If you commit a driving violation, your car insurance rates may rise. See how you can save.
If you have caused a crash, filed a claim, or received a ticket for a serious violation, you could be a candidate for high-risk auto insurance. Car insurance coverage for drivers with bad records is typically pricey, but the price increases you face may depend on your car insurance company, your driving history, and the location in which you reside.
If you're found accountable for causing an auto accident, you should expect your auto insurance rates to increase. In Maine, the average insurance rate following an at-fault crash is $1,527, compared to the nationwide mean of $2,012. A serious accident like an at-fault crash can stay on your insurance record for up to three years!
| Location | With At-Fault Accident — Annual Rate | No At-Fault Accident — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Maine | $1,527 | $927 | $600 |
| National Average | $2,012 | $1,397 | $615 |
The best insurance company following an at-fault accident in Maine is MMG Insurance. MMG Insurance’s typical premium increase after an incident is $581, leading to a premium 38 percent less expensive than the average among all insurance companies. If you're deemed at-fault in a collision in Maine, steer clear of Allstate and United Financial, which penalize at-fault drivers more severely.
| Insurance Company | Annual Rate With an At-Fault Accident |
| MMG Insurance | $946 |
| State Farm | $1,046 |
| GEICO | $1,204 |
| Allstate | $1,533 |
| United Financial | $1,705 |
One of the ways in which drivers earn the "high-risk" designation is speeding. In Maine, car insurance premiums rise by $214 per year post-speeding ticket, up to an average annual price of $1,141.
| State | With a Speeding Ticket — Annual Rate | No Speeding Ticket — Annual Rate | Yearly Rate Increase |
| Maine | $1,141 | $927 | $214 |
| National Average | $1,727 | $1,397 | $330 |
The best way to find cheap car insurance after getting a ticket for speeding is to shop around and weigh the options. The cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket in Maine is available through MMG Insurance. MMG Insurance’s average rate after a violation is $196 less than the state typical. If you've been cited for speeding in Maine, MetLife probably won't be your cheapest option.
| Insurer | Annual Premium After a Speeding Citation |
| MMG Insurance | $945 |
| GEICO | $1,052 |
| Allstate | $1,209 |
| MetLife | $1,262 |
A distracted driving citation means you can expect your car insurance costs to rise. In Maine, auto insurance rates typically go up by $298 per year. That's a 32% increase from the usual annual premium in Maine and 73% more than the national average cost of auto insurance after a ticket for distracted driving.
| Location | With Distracted Driving — Annual Rate | No Distracted Driving — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Maine | $1,225 | $927 | $298 |
| National Average | $1,570 | $1,397 | $173 |
The easiest way to find cheap auto insurance after a distracted driving ticket is to shop a variety of options. The most affordable insurer after a ticket for distracted driving in Maine is Concord Group, with a typical rate of just $721 per year, 41% less than the average distracted driving insurance rate from all insurers.
| Insurance Company | Annual Rate With Distracted Driving |
| Concord Group | $721 |
| State Farm | $873 |
| MetLife | $887 |
| GEICO | $1,074 |
| Allstate | $1,163 |
Racing is treated as a very serious offense. Insurance companies often penalize racing tickets with major rate hikes — in fact, Maine auto insurance rates rise by $735 annually following a ticket for racing. That represents a 79% increase from the usual annual auto insurance rate in Maine!
| Location | With a Racing Citation — Annual Rate | No Racing Citation — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Maine | $1,662 | $927 | $735 |
| National Average | $2,397 | $1,397 | $1,000 |
If you have been cited for racing, do your due diligence and seek out the best rates. In Maine, grab a quote from State Farm, with rates 42 percent less than the state average for drivers found guilty of racing.
| Insurance Company | Annual Rate With Racing |
| State Farm | $959 |
| Concord Group | $1,084 |
| MMG Insurance | $1,322 |
| Allstate | $1,471 |
| GEICO | $1,483 |
Among the most serious moving violations, reckless driving is a certain way to raise your insurance rates. Car insurance companies increase rates by an average of $487 per year after reckless driving. That's 53% greater than the typical car insurance rate in Maine, and 27% less than the U.S. average penalty for a reckless driving ticket.
| Location | With Reckless Driving — Annual Rate | No Reckless Driving — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Maine | $1,414 | $927 | $487 |
| National Average | $2,395 | $1,397 | $998 |
If you're dealing with a reckless driving conviction, shop around to get the most affordable rate. In Maine, the most affordable car insurance company after reckless driving is State Farm.
| Insurer | Annual Rate After Reckless Driving |
| State Farm | $959 |
| Concord Group | $1,084 |
| GEICO | $1,272 |
| MMG Insurance | $1,322 |
| Allstate | $1,471 |
If you're looking for car insurance as a high-risk driver, your best option is to do your research and find the policy that fits.
Though it’s known for its natural beauty and rural settings, Maine still has its share of busy roads. As such, there are a number of laws in place to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians alike. The law is fairly strict on issues related to speeding, drinking and driving, and general rules for how to act when you are on the road. If you want to keep yourself safe and prevent a run-in with the law, have a look at some of Maine’s driving laws as listed below.
Maine speeding laws are relatively comparable to other areas of the country. The state asks you to maintain a “careful and prudent speed” for the driving conditions present. Unless otherwise posted, you are speeding in Maine if you go over the following:
However, Maine has slightly higher than average speeds in sections of its interstate highway, where limits top out at 75 mph in remote sections of the state.
If you are caught in violation of Maine speeding laws, you can expect there to be consequences. Alongside a potential license suspension of up to 15 days and points being added to your driving record, you are looking at fines in the following amounts:
If caught going 30 mph or more over the speed limit, penalties become much more severe. It is considered a class E crime and you could face:
Reckless driving in Maine is commonly referred to as “driving to endanger.” This can encompass a variety of poor driving behaviors and is broadly defined as driving in a way that endangers people or property.
In most circumstances, reckless driving is known as a Class E crime. The penalties depend on the charge brought against you, but typically include the following:
A step up from standard driving to endanger is called “aggravated driving to endanger,” which carries even stiffer penalties. It is considered a Class C crime and, if convicted, you can expect to face the following consequences:
Drag racing in Maine also falls into the category of reckless driving, which is considered a Class C crime and falls into the “aggravated punishment” category.
There’s no shortage of distractions vying for your attention while you drive. The term “distracted driving” can encompass anything that takes your mind, body, or eyes off the actual task of driving. This can range from talking to fellow passengers, changing the radio station, or even just thinking about what you had for dinner last night.
Distracted driving results in a number of accidents that could be otherwise preventable. One of the biggest problems surrounding distracted driving includes the use of mobile devices while driving. While some states outlaw the use of them entirely while driving, Maine allows their usage so long as it is not to text while driving.
There’s been a concerted effort to get people to stop texting and driving in Maine. As such, it carries particularly stiff penalties.
A first offense carries a fine of $250, while drivers who are caught multiple times within a three-year period can expect a higher fine of at least $500 and suspension of their license that gets more severe with each offense:
Drinking and driving in Maine is a major problem that leads to lots of traffic accidents. Operating under the influence is the equivalent of a DUI in Maine. Commonly known as an OUI, you are breaking the law if you take the wheel with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher.
In Maine, it is possible in some cases to plea an OUI charge down to what is often called a “wet reckless.” This carries more lenient sentencing, along the lines of a driving to endanger charge.
If you get caught drinking and driving in Maine, you can expect pretty serious consequences. For instance, even the first time you are caught you can expect the following penalties:
These consequences get even more severe with each offense or if you are traveling over 30 mph over the speed limit, you have a passenger under the age of 21, or your blood alcohol level exceeds .15%. These aggravating factors may lead to a minimum jail time of 48 hours.
If you are under the age of 21, the state has an even stricter set of consequences for operating under the influence in Maine. If you have any measurable amount of alcohol in your body, you can expect the following:
If you are under 21 and have a blood-alcohol level higher than .08%, you can also be prosecuted for an OUI, which carries the penalties listed above.
Maine is a fault-based state in regards to who bears the financial responsibility for losses in a car accident. If you cause an accident, it is up to your car insurance carrier to assume responsibility for injuries, property damage, lost income, or any other issues that may arise.
For these reasons, Maine requires certain minimum liability coverage for all drivers. These limits are as follows:
Maine also allows for a single “Combined Single Limit” of $125,000.
Accidents happen. However, if the accident is serious and your insurance policy reaches its limits, you are then held personally responsible for any money outstanding. This is why it is so important to have the proper insurance coverage. Higher limits can protect you from having to pay out of pocket.
Should you be caught driving without insurance, you can expect penalties as well. If you cannot provide proof of insurance after an accident or after being pulled over you could be fined anywhere from $100 to $500 and even see your license revoked and your vehicle registration suspended. Moreover, without the safety net of auto insurance, you can expect to have to pay any and all damages out of pocket if found at fault in an accident.
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