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Maryland Joint Insurance Association (MJIA)

Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What the MJIA is

The Joint Insurance Association was created by Maryland law (Insurance Article, Title 25, Subtitle 4). It is made up of "all insurers that are licensed to write in the State, on a direct basis, essential property insurance," and an insurer must remain a member to keep selling that insurance in Maryland. Members share its expenses, profits and losses in proportion to their premiums. A nine-member Governing Committee runs it, and the Maryland Insurance Administration regulates it.

The MJIA says it was "originally formed in response to the requirements of the federal legislation called 'Fair Access to Insurance Requirements'" and that it "is not a State of Maryland agency." State law agrees: the association "is not and may not be deemed a department, unit, agency, or instrumentality of the State," and the State may not budget General Fund money for it.

The MJIA "does not have a rating by any financial rating organization, such as A.M. Best Company, due to our being a F.A.I.R. Plan."

We are not the Maryland Joint Insurance Association and are not affiliated with it. We explain its published rules; the MJIA decides on applications and claims. [1][2][9][10][11][12]

Who is eligible

Under Insurance § 25-406, a person with an insurable interest in property at a fixed location may apply if the person has been:

• unable to obtain essential property insurance or homeowners insurance;
• able to get it only after applying under certain other provisions of the Insurance Article; or
• able to obtain only partial coverage for the value of the property.

The MJIA's own rules add:

- Homeowners coverage is for owner-occupied homes (single-family homes, condos, town or row homes, 1-4 family dwellings). A tentatively bound homeowners policy "will be cancelled flat" if the home turns out to be vacant, unoccupied or tenant-occupied (renters' HO-4 policies excepted). - Not eligible for homeowners coverage: seasonal dwellings, farm property unless inactive, mobile homes or trailers, vacant or unoccupied property, and property under construction or major renovation until occupied. - Proof you were dropped: homeowners applications must include a copy of the cancellation or nonrenewal notice from your current insurer. The application says that if any carrier cancelled, declined or nonrenewed you, "you must attach prior insurer's notice, or no tentative binder can be issued." - Rentals and vacant buildings go on dwelling fire (DP-1) or commercial policies. Vacant property needs a vacancy questionnaire, and vandalism coverage is not offered on vacant property. - Location: the MJIA covers property "located only within the State of Maryland."

The Maryland Insurance Administration says a policy "will be issued if those guidelines are met, even if the dwelling or building to be insured is adjacent to vacant properties." [1][2][4][7][8][13][14][15]

What it covers and what it doesn't

Actual cash value means replacement cost minus depreciation.

Limits and extras:

- Maximum limits: $614,000 Coverage A (dwelling) and $307,000 Coverage C (contents) for homeowners and dwelling fire; $1,500,000 per commercial building. - Theft: limited to $2,500 on HO-2, HO-4 and HO-6 if you had more than one theft loss in the past 36 months; HO-8 theft is limited to $1,000. - Deductibles: a $500 deductible applies to most property losses. Homes within 200 feet of the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay or their tributaries, or in Ocean City (on the island), get a fixed $5,000 windstorm or hail deductible; trees touching or overhanging the house, or worn siding or shingles, can also bring a wind/hail deductible. - Optional (homeowners): water backup and sump overflow ($5,000 basic limit, for an extra premium; Maryland law requires it be offered), earthquake (not with HO-8), sinkhole, higher liability limits of $200,000 or $300,000, identity fraud expense up to $15,000, and others. - Not covered: flood. "THE ASSOCIATION DOES NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR DAMAGE BY FLOOD." For flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [2][8][13][14][16][17]

How to apply

1. Shop first. The MJIA says "Every applicant is encouraged to seek coverage through the competitive insurance marketplace." 2. Get the forms from the Forms page or by calling (800) 492-5670. You can apply through a licensed agent or on your own. 3. Send a complete application for each building by mail, email or fax. For homeowners coverage, include both pages of the application, the signed "Statement of Additional Optional Coverages," a copy of your cancellation or nonrenewal notice, and photos of the front and back of the house (and any outbuildings). Incomplete applications are returned. 4. Or apply online. The customer portal gives a quick quote and lets you submit an e-file application after creating a user ID. The MJIA says an e-file application "is NOT A BINDER OF COVERAGE" and that it reviews them "within 24 business hours." 5. Pay to start coverage. Your agent cannot bind coverage. For immediate coverage you can request a "tentative binder," which requires the estimated premium (plus, for homeowners, the prior insurer's notice and photos). Coverage "cannot be back dated." 6. Inspection. "All properties will be inspected to determine insurability." State law makes the inspection free to you and lets you or your representative be present; if the inspection can't be completed because of you, the MJIA may make you pay in advance for another try. The inspection can add condition charges or exclusions, or end a tentative binder. If the property is found ineligible, the MJIA ends a tentative binder with 15 days' notice and refunds the unused premium; if the inspector can't get in because of you, it ends with 30 days' notice. You can ask for a copy of the inspection report. [1][2][4][5][13][18]

Paying, renewing and claims

- Payment: by check, bank check or money order, or "other electronic means acceptable to the plan." The MJIA's site does not offer an online payment page. Payments count only when received; postmarks don't count. - Installments: a three-payment plan with 40% due at the start is available on homeowners and dwelling policies with premiums of at least $200 (commercial: $500), for a service charge. You must ask for it each year. - No automatic renewal. The MJIA says its policies "are issued for one year only and do not automatically renew. To continue coverage past the expiration date, you or your producer must reapply and pay the required premium prior to the expiration of the existing policy." - Claims: report promptly by phone at (410) 539-6808 or (800) 492-5670, or with a Loss Report Form from the Claims page. The MJIA assigns an adjusting company and sends a claim acknowledgement letter. Theft losses under homeowners policies must be reported to the police. Your agent does not adjust losses, and all approved payments come from the MJIA. - Office: 3290 N Ridge Road, Suite 185, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. [1][2][3][6][13]

Rates

State law says MJIA pricing must be "actuarially self-supporting" and must not "actively compete with insurance pricing in the voluntary insurance market." The Maryland Insurance Administration says MJIA coverage "may also be more expensive because of the increased risk being assumed."

Your premium can go up after the inspection (condition charges under a substandard rating plan), and the MJIA uses a loss history rating plan that looks at three years of property and liability losses. Windstorm or hail, earthquake, mine subsidence and sinkhole collapse losses are not counted, and a loss must total at least $500 to count. Homeowners can also ask about the MJIA's windstorm mitigation program, which offers "Discounts for improvements or construction that may materially mitigate loss from a hurricane or storm" with supporting documentation. [15][18][19][20][21]

Getting back to a regular insurer

State law lists among the MJIA's purposes "to utilize fully the voluntary insurance market." Because MJIA policies don't renew automatically, each year is a chance to shop again with other companies first. The Maryland Insurance Administration publishes a rate comparison guide to help. [13][19][22]

Help

- MJIA: (410) 539-6808 or (800) 492-5670, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. - If you think an insurer or the MJIA wrongly refused you: the Maryland Insurance Administration "will also investigate any complaint received from any Marylander who believes they have been refused insurance coverage by an authorized insurer or the JIA," at (800) 492-6116 or its complaint page. - Maryland's rules if you were dropped: Homeowners Insurance in Maryland. [3][15][23]

Questions people ask