New Clients: (301) 386-0900 | Current Clients: Get Service
Working With Simmerer Insurance
How an independent agency works and what to expect when you call us.
What is an independent insurance agency?
An independent agency is not tied to one insurance company. Simmerer Insurance can shop nearly 200 insurance companies, so we compare prices and coverage side by side and recommend the best fit for you instead of selling a single brand.
Does it cost more to buy insurance through an agent?
No. Agents are paid by the insurance company, and the premium is generally the same whether you buy direct or through us. The difference is that you get a licensed person who shops multiple insurance companies, explains your options and helps you when you have a claim.
Where are your offices?
We have two Maryland offices: 601 7th Street, Suite 103 in Laurel, MD 20707, and 1401 University Blvd E, Suite G123 (2nd level of La Unión Mall) in Hyattsville, MD 20783. You can also do almost everything by phone, email or online.
Which states do you serve?
Most of our clients are in Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia. For trucking and commercial auto we also serve Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Do you have Spanish-speaking agents?
Yes. Se habla español. Our team can explain coverage, quotes and claims in Spanish, and we have a full FAQ page in Spanish.
How do I get a quote?
Fill out our free quote form or call (301) 386-0900. For a fast, accurate quote, have your current policy, driver's license numbers, vehicle VINs or property address ready. We compare insurance companies and get back to you with options.
How do you decide which insurance company is right for me?
We take a consultative approach. First, we compare the insurance companies we work with to find the right fit for you. Then we advise you on the coverages you need, and we only put the coverages you want on the policy after we have explained your options.
Do I have to come into the office?
No. You can start a quote online or by phone, and walk-ins are welcome at both our Laurel and Hyattsville offices.
Auto Insurance
Cars, SUVs, pickups and the drivers who use them.
What is the difference between liability, collision and comprehensive?
Liability pays for injuries and damage you cause to other people. Collision repairs your own car after a crash, no matter who is at fault. Comprehensive covers theft, fire, hail, flooding, vandalism and hitting an animal like a deer.
Is the state minimum enough coverage?
Usually not. Minimum limits can be used up quickly in a serious accident, and you can be personally responsible for the rest. Most drivers with a home, savings or future income to protect choose higher limits. We will show you the price difference so you can decide.
How can I lower my car insurance premium?
Bundle auto with home, condominium or renters insurance, raise your deductible, keep a clean driving record, ask about good-student and safe-driver discounts, and let us re-shop your policy each year across multiple insurance companies.
Can you insure drivers with tickets, accidents or no prior insurance?
Yes. We work with standard and non-standard insurance companies, so we can often help drivers with violations, accidents, a lapse in coverage or no prior insurance history.
Should I add my teenager to my policy or get them their own?
In most cases adding a teen to your existing policy costs less than a separate policy, and it lets them benefit from your multi-car and bundling discounts. Good-student and driver-training discounts can help too.
Do I need gap insurance on a new or financed car?
If you owe more on your loan or lease than the car is worth, gap coverage can pay the difference if the car is totaled or stolen. Many insurance companies offer it as an add-on to your auto policy.
Does my personal auto policy cover driving for Uber, Lyft or deliveries?
Often not, or only partly. Many personal policies exclude driving for pay. Ask us about a rideshare or delivery endorsement, or a commercial auto policy if you use the vehicle mainly for work.
What are the minimum auto insurance limits in Maryland?
Maryland requires liability limits of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage (30/60/15), uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits, and $2,500 of personal injury protection (PIP), which can be waived or limited in writing. See the chart below for the other states we serve.
What does 30/60/15 mean?
Liability limits are written as three numbers in thousands of dollars: the most the policy pays for one person’s injuries, the most it pays for all injuries in one accident, and the most it pays for property damage. 30/60/15 means $30,000, $60,000 and $15,000.
What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
It pays for your injuries, and in some cases damage to your car, when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your losses. Because many drivers carry only the state minimum, we often recommend matching it to your own liability limits.
What happens if my car insurance lapses in Maryland?
Insurance companies notify the Maryland MVA when a policy cancels. If your vehicle is not insured, the MVA can charge uninsured motorist penalties and suspend your registration. Call us before your coverage ends and we will help you avoid a gap.
State Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
The legal minimums in Maryland and the nearby states we serve.
Maryland
Liability: 30/60/15
Also required: uninsured motorist at 30/60/15 and $2,500 of PIP, which can be waived or limited in writing.
Washington, DC
Liability: 25/50/10
Also required: uninsured motorist of $25,000/$50,000 for injuries and $5,000 for property damage.
Virginia
Liability: 50/100/25
Also required: uninsured/underinsured motorist at 50/100/25. Minimums increased on January 1, 2025.
Delaware
Liability: 25/50/10
Also required: PIP of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
Pennsylvania
Liability: 15/30/5
Also required: $5,000 of medical (first party) benefits.
West Virginia
Liability: 25/50/25
Also required: uninsured motorist at 25/50/25.
North Carolina
Liability: 50/100/50
Also required: uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Minimums increased on July 1, 2025.
South Carolina
Liability: 25/50/25
Also required: uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits. Underinsured motorist coverage must be offered.
Limits are written in thousands of dollars: bodily injury per person / bodily injury per accident / property damage. These are the legal minimums as of 2026, and laws change. The minimum is rarely enough to protect your savings and your home, so ask us which limits make sense for you.
Home, Condominium & Landlord Insurance
Protecting the place you live and the properties you rent out.
Is homeowners insurance required in Maryland?
No state law requires it, but nearly every mortgage lender does. Even if your home is paid off, homeowners insurance protects your biggest investment and your personal liability.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood. A separate flood policy is needed, and there is usually a 30-day waiting period before a new flood policy takes effect, so don't wait for the forecast.
How much dwelling coverage do I need?
Enough to rebuild your home at today's construction costs, which can be very different from its market value or purchase price. We help you estimate replacement cost so you are not underinsured.
What does condominium insurance (HO-6) cover?
An HO-6 policy covers the inside of your unit, your belongings, improvements you make and your personal liability. The association's master policy usually covers the building and common areas. We review your HOA documents to fill any gaps.
Do renters need insurance?
Renters insurance is affordable and covers your belongings, your liability and temporary housing if your apartment becomes unlivable. Many landlords require it, and it can earn a discount when bundled with auto.
Does my homeowners policy cover a home I rent out?
Generally no. A home rented to tenants needs a landlord (dwelling fire) policy, which covers the building, your liability and lost rental income after a covered loss.
What is an umbrella policy and do I need one?
An umbrella adds extra liability protection above your home and auto limits, often starting at $1 million. It is worth considering if you have savings to protect, teen drivers, a pool, rental property or a boat.
What is the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?
Replacement cost pays what it costs to repair or replace damaged property with new materials of similar quality. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation, so you receive less for older items. We will show you which one each policy uses before you decide.
Does homeowners insurance cover water backup from a drain or sump pump?
Usually not, unless you add a water backup endorsement. It is an affordable addition, and we review it with every homeowner.
Will filing a claim raise my home insurance premium?
It can. Many insurance companies review claim history at renewal. Before you report a small loss, call us and we will help you weigh the repair cost against your deductible and your long-term premium.
Trucking & Commercial Auto
Owner-operators, small fleets, box trucks, dump trucks and service vehicles.
Do you insure new trucking authorities?
Yes. We work with markets that write new ventures and can help a new motor carrier get the coverage and filings needed to activate its authority.
Can you insure a single box truck or dump truck?
Yes. We insure one vehicle all the way up to a fleet, including box trucks, dump trucks, tractors, trailers and straight trucks.
What coverage does a trucking company need?
Most insurance companies need primary auto liability, physical damage for the truck and trailer, and motor truck cargo. Depending on your operation you may also need non-trucking liability, trailer interchange, general liability and workers compensation.
Do you handle federal and state filings?
Yes. We help with MCS-90 endorsements, BMC-91X filings and other required filings so your authority stays active, and we can send certificates to brokers and shippers quickly.
Do I need commercial auto insurance for my work van or pickup?
If a vehicle is owned by your business, titled to your company or used mainly for work, a commercial auto policy is usually required. Personal auto policies often exclude business use.
How can I lower my trucking insurance cost?
A clean safety record, experienced drivers, dash cams, telematics, higher deductibles and paying in full can all help. We also re-market your account each year to make sure you are with the right insurance company.
What is non-trucking liability insurance?
Non-trucking liability, sometimes called bobtail coverage, protects an owner-operator who is leased to a motor carrier while driving the truck when not under dispatch. The motor carrier’s policy usually covers you while you are under dispatch.
What is motor truck cargo insurance?
Motor truck cargo pays for loss of or damage to the freight you are hauling. Many brokers and shippers require proof of cargo coverage before they will load you.
Business Insurance & Workers Comp
Coverage for Maryland small businesses, contractors and their employees.
What insurance does a small business need?
Most businesses start with general liability or a business owner policy (BOP), plus commercial auto for business vehicles and workers compensation if they have employees. We review your contracts, leases and risks to recommend the rest.
Is workers compensation required in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland requires most employers to carry workers compensation as soon as they have one employee, including part-time employees.
What is a business owner policy (BOP)?
A BOP bundles general liability and commercial property into one policy, usually at a lower price than buying them separately. It is a good fit for many offices, shops, salons and small contractors.
How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?
Usually the same business day. Email csteam@simmererinsurance.com or call (301) 386-0900 with the certificate holder's name, address and any wording they require.
Do contractors need special insurance?
Contractors usually need general liability, commercial auto, tools and equipment coverage, and workers comp for employees. Many general contractors and property managers also require additional insured endorsements.
Do I need cyber liability insurance?
If you store customer information, take card payments or rely on email and computers to run your business, cyber coverage can pay for data breach costs, ransomware and business interruption.
What is professional liability (E&O) insurance?
Professional liability, also called errors and omissions, covers claims that a mistake or oversight in your professional services caused a client financial harm. General liability does not cover these claims.
What is a commercial umbrella policy?
A commercial umbrella adds liability limits above your general liability, commercial auto and employer’s liability policies. Many contracts and leases require higher limits than a primary policy provides.
What is business income (business interruption) coverage?
It replaces lost income and helps pay ongoing expenses when a covered loss, such as a fire, forces you to close temporarily. It is usually added to a commercial property policy or a business owners policy.
Claims, Billing & Policy Service
Help after you buy: claims, ID cards, changes and payments.
What should I do after an accident?
Make sure everyone is safe, call 911 if anyone is hurt, exchange information with the other driver, take photos and report the claim to your insurance company as soon as possible. Call us if you need help with the process.
How do I get a copy of my auto ID card?
Request ID cards on our ID Cards page or call (301) 386-0900. Most insurance companies also offer digital ID cards in their mobile app.
How do I add a driver, vehicle or change my address?
Email csteam@simmererinsurance.com or call us with the details. We make the change with your insurance company and send you updated documents.
Who do I pay, Simmerer Insurance or the insurance company?
In most cases you pay the insurance company directly through its website, app or autopay. We can give you the payment link or phone number for your insurance company.
Will filing a claim raise my rates?
It can, depending on the insurance company, who was at fault and your claims history. Some policies include accident forgiveness. We can talk through whether a small claim is worth filing.
Can you review my current policy for free?
Yes. Send us your current declarations page and we will review your coverage, look for gaps and compare prices across our insurance companies at no cost.
