Insurance
Homeowners Insurance in Maryland
Published September 24, 2026 · Last updated October 1, 2026
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Your credit can't affect your home insurance
In many states, a lower credit score can mean a higher homeowners premium. Not in Maryland. A Maryland home insurer can't:
- refuse to insure you, cancel, or refuse to renew because of your credit history,
- price your policy using credit in any way, including discounts or rating tiers,
- place you with a pricier affiliate company because of your credit, or
- require a certain payment plan because of your credit.
If you've had credit trouble, this is good news. Shopping for home insurance won't punish you for it.
The 3-year rule on claims
A Maryland insurer can't cancel or refuse to renew your homeowners policy because of a claim from more than 3 years before the policy date or renewal date. It also can't turn down a new application because of a claim more than 3 years old. (There's an exception for fraud or arson convictions.)
Two related protections:
- Car claims stay separate at renewal. An insurer can't raise your homeowners premium at renewal because of a car insurance claim.
- Surviving spouses are protected. Your premium can't go up just because your spouse died and your marital status changed.
When your insurer can cancel or not renew
Non-renewal or cancellation (for reasons other than non-payment) requires at least 45 days' notice, sent by tracked first-class mail. If it's for non-payment, the notice period is shorter, generally 10 days.
In the middle of a policy term, an insurer can cancel only for specific reasons:
- fraud or misrepresentation on the application or a claim,
- something about the home that threatens public safety,
- a change that makes the home more likely to have a loss,
- not paying your premium, or
- a conviction for arson.
The notice also has to tell you where else you can turn for coverage. That's the next section.
If you can't find coverage: the Maryland FAIR Plan
Under the Maryland Property Insurance Availability Act, the Maryland Joint Insurance Association (MJIA) offers property coverage to homeowners who can't get it from private insurers. Any non-renewal or cancellation notice must tell you about it, with contact information.
Like most FAIR plans, it's meant to be a backstop. Keep shopping the private market.
What changes your price in Maryland
Since credit is off the table, other factors carry more weight:
- Your claims history, within the last 3 years
- Your home's rebuild cost and age
- Your roof and major systems, like wiring and plumbing
- Location, including distance to the Chesapeake Bay or the Atlantic coast, where wind and flood risk run higher
- Your deductible
Flood is separate. Standard homeowners policies don't cover flooding. Near the Bay and the coast, look into flood insurance.
Not a quote or an offer. Your price comes from the insurance company.
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Related services
Updating an older home to keep coverage? See roof replacement, electrical, and plumbing. Buying a home? See home inspection.
More home insurance guides: Homeowners insurance cost · Condo insurance · Renters insurance · Landlord insurance · Mobile home insurance · Flood insurance · Umbrella insurance · How much homeowners insurance you need · Renters insurance basics · How to get renters insurance · All insurance
More Maryland guides: Maryland car insurance
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Related services
Renters Insurance
Compare renters coverage options for an apartment or rental home.
Condo Insurance
Explore condo coverage options alongside your association policy.
Landlord Insurance
Explore coverage options for a property you rent out.
Flood Insurance
Explore flood coverage, which standard home policies usually exclude.
Sources
- NAIC homeowners report (2022 data) and affordability index, via Insurance Information Institute
- Maryland Code, Insurance § 27-501 (underwriting, credit, and claims rules)
- Maryland Code, Insurance § 27-602 (notice of cancellation or non-renewal)
- Maryland Insurance Administration, A consumer guide to homeowners insurance