Find the Secrets to Lower Cape Elizabeth, ME Auto Insurance

If online auto insurance comparisons are new to you, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of online auto insurance companies and websites competing for business in Cape Elizabeth.

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. Pricing the best protection in Cape Elizabeth is not that difficult. But Maine drivers should learn the methods companies use to sell insurance online and use this information to your advantage.

Fast and Easy Cape Elizabeth Auto Insurance Quotes

Shopping for lower auto insurance rates can take hours if you don’t know the most efficient way. You can waste hours talking about coverages with agents in Cape Elizabeth, or you can utilize the web to maximize your effort.

The majority of car insurance companies enroll in a system that allows shoppers to enter their policy data once, and every company can give them a price for coverage. This prevents consumers from doing quotation requests to each company.

To compare rates now click to open in new window.

One minor caviat to getting quotes like this is you are unable to specify the providers to get pricing from. If you prefer to choose from a list of companies to receive pricing from, we put together a list of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Maine. Click here for list of insurance companies in Maine.

It’s up to you which method you use, but make sure you use the exact same coverages for each price quote. If you use higher or lower deductibles it will be impossible to make a fair comparison in Cape Elizabeth. Just a small difference in coverages may result in a large different in cost. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that having more price comparisons helps you find a better price.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies offering auto insurance don’t list all available discounts very well, so we took the time to find both the well known and also the lesser-known ways to save on auto insurance.

Passive Restraint Discount – Factory air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
Paperless Signup – A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy on their website.
Good Student Discount – A discount for being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
Defensive Driver – Successfully completing a defensive driving course could save 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
Life Insurance Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give better rates if you take out life insurance from them.
Bundle and Save – If you insure your home and vehicles with one insurance company you will save approximately 10% to 15%.

It’s important to note that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.

Car Insurance through a local agent

Some consumers prefer to sit down with an agent and that is just fine! One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is that you can obtain lower rates and still choose a local agent.

After completing this simple form, your information is emailed to participating agents in Cape Elizabeth who will battle for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to drive around due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. How cool is that?! You can find better rates and work with a local agent.

Picking an insurer needs to be determined by more than just a low price. Here are some questions to ask: lower rates in Maine

Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
How long has their agency been open in Cape Elizabeth?
Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
How are claims handled?
Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?

Pick the best car insurance agent in Cape Elizabeth for you

When finding a reputable insurance agent or broker, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents from which to choose. Cape Elizabeth agents are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive.

Agency Captives

Captive agents are contracted to one company such as American Family, Liberty Mutual and AAA. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so always compare other rates. Captives are trained well on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers frequently buy insurance from these agents partially due to loyalty to the company and solid financial strength.

Independent Insurance Agents

These agents are not employed by any specific company but rather can write business with lots of companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparing rates, it’s recommended you include price quotes from at least one independent agent for the best price selection. They often place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies who may have lower rates.

Shown below is a short list of independent agencies in Cape Elizabeth that can give you rate quotes.

Cape Insurance – 299 Ocean House Rd – Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 – (207) 767-0185

To view a full list of licensed insurance agents in Cape Elizabeth, please click here.

Once you have received reasonable responses to your questions and an acceptable price quote, it’s possible that you found an insurance agent that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.

When should I use an insurance agent?

When buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s needs are different.

For example, these questions may help highlight if your situation will benefit from professional help.

Exactly who is provided coverage by my policy?
When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
Do I need rental car coverage?
Does my medical payments coverage pay my health insurance deductible?
Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
Are my friends covered when driving my vehicle?

If you can’t answer these questions, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

Never let your coverage lapse – Allowing your coverage to lapse will be a quick way to pay more for auto insurance. And not only will your rates increase, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a license revocation or jail time.You may have to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Maine DMV.
Where do you drive? – Driving more miles each year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Almost all companies price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles left parked in the garage get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle usage.
Liability coverage protects you – The liability section of your policy is the protection if ever you are found to be at fault for damages from an accident. Liability insurance provides legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
You might want pay the small claims yourself – If you are a frequent claim filer, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance companies in Maine give better rates to policyholders who are claim-free. Auto insurance is intended for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
One company can mean more discounts – Many insurers will award you with lower prices to customers who have multiple policies with them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even with this discount, it’s in your best interest to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Lower rates with optional equipment – Owning a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
Sex matters – Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are better drivers. Men and women cause accidents in similar numbers, but men cause more damage. Men also have more aggressive citations like reckless driving and DUI. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are the most expensive to insure and therefore have the most expensive auto insurance rates.
Mature drivers pay less – Teenage drivers in Maine tend to get distracted easily when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds are more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers.

Don’t be fooled by advertising claims

21st Century, Allstate and State Farm continually stream television and radio advertisements. All the companies have a common claim that you’ll save big after switching your policy. How do they all make almost identical claims?

All companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of customer that is profitable for them. An example of a preferred risk might be between the ages of 40 and 55, has no prior claims, and has excellent credit. A customer that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential customers who don’t qualify for this ideal profile will be quoted a more expensive rate which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. This is how insurance companies can advertise the savings. This emphasizes why you need to get a wide range of price quotes. It is impossible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

Smart consumers save more

While you’re price shopping online, it’s a bad idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

Affordable auto insurance can be bought from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Cape Elizabeth, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

In this article, we presented some good ideas how you can reduce auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the higher the chance of saving money. You may be surprised to find that the lowest priced auto insurance comes from a small mutual company.

Additional detailed information can be read at the Maine Bureau of Insurance website. Consumers can find a variety of consumer forms, report car insurance fraud, view agent and company licensing information, and read consumer alerts.