Is the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) Legit?

Last Updated on October 24, 2026

By James Shaffer Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on October 24, 2026 How we fact-check

The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) — now marketed as Maryland Auto Insurance (often shortened to “Maryland Auto”) — is an option for drivers in Maryland who can’t get coverage through the traditional market.

If you’ve been shopping for car insurance and keep getting turned down, you’re not alone. Insurers can decline coverage for things like a recent lapse, multiple accidents, serious violations, or other underwriting concerns. Maryland Auto exists so eligible drivers can still meet the state’s insurance requirements and stay legal on the road.

Below is what Maryland Auto (MAIF) is, who qualifies, what it covers, and how to get a policy.

Maryland Auto (MAIF) Is an Insurer of Last Resort: If you’ve been turned down or canceled by standard insurers, Maryland Auto can help you get legally insured in Maryland.
Eligibility Is Specific: You generally need to be a Maryland resident and show either two declinations from standard insurers or a cancellation/non-renewal for reasons other than non-payment.
State Minimum Coverage Still Applies: Maryland Auto policies must meet Maryland’s required coverages and limits, including liability, UM/UIM, and PIP.
Three Ways to Pay: Pay the full premium at purchase and get a discount, use an interest-free installment plan, or use an extended plan that charges interest. Both installment plans run through a third party.

Table Of Contents

Maryland Auto Insurance (MAIF) at a Glance
Is Maryland Auto Insurance Legit?
Who Qualifies for Maryland Auto Insurance?
What Coverage Does Maryland Require?
Optional Coverages You Can Add
How Much Does Maryland Auto Insurance Cost?
Don’t Skip Coverage: Maryland’s Uninsured Penalties Add Up Fast
Important 2024+ Update: Enhanced Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Payment Options With Maryland Auto
How to Get a Maryland Auto (MAIF) Policy
Claims, Proof of Insurance, and FR-19 Forms
Alternatives to Maryland Auto
Final Word on MAIF / Maryland Auto Insurance
FAQs on Maryland Auto Insurance (MAIF)
Sources

Maryland Auto Insurance (MAIF) at a Glance

What it is: Maryland’s “insurer of last resort” for eligible drivers who can’t secure coverage elsewhere.
Who it helps: Maryland residents who were canceled/non-renewed (for reasons other than non-payment) or refused by two standard insurers.
How you buy it: An authorized insurance provider places the policy. You can start the quote on Maryland Auto’s own site or call 800-492-7120, the number Maryland Auto lists for getting started.
Why it matters: Driving uninsured in Maryland can trigger escalating MVA penalties and registration issues, even if the car is parked.

Is Maryland Auto Insurance Legit?

Yes, and the record is specific. Maryland Auto’s own about page says “The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (Maryland Auto) was created by the legislature of the State of Maryland in 1972, and commenced operations on January 1, 1973.” It is an independent agency of the State of Maryland, and its enabling statutes sit in Title 20 of the Insurance Article of the Maryland Annotated Code. Its job is to write auto liability coverage for Maryland residents who cannot get it in the private market, which keeps the state’s uninsured driver count down.

You can learn more or start the process on the official Maryland Auto website, or call 800-492-7120.

Maryland Auto Eligibility Checklist

Answer five questions to see which of Maryland Auto’s eligibility rules your situation already covers, which are still open, and what to have ready for a provider.

1. Do you live in Maryland?

2. Which of these do you have?

You need one of the two, not both.

3. What happened with private insurers? Check all that apply.

Two or more insurers turned me down

One insurer turned me down

My insurer canceled or didn’t renew my policy for a reason other than nonpayment

My policy was canceled because I didn’t pay

I had car insurance before, but I’ve had none for 12 months or more

I haven’t asked any private insurers yet

4. Do you owe Maryland Auto premium from an earlier policy?

5. Do you have unpaid MVA fines for a car that was uninsured?

Your checklist Answer the questions

Each answer is matched against the rules Maryland Auto publishes and the Maryland law behind them.

What you’ve described

Still open or to confirm

Not answered yet

Next steps

From Maryland Auto’s FAQ (read October 24, 2026), its Resources for Uninsured Marylanders page (updated July 2, 2024), the MVA’s Violation Penalties and Payments page (updated April 16, 2026) and Maryland Insurance Article § 20-502 (2026).

Who Qualifies for Maryland Auto Insurance?

Eligibility is set by Maryland law, and Maryland Auto spells it out in its own FAQ. You must be a Maryland resident and meet one of the “last resort” triggers below.

You’ll typically qualify if you:

Live in Maryland and have a valid Maryland driver’s license or a vehicle registered in Maryland, and
Were canceled or non-renewed by a standard insurer for a reason other than non-payment (for example, risk-related underwriting issues). If you’re unsure what counts as a cancellation or non-renewal, see when an insurer can cancel a policy, or
Were refused (declined) by two standard insurers, or
Had a car insurance policy before but have been uninsured for 12 months or more in a row right before the Maryland Auto policy would start, as verified through a commercial database or a state agency. Maryland law lists this path, though Maryland Auto’s FAQ doesn’t, so confirm it with the provider, and
Do not owe Maryland Auto any unpaid premium.

Drivers get declined for all kinds of reasons — not just DUIs or crashes. A pattern of frequent claims can also make coverage harder to find (here’s how many claims is “too many” in many insurers’ eyes).

One more step that catches people out: if the MVA has already fined you for driving uninsured, you have to clear that up first. Maryland Auto says you need to “resolve your current uninsured auto fines with the MDOT MVA,” which offers payment plans for them. For the current eligibility wording, read it on Maryland Auto’s FAQ page.

What Coverage Does Maryland Require?

Whether you buy coverage from a standard insurer or Maryland Auto, Maryland requires drivers to carry liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection (PIP). Minimum limits are commonly expressed as 30/60/15:

$30,000 bodily injury liability per person
$60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$15,000 property damage liability

Maryland also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and PIP. The Maryland Insurance Administration’s consumer guide to auto insurance, dated July 2024, puts the UM/UIM minimum at the same level as liability: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $15,000 of uninsured motorist property damage. The PIP minimum is $2,500, you can choose limited PIP instead, and certain drivers can reject PIP entirely in writing. For a plain-language overview of limits, see our guide to state-by-state auto insurance requirements.

Maryland Minimums vs. How Maryland Auto Handles Them

Coverage Type	Maryland Minimum Requirement	Maryland Auto (MAIF) Notes
Bodily Injury Liability	30/60 ($30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident)	Maryland Auto policies meet state minimums for eligible drivers. Higher limits may be available depending on your situation.
Property Damage Liability	$15,000	Meets state minimums; higher limits may be available. (Learn more: property damage liability coverage.)
Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)	Same as the liability minimum: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for injuries, plus $15,000 for property damage	Maryland Auto offers UM/UIM and you can often increase it. UM/UIM generally can’t exceed your liability limits.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)	$2,500 minimum. Limited PIP is an option, and certain drivers can reject PIP in writing	Full and limited PIP options may be available, and a “No PIP” option can be available in some situations.
Collision & Comprehensive	Not required by the state	Optional “physical damage” coverage may be available (and often required by lenders/leases).
Enhanced Underinsured Motorist (EUIM)	Not required, but it goes on every newly issued policy from July 1, 2024 unless you opt out in writing	Same rule applies to a new Maryland Auto policy. If you don’t sign the opt-out form, EUIM is added and your premium goes up to pay for it.

The MVA publishes the liability minimums on its insurance requirements page, and notes that they apply “even if the vehicle is not being driven.”

Optional Coverages You Can Add

Beyond the required coverages, you may be able to add options that protect your vehicle and cut your out-of-pocket cost after a claim. Maryland Auto’s FAQ confirms collision and comprehensive options; ask your provider which of the rest it can place for you:

Collision and comprehensive: Helps pay to repair/replace your car after a covered loss (especially important if you finance or lease).
Rental reimbursement: Helps pay for a rental while your car is being repaired (more here: rental reimbursement coverage).
Towing: Can help if you need a tow after a breakdown or covered loss (see does car insurance cover towing?).
Roadside assistance: Services like lockout help, jump starts, and tire changes (read emergency roadside assistance coverage).

How Much Does Maryland Auto Insurance Cost?

Maryland Auto pricing varies widely. Like other insurers, your premium can change based on factors such as driving record, where you live, how much you drive, your vehicle, and how much coverage you choose (if you’re wondering why prices climb even with a clean record, see why insurance can be high with no accidents).

One big difference: Maryland Auto does not factor credit, occupation or education into its premium rating. Its FAQ lists what it does use instead — the driving record of each listed driver, age, sex, marital status, where the driver lives or the car is garaged, the vehicle type and how the vehicle is used. That can help if you’re shopping after credit trouble. You can also read our explainer on how credit score affects car insurance rates and how no-credit-check quotes typically work.

Not sure why Maryland tends to be pricey overall? Here’s our breakdown of why car insurance is so expensive in Maryland.

Don’t Skip Coverage: Maryland’s Uninsured Penalties Add Up Fast

Driving uninsured, or even just keeping a registered car with active plates that isn’t insured, triggers MVA penalties. The fine is $200 per vehicle for the first 30 days, then $7 for every day after that, up to $3,500 for each violation in a 12-month period. Those figures come from Maryland’s Transportation Article § 17-106, and Maryland Auto’s own page for uninsured drivers gives the same dollar amounts, though it describes the cap as $3,500 per year, per vehicle; the MVA’s own uninsured vehicle page and its penalties and payments page say the amounts are set by law without printing them. Leave the fine unpaid and the MVA can suspend your registration, flag the vehicle and add fees, and a debt sent to the state’s Central Collections Unit picks up another 17%.

And if you’re stopped and can’t show proof of coverage, you could also be cited — see how much a ticket for no proof of insurance can cost and why it’s worth keeping an up-to-date insurance ID card on you (or in your phone’s wallet).

Important 2024+ Update: Enhanced Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Since July 1, 2024, enhanced underinsured motorist coverage has been the default on every newly issued private passenger auto policy in Maryland. To go without it you have to sign an opt-out form. The Maryland Insurance Administration is blunt about what happens otherwise: “If you do not sign this form, enhanced underinsured motorist coverage will be added to your policy and your premium will be increased to pay for this coverage.” The rule covers newly issued policies, not ones already in force, so it comes up when you buy a new Maryland Auto policy rather than at your next renewal.

The Maryland Insurance Administration explains it on its EUIM page.

Payment Options With Maryland Auto

Maryland Auto’s FAQ lists three ways to pay:

Pay in full: Pay the full premium at purchase and receive a discount. (Related: paying car insurance in full vs. monthly.)
Interest-free installment plan: Pay over time with no interest, through a third party. The terms and the down payment depend on your premium.
Extended payment plan: Pay over a longer stretch, with interest, also through a third party.

How to Get a Maryland Auto (MAIF) Policy

An authorized insurance provider places the policy, though you can start the quote yourself on Maryland Auto’s site or call 800-492-7120, the number Maryland Auto lists for getting started. Here’s a practical checklist to speed things up:

Step-by-step

Gather your info: Driver’s license, vehicle VIN, garaging address, and prior insurance details.
Collect eligibility proof: Two declinations from standard insurers or a cancellation/non-renewal notice for a reason other than non-payment. Clear any MVA uninsured fines at the same time, because Maryland Auto wants those settled.
Choose your limits: Start with the minimums, then consider whether you need more liability protection (see: bodily injury liability coverage).
Decide on add-ons: If your car is financed/leased, you’ll likely need comp/collision and may want rental/towing options.
Apply through an authorized provider: Start a quote on Maryland Auto’s contact page, or call 800-492-7120, the number Maryland Auto lists for getting started.
Stay continuously insured: Once you’re insured again, focus on rebuilding eligibility for standard-market coverage (guide: moving from high-risk to standard car insurance).

Claims, Proof of Insurance, and FR-19 Forms

Like any insurer, Maryland Auto has a claims process, and its Report a Claim form is online and open 24/7. If you’re new to claims, start here: what is a car insurance claim?

For policy services such as insurance ID cards or an FR-19 request, Maryland Auto prints 800-492-7120 on its homepage, contact page and claims page. Its mailing address is 1215 East Fort Avenue, Suite 400, Baltimore, MD 21230. One thing worth knowing before you call: the Maryland Insurance Administration says “Insurers are required to provide FR-19 forms free of charge, without question, to all policyholders,” so nobody should charge you for one. Here’s what the form is and how it gets filed: the Maryland FR-19 form.

Alternatives to Maryland Auto

If you’re eligible for coverage in the standard or non-standard market, you may not need Maryland Auto. Shop several carriers, ask about discounts, and compare what they quote against the Maryland Auto quote on the same coverage. If you’re exploring assigned-risk style options and how they compare, see how to get cheap assigned risk auto insurance.

Final Word on MAIF / Maryland Auto Insurance

Maryland Auto Insurance (still often called MAIF) is a legitimate way for eligible Maryland drivers to get insured when traditional insurers won’t write the policy. It has been a state agency since 1972. If you’ve been declined twice or canceled for underwriting reasons, it can get you legal and stop the $7-a-day fine while you work your way back to the standard market. My advice is to keep the Maryland Auto policy only as long as you need it: once you have had six months of clean, continuous coverage, re-shop the standard carriers, because that record is usually what gets you back in.

FAQs on Maryland Auto Insurance (MAIF)

Is Maryland Auto Insurance the same thing as MAIF?

Yes. Many drivers still call it MAIF (Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund), and the program markets itself as Maryland Auto Insurance, or just “Maryland Auto.” It is the same organization either way: an independent agency of the State of Maryland, created by the legislature in 1972, operating since January 1, 1973, under Title 20 of the Insurance Article.

Do I have to be denied by two companies to qualify?

Often, yes—two standard-insurer declinations are a common eligibility pathway. You may also qualify if you were canceled or non-renewed for a reason other than non-payment. Requirements can vary by situation, so confirm with an authorized provider.

Can I buy a policy directly from Maryland Auto without an agent?

An authorized provider places the policy and helps you pick coverages and submit the eligibility paperwork. You can still start it yourself: Maryland Auto’s site has a Get A Quote link, and the number it lists for getting started is 800-492-7120. Maryland Auto says every purchase made through its site is assigned to a provider in its network.

Does Maryland Auto use my credit score to set my premium?

Maryland Auto says it does not use credit, occupation or education in its rating. Its FAQ lists what it does use: the driving record of each listed driver, age, sex, marital status, where the driver lives or the car is garaged, vehicle type and vehicle usage — plus the coverages you pick.

Can I get full coverage (collision and comprehensive) with Maryland Auto?

Often, yes—optional physical-damage coverages like collision and comprehensive may be available, depending on your vehicle and policy type. If you have a loan or lease, your lender will usually require these coverages.

What happens if I miss a payment?

Missing a payment can get the policy canceled, and an uninsured gap puts you back in front of the MVA: $200 for the first 30 days, then $7 a day, up to $3,500 for each violation in a 12-month period. If money is tight, call your provider before the policy lapses and ask about the installment options.

What is an FR-19 and how do I get one?

An FR-19 is a Maryland Insurance Certification that shows your vehicle was insured on a particular date, which the MVA asks for during a compliance check. Ask your provider for it, or call policy services on 800-492-7120 if you can’t reach your agent. The Maryland Insurance Administration says insurers have to provide FR-19 forms free of charge, so you should not be billed for one.

Sources

Checked October 19, 2026

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