I have already gathered some online quotes for car insurance that I could study before I will actually buy one here in Portland. I was wondering, how do I get cheaper car insurance from those that I was originally quoted with?

Allen

Portland, Maine

If you understand the factors how car insurance companies determine the car insurance premium that you should be paying, then you will have a general idea as to how you can negotiate for a cheaper car insurance. Initially, you will be quoted with a car insurance premium at a certain price. This is generally based on a broad factor such as your location, your age and an overview of your driving history. However, you can negotiate for better deals depending on your specific situation.

If you previously own a car insurance policy and have never made claims against it, you can ask for a no-claims bonus, which naturally comes as a discount to your car insurance policy. Additionally, a clean driving record will help you haggle for a cheaper car insurance. This means that you have not been in road accidents, no road violation tickets, and definitely no DWIs or DUIs.

Know your car and see if it belongs to the low insurable category. Owning a luxury car or a sports car will definitely not help you in seeking a cheaper car insurance.

Check out any anti-theft features and safety devices that are built with your car. Most car insurance companies will lower your car insurance rates when there are attached car devices that will lower the risk of your car being stolen, damaged or lost.

Avoid modifications to your car. Car enthusiasts who often “pimp their rides” will see their car insurance costs higher and higher.

If you’re planning to use your car to drive mostly short distances, ask your car insurance agent for the possibility of a low mileage discount.

Maintaining a good credit record can help reduce your car insurance costs. One of the basis for many car insurance companies to price their car insurance policies is your credit information. Paying your bills on time helps you build a solid credit history.

Talk to a car insurance agent in Portland, Maine so that you can negotiate better deals on your car insurance policy. Ask for other discounts related to your car insurance.

What should I look for to find the best auto insurance company in Maine?

Sheena

Portland Maine

This could rather be subjective because different people have different preferences. Many people think that the best auto insurance company for them is one that can provide the lowest rate for their insurance needs. When looking for a Maine auto insurance company to buy car coverage or driver protection, they tend to gravitate toward those that can offer them lower quotes compared to others. This is understandable because paying for almost a thousand dollars a year for minimum liability insurance could be a burden on many families. Those who want to save as much as they can will always prefer the lower rates over other factors.

There are also others who would be willing to pay a little more than the average to get more out of their coverages. That means, the best auto insurance company for them is a provider that not exactly provides the lowest rate but also provides emphasis on good customer service. I happen to agree with this. Why? Because good customer service allows you to file for claims fast and without a lot of hassle. There may be companies offering low rates but in exchange, it would take you days to file a claim.

Taking account these two considerations, the best auto insurance company in Maine then is a provider that provides the most affordable, if not the lowest, rate in the market and has a very good customer service. When these two conditions are met, you will know that you are in good hands. It’s easy to find low rates but how will you know about the customer service? You can ask the company’s customers or you can try it out for yourself. Try calling their representatives and see for yourself how well they help their customers. Some of the people you know may be able to give you good feedback on different insurance companies’ customer service.

What is an SR22 insurance in Maine and who are required to get it?

Bill

Portland, ME

SR22 auto insurance is not your typical car insurance policy. In the strictest sense of the word it is a form that is issued to the state Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles by a car insurance company that certifies that the holder has the required liability insurance coverage. With SR22 insurance, a driver whose license was cancelled due to a driving offense can get back his driving privileges. The problem that most drivers encounter with SR22 insurance in Maine is the high rates that go with it. Those who have SR22 insurance are also required to maintain it for 36 months or more. But drivers can still get a more affordable SR22 Maine by shopping and comparing cheap SR22 insurance on the Internet or calling up various car insurance agencies.

But drivers can still purchase SR22 insurance that is easy on their pockets. They should just allot time and effort in looking around for cheap SR22 insurance companies over the Internet and yellow pages.

They should then request and compare as many SR22 insurance quotes as possible so they can purchase the most affordable SR22 insurance in Maine.

Is it advisable to avail of car insurance for college students in Maine?

Michelle

Augusta ME

Although car insurance for college students in Maine is usually expensive, it is still highly recommended to get one for yourself. Students with no driving records yet or probably with unsafe driving techniques are more exposed to accidents and traffic violations. This insurance protects you from any damages or liabilities resulting from traffic accidents. This can save your day when you find yourself into this mess. Before availing yourself of a car insurance for college students in Maine, try to shop around first for any best deals that offer cheap car insurance for college students in Maine. Basically, if you don’t have yet any driving records, you are automatically charged with higher premium rates. However, your premium rate will eventually lower down as you get older. Other chance of getting reduced premium rates is when you are able to keep a good record of driving history. That is, you have never engaged yourself into any traffic accidents or violations. Also, maintain a good credit rating with your insurer by paying your monthly deductibles on time. You may also want to increase the amount of your deductible when able. That is, paying more than your fixed monthly due to them to increase your credit rating. And lastly, the easiest way to surely avail of a discounted car insurance for college students in Maine is to have a satisfactory grade at school, at least a B average. This is the best thing a student can do to keep a lower car insurance rate.

My brother is shopping for his own vehicle insurance in Maine. However he gets discouraged by the high car insurance quotes he has been getting. How can I help him?

Amare

Portland, ME

You can advise your brother to be more patient in shopping for cheap young driver insurance Maine. It can be really difficult to find a cheap young driver car insurance in your area because car insurers are normally wary of young drivers. Statistics show that young drivers are often involved in various types of road accidents. This could be due to the immaturity or lack of experience of young drivers on the road. As a consequence, car insurers give high risk ratings to young drivers, translating to higher car insurance rates.

Tell your brother to enroll in a defensive driving school so he can have a good chance of bagging cheap young driver insurance Maine. If he enrolls in one, he can prove to any car insurance company that he is responsible and good enough to be given a cheap car insurance premium.

Finally, encourage your brother to forget that sports car if he really wants to get cheap young driver insurance Maine. Sports cars are known to be involved in many vehicular accidents and are thus tagged as high risk, meaning any car owner having them will be subjected to higher car insurance.

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

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

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

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

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