Reader’s Question:

I want to add my teenage daughter to my car insurance policy since she is learning to drive. What is the legal age for driving in the State of Maine?

Caroline

Portland, ME

The State of Maine mandates that a learner’s permit can be granted to those who are fifteen years old for a period of ninety days. This means that your daughter will have to attend a basic driver’s education course. This will teach her valuable basic driving skills before she even gets behind the wheel. And once she is ready to take control of the car, she will be required to practice on Maine roads. Also, it is mandatory in the State of Maine that first time drivers practice night driving as well. At the age of 16, your daughter will be allowed to apply for a Maine full valid driver’s license provided that she pass the required eye exam, written and practical test. Additionally, she needs to have insurance coverage before any driver’s license is obtained.

This state requires its motorist to acquire both the minimum liability and uninsured motorist insurance. Although it may cost more for you to insure your teenage daughter, it is very important as the State of Maine obligates everyone who operates a motor vehicle in public roads to be covered. Try to take advantage of the car insurance discounts that your daughter may be eligible to. Having good grades is one factor that can lower her premiums. Teenagers who successfully finish the defensive driving course will also be granted valuable discounts. The type of car to be insured will also affect your daughter’s premiums.

Tags: Beginner car insurance, car insurance, Car insurance discounts, teen, teen insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hi. I am a 21 year old college student who is a resident of Maine (and I have car insurance here as required by law) but drives to college every now and then to New Hampshire. I am really tight on budget. Car insurance costs are insanely high. How can I save money on car insurance?

Stacey

Bangor, ME

Insurance costs for your age group is pretty high. There are many ways to deal with this. If you are an above average student, car insurance companies tend to give you lower premium because statistics show that the better your grades, the more responsible you are. You didn’t mention you’re a girl, but I will assume you are. Gender also plays a role in lowering your insurance costs since, on the average, men in your age group pay twice the amount that girls do.

There are insurance companies in Maine which give discounts or credit when the student is away attending college. If you are studying in New Hampshire it’s better to use public transportation to keep the car at home. With the rising cost of fuel and parking fees, it would be a nice idea to live life without a car during your stay in college.

If you still want to drive a car to college, the best way is to swallow your pride (gulp!)
and insure your car under your parent’s name. There will be a significant lowering of costs if you follow this route. Don’t worry. I understand what you’re going through, considering that tuition fees are also very high and I have struggled financially in my college years. Stay positive and save when you can. Remember the story of the ant and the grasshopper? I don’t, but if you do, I hope that helps.

Tags: auto insurance premium, car insurance cost, Student car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My car insurance agent here in Maine asked about my credit information. Is that relevant?

Justine

Portland, ME

That’s a good question, Justine. You see, the way people pay their financial obligations is a reflection of their financial capability. And the studies made by car insurance providers indicate that financial capability is a good indicator of future insurance claims. They use your credit information as an element in determining your insurability and understanding the risks involved in insuring you.

Whenever car insurance companies look at credit reports, they don’t really look at the credit scores or ratings. They are merely concerned with the financial group that the customer falls into. They use the information provided by the credit reporting company, and it is then interpreted by the rating program of the car insurance providers. The interpretation usually translates to the rates that are offered to the customer.

Generally, most car insurance companies in Maine require your credit report or financial obligation in processing your car insurance application. They also take into consideration your driving record, the violations you have made, your years of experience in terms of driving, and the kind of car that you drive.

It is important for the car insurance companies to know your credit rating in order for them to assess your rates and to know if you will be able to pay your premiums on time. After all, they would also want to protect themselves from customers who don’t pay.

Tags: auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I am a full time student in Vermont but I am licensed here in Portland, Maine. I am planning to register my vehicle in Vermont. My question is: What determines my car insurance rate? is it in Michigan where I am licensed or where the vehicle is registered?

Robert

Portland, ME

Your auto insurance rates are determined by a different factors however the location of where the vehicle is registered, driven and kept will determine the car insurance rates more than where you are licensed in.

You will need car insurance for Vermont if that is where the vehicle is registered, so the car insurance rate premium will be based on Vermont car insurance rates and not where you are licensed in, in your case you are licensed in Portland Maine.

The state of Vermont’s financial responsibility law notes that no automobile owner or driver of the car required to be licensed shall drive or allow the operation of the automobile upon the roadways of the state without having in effect a vehicle liability bond or policy in the amounts of at least $25,000.00 for one person up to $50,000.00 per accident and $10,000.00 for property damages in any one accident. Basically It is needed to have bodily injury and property damage liability coverages on your automobile for at least these amounts.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

A friend will be moving in with us for an unknown amount of time and he does not own a car but will be needing to drive our vehicle, how would we insure her to drive our vehicle in Portland, Maine?

Harry

Portland, ME

Insurance carrier’s rules with regards on how to insure an individual staying in your household very but most insurance carriers will require you to add your friend to your auto insurance policy as an additional driver. Most insurance carriers require that all licensed household members be listed on your insurance policy so that coverage is properly extended to them.

Speak to your insurance provider in Portland, Maine to know what your specific insurance company requires you to do so that your friend that will be staying with you can drive your cars and be insured to do so under your auto insurance policy. It will likely be adding your friend as driver to your car insurance policy though your insurance company may say that he is already covered under your current insurance policy terms.

Normally your friend would not be able to get an insurance policy of her own to cover your cars since she does not have insurable interest in the vehicles. She may be able to get a non-owner’s insurance policy but this would only be secondary to your primary insurance liability coverages.

If you want to shop around for cheap car insurance cost in Portland, Maine that will cover everyone in your household, type in your zip code from the space above. If you friend gets her own car she too can shop for inexpensive car insurance quote online.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

If I have a motorcycle loan, do I need a full coverage on it in Portland?

Henry

Portland, ME

Yes, if you are still paying off your motorcycle from a lien holder then that lien holder will require you to have full coverage on the motorcycle so their asset, is protected by these physical damage car insurance coverages.

Typically it is mandated by your lien holder, who carries the title to your car until you pay off your loan, that you keep full coverage on the motorcycle so that their asset is covered for damages.

If you have a motorcycle loan then you should verify with your lien holder in Portland Maine to check what insurance coverages they require you to have on the motorcycle until it is fully paid off.

Tags: auto insurance, motorcycle insurance

Reader’s Question:

I live in Gorham, Maine and I would like to know if I do not own a vehicle do I still need to have my license insured?

Wilson

Gorham, ME

To get a driver’s license in Gorham, Maine you do not have to show proof of auto insurance. If you do not own a vehicle you are not required to carry car insurance on yourself but when driving other people’s vehicles you will need to be certain their insurance extends to you so that you can provide proof of insurance if requested by police officer.

So keep in mind that while to get a Maine driver’s license you are not required to provide proof of car insurance, when you are driving cars you will want to be sure that the car is insured by the automobile owner and that you are covered by that insurance policy if you were to be in a crash.

Tags: auto insurance, driving without insurance

Reader’s Question:

If I stop driving, take my car insurance off and put my vehicle into storage in Auburn, Maine , how will this affect my future car insurance rates when I want to start driving again?

Billy

Auburn, ME

If you plan on placing your vehicle in storage in Auburn, Maine and removing insurance on it, make sure to verify with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles in Maine to check what you will need to do with them to comply with state laws. In many states you will need to turn in your plates and registration since the vehicle is off the road and without insurance.

As for the insurance concern, you will likely lose some discounts, such as discounts for renewal and without having an insurance company for a few years or so some insurance carriers may not choose to insure you. Some car insurance carriers will not write you an insurance policy without at least 6 months prior insurance.

Due to what the insurance carriers will see as a gap in carrying car insurance, your auto insurance rates will likely be higher than what they are now when you first put an insurance policy back on the vehicle and started operating it. If you do put your vehicle in storage, when you decide to use it again and need insurance, You can check for cheap auto insurance quote here with companies that will insure you even after a gap in your auto insurance coverage.

Tags: auto insurance lapse, autos

Reader’s Question:

What will be the fine if you drive with a suspended license in Lewiston, Maine?

Mark

Lewiston, ME

Fine amounts for moving violations within the state of Maine including Lewiston are established by the Chief Judge of Maine District Court pursuant to state statutes. Therefore the fine amounts are regularly set by this entity with minimum and maximum amounts authorized by the statute.

There is a site run by the government of Maine in which one can find out what a fine should be for driving with a suspended license. Here you can review your traffic violation record, pay outstanding fines or verify a court date. You are able to obtain this information by typing in the ticket number found at the top right of your citation or ticket.

Now if you were driving with a suspended license due to an OUI conviction there are other penalties that might apply, such as temporary impoundment of the vehicle and 1 to 3 years added onto the suspension, imprisonment, revocation of your driver’s license.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, Driving without License

Reader’s Question:

In Maine, what is the fine for driving with a suspended license?

Abigail

Portland, ME

Fine amounts for moving violations within Maine state are established by the Chief Judge of Maine District Court pursuant to state statutes. Therefore the fine amounts are set regularly by this entity with minimum and maximum amounts authorized by the statute.

There is a site run by the government of Maine in which one can verify what a fine should be for driving with a suspended license. The website can provide you information on your violation record, pay outstanding fines, verify a court date. You are able to obtain this information by typing in the ticket number found at the top right of your citation or ticket.

Now if you were driving with a suspended license due to an earlier DUI/DWI/OUI conviction there are other penalties that might apply, such as temporary impoundment of the car and 1 - 3 years added onto the revocation or suspension of your driver’s license and imprisonment.

Tags: auto insurance, Driving without License