Teen Auto Insurance Maryland MD

Reader’s Question:

My teenager son and I live in California. My son is going to college in Maryland. He will be taking his car with him. He will be in Maryland for thirty weeks out of the year and he will be back in California the rest of the year. Can I keep him on my California policy or do I have to get him his own insurance in Maryland? In addition to that, do I also need to register the vehicle in Maryland?

Helen

Baltimore, MD

You will need to speak to your insurance providers, first. They may cover your teen while he goes to school in another Maryland. Generally, most insurance providers will not cover an individual going to college in another state. Your teenager son will probably have to buy Maryland insurance and a Maryland tag for her motor vehicle. But, again, verify with your insurance carrier, first regarding your specific situation and ask them if your teenager son will be covered while he is in Maryland.

Car Insurance Maryland MD

Reader’s Question:

I just got a citation in New York for going through a stop sign when I was away at school. My vehicle is insured in Maryland, my home state. Will I get points on my MD license for the citation I received in New York?

Fred

Columbia, MD

Maryland and New York both take part in the Drivers License Compact and therefore New York’s court or DMV will inform the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration of your ticket in New York.

According to the newly updated Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration site, if you are convicted of a vehicle-related offense in a jurisdiction outside of Maryland, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration may assess points. The point values identified in MD law for similar violations determine the number of points that you will be assessed.

According to the Maryland driver’s manual, once the MVA receives ticket information from another state they treat it as if the infraction occurred in state. If that is the case, even if the violation is not one that they assign points to, it will be placed on your Maryland driving record.

Auto Insurance Maryland

Reader’s Question:

What is the minimum car insurance coverage that is required in Maryland?

Ben

Baltimore, MD

The state of Maryland requires minimum Bodily Injury Liability coverage of $20,000 per injured person up to a total of $40,000 per accident, and a minimum limit of $15,000 for Property Damage Liability coverage. Usually this basic coverage is referred to as 20/40/15 coverage.

To help you protect against damages caused to you and to your passengers by an uninsured motorist, the state of Maryland requires a minimum UnInsured/UnderInsured Motorist coverage of $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident for any bodily injury caused by the uninsured motorist.