What car insurance costs in Maine

Maine's bill beside the U.S. average

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) gathers the premiums insurers charge in every state. Its 2023 figures, the newest by state, put Maine's average expenditure at $856 per insured car, 12% more than the $767 of 2022. Since expenditure counts liability-only cars too, the NAIC also reports the combined premium for a car with liability, collision and comprehensive: $926 in Maine.

Maine comes in below the national figure on every line. Liability, at $425, is about 42% lower even though Maine's minimum limits are twice the common 25/50 bodily injury level. Collision and comprehensive are each roughly 30% below the U.S. averages. These are averages across the state, and a driver's own record still moves the price most; see how a driving record counts.

The coverage Maine requires

Maine law (29-A M.R.S. §1605) sets the minimum at $50,000 per injured person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, $25,000 for property damage, and $2,000 of medical payments coverage. The Maine Bureau of Insurance adds that a $125,000 combined single limit also meets the liability requirement, and that proof of insurance is needed to register a vehicle.

• Medical payments of at least $2,000 per person cover the driver and passengers. The Bureau notes that $5,000, $10,000, $25,000 or more is available for a relatively small added cost.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is required at a minimum of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
• Matching limits: if you buy liability above the minimum, your uninsured motorist limit must match it unless you reject the higher limit in writing.

The Bureau calls the minimums a starting point that may not fully protect your assets. Raising liability also raises the matched uninsured motorist limit, so price both together; our page on limits and deductibles shows how to weigh them.

How Maine handles rates and credit

Insurers set their own premiums, but the Bureau of Insurance reviews every auto rate filing and can object to rates that are excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. Under 24-A M.R.S. §2304-A, a company files a rate at least 30 days before its effective date, and an insurer must charge its current filed and approved rates, even if an agent quoted less.

Maine allows credit-based insurance scores within limits set by 24-A M.R.S. §2169-B. An insurer can't deny, cancel or refuse to renew a policy, or set a renewal rate, based only on credit, and its score can't factor in income, address, ZIP code, marital status, race or sex. If credit leads to a worse outcome, the notice must give up to four specific reasons. Once every 12 months you can ask the insurer to re-run your credit and re-rate the policy. More on credit-based insurance scores.

The Maine Automobile Insurance Plan

If no company will write your policy, often because of a poor driving record, you may qualify for the Maine Automobile Insurance Plan. It provides the state-required minimum coverage plus optional physical damage coverage. You apply through a producer certified by the plan and must certify that you tried to buy insurance in Maine in the previous 60 days. See our guide to assigned-risk plans.

Paying less for Maine car insurance

1. 1 Take the mature-driver course at 55 or older. Maine requires every auto insurer to discount liability, medical payments and collision coverage for drivers who complete an approved accident prevention course. It lasts 36 months, needs a new course every three years and isn't available if you or a household member had an at-fault accident, a moving violation or a suspension in the past three years.
2. 2 Ask for the discounts insurers commonly offer. The Bureau lists multi-car, good student, safety devices, anti-theft devices, low mileage, claim-free renewal and auto-home packages.
3. 3 Shop around before renewal. Get quotes on the same limits, then switch without a gap if another insurer is cheaper.
4. 4 Ask the Bureau for help. File a complaint online, or call 800-300-5000 or 207-624-8475 for help with the process.

Questions drivers ask