by Kevin Brasler

Last updated April 2020

Some individuals—usually the young and those with records of accidents or violations—find it difficult to locate a company to insure them.

If you are one of these “high-risk” individuals, try several of the major groups, and ask to be considered for their “preferred,” “standard,” or “non-standard” plans. Then try the special publicly created insurance arrangements—the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF)—also called “Maryland Auto Insurance” and “Maryland Auto”—or the “assigned risk” plans in the District and Virginia.

MAIF is a publicly created corporation that operates like any other insurance company except that it is required to accept any licensed driver who wants insurance. Accordingly, its rates are considerably higher even than the highest-priced companies operating in the state.

The “assigned risk” plans in the District and Virginia are also required to accept any driver, but they assign the drivers to regular insurance companies. Each company is assigned a pro rata share of policyholders according to its share of business in the state, and the policyholder pays the same premium to whichever company he or she is assigned.

Don’t assume that once you have been turned down by a preferred company you must turn to a high-risk company or the assigned risk plan. Companies’ standards for accepting new policyholders vary widely and change constantly as their rates and volume of business change. To enhance your chances, remind agents that you or members of your family have other business with their company—for instance, a homeowners policy or automobile policies for other drivers. On the other hand, don’t stop shopping even after you are accepted by a preferred company. High-risk companies or the assigned risk plan sometimes offer better rates. If you must join the assigned risk plan at a very high price, look for other coverage after a year.