Car Insurance in Saco, ME

Anyone can be in a collision. That is why if you own a vehicle in Saco, the state of Maine requires you to carry car insurance. From multi-car collisions on the Turnpike to fender-benders on Portland Road, a reliable auto insurance policy can prevent a car accident from causing you unmanageable financial losses.

Finding the right car insurance is easy when you work with a local independent agent. These agents can obtain customized quotes from multiple insurance providers to ensure that you get 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 Saco, ME?

The good news for vehicle owners in Saco is that the average cost of car insurance in Maine is well below the national rate.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Maine's average annual car insurance cost: $805
• Saco average annual car insurance cost: $866

Of course, an average can only give you a ballpark idea of what you might be expected to pay. Car insurance costs can vary significantly from one driver to the next because insurance companies calculate rates on a case-by-case basis according to several factors such as:

• The make, model, year, and value of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, occupation, gender, marital status, and driving history
• Your insurance claims history and credit score
• The estimated 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 are purchasing
• Whether you are purchasing any offered coverage options
• Whether you are bundling your coverage with another policy like home insurance or renters insurance, or whether you qualify for other potential car insurance discounts

Comparing rates from various insurance companies lets you be sure you are getting your policy at a competitive price. Independent insurance agents make comparison shopping easy.

Is Car Insurance Required in Saco, ME?

As a vehicle owner in Saco, you must comply with Maine’s car insurance laws. This state requires drivers to carry car insurance that includes:

• Liability insurance: This pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other people if you are at fault for an accident. Your policy must have, at a minimum:
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
• Uninsured motorist insurance (UIM): This pays for 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 driver. Your policy must have, at a minimum:
  • $50,000 in UIM bodily injury coverage per person
  • $100,000 in UIM bodily injury coverage per accident
  • There is no requirement to have UIM property damage coverage
• Medical payments insurance: This helps pay your medical costs if you or your passengers are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. Your policy must have, at a minimum:
  • $2,000 in medical payments coverage per person

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. Umbrella insurance lets you affordably boost all of your personal liability coverage.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Saco, ME?

In addition to the coverage required by law, most insurance companies offer various options. Optional coverage you may want to consider includes:

• Physical damage insurance: This covers loss or damage to your vehicle. It is not required by law, but your lender will likely require it if you are financing your car. Likewise, your dealership may require this coverage if you are leasing. 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.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan or buy out your lease if your car is totaled in a covered event. Gap insurance is only beneficial if you owe more for your vehicle than it is worth.
• Towing and roadside assistance insurance: This covers the cost of assistance if your vehicle is disabled, such as if you get a flat tire or your engine overheats.
• Glass replacement insurance: This covers the cost of replacing your car’s windows or windshield if the glass is cracked or broken. Often, this coverage is not subject to a deductible.
• Rental reimbursement insurance: This can pay for the cost of renting a vehicle while you are having your car repaired following a covered event.

When deciding which options are a good fit for you, be sure to review the details of what they cover as well as how much each would cost to include in your policy.

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

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

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

Failure to surrender your driver’s license, registration, and plates following a conviction for uninsured driving is a Class E misdemeanor punishable with fines of $2,000 and up to six months in jail.

Fortunately, 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, your uninsured motorist insurance ensures that you will have immediate coverage for any related medical bills.

What Is the Auto Theft Rate in Saco, ME?

The auto theft rate in Saco is lower than the national average. Residents of this city report around 20 stolen vehicles a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
• Maine auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.58
• Saco, ME auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 1.01

Although the risk is low in this city and state, you should be aware that you cannot be compensated for a stolen car unless your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive (or “other than collision”) insurance. This coverage is optional if you own your vehicle outright.

Comprehensive insurance covers far more than just theft. It can also reimburse you for loss and damage to your car due to various other non-collision hazards like floods and falling objects.

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

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

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

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

Vehicle owners in Saco can turn to a local independent agent for help when looking for a reliable auto insurance policy that meets their coverage and budgetary needs. These agents are free to work with multiple insurance providers as they shop around to find the best and most affordable policies.

Find an independent insurance agent in Saco to learn more. You can soon be comparing customized car insurance quotes from some of the area’s best insurance companies.