Question 1

What does non-owner car insurance cover in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

A Maryland non-owner policy covers bodily injury and property damage liability you cause while driving a car you don't own, at the state's required 30/60/15 minimum plus mandatory PIP and uninsured motorist coverage. It does not cover damage to the car you're driving, because you own no vehicle to insure for physical damage. The policy is secondary — it sits behind any coverage on the car being driven and pays only when that coverage is exhausted or absent.

Question 2

Can I get an SR-22 without owning a car in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If the MVA requires an SR-22 after a DUI, suspended license, or uninsured-motorist violation, you can satisfy it with a non-owner policy. Geico, Progressive, The General, and Dairyland write non-owner SR-22 policies in Maryland. The SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the MVA proving you carry at least the 30/60/15 minimum; the filing period is 3 years for most DUI cases.

Question 3

Which carriers write non-owner insurance in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Geico, Progressive, The General, Dairyland, GAINSCO, and USAA write non-owner policies in Maryland. If you need an SR-22 filing, only Geico, Progressive, The General, and Dairyland offer non-owner SR-22 in the state. Standard carriers like State Farm write SR-22 but not non-owner SR-22 in Maryland, so drivers needing both must use one of the four confirmed non-owner SR-22 writers.

Question 4

Does Maryland require PIP on a non-owner policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Maryland requires personal injury protection (PIP) on all auto policies, including non-owner. The minimum required amount is $2,500, covering your medical expenses, lost wages, and essential services after an accident regardless of fault. This is a no-fault coverage that pays before any liability determination, and it follows you into any car you drive that you don't own.

Question 5

How long does the SR-22 filing last in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Maryland requires SR-22 filing for 3 years after most DUI convictions, measured from the conviction date. The MVA sets the exact filing period based on your violation; some suspensions require shorter or longer periods. Your insurer files the SR-22 certificate with the MVA and must maintain it for the full period — if the policy lapses or cancels, the insurer notifies the MVA and your license is suspended again.

Question 6

What happens if my non-owner policy lapses in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Maryland's electronic insurance verification system (MIVE) reports policy cancellations to the MVA in near-real-time. If your non-owner policy lapses and you have no other coverage, the MVA can suspend your license and charge a $45 reinstatement fee. If you're carrying an SR-22, a lapse triggers immediate suspension and restarts the 3-year filing period from the date you reinstate with a new SR-22 policy.

Question 7

Can I use a non-owner policy to reinstate a suspended license in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the suspension requires proof of insurance. The MVA requires an SR-22 filing for DUI, uninsured-motorist violations, and certain other suspensions; a non-owner policy can carry the SR-22 when you own no car. You'll also need to pay the $45 reinstatement fee, complete any required alcohol education program, and enroll in the ignition interlock program if the suspension is DUI-related. The MVA's Office of Administrative Hearings handles contested cases and has discretion in granting restricted licenses.

Coverage	Minimum
Bodily Injury (per person)	$30,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)	$60,000
Property Damage	$15,000

Non-Owner Car Insurance — Maryland

Maryland Minimum Coverage

Get non-owner SR-22 coverage without owning a vehicle

Coverage Types

Non-Owner Liability Insurance

Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Non-Standard Auto Insurance

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