Cheap insurance cars

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Maine drivers enjoy some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country, and Geico and Concord cover their members for similar monthly premiums. Geico slightly edges out Concord when it comes to price, though, and also provides a wider variety of coverage and discounts, so it may be a better value for those comparing policies.

Cheapest for young drivers

For drivers younger than 25

Though it doesn’t offer the same variety of policy features, Concord does provide significantly cheaper coverage for young drivers — almost $40 less per month than Geico. Concord’s roadside assistance option could be very helpful to young drivers in a tight spot. However, Geico’s discounts could lower the monthly premium for new drivers, and it also offers roadside assistance, among other options.

Cheapest for high-mileage drivers

For drivers who drive more than 40 miles a day

Drivers with long commutes will get the cheapest coverage from Geico, as well as optional mechanical breakdown coverage, which could come in handy for those who depend heavily on their cars. Commuters will also benefit from optional emergency road service coverage. For about $15 more per month, MMG is a good choice. The company’s enhanced replacement cost plans could help drivers after totaling a new car.

Cheapest for drivers with imperfect records

For drivers who have had at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations

Those with a few tickets or violations will pay a similar price at MMG and Concord, and both companies provide similar discounts for members with multiple policies. Although Concord’s roadside assistance feature could come in handy for the accident-prone, MMG’s greater variety of policy options — as well as excellent ratings — might win out for many drivers.

Minimum car insurance requirements in Maine

Maine law requires every vehicle owner or driver to carry liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage. Liability insurance covers others’ expenses (up to your limit) if you’re at fault in the accident. Here are the minimum car insurance requirements in Maine:

• $50, 000 bodily injury liability per person
• $100, 000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $25, 000 property damage liability per accident
• $50, 000 uninsured motorist coverage per person
• $100, 000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident
• $2, 000 medical payments coverage

Maine’s minimum liability requirements are among the highest of any state, although experts generally recommend getting more than the minimum. An at-fault crash could result in injury or repair bills higher than the amounts listed above. When deciding how much insurance to carry, consider the assets you need to protect from claims that may exceed the minimum coverage amounts. You may also want to consider collision and comprehensive coverage for damage to your own vehicle.

Alternative car insurance in Maine

High-risk drivers who are unable to buy Maine car insurance through the open market may qualify for coverage through the Maine Automobile Insurance Plan. Because these drivers tend to be in more accidents and make more claims, they will pay significantly higher rates than for coverage in the open market.

If you have to use MAIP as a last resort, it’s a good idea to improve your driving record so that you become eligible again for auto insurance on the regular open market and for cheaper car insurance rates in Maine.

And in case you missed anything, here’s a summary of where you’ll find the cheapest insurance, by category:

METHODOLOGY

NerdWallet ran rates from the largest insurers in Maine across several ZIP codes. We tested for drivers with no accidents or violations, drivers younger than 25, drivers who travel more than 40 miles per day, and drivers with violations or accidents on their record. We used a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as our sample vehicle, the most popular car in Maine. These are sample rates; your own rates will vary.