Comparing is challenging if you are one of the millions of people new to online price quotes. But don’t be intimidated because finding cheaper rates is easier than you think.
Effectively comparing auto insurance prices is a ton of work if you aren’t aware of the fastest way to get free quotes. You can spend your afternoon discussing policy coverages with insurance agencies in Rumford, or you could use online quotes to get rates in a matter of minutes.
All the larger companies take part in a program where prospective buyers enter their policy data once, and each participating company can give them a price. This eliminates the need for quote requests to every company.
To participate in this free quote system, click here (opens in new window).
One minor caviat to getting quotes like this is buyers cannot specifically choose the providers you want pricing from. If you would rather choose specific insurance companies to compare prices, we have a listing of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Maine. Click here for list of insurance companies in Maine.
However you get your quotes, be sure to compare equivalent coverage information with every price quote. If you use different limits and deductibles on each one you can’t possibly decipher which rate is best in Rumford.
Do you qualify for discount auto insurance?
Not many people think insurance is cheap, but you may qualify for discounts that many consumers don’t even know exist. Some of these disounts will be visible when you get a quote, but less common discounts must be specially asked for before you get the savings.
- Drive Safe and Save – Insureds who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than their less cautious counterparts.
- Onboard Data Collection – Policyholders that allow their company to study when and where they use their vehicle by using a telematics device in their vehicle such as Drivewise from Allstate or Snapshot from Progressive may see discounts as long as the data is positive.
- Multiple Policy Discount – When you have multiple policies with the same company you could get a discount of 10% to 20% off each policy.
- Seat Belt Usage – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to fasten their seat belts can save up to 10 percent (depending on the company) on medical payment and PIP coverage.
- Discounts for Federal Employees – Active or retired federal employment may reduce rates when you but check with your company.
- Service Members Pay Less – Being on active duty in the military may lower your premium rates slightly.
- Early Signing – Select companies give a discount for buying a new policy early. It could save around 10% when you .
One thing to note about discounts is that some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Despite the appearance that having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But any discount will help lower the amount you have to pay.
For a list of companies that have a full spectrum of discounts in Maine, follow this link.
What insurance coverages do I need?
When it comes to choosing adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no best way to insure your cars. Each situation is unique.
For example, these questions might help in determining whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.
- Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
- Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
- Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Maine?
- Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
- Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?
- Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.
Why you might pay higher rates in Rumford
Many things are used in the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Most are fairly basic such as traffic violations, although some other factors are not quite as obvious like your continuous coverage or your vehicle rating. Part of the auto insurance buying process is learning the rating factors that help calculate your auto insurance rates. If you know what determines premiums, this allows you to make educated decisions that can earn you cheaper rates.
- Higher premiums for coverage lapses – Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse is a sure-fire way to pay more for auto insurance. Not only will you pay more, getting caught without coverage can result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license.
- Drive a fast vehicle and pay more – The make and model of the car, truck or SUV you are buying insurance for makes a significant difference in your rates. The cheapest rates will generally be found on smaller low performance passenger cars, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
- Rates can drop if you have more than one policy – Most insurance companies apply a discount to policyholders who have multiple policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. The discount can be ten percent or more. Even if you qualify for this discount already, you still need to comparison shop to help guarantee you have the best rates.
- Prevent your car from being stolen – Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices like OnStar, LoJack tracking, and tamper alarms all help stop auto theft and help lower rates.
- Commute or pleasure use – Driving more miles annually the more you’ll pay to insure it. Almost all companies price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how the vehicle is primarily used. Cars not used for work or commuting cost less to insure as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Double check that your auto insurance policy reflects the correct usage, because it can save money.
And the best auto insurance company is…
Low-cost auto insurance is possible online as well as from insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best selection. A few companies do not offer the ability to get a quote online and many times these small, regional companies prefer to sell through independent agents.
People leave their current company for many reasons like unfair underwriting practices, extreme rates for teen drivers, lack of trust in their agent or delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new company is actually quite simple.
When you , do not skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are many occasions where an insured dropped liability coverage limits and found out when filing a claim that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
Maine auto insurance information
Additional auto insurance information can be read on the Maine Bureau of Insurance website located here. Maine drivers can find a variety of consumer forms, discover disciplinary actions, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and read state legal mandates and laws.