Posts Tagged ‘car insurance’

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost For a 16-Year Old in Maine?

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Teen Driver

Source: www.cdc.gov

Parents of young teens often dread the day they start driving. They worry about their safety, the responsibility for others in the car or on the road, and the expense. Between insurance, gas, and maybe  buying another car, it’s expensive to have a teen driver.

The cost to insure a teen driver varies greatly, depending upon driving record, vehicle types, use of the vehicle, and coverage level. Rates and rules vary by insurance company, too. Most Maine insurers only require you to add a driver when they get their license, not their learners’ permit.

If everyone’s driving record is clean, your teen has a vehicle at their disposal most or all of the time, and that vehicle has comprehensive and collision coverage, expect to pay $1,500 to $2,000 extra per year to add a teenager to your policy. If they buy their own vehicle and insurance, it can cost more than that.

Strategies to Reduce the Cost of Car Insurance for Your Teen.

  1. Drop collision coverage on the vehicle.  Yearly savings: about $500 – $750.
    If your teen is the primary driver of a vehicle that is paid off, you can choose to self-insure collision damage for that vehicle.
    Downside:  If the vehicle is damaged in an accident, your insurance company will not pay to repair it.
    Surprising Fact: Teens may drive more carefully, knowing that if they’re in an accident, the vehicle may not be repaired or replaced.
  2. Have fewer cars than drivers. Yearly savings: about $1,000 to $1,500.
    If your child does not have a vehicle available for everyday use, they are considered an “occasional operator”. Most insurers charge a lower rate for these drivers.
    Downside: You have to share a vehicle, which can be inconvenient.
    Surprising fact: Many families start with this approach, and move to option #1 as the teen gains driving experience.
  3.  Get the Discounts You Deserve. Yearly savings: $50 to $100.
    Most insurers offer Maine auto insurance discounts for teens who are honor roll students or who complete a driver education program.
    Downside: none. Who doesn’t like saving money, or encouraging your teen to make good grades?
    Surprising Fact: Some insurers offer auto discounts for being a non-smoker, low-mileage driving, or displaying safe driving habits.

If you’re in the market for auto insurance in Greater Portland, get 5 free car insurance quotes online, or call Noyes Hall & Allen at 207-799-5541. If you live in another area, we recommend calling a local independent agent. Look for an agency that can offer you a choice from Maine’s best auto insurance companies, and provide professional local service.

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Posted in Car Insurance, Personal Insurance, safety, Transportation | No Comments »

Am I Covered if a Falling Satellite Hits My House or Car?

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

I realize I’m out of the loop, but was I the only one surprised to wake this morning to news that a huge piece of space junk is headed straight for Earth?

As usual, my friend Sabine was way ahead of me. She had already tweeted this insurance question (and blog post idea!):

 

 

The Answer to Every Insurance Question is: “It Depends”.

If you have  Maine homeowners insurance, business property insurance, or anything other than the most basic kind of property policy, you’re covered for damage caused by “aircraft, including self-propelled missiles and spacecraft”.

If you have  Maine car insurance, commercial vehicle insurance, or contractors’ equipment coverage, and have included “other than collision coverage”, you’re covered against hurtling space junk. If you bought “liability only” coverage, you’re taking your chances.

Fortunately, your chances of getting hit are infinitessimally low. Probably.

If you live in Southern Maine, and  have questions about your insurance, our Portland area insurance agency can help. Call Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance at 207-799-5541. Or, post on our wall by finding Noyes Hall & Allen on Facebook or tweet us @NHAIns on Twitter.

 

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Posted in Business Insurance, Business Property Insurance, Commercial Vehicle Insurance, Condo Insurance, Home Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, News, Personal Insurance, Renters Insurance | No Comments »

Three Ways Green Drivers Can Save on Maine Car Insurance

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Even if you’re one of Maine’s most environmentally conscious citizens, chances are you still own a vehicle. You might own more fuel-efficient model than most, or you may drive fewer miles than average, but in a rural state like Maine, relatively few people live a completely car-free lifestyle.

Auto liability insurance is mandatory in Maine if you own a car. But green auto insurance discounts can help you reduce your transportation costs and your carbon footprint at the same time. There are three types of green discounts.

Insurance Discounts that Reward Green Driving Habits

Recently introduced in Maine, Progressive Snapshot discount offers you up to a 30% discount for driving less, driving more safely, and avoiding driving during those dangerous post-midnight hours.

Some people call this as Pay-as-You-Drive insurance, or PAYD. Organizations like the Better World Club, consumer advocates and public planners have advocated this type of discount. A study by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (,pdf) concludes that “…PAYD changes insurance into a variable cost, so motorists save money when they reduce their mileage. As a result, they tend to drive less.”

While it’s not for everyone, many people who drive only when necessary could rack up significant car insurance savings. Do you qualify for the Snapshot discount? Check our recent blog post, or call your local Maine Progressive Insurance Agent.

Hybrid Car Insurance Discounts

Companies like Travelers Insurance offer Maine insurance discounts for hybrid vehicles. All you have to do to qualify is to own a hybrid vehicle. Travelers has set up a cool web site, Hybrid Travelers, with lots of useful information for hybrid vehicle owners. Would you like a Maine Travelers Hybrid car insurance quote? Contact Noyes Hall & Allen at 207-799-5541.

Paperless Auto Insurance Discounts

There are two ways to save money on your insurance by going paperless.

  • Paperless policy delivery - The insurance company produces electronic copies of your documents, which you can retrieve on your computer, smartphone or iPad. Some insurers pass the savings along in the form of lower rates.
  • Paperless billing (electronic funds transfer, or EFT) – You can save $60 a year on your car insurance by setting up automatic monthly payments of your premiums, instead of having the company send you a bill, and you sending them a check. This saves paper, time and postage. It also avoids a potentially catastrophic lapse in insurance coverage due to late payments.

By being a green insurance buyer, you do good for the environment AND your budget. For more information about green insurance discounts contact our Greater Portland, Maine insurance agency.

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Posted in Car Insurance, Personal Insurance | No Comments »

Does Your Maine Insurance Policy Cover Wind Damage?

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

The National Weather Service confirmed on Thursday what many Mainers knew Wednesday night: tornadoes touched down in southern Maine, causing widespread damage. Our Maine insurance agents have been busy answering clients’ questions about damage ranging from fallen trees to wind damage – even lightning damage. Their first question, of course: “Does my insurance cover my windstorm damage?”

Whether you have Maine homeowners insurance, auto insurance, or business property insurance, the answer is usually “yes”, subject to the level of property coverage and deductible on your policy.

Windstorm Coverage in Maine
A tornado is just wind – vicious, frightening, powerful, damaging wind whirling in a funnel cloud. Many insurance policies cover wind damage to buildings or vehicles. It doesn’t matter if it’s caused by a gale, nor’easter, tropical storm,  hurricane, microburst or tornado. Some limited policies exclude wind damage – again, it doesn’t matter what kind of storm caused it.

Types of Wind and Storm Deductibles
Every property and auto policy has a deductible. On personal and commercial vehicle  insurance policies, wind is covered if you purchase “other than collision” (sometimes called “comprehensive”) coverage.  This coverage varies by vehicle.

Some property insurance policies have specific deductibles for wind. In Maine, it’s common to see these types of storm deductibles (from least to broadest insurance coverage):

  • “Wind Deductible” – Any wind damage is subject to a flat dollar deductible – usually a higher amount than your normal deductible,  or a percent of the amount of your property insurance.
  • “Named Storm Deductible” – Any damage caused by a storm that the National Hurricane Center has given a name is subject to a special deductible (see “wind deductible” above for some examples). Other wind damage is covered, subject to the regular policy deductible.
  • “Hurricane Deductible” – Any damage caused by a true hurricane is subject to the special deductible. Other wind damage is covered, subject to the regular policy deductible (usually a smaller deductible).

Insurance companies have different criteria for underwriting the peril of wind damage. A Maine independent insurance agency has access to many insurance companies, which gives you the most options.

We’re happy to answer your questions about property insurance for your home, auto or business. Contact Noyes Hall & Allen, or call us at 207-799-5541.

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Posted in Business Insurance, Business Property Insurance, Car Insurance, Commercial Vehicle Insurance, Condo Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Renters Insurance, Weather | No Comments »

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