Maine has earned the nickname VacationLand for a reason; it’s nothing but pristine coastal shorelines, expansive lakes and rivers like the St. John River that stretches into Canada, and miles of sea, lakes, islands, and lands to explore.
You can’t explore all Maine offers without your trusty car insurance protecting you on your outdoor excursions or everyday travels!
So, if you’re in the market to explore all your car insurance options and live in Augusta or rural Winterport, Maine, stay tuned for everything you need to know about securing car insurance in the great state of Maine.
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Every state has different laws regarding “state minimums,” Maine is no exception. In Maine, drivers must obtain liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments. Thus, Maine’s state minimums are more robust than other states that require drivers only to have liability.
These are Maine’s car insurance minimums:
Not many states mandate that all drivers carry Medical payments coverage, but Maine does.
Fortunately, Medical payments or MedPay is a small sum that supplements your medical expenses. For instance, MedPay can help pay for accident-related deductibles. MedPay doesn’t replace health insurance; it is a welcome addition to your car insurance policy to supplement your health insurance.
However, Maine’s liability doesn’t offer total protection despite its higher liability coverage limits and robust state minimums requiring drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage and medical payments. I.e., you don’t have to pay out of pocket after a car accident. For example, liability only protects drivers from you, which means nothing protects you or your vehicle should someone hit you while driving! Collision and comprehensive coverage will cover your vehicle on and off the road from car accident-related and other damages like wind blowing a tree onto your vehicle.
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The Pine Tree State, aka Maine, sports the second most affordable rates for full coverage—not just state minimums—in the US, coming in at $950 a year! Whereas the cost of minimums is roughly $225-$250 annually.
However, keep in mind that your rates are contingent upon your driving history (e.g., how many speeding tickets or driving infractions), personal profile (e.g., where you live and age), and coverage level (e.g., full coverage).
No state is lenient if you’re caught driving without car insurance; Maine is no exception. Considering Maine’s affordable rates, there is no excuse for not having car insurance.
If you see red-and-blue lights in your rearview and don’t have adequate car insurance, these are the penalties you can expect to be handed.
Penalty Type | Each Offense |
Fine | $100-$500 |
Driving Privilege | License suspension until valid proof of insurance provided |
Reinstatement Fees |
|
SR-22 | Must carry SR-22 for 3 years |
If you are pulled over by the police for a routine traffic stop or involved in an accident, you’ll be asked to produce valid proof of insurance; failure to do so will result in a fine. Maine permits you to display proof of insurance via an insurance card, an official policy binder, or a digital copy of your insurance.
If you’re involved in a car accident, you must produce valid car insurance within 30 days, or the courts will expect you to surrender your license, registration, and plates. If you refuse, you’ll be convicted of a Class E crime with a fine of $1,000 and imprisonment for up to 6 months. You cannot drive until you give the court proof that you’re now insured.
To get your license back, so you can get back to cruising the open Maine roads, you’ll need to pay your fines, reinstatement fees, produce valid car insurance, and have your insurer take out an SR-22 on your behalf. Be warned that having an SR-22 on record will increase your premiums, and you’ll have to carry it for 3 years.
Before considering your car insurance options, know that every insurer and state uses different factors to calculate your rates. Maine relies on these factors to arrive at your premiums:
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If you’re looking into your car insurance options, these are some of Maine’s top-rated car insurance providers.
You’ll want the best car insurance to drive along parts of coastal Maine’s US 1. And because you have the freedom to choose the best car insurance coverage level, you can decide which coverage is best for you!
The first thing to consider is whether you want liability or full coverage. Liability is basic protection for other drivers if you hit them. In contrast, full coverage means you have liability, collision, and comprehensive protecting you and your car while driving or in park. Liability is the most affordable coverage, but drivers should weigh its low cost against potential accident-related costs to decide if they’re comfortable gambling with their financial future.
And for Maine drivers who want to save on car insurance, you don’t need liability to shrink your premiums! Always check with your insurance agent about ways to save, like taking a defensive driving class. The best place to start saving on your car insurance rates is by shopping around for the best car insurance company, as every provider uses a different algorithm based on your unique factors to set your rates.
Claire Smith Claire is a creative entrepreneur with a variety of marketing and content creation skills, including blog and web copy writing, research, and strategy. She has a Masters in Cultural Studies from Queen's University and is known for thinking laterally about marketing, based on her deep knowledge of people and behavior.
