Supreme Court of Maryland Clarifies District Court Jurisdiction for Underinsured Motorist (“UIM”) Claims
In Bowens v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. , 492 Md. 608, 347 A.3d 415 (2025), the Supreme Court of Maryland addressed a critical procedural question for jurisdiction purposes—that is, whether and when certain underinsured motorist (“UIM”) claims may be filed in the District Court of Maryland, as opposed to one of Maryland’s Circuit Courts. Here, the Court clarified that the jurisdictional inquiry is controlled by amount sought from the UIM insurer—not the total damages necessary to establish coverage. This case arose from a motor vehicle accident that occurred in Prince George’s County (the “Accident”) wherein George Bowens (“Plaintiff”) was injured. The undisputed tortfeasor carried minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. The injured Plaintiff carried UIM coverage of $50,000 through Defendant, State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Company (“State Farm”). The tortfeasor’s insurance c...
