Tuesday 30 July 2013

Maryland Auto Insurance Required For Vehicle Owners

By Maryanne Goff


The regulations for insuring an automobile in the United States vary by state. Maryland auto insurance laws require every car that is legally registered in the state be insured. When the owner registers the vehicle, he or she must sign a certification that proves their financial responsibility.

While some states allow the vehicle owners to make a monetary deposit with the state, MD is not one of these. Insuring the vehicle is the only way to meet the requirements. State law has no other provisions for those who own an automobile.

The state minimums for liability coverage of private vehicles are currently set at 20/40/15. This indicates thousands of dollars of coverage for bodily injury, injuries to two or more individuals in the same accident and property damage. Additionally, owners must have personal injury protection and uninsured motorist's coverage.

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.

Vehicles that are not insured lead to monetary penalties. The court may issue fines in addition to the required fee of $150 for the first month a car is not covered. The owners also faces a fee of an additional $7 per day after the first 30 days without coverage. Registration for the car can also be revoked, requiring a $25 fee to reinstate. False proof of coverage can cost a driver up to $1000 in fines or a year in jail.

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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