Is Your Falmouth Maine Car Insurance Costing Too Much?

Shopping for low-cost Falmouth car insurance on the web can be intimidating for consumers not familiar with buying insurance on the web. With such a large number of companies in the marketplace, how can Falmouth drivers possibly compare every one to find the best pricing?

Which Car Insurance is Cheapest in Falmouth, Maine?

Comparing car insurance rates can take hours if you aren’t aware of the most efficient way to do it. You could waste a few hours discussing policy coverages with local insurance agents in Falmouth, or you can utilize the web to quickly compare rates.

Many of the larger companies belong to a marketplace where prospective buyers only type in their quote data once, and each company can provide price quotes determined by their information. This eliminates the need for repetitive form submissions to each company. To use this form to compare rates click here (opens in new window).

The only drawback to using this type of form is that you can’t choose which insurance companies to get pricing from. If you wish to select individual companies to request quotes from, we have a page of car insurance companies in Maine. View list of Maine insurance companies.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just compare exactly the same coverages with every price quote. If you use differing limits it will be next to impossible to truly determine the lowest rate in Falmouth.

You probably qualify for some discounts

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but you can get discounts that you may not even be aware of. Some discounts apply automatically when you complete an application, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about before being credited. If you’re not getting every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

Clubs and Organizations – Being a member of certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break on your policy.
Military Rewards – Being deployed with a military unit could mean lower rates.
Multiple Cars – Insuring all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
Air Bag Discount – Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts may earn rate discounts up to 30%.
Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a home in Falmouth can save you money due to the fact that maintaining a home demonstrates responsibility.
Seat Belts Save – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt can save 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
Auto/Home Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same company you may save at least 10% off all policies.
Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than their less cautious counterparts.
Driver Safety – Completing a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if you qualify.
Good Student Discount – This discount can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.

It’s important to note that most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. A few only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it just doesn’t work that way. Any qualifying discounts will bring down your premiums.

To choose companies with discount car insurance rates in Maine, click here to view.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

It’s important that you understand the different types of things that go into determining the rates you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

Performance level impacts rates – The type of vehicle you are insuring makes a big difference in your rates. The most favorable rates are usually for economy passenger models, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
Better crash test results mean better rates – Cars with high safety ratings can get you lower premiums. These vehicles reduce injuries and fewer injuries translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates.
Big city or small town – Living in small towns and rural areas can be a good thing when talking about car insurance. Lower population means a lower chance of having an accident and also fewer theft and vandalism claims. Urban drivers have much more traffic to deal with and longer commute times. More time commuting translates into higher accident risk.
Policy add-ons can waste money – There are quite a few additional coverages that you can buy on your policy. Insurance for rental car reimbursement, towing coverage and membership fees are examples of these. These coverages may sound good when you first buy your policy, but your needs may have changed so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
A clean driving record saves money – Your driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Good drivers receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Only having one speeding ticket can increase rates by twenty percent. Drivers who get flagrant violations such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.
More than one policy can earn a discount – Some insurance companies will give a discount to insureds who have multiple policies with them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to 10 percent or more. Even though this discount sounds good, it’s still a good idea to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal.

Quote online but still have a local agent

A small number of people would rather buy from a local agent. Educated insurance agents can answer important questions and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find the best rates and still choose a local agent. And supporting local insurance agencies is important particularly in Falmouth.

To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, your coverage information is sent to participating agents in Falmouth who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to drive around because quoted prices will be sent directly to your email. Now that’s easy! save money image

Pick the best insurance agent in Falmouth for you

When searching for a reputable insurance agent or broker, you must know there are a couple different agency structures from which to choose. Agents are classified as either independent or captive. While both can insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know the differences since it can impact your selection of an agent.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, your agent can switch companies and that require little work on your part.

When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to contact multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices. They often place coverage with smaller companies which can save you money.

Listed below is a list of independent insurance agents in Falmouth who may be able to give you price quote information.

Peerless Insurance Co – Falmouth Shopping Ctr – Falmouth, ME 04105 – (207) 781-3128
Business Insurance – 366 Route 1 – Falmouth, ME 04105 – (207) 781-3074

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agencies have only one company to place business with and examples are Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so keep that in mind. Captive agencies are well schooled on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers sometimes buy insurance from these agents primarily because of the brand legacy and strong financial ratings.

The following are captive agencies in Falmouth that are able to give comparison quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 325 Us Route 1 – Falmouth, ME 04105 – (207) 874-9200

To view a complete directory of captive agents in Falmouth, view this link.

Picking a car insurance agent requires more thought than just a low price. Some important questions to ask are:

Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?

Once you have received reasonable responses for all questions you ask and a low price estimate, it’s possible that you found an auto insurance agent that can insure your vehicles.

You may need specialized coverage

When choosing the best car insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Every insured’s situation is different.

These are some specific questions could help you determine whether or not you may require specific advice.

Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Maine?
Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Maine?
Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
Should I buy additional glass protection?
Am I covered when driving a rental car?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.

Additional car insurance information can be read on the Maine Bureau of Insurance website found here. Maine drivers can read industry bulletins, view agent and company licensing information, report car insurance fraud, and find disaster information.

Better coverage you can count on

Low-cost car insurance can be sourced online in addition to many Falmouth insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, don’t be tempted to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many instances, an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

Insureds switch companies for a number of reasons such as delays in paying claims, being labeled a high risk driver, policy non-renewal or high prices. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a new car insurance company is not as difficult as it may seem.