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Buying Auto Insurance in Maryland (Part 1): Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
By Jeffrey Butschky, Maryland Accident Injury Attorney
In lean economic times, people cut corners in places they never did before — cutting out visits to the doctor and other important things. It may be tempting to think about cutting your auto insurance liability coverage. But as a Maryland auto accident lawyer who’s battled with insurance companies on clients’ behalf for decades, let me advise you… Don’t do it!
Karma is a funny thing. When people think “What are the odds…?” of their having a car or truck accident in Maryland — and they cut their auto insurance liability coverage to save a few bucks — next thing they know…along comes an accident. People should re-examine their Maryland auto insurance coverage every year, before the policy renews. Your financial situation changes as you move through life and career, and your auto insurance should keep pace if you don’t want to lose everything you’ve worked for if you’re liable in a car or truck accident in Maryland.
Why Minimum Insurance Coverage in Maryland is Risky Business
Under Maryland Law, the minimum amount of liability coverage required is $30K for bodily injury per person, $60K for bodily injury per accident, and $15K property damage. That means if you’re liable in a Maryland auto, truck, or SUV crash and the other driver gets hurt and sues you, your auto insurance will only pay a maximum of $30,000 per person toward any judgment rendered against you. If you’re liable in a crash where four people are injured, then the maximum $60,000 coverage has to stretch four ways. You can see how it starts to add up. Sadly, these coverage amounts wouldn’t even come close to satisfying a serious injury judgment against you. That’s when the other attorney is put in the thankless position of having to go after your house or other assets.
If you’ve got something to lose — a house, a retirement account — INCREASE your coverage for as much as you can afford. Even if you’re light on assets, you can increase your coverage to $50K per person/$100K per accident for maybe another 50 bucks a year. As you get older and acquire more assets — increase the coverage to at least $250K per person/$500K per accident. Maryland lets you shop for insurance on the Internet and elsewhere, so long as the company you select is licensed in Maryland. Shop around and compare rates, and get the best liability coverage your money can buy. In the event you’re in a car, truck, or SUV accident in Maryland and someone gets hurt and sues you — you’ll be glad you did.
Read More:
Buying Auto Insurance in Maryland (Part 2): Uninsured & Underinsured Motorists
Related Web Resources
Maryland Insurance Administration