Maryland Increases Fines for Uninsured Drivers | Insurify [Video]

Maryland drivers will soon face steep penalties for driving without the state’s minimum required auto insurance. As of July 1, a 30-day lapse in coverage will cost drivers $200. Each additional day a driver goes without insurance will cost another $7 — up to $3,500.

“These new laws will protect all drivers on the roads in our region from the risks and costs associated with accidents involving uninsured vehicles,” Al Redmer, Jr., executive director of Maryland Auto Insurance, stated in a release.

About 15% of Maryland’s drivers are uninsured — slightly above the national average — according to the Insurance Research Council.

Insurance may be cheaper than fines

The costlier penalties mean paying for minimum coverage could be much cheaper than accruing fines. Previously, the fine for driving uninsured was just $150.

“At the current rate, it is often cheaper for some drivers to pay the fine than to get insurance,” said Redmer. “This law changes …