Proven Techniques for Comparing Cheaper Bangor, ME Auto Insurance

Have you had enough of being strong-armed to pay your car insurance bill each month? Your situation is no different than the majority of other car owners in Maine. Big-name insurance companies like Allstate, Liberty Mutual and State Farm all claim big savings with fancy advertisements and consumers find it hard to see past the corporate glitz and take the time to shop coverage around.

Smart consumers take time to do rate comparisons yearly due to the fact that insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Just because you had the lowest rates a couple years back you can probably find a better price now. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because it’s time to teach you the only way to remove unneeded coverages and save money.

Comparison of Auto Insurance in Bangor, ME

Performing a rate comparison can be exhausting if you don’t know the most efficient way to do it. You can spend countless hours discussing policy coverages with insurance companies in Bangor, or you can stay home and use online quotes to achieve your goal.

All the larger companies participate in a marketplace that enables customers to enter their policy data once, and each participating company can give them a price based on that data. This system prevents you from having to do quotation requests to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

The single downside to doing it this way is that consumers can’t choose which companies you will receive quotes from. So if you prefer to pick specific insurance companies to compare rates, we have a page of companies who write auto insurance in Maine. Click here for list of insurance companies in Maine.

Whichever way you use, be sure to compare apples-to-apples quote information on every quote you get. If each company quotes higher or lower deductibles it will be very difficult to determine the best price in Bangor.

Slick advertising tricks that work

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings from companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies say the same thing that you can save after switching your policy.

How do they all make the same claim? This is how they do it.

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that is profitable for them. For example, a preferred risk could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and has great credit. A propective insured who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Drivers who don’t meet the “perfect” profile will have to pay higher premiums and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say “people who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much money. That’s the way companies can make the claims of big savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get a wide range of price quotes. It’s just too difficult to predict which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best. lower rates in Bangor

Factors that affect insurance rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with big savings.

What are your deductibles? – Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. A few examples of covered claims would be colliding with a building, damage from fire, and windstorm damage. The deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more you have to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates – Driving a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder your car from being stolen.
Having a spouse can save you money – Having a wife or husband actually saves money on your policy. It means you’re more mature and it’s statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
Do you work long hours in a high stress job? – Jobs such as real estate brokers, social workers and stock brokers have the highest rates because of job stress and lots of time spent at work. On the other hand, jobs such as actors, students and retirees get better rates.
How’s your driving record? – Whether or not you get tickets has a big impact on rates. Drivers with clean records have lower premiums than their less careful counterparts. Just one speeding ticket may increase your cost forty percent or more. Drivers with dangerous tickets like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions are required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state motor vehicle department in order to prevent a license revocation.
Liability coverage is peace of mind – Liability insurance is the coverage that protects you when you are found liable for damages caused by your negligence. It will provide for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
The type of vehicle makes a difference – The performance level of the vehicle you are insuring makes a substantial difference in determining your rates. The cheapest insurance rates tend to be for low performance passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but companies offer discounts that you may not even be aware of. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about prior to getting the savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you are throwing money away.

Own a Home – Owning a home in Bangor can help you save on auto insurance because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
Drivers Ed for Students – Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course if offered at their school.
Anti-theft Discount – Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
Braking Control Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles prevent accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
Club Memberships – Affiliation with certain professional organizations is a good way to get lower rates on auto insurance.
Military Discounts – Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
Accident Free – Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay less compared to frequent claim filers.
Defensive Driving Course – Taking part in a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill if your company offers it.
Multiple Cars – Insuring all your vehicles on the same auto insurance policy qualifies for this discount.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. Most only cut individual premiums such as comp or med pay. Just because it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you’re out of luck. But any discount will cut your overall premium however.

To choose companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Bangor, click this link.

What happened to insurance agents?

Some consumers would rather visit with an insurance agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you someone to call. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is that you can obtain better rates and still choose a local agent. Supporting small agencies is important especially in Bangor.

After completing this short form, your information is sent to local insurance agents in Bangor who will battle for your insurance coverage. There is no need to drive around due to the fact that quote results will go immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy!

Types of insurance agents

When looking for a reliable agent, there are two types of agencies to choose from. Bangor agents are classified as either independent or captive. Both do a good job, but it’s worth learning how they differ because it can influence your selection of an agent.

Independent Agents

These agents are not employed by any specific company but rather can write business with any number of different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If your agent finds better pricing, your agent can switch companies and you won’t have to switch agencies.

When shopping rates, it’s recommended you include multiple independent agents for the best price selection.

Below are Bangor independent insurance agencies that can give you rate quotes.

Hobart Insurance Assoc Inc – – Bangor, ME 04401 – (207) 942-6923
Whitehouse Agency – 1045 Broadway – Bangor, ME 04401 – (207) 945-3310
Varney Agency – 32 Oak St – Bangor, ME 04401 – (207) 947-8637
David M Blakeman Agency – 9 7th St – Bangor, ME 04401 – (207) 942-0924
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 675 Hogan Rd – Bangor, ME 04401 – (207) 947-7326

Agency Captives

Captive insurance agents are contracted to one company and examples are Allstate, AAA, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. They are unable to place coverage with different providers so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captives are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage.

Listed below is a list of captive agencies in Bangor that are able to give rate quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 585 Hammond St – Bangor, ME 04401 – (207) 947-6781
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 675 Hogan Rd – Bangor, ME 04401 – (207) 947-7326
Allstate Insurance – 609 Hammond St – Bangor, ME 04401 – (207) 990-5008

To view a full list of Bangor captive insurance agents, view this link.

Choosing an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just a low price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
How long has their agency been open in Bangor?
How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?

Once you have reasonable responses to any questions you have and a low price estimate, you may have just found an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to properly service your auto insurance policy.

Better coverage you can count on

As you shop your coverage around, it’s not a good idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In too many instances, someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to find out that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The ultimate goal is to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be bought on the web in addition to many Bangor insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.