How to Compare Insurance Prices and Policies

There are many ways to compare auto, home, condo or renters insurance prices. Most people prefer to save time and work by getting several quotes at the same time.

Two common methods: contact a local independent agent; or get multiple quotes from an app or web site. Businesses that produce these quote sites are called “aggregators”.

Online Insurance Sites & Apps: easy to use, but…

Online insurance shopping sites and apps are usually well-designed, easy and convenient to use.

Most don’t sound anything like an insurance company. They’re often named after a food or an animal, for some reason. Or they sound like tech companies.

That’s because most are not insurance companies. They’re really lead generators. And you’re the product they sell. Although insurance aggregators promise quotes, they rarely present firm numbers. Instead, they sell your information to insurance agents and companies. It’s up to those agents to try to close the sale.

And they’re relentless.

My Insurance Shopping Nightmare

I tried getting quotes recently. I’d barely clicked “submit” when my phone started ringing. It didn’t stop for 2 days. My voice mail clearly says I’m an insurance agent. You’d think they would quickly figure out that I wasn’t going to buy from them. But they kept calling back. And the emails! I gave them credit for persistence even as I cursed their repeated interruptions.

Think that’s unusual? Google insurance quote scams.

Of course, not all insurance quote sites are the same. Some provide an estimated price at the end of your session. But most of those still need more information from you to produce a policy. That can change the price.

Independent Agents: good insurance takes time

Independent insurance agents also offer several insurance options at the same time. They are locally owned businesses. There are about 35,000 in the US.

Call or visit an IA and you’ll spend 10 minutes answering the questions they need to quote. Then, the agent compares rates and coverage and presents a recommendation.

Instead of just taking your order, good independent agents use their local market and insurance knowledge to recommend the right solution. It may take a bit more time than the aggregator’s app, but that can be a great investment if  it helps you avoid an expensive mistake.

Some independent agents are more aggressive than others. Some even buy leads from aggregators. A few (like us) offer online insurance quotes 24/7 on their website. Most don’t share your personal information with anyone else.

It’s smart to shop your insurance

Savvy consumers know to compare insurance prices. You can call several “one company stores”; give your information to an online aggregator; or choose a local independent agent that you trust. If you’re in Southern Maine, Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance might be the agent you trust. Find out. Call us at 207-799-5541, get insurance quotes online, or stop by our South Portland office. We’re independent and committed to you.

2017 Auto Insurance Winners & Losers – and Why it May Not Matter

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) released its annual market share report last week. It ranks US insurance companies by total sales. Some household names grew substantially. Other familiar brands lost big. Should Maine insurance consumers care? Should it affect your buying decision?

US Auto Insurance – a $230 Billion Industry

There’s plenty of competition for your insurance dollars. That’s why GEICO spends more than $1 billion a year on advertising, more than any other auto insurer. Was their big spending worth it? GEICO grew by more than $2 billion in premium last year. That’s more than twice the industry’s 2.5% growth in 2017.

Which Car Insurers Won and Lost in 2017?

Besides GEICO, Progressive grew by more than $1 billion in auto premium. USAA, Auto-owners and AAA rounded out the top 5. Allstate was the biggest loser. They shed almost $1 billion in auto insurance sales. Nationwide and Farmers weren’t far behind (ahead?). State Farm and Hartford rounded out the bottom 5, each losing almost $400 million of auto insurance premium.

Does it Matter Who Won?

Yes, and no. Growing companies can invest in new systems and even more advertising. Shrinking ones must cut costs. They might lay off claims adjusters or close offices to reduce expenses.

The winners and losers in the NAIC report have one thing in common. They’re all large insurers that write business countrywide. But many Maine consumers prefer to insure with smaller, regional insurers. Companies like Concord Group, Hanover and MMG Insurance have big market shares in Maine. New England insurers like these offer local claims and underwriting. They sell through local agents who provide advice and advocacy to their clients. They fly beneath the NAIC’s national radar.


Related: GEICO vs. Agent or Broker – Insurance Buying Tips


When Too Much Growth is Bad

Growth is good. But if an insurer grows too fast, bad things can happen:

  • Bad Service – an insurance company adding lots of new customers usually hires lots of sales people. If they don’t increase their claims and service staff by the same percentage, customer service can deteriorate. That can mean slower claim settlements, longer telephone hold times and inexperienced agents to give you advice.
  • Rate Increases – There are 2 easy ways to sell more insurance in the short run: sell it cheaper than the next guy; or relax standards to let more business in. Then it catches up. Pretty soon, they realize they haven’t charged enough premium to pay claims and expenses. They have to increase everyone’s rates to pay claims.

Is the Best Insurance Company One You’ve Never Heard Of? 

In Maine, many dependable, financially sound insurance companies don’t advertise. They have competitive rates. Their premiums don’t rise and fall dramatically. They settle claims fast and fairly using local adjusters.

How do you find these insurance companies? Contact a local independent agent like Noyes Hall & Allen in South Portland. We offer a choice from several top insurers and help you find the best fit and value. Want to get insurance quotes yourself? Get up to 5 Maine auto insurance quotes in 10 minutes from our web site. If you live outside southern Maine, look in your area for an independent agent like us. We’re independent and committed to you.

GEICO vs. Agent or Broker – Maine Insurance Buying Tips

You have lots of choices when buying Maine car insurance.

You can buy a policy online in a few minutes from GEICO, Progressive and others without ever talking to a human. But do you really know what you bought?

You can talk to a local insurance agent and buy from them. But, won’t they pressure you into buying something more expensive? How do you know which is better?

The GEICO Way – Buying Direct

When you purchase a GEICO, Progressive or similar policy online or on the phone, you’re buying directly from the insurance company. Service is usually via mobile app, website or call center.

PROS

  • Speed – You can usually purchase insurance in one session if you want to. You get instant proof of insurance, and you’re on your way.
  • Self-service convenience – Most direct companies have very good apps and web sites. You can make policy changes, pay bills and view insurance documents online.
  • 24/7 Access – national insurers operate call centers at all hours. You can make a policy change at 2 AM if you want.
  • National footprint – If you’re someone who moves around a lot, this may work well for you.
  • Low Cost, Bare Bones Options – If you’re looking for the absolute minimum coverage required by law, these companies often are the cheapest.

CONS

  • Lack of Choice – Direct companies only sell products from one company. To change companies, you have to start from scratch with a new insurer.
  • No Advocate – Any contact you have is with an employee of the insurance company. They’re naturally going to look out for their employer’s interest, not yours. They aren’t likely to tell you if there’s a better option for you, unless it benefits them as well.
  • Limited Advice – GEICO and other direct insurers have national call centers with thousands of agents. You’re unlikely to talk to the same person twice. Since you only speak with that person once, they don’t know your situation, preferences or challenges. They sure don’t know the difference between Dunstan Corner and Morrill’s Corner.  As a result, it’s harder for them to provide personal advice. You could end up buying much less – or more – insurance than you need.
  • Limited Products – Most national direct companies focus on a few types of insurance, with a limited appetite. If you buy a condo or a snowmobile, or start a business, they may no longer be able to help you. Then, you have to start over with a new insurance company.
  • Pressure to Buy – You might think you can avoid sales pressure by getting an online insurance quote. But, have you ever gotten a quote from a direct insurer and didn’t buy? You get BLASTED by emails for days. Buy! Buy! Buy!

 

INSURANCE AGENTS and BROKERS

You can also buy insurance from a local Maine agent or broker. Some Maine insurance agents represent only one company, like State Farm or Allstate. These are sometimes called “exclusive agents” or “captive agents”. They are a hybrid. They share some limitations and advantages of both direct companies and independent agents.  For example, because they only represent one company, they’re unlikely to advocate for you vs. the insurance company. And, they can’t offer a choice. Plus, they’re often paid on sales commission – so be prepared for lots of follow up calls and emails asking you to buy. But, once you’re a customer, it’s easier to establish a relationship with these local people than with a direct company.

Independent Agents (Trusted Choice Insurance Agents) are local business owners who represent several insurers. Insurance companies that rely on independents to sell their products don’t advertise to the public much. You may not have heard of some. That doesn’t mean that the household names are any better, though.

PROS

  • Choice – Independent agents represent many different companies. They can help you pick the best value and fit for your situation. Bundle when it makes sense, or shop a la carte when it doesn’t. Need to insure something unusual or different than your previous situation? Your independent agent can help. Want to change insurance companies? Your independent agent won’t miss a beat. You’re not starting from scratch.
  • Consistency – Most independent agencies are small local offices. You often work with the same person, year in and year out. Prefer texts to email? Move to camp every summer? Like to stop in to review your insurance in person? Your local agent gets that.
  • Advocacy – Your agent is not employed by the insurance company. They’re free to advise you what’s best for you, even if it’s not best for your insurance company. They can answer questions and advise you without raising any flags at the insurance company.
  • Personal and Local – Your agent lives and works where you do. They know what’s happening in your world. They can respond to local weather and economic events, and recommend local contractors and other businesses. You’ll never have to explain more than once where you live, or at which grocery store you had that parking lot accident.

CONS

  • One location – If you move around the country frequently, a local independent agent’s value diminishes. They are typically licensed to sell insurance in one or two states.
  • Limited Access – Your agent’s office is not open 24/7 like the national call centers. Most insurance companies (direct and independent agency channels) DO have 24 hour claim reporting. Also, many independent agents are now offer 24/7 access to policy documents for after-hours viewing and questions.
  • Slower? – If you’re looking to get insurance in the next 15 minutes, and are less concerned about getting the absolute best fit, a direct insurer like GEICO or Progressive may be best for you. Because an independent agent represents several companies, it can take longer for them to quote your insurance. But, you’ll probably get 5 or more quotes, instead of just one.

Pushy Salespeople?

Insurance agents all get paid to sell insurance. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking to a GEICO call center agent or a local Allstate agent. But not every agent is paid the same way.

At Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance, we pool our commissions and pay our agents a salary, with a small percent of their income tied to our overall results. That way, they’re free to advise you what’s best for you, even if it’s not us. We won’t pressure you to buy. Sure, we have goals, and we like to reach them. But we think if we treat people fairly and to use our insurance knowledge to help people, we’ll win more than we’ll lose in the long run. A short-term sale success is nothing compared to a long-term client.

Does it Cost More to Buy From an Insurance Agent?

No single insurance company always has the lowest price, even though their advertising might make you think so. Buying insurance direct from the company sounds like it might save money, because there’s no agent involved. But the facts aren’t so clear. GEICO spends billions a year on advertising. Independent agency companies pay commission to local agents. Both are paid by the premium you pay to the insurance company.

Don’t Forget Coverage

Insurance coverage forms vary. Some companies don’t cover you if you’re delivering pizza. Others do. Some uninsured motorist coverage can be 50% less than another company, even though the limits look very similar on paper. Which do you think costs less?

Do You Understand Your Insurance?

When you bought insurance, you made a lot of choices on the fly. Your job may have changed. You might have traded vehicles. You may have gotten married, or divorced. Do you know what coverage you have? Do you know if your policy doesn’t cover enough – or too much?

If you live in Southern Maine and have questions about your insurance, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen independent insurance agent at 207-799-5541. We’ll help you understand what you have and decide what you need. It doesn’t cost a cent to get a second opinion from Noyes Hall & Allen. And, if you do choose to do business with us, you’ll be supporting a local business. That keeps some of your premium dollars in Greater Portland, instead of some far-off insurance company home office.

Noyes Hall & Allen is independent and committed to you.

Where to Live in Portland, Maine

It seems every week Portland, Maine appears on some “best of” list. Best restaurant and foodie towns, best places to retire, best small city, and so on.

College graduates want to live in Portland for the food, drink, entertainment and active sports scene. Retirees and empty-nesters relocate here for cultural options and top-shelf medical facilities. Portland, Maine is big enough to keep you busy, small enough to find your “tribe”, and see them often about town.

Many new Portland Maine residents want to be “on the peninsula”. Portland’s downtown is flanked by hills overlooking the east and west ends, and water access on the north and south. Almost anywhere on the peninsula, you can walk from grocery to gallery, beach to brewery, or concert hall to coffee shop. And you can’t spin a lobster without pointing to a restaurant.

What’s the Best Neighborhood in Portland Maine?

With so many great neighborhoods, it’s more about finding the best fit for you. We’ve broken down the choices to help you decide where to look. All the neighborhoods are in Portland, unless noted.

Portland, Maine Neighborhoods With Lots of Restaurants (walking distance):

map of Portland Maine neighborhoods
Some popular Portland Maine neighborhoods
  • Munjoy Hill
  • Newbury / India Street
  • Old Port
  • Meeting House Hill (South Portland)

Portland Nightlife and Music Venue Neighborhoods:

  • Old Port
  • Congress St – mid-town
  • Longfellow Square

Portland Neighborhoods Near Beaches and Trails:

  • Baxter Boulevard
  • Newbury / India Street
  • Ferry Village / Willard Square (South Portland)
  • Munjoy Hill

Portland Area Neighborhoods to Live Car-Free:

  • Knightville (South Portland)
  • Bayside & Parkside
  • Congress St. – mid-town
  • Longfellow Square

Portland, Maine Residential Neighborhoods:

map of South Portland Maine's east end
Popular neighborhoods in the east end of South Portland Maine
  • Oakdale
  • West End
  • Ferry Village (South Portland)
  • Meeting House Hill / Willard Square (South Portland)

Less Congested Neighborhoods That Are Close to Downtown Portland:

  • Deering Center / Rosemont
  • North Deering
  • Ferry Village (South Portland)
  • Meeting House Hill (South Portland)
  • Peaks Island

Portland Maine Suburbs With Cheaper Rents:

  • Westbrook
  • Old Orchard Beach
  • Redbank / Brick Hill (South Portland)
  • Riverton

Portland Neighborhoods With Older Apartments with Character:

  • West End
  • Oakdale
  • Deering Center
  • Old Port

Sleek New Apartments and Condos:

  • Munjoy Hill
  • Newbury / India Streets
  • Bayside
  • Commercial St.

What’s the Cost of Living in Portland Maine?

Like many popular coastal cities, Portland Maine’s cost of living is above average. But, it’s about 50% less than New York and almost 30% less than Boston. Housing is the biggest outlier in our cost of living: about 57% higher than the U.S. average. You might need to compromise on your “wish list” to find a place you can afford. And, because it’s so popular, it’s a seller’s market right now. If you see a great house, condo or apartment, it likely won’t be on the market for long.


RELATED: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine


Moving to Portland, Maine?

You’re going to love it! We’ve been here since 1933, and are proud to be active in our community. We sponsor local non-profits and events. We champion fellow small businesses. We volunteer and buy local. Find us in the Knightville / Mill Creek area of South Portland, across the Casco Bay Bridge from Portland. We love to share our knowledge about the place we call home.

graphic we love portland maine

Need insurance for your car, apartment, boat, snowmobile, home or condo? Contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207-799-5541. We represent many insurers and can compare rates and coverage to find you the best value. We’re independent and committed to you.

Not ready to talk to an insurance agent? You can get real insurance quotes online in 10 minutes from our website.


Uninsured Motorists Insurance in Maine

Every U.S. state except New Hampshire requires liability insurance. Makes sense. People should be able to pay for damage they cause to other people or their property. But there are always some who fail to get insurance for a variety of reasons. If you’re injured in an accident with an uninsured driver, it can be confusing and maddening. But the staff at Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance in Portland, Maine can help you make sure you’re protected by your own automobile insurance policy.

Maine is a “fault” state. A person ruled to be at-fault in an accident is responsible for all damages or injuries caused. Some states, including Massachusetts, are “no-fault”. Each person pays for their own vehicle damage in an accident regardless of who is at fault. Maine requires at least $50,000 per person of uninsured motorist coverage.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage pays for any injuries caused by someone else whose insurance will not cover it.  For instance, if your medical bills and pain & suffering are $100,000, and the other person has $25,000 of liability insurance, your own insurance will cover the rest of the charges. This could be very beneficial in an “at fault” state like Maine, especially if the other person has no coverage at all.

Contact a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent in Portland, Maine to find out more about automobile insurance and learn what to do if you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist. Don’t wait until you are in that situation to learn what you need to know. Get information about a new policy, or come see us make sure your policy is up to date and that you have the coverage you need.

Not ready to talk to an agent yet? You can compare Maine car insurance prices by getting up to 6 quotes in 10 minutes from our website.

A New Easier Way to Get Maine Home, Condo, Renters or Auto Insurance Quotes

 

Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance has offered online auto and home insurance quotes to Maine people since 2014. We’re excited to invest in a new platform that’s faster and easier to use. Best of all, if you find a quote you like, we can bind your coverage faster than ever.

Can I Get Quotes from Many Insurance Companies at Once?

Yes! In only 10 minutes, you can get quotes from up to 5 A-rated insurers, including:

  • Concord Group
  • MMG Insurance
  • Patriot Insurance
  • Progressive Insurance
  • Travelers

get Maine insurance quotes

Is It Safe to Enter My Insurance Quote Information Online?

Yes, our secure site protects your personal information.

 

Will an Insurance Agent Call Me?

If you request an online quote from one of “the big guys”, they will call or email you repeatedly, pressuring you to buy. We hate that as much as you do. We will only call you if you ask us to.

We will send one follow up email, in case you have any questions about your quotes. If you’d like to see quotes from other insurers that can’t yet provide “real time” quotes, you can let us know. If one of the quotes interests you, tell us and we’ll reach out with more information. No pressure or obligation.

 

Can I Buy Maine Home, Renters or Auto Insurance Online?

There’s no need to come into the office – or even talk to us on the phone – unless you want to. You can sign, pay and get proof of insurance electronically. Of course, not everyone’s insurance needs are straight and narrow. You may want the confidential advice of an experienced agent sometime. That’s where we shine. Our knowledge of the local area, our clients and the insurance market is why many of our clients choose to do business with us. Their insurance agent reviews tell the story.

 

Can I Get My Insurance Documents Online?

Yes! We’ve invested in a state-of-the art, secure client center, protected by two-step verification. You can:

  • Review your policy
  • Get proof of auto or property insurance
  • Request to change a driver, vehicle or lender
  • Update your contact info
  • Upload a document or photo to your agent.

You can learn more about our client center here.

 

What If I Need to Talk to an Agent?

The Noyes Hall & Allen team takes pride in providing personalized service and advice. We’re accessible by email, text, phone or in person. We’re small enough to know you and big enough to serve you. Whether you have a claim, a coverage question, or need to choose another payment option, we’re here to help. No call centers. No chatbots. No phone menus.

 

Access Your Maine Insurance Policy Info 24/7

We’re pleased to introduce a new feature for clients of Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance. Now, you can access policy documents and information from our secure web site, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Lost your Maine auto insurance card? Want to check on your coverage at night or on the weekend?  You can log on easily and get the information you need in two minutes or less. Here’s how.

Step 1 – Visit NoyesHallAllen.com


Look for the “My Account” icon on the upper right of the page (or in the list on a mobile phone). It opens to a drop-down menu. Select an option.

 

Step 2 – Log In Using Your Email Address

You must use the email address that our agency has on file for you. This is usually the one that we have emailed correspondence to in the past. Let us know if we should use a different email address.

 

Step 3 – Log In With a Secure Verification Code 

This is sent instantly to your mobile device or your email address. This code helps keep your personal information in your hands alone. It expires after 5 minutes.

 

Step 4 – Choose the Policy or Documents You Want

The default view is “policies. This allows you to view the details of your coverage by clicking “view policy” below the snapshot.(click on the image for a larger version)

Note that there’s an option to switch to “documents” as well as the default “policies”.

 

If you want to download your insurance cards, choose “documents” click “download” on the right. You can print or save them to your device from there. By law, Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, city and town halls and law enforcement officers accept electronic proof of insurance. You aren’t required to produce a paper copy.

(click on the image for an enlarged verson)

 

We hope that you enjoy the convenience of 24/7 access to your insurance policy information.

Please note:
1) Most insurance companies share their information with us electronically in a compatible form with this feature. If your documents aren’t available, call us and we can send them to you.

2) The policy information on the Client Center is a very simplified recap of your policy. You may have purchased endorsements that the Client Center can’t show, so your coverage might be different. Your insurance policy is always the definitive document of your insurance coverage.

Finally! Insurance for Maine Uber & Lyft Rideshare Drivers

Since Uber and Lyft launched in Portland 3 years ago, rideshare drivers have had a big insurance gap. Personal auto policies exclude coverage for “Periods 1, 2 and 3” of a driver’s availability. Rideshare companies cover Period 2 and 3, but not Period 1. When a driver turns on their Uber or Lyft app, they turn off their personal insurance coverage.

Progressive just introduced a gap-closer for Maine Uber and Lyft drivers: the Transportation Network Company (TNC) Endorsement.

How Does the TNC Endorsement Provide Auto Insurance for Maine Uber and Lyft Drivers?

  1. Period 1 (logged onto TNC app, no trip accepted). Progressive now covers drivers during this period if you’ve bought the TNC Endorsement.
  2. Period 2 (trip accepted, driver en route to pickup). Progressive’s TNC Endorsement covers your full policy liability limit, not the skimpy coverage provided by many TNC insurance programs.
  3. Period 4 (on a trip). Progressive’s TNC Endorsement covers the difference between your policy deductible and that provided by Uber or Lyft. The TNC policy remains primary. This helps reduce your out-of-pocket expense.

How Much Does Uber or Lyft Driver Insurance Cost in Maine?

The cost for Progresssive’s new TNC Endorsement varies. We’ve seen prices as low as $6.00 per month. Your rates will depend upon your driving record, insurance score, and whether or not you’ve maintained consistent insurance.

If you’re driving for Uber or Lyft in Maine, and you’re not certain you have insurance coverage for it, you probably don’t. Many drivers have been afraid to call their insurance company to ask about it, for fear that their insurance might be canceled. Our agency represents more than 10 auto insurers, none of which has offered a solution until now. Kudos to Progressive for living up to their name in this case.

If you live in Southern Maine and have questions about your auto insurance, call a Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207-799-5541. We’re independent and committed to you.

$500 or $1000 – What is the Best Car Insurance Deductible?

 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the options when buying car insurance. Many of our Maine insurance agency’s clients ask “which deductible should I choose?”

The most common collision deductibles in Maine are $500 and $1,000. The higher your deductible, the lower your cost. But, you have to pay more out of pocket in case of an accident. Most insurance companies’ rates are about 15% less for a $1000 deductible than $500.

Which is a better value? Here’s a 4 question test to help you decide.

Before You Buy Higher Auto Insurance Deductibles…

Ask yourself these questions:

Can I afford to pay the higher deductible? Would you have a hard time scraping together $1,000 to repair your car? You might not want to take the chance of a higher deductible. This is even more important if you lease your vehicle. You must repair any damage on a leased vehicle or pay the difference when you turn your vehicle in.

What is the payback? The more premium you pay, the larger the savings for higher deductibles. Fifteen percent savings on an $800 collision premium is $120 per year. The same discount on a $300 collision premium is only $45. It would take 50 months to “earn back” the $500 deductible difference in the first example. In the second, it would take more than 11 years!

How often do I have accidents? If you average an accident every 10 years, the first scenario above might pay off for you. If you average one every 3 years, neither will.

How risk-averse am I? Do you hate taking chances? The peace of mind of a lower deductible may be worth the extra cost to you.



Related post:  When Should I Drop Comprehensive & Collision Coverage?

 


 

Collision Coverage Is Used More Than You Think

Most people think collision coverage is only used when you’re at fault in an accident. That’s only part of the story. Collision coverage is also used when:

  • You’re the victim of a “hit & run”;
  • There’s a dispute about who’s “at fault”;
  • You run over or strike road debris;
  • You’re hit by an uninsured driver;
  • The other driver’s insurance company is slow responding.

Keep those scenarios in mind as you choose your collision deductible.

Do you want help choosing an auto insurance deductible? If you live in Southern Maine, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent at 207-799-5541 – or click the chat button below. We’ll answer your questions, quote options, and help you choose from 10 hand-picked insurance companies. We’re independent and committed to you.

Does My Parents’ Insurance Cover Me If I Rent a Vehicle?

 

You may be listed as a driver on your parents’ insurance policy. The car you drive may be on that policy, too. But you may not be covered to the same extent your parents are. 

Note: This information is based only on personal auto insurance policies in the State of Maine using ISO coverage forms. Most insurers that sell through independent agents use these forms. Many “direct writers” use proprietary forms, which may differ. Check with your own agent to be sure. 

Are You a “Resident”?

That’s the big question. If you’re a member of your parents household, you have all of the coverage that they do. If you’re not considered a “resident”, then you’re only covered to drive the vehicles listed on your parents’ policy.

So, what’s a “resident”? That line can be tough to define. If you’re a full-time student who returns home between school terms, you’re still a “resident”. If you’re not in school, and have a place of your own with a lease or utilities in your name, you’re not a resident of your parents’ household. Those are the two ends of the spectrum. The middle can get muddy.


 

Related Post: “Should You Stay on Your Parents’ Car Insurance? 


Renting a Car

If you’re a “resident”, you’re covered on your parents’ policy just like they are. For Maine residents, that means the liability and physical damage coverage applies to a rental car (in the U.S. and possessions, and Canada). You may be responsible for other expenses, and there are some holes in coverage. But, many Mainers take their chances and waive the rental company’s insurance.


 

Related Post: Does My Maine Car Insurance Cover Me When I Rent a Car?


If you’re not certain that you’re a “resident”, we recommend that you buy the insurance from the rental car company. You don’t want to be responsible for damage repairs, lost income and any liability from an accident while you’re driving the rental car.

If you’re thinking of renting a car, and you don’t have an insurance policy in your name (not just a driver), contact the insurance agent or company whose name is on that policy. They can advise you about your personal situation. If you’re driving a vehicle insured by Noyes Hall & Allen, call us at 207-799-5541. One of our agents will be happy to help.