Car Insurance in Biddeford, ME

Even the best drivers in Biddeford can find themselves in car crashes. Fortunately, a good car insurance policy can shield you from significant financial losses whether you find yourself in a multi-car collision on I-95, a fender-bender on Elm Street, or any other accident.

Buying the best car insurance is easy when you work with a local independent agent. These agents can obtain customized quotes from various car insurance companies so you can be sure you are getting the coverage you want at a competitive price. Find an independent insurance agent near you to learn more.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Biddeford, ME?

As a vehicle owner in Biddeford, you should be happy to learn that car insurance rates in Maine tend to be much lower than they are across the nation.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Maine average annual car insurance cost: $805

This average cost can only give you a general idea of what a policy will cost you. Car insurance premiums vary from one driver to another because insurance companies factor in several considerations when calculating rates. These may include things like:

• Your vehicle’s make, model, year, and value
• Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving history
• Your insurance claims history and credit score
• The approximate number of miles you drive your car each year
• The accident and auto theft rates in the vicinity of your home
• The amount of liability coverage you want to purchase
• The coverage options you wish to include in your policy
• The size of your deductible

Comparing rates from a few competing insurance companies lets you know you are getting your policy at a reasonable price. Independent insurance agents make comparison shopping easy.

Are There Any Car Insurance Discount Opportunities in Biddeford, ME?

You may also qualify for rate reductions on your premiums. Some of the potential car insurance discounts you may see offered when you shop around for rates include:

• Multi-car discounts
• Safe driver discount
• Military discounts
• Good student discounts
• Discounts for bundling with other policies like home insurance or renters insurance
• Discounts for having certain safety or anti-theft features on your car

A local independent agent can ensure that you receive any offered discounts for which you qualify.

Is Car Insurance Required in Biddeford, ME?

By law, all vehicle owners in Maine need to have car insurance that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum coverage requirements. This means that as a resident of Biddeford, your auto insurance policy must include:

• Auto liability insurance: This covers any injuries and property damage you may cause to others if you are at fault for an accident. Your policy must provide, at a minimum:
  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $50,000
  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $100,000
  • Property damage liability coverage per accident: $25,000
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (UM/UIM): This covers damage to your vehicle and the treatment of injuries sustained by you and your passengers if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Your policy must provide, at a minimum:
  • UM/UIM bodily injury coverage per person: $50,000
  • UM/UIM bodily injury coverage per accident: $100,000
  • UM/UIM property damage coverage: Not required
• Medical payments insurance: This helps cover your medical costs if you or your passengers are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. Your policy must provide, at a minimum:
  • Medical payments coverage per person: $2,000

If you have a lot to lose and want even more liability coverage than your car insurance provider can offer, you may also want to purchase umbrella insurance. An umbrella insurance policy enables you to affordably boost all of your personal liability coverage well beyond the limits of your primary policies.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Biddeford, ME?

In addition to the state-mandated coverage mentioned above, most insurance companies offer various coverage options. Optional coverage you may want to consider adding to your car insurance policy includes:

• Physical damage insurance: This covers loss or damage to your vehicle. It is not required by law, but it is typically required by dealerships if you are leasing your car and by financial institutions if you are financing it. Physical damage coverage includes:
  • Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
• Towing and roadside assistance insurance: This covers the cost of assistance if your vehicle breaks down and you need to call for help, such as if your engine overheats, you get a flat tire, or your alternator fails.
• Windshield and glass replacement insurance: This covers the cost of replacing your car’s windshield, windows, and sunroof if the safety glass is cracked or broken. Often, this coverage is not subject to a deductible.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan or buy out your lease if your car is totaled in a covered event and you still owe more than it is worth.
• Rental car reimbursement insurance: This can pay for the cost of renting a vehicle while you are having your car repaired for damage sustained in a covered event.

Be sure to review the details of each coverage option as well as how much each would cost to include in your policy. That way, you can decide which choices make a good fit for you and your family.

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Biddeford, ME?

Driving without insurance in Maine is illegal. If you are caught, you will be charged with a traffic infraction and may face the following consequences:

• A $100 to $500 fine
• The suspension of your vehicle’s registration and your driver’s license until you obtain insurance
• A $50 fee to get your vehicle’s registration reinstated
• A $20 to $30 fee to get your license plate back
• A $35 fee to get your driver’s license reinstated
• The requirement to maintain an SR-22 for three years
• Higher car insurance rates

If you fail to surrender your driver’s license, registration, and plates following a conviction for uninsured driving, this is classified as a Class E misdemeanor and may result in a $2,000 fine and up to six months in jail.

The good news is that Maine has one of the lowest uninsured driver rates in the country.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of Maine drivers who are uninsured: 4.5%

If you are in a collision caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver, the uninsured motorist coverage included in your car insurance policy ensures that you will have immediate coverage for any related medical bills.

If your car is damaged in the collision, repairs can be covered by uninsured motorist property damage coverage if you have opted to purchase it or by collision insurance if you have included it in your policy.

What Is the Auto Theft Rate in Biddeford, ME?

The auto theft rate in Maine, and Biddeford specifically, is well below the national average rate. Residents of this city report around 15 stolen vehicles a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
• Maine auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.58
• Biddeford, ME auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.65

Fortunately, you are unlikely to be the victim of car theft. However, if you are, you should be aware that your car insurance provider will only be able to reimburse you for your loss if your policy includes comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers far more than just car thefts. It can also cover the cost of repairing or replacing your car if it is lost or damaged in a non-collision event, such as if a tree branch falls on it or is washed away in a flood.

You probably have comprehensive coverage if you are leasing or financing your vehicle. If not, be sure to ask your insurance agent how much it would cost to add it to your car insurance policy to determine whether it is of good value to you.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Biddeford, Maine?

The best car insurance companies in Maine are the providers that consistently provide their policyholders with responsive customer service, reliable coverage, rapid claims processing, and affordable rates.

Independent insurance agents in Biddeford have working relationships with many of the area’s most highly rated insurance companies. Therefore, when your agent presents policies and prices for your review, you can be sure they come from insurance providers you can rely on if you ever need to file a claim.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Biddeford, ME?

A local independent agent can help you find a reliable auto insurance policy at a competitive price. Because they are independent, these agents are free to work with multiple insurance providers as they shop around to find the policy that best meets your coverage and budgetary needs.

When you are ready to start comparing customized car insurance quotes from some of the area’s best insurance companies, contact an independent insurance agent near you.