA can charge an uninsured motorist penalty of $200 for the first 1-30 days, then $7 per day, up to $3,500 per violation in 12 months (Transp. § 17-106).

More facts for Maryland

  • Uninsured motorist coverage in Maryland also covers property damage and loss of use of your car (Ins. § 19-509).

Recent changes in Maryland

  • Since July 1, 2024, new private passenger policies must include enhanced underinsured motorist coverage unless the first named insured waives it in writing; for renewals of policies issued before then, it is added only if you choose it (Md. Code, Ins. § 19-509.1).

How fast an insurer must handle a claim in Maryland

  • COMAR 31.15.07.03: insurers must acknowledge a claim within 15 working days, affirm or deny coverage within 15 working days after receiving completed proof of loss, and reply to claimants' written communications within 15 working days.
  • Md. Code, Ins. §§ 27-303 and 27-304 list unfair claim settlement practices.

Claiming from the uninsured driver in Maryland

Small claims limit for car damage in Maryland: $5,000 (District Court small claims). Maryland small claims guide on Small Claims Map

Step by step if an uninsured driver hits you in Maryland

  1. Report the crash to the police. If anyone is hurt or killed and police did not investigate, each driver must send a written report to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) within 15 days, with proof of liability insurance (insurer name and address, policy number, agent). Reporting a crash in Maryland and getting the police report
  2. Write down the other car's plate and get witness names.
  3. Claim under your uninsured motorist coverage; in Maryland it is required.
  4. If your coverage doesn't pay everything, sue the driver before the deadline: 3 years for both property damage and injury. Deadlines to sue in Maryland, with the calculator

Free help in Maryland

Questions about uninsured drivers in Maryland

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Maryland?

Required. Uninsured motorist coverage must at least equal the minimum liability limits (including loss of use of your car) and, unless you waive it, must equal your liability limits. Since July 1, 2024, new policies include 'enhanced underinsured motorist' coverage unless you waive it in writing.

What happens if you drive without insurance in Maryland?

If your insurance lapses, your registration is suspended and the MVA can charge an uninsured motorist penalty of $200 for the first 1-30 days, then $7 per day, up to $3,500 per violation in 12 months (Transp. § 17-106).

What can I do if an uninsured driver hits me in Maryland?

If the other driver has no insurance, your required uninsured motorist coverage pays, including property damage and loss of use of your car (Ins. § 19-509).

What is the minimum car insurance in Maryland?

30/60/15

How long do I have to sue an uninsured driver in Maryland?

3 years for property damage and 3 years for injury.

How fast must an insurer handle a car insurance claim in Maryland?

COMAR 31.15.07.03: insurers must acknowledge a claim within 15 working days, affirm or deny coverage within 15 working days after receiving completed proof of loss, and reply to claimants' written communications within 15 working days. Md. Code, Ins. §§ 27-303 and 27-304 list unfair claim settlement practices.

More for Maryland drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.