Here's what you need to know when driving in Maine
Across the Pine Tree State, there are 46,750 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Cheap Car Insurance
What's the cheapest car insurance in Maine?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travelers | $618 |
| 2 | USAA | $635 |
| 3 | Countryway Insurance | $706 |
| 4 | Vermont Mutual | $707 |
| 5 | Patriot | $724 |
| 6 | The Hartford | $735 |
| 7 | MetLife | $786 |
| 8 | Concord | $848 |
| 9 | OneBeacon | $850 |
| 10 | MMG Insurance | $905 |
| 11 | Progressive | $948 |
| 12 | State Farm | $962 |
| 13 | Peerless | $1,002 |
| 14 | Liberty Mutual | $1,114 |
| 15 | GEICO | $1,217 |
| 16 | Allstate | $1,292 |
| 17 | Bristol West | $1,685 |
| 18 | Sentry | $1,982 |
| 19 | Hanover | $2,110 |
| 20 | Dairyland | $2,988 |
Compare rates today!
Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Maine
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Maine drivers without a recent at-fault accident typically save 31% on their car insurance premiums, which approaches the national average of 32%. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $228 | 19.72% |
| No Accidents | $433 | 31.82% |
| Good Credit | $734 | 44.20% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Maine
Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. Maine is a relatively affordable state for teen drivers: the typical teen driver pays $3,528 per year — about $1,400 less than the national average for teens, but still far more than the Maine driver average across all age groups.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $3,405 | $4,701 |
| 17 | $3,255 | $4,323 |
| 18 | $3,257 | $3,999 |
| 19 | $2,862 | $2,423 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in Maine
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably enjoy relatively cheap car insurance rates. On the other hand, a poor driving record will raise your rates: car insurance premiums typically increase by 34% after a DUI, 31% after an at-fault accident, and 19% after a speeding ticket in Maine. The post-incident penalties assessed by car insurance companies in Maine roughly align with national averages. If your driving record is citation-free, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $1,359 | 31.82% |
| DUI | $1,414 | 34.43% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,155 | 19.72% |
| Bad Credit | $1,661 | 44.20% |
What are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Maine?
Every auto insurer advertises its low prices. But as with any product, the cheapest car insurance option isn't always the best choice. Considering the financial stakes, it's worthwhile to do the homework to discover the policy that will cover your car adequately in the event of an incident. Hunt for a great value, rather than settling for the cheapest car insurance in your state.
Review top auto insurers' financial strength and claims satisfaction ratings to better understand the level of service you can expect. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and running from "Poor" to "Superior" — assesses an insurer's financial strength and ability to satisfy its policy and contractual obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Bristol West | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Concord | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Countryway Insurance | Not Rated | Good |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Hanover | 3 | Excellent |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Sentry | Not Rated | Superior |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| The Hartford | 4 | Excellent |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
| Vermont Mutual | Not Rated | Superior |
Find a policy today!
What is the Best Car Insurance Coverage in Maine?
The minimum required insurance level in Maine is $50,000 Bodily Injury per person, $100,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $25,000 Property Damage per accident.
For the minimum allowed coverage in Maine, you could owe a mean of $405 yearly. This is cheaper than the national average by 38%. If you opt for a higher level of car insurance coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against the costs of car-versus-car wrecks, theft and vandalism, or weather conditions. It's worth noting that better car insurance comes with a cost: in Maine, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $837, 107% more than liability-only car insurance. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 133% more than you would for basic coverage.
Compare average rates for basic, better, and best policy options in the below table.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Maine | $404.99 | $836.73 | $943.08 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Car Insurance Laws
State minimum insurance requirements in Maine
In Maine, the state minimum coverage requirements are as follows:
Liability
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $100,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $100,000 per accident
Medical Payments
- $2,000 per person
Optional coverage in Maine (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
Liability coverage is legally required in Maine and pays for injury and lost wages that you cause to another driver or their passengers as well as damage to the other driver’s vehicle in the event that you are considered “at fault” in an accident. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into three categories. In Maine, the minimum is listed as 50/100/25 and explained below:
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
- $100,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries that you cause in an accident if more than one person is hurt.
- $25,000 property damage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage that you cause in an accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is legally required in Maine and pays for injury and lost wages that you or your passengers may suffer in the event that you are hit by an uninsured/underinsured driver who is at fault. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into two categories. In Maine, the minimum is listed as 50/100 and explained below:
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person injured in your vehicle by an uninsured/underinsured driver.
- $100,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries in your vehicle by an uninsured/underinsured driver if more than one person is hurt.
Medical Payments provides coverage for injuries that you and your passengers incur in an accident regardless of fault. In Main, a minimum Medical Payments coverage amount of $2,000 per person is required.
These numbers reflect the minimum limits required in Maine but higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.
Car Insurance FAQs
Do you need car insurance in Maine?
Yes — you need car insurance in Maine in order to legally drive and park your vehicle on public roads.
Does Maine have no-fault car insurance?
Maine is not a no-fault state so this coverage is not available.
What type of car insurance does Maine require?
At a minimum, you need bodily injury (limits of $50,000/$100,000), property damage ($25,000), Medical Payments ($2,000), and uninsured motorist coverage. If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, you will need additional coverage.
How much does car insurance cost in Maine cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Presque Isle, Maine, and the most expensive in Ellsworth, Maine.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ellsworth | $966 |
| 2 | Lewiston | $924 |
| 3 | Waterville | $924 |
| 4 | Auburn | $918 |
| 5 | Skowhegan | $908 |
| 6 | Orono | $900 |
| 7 | Portland | $897 |
| 8 | Belfast | $894 |
| 9 | Bangor | $894 |
| 10 | Old Town | $890 |
| 11 | Augusta | $889 |
| 12 | Sanford | $888 |
| 13 | Bath | $886 |
| 14 | Rockland | $885 |
| 15 | Brewer | $880 |
| 16 | Gorham | $864 |
| 17 | Brunswick | $856 |
| 18 | Westbrook | $853 |
| 19 | South Portland | $850 |
| 20 | Old Orchard Beach | $841 |
| 21 | Saco | $837 |
| 22 | Biddeford | $835 |
| 23 | Winslow | $830 |
| 24 | Caribou | $828 |
| 25 | Presque Isle | $827 |
Recent Maine Car Insurance Questions and Answers
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Driving Laws
Maine Texting and Driving Laws
- Ban on all cell phones for drivers <18 years
- Ban on text messaging for all drivers
Maine DUI Laws
The lookback period in Maine is 10 years except in the case of offenders convicted of a felony OUI. Those with a felony OUI on their record are subject to a lifetime lookback period and can expect harsher penalties for any subsequent OUIs.
In Maine, first and second OUI offenses are class D misdemeanors. Third and subsequent OUIs are deemed class C felonies.
First-time OUI offenses in Maine lead to:
- $500 to $2,000 in fines, plus court costs
- License suspension of 150 days
- Possible requirement to install and use an ignition interlock device
- One-year conditional license
Maine Speeding Laws
Maine asks drivers to maintain a “careful and prudent speed” for the driving conditions present. Unless otherwise posted, a driver is speeding in Maine if they exceed the following:
- 15 miles per hour in school zones
- 25 mph in business or residential zones
- 45 mph on all other public ways unless otherwise posted
Reckless Driving in Maine
Reckless driving in Maine is a Class E crime. Penalties depend on the specific scenario, but typically include:
- Up to six months imprisonment
- A fine of up to $1,000
- License suspension from 30 to 180 days
What Constitutes Distracted Driving in Maine?
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.
How Are At-Fault Accidents Handled in Maine?
Maine is a fault-based state. If you are deemed responsible for causing an accident, it's up to your car insurance company — or you, if you are uninsured — to assume responsibility for injuries, property damage, lost income, or any other issues that may arise.
Maine requires certain minimum liability coverage for all drivers:
- $50,000 to cover bodily injury or death of one person
- $100,000 to cover bodily injury or death liability
- $25,000 to cover property damage per accident
Maine Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the Maine area, while also getting an insider view of the Pine Tree State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destrination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2019
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2020
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.
