Here's something that surprises most people moving to Maine: your car insurance will probably cost less than wherever you came from. Maine consistently ranks as one of the most affordable states for auto insurance in the entire country. But there's a catch—Maine also requires more coverage than most states. The good news? Even with those higher requirements, you're still likely to pay less than drivers in most other states. Let's break down exactly what you need to know about insuring your car in the Pine Tree State.
What Maine Requires: Higher Minimums That Actually Make Sense
Maine doesn't mess around with car insurance requirements. While many states require just $25,000 per person for bodily injury, Maine mandates $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. That's double what you'll find in states like California or Texas. Add in $25,000 for property damage, and you're looking at what's commonly called 50/100/25 coverage.
But here's where Maine gets really interesting: the state also requires uninsured motorist coverage at those same limits. That means if someone without insurance hits you, your own policy steps in to cover your medical bills and other damages up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. This isn't optional—it's the law. And honestly? It's one of the smartest insurance requirements out there, because it protects you from irresponsible drivers who skip coverage.
Maine also requires $2,000 in medical payments coverage per person. This kicks in immediately after an accident to cover medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the crash. It's not a huge amount, but it covers things like emergency room visits and initial treatment without waiting for fault to be determined.
What You'll Actually Pay: Maine's Affordability Advantage
Despite requiring more coverage, Maine drivers pay significantly less than the national average. Full coverage in Maine costs around $1,687 per year, compared to a national average of $2,697. That's nearly 40% less. If you only need minimum coverage to meet legal requirements, you're looking at about $425 per year, or roughly $35 per month.
Why is Maine so cheap? A few reasons. The state has lower rates of car theft, fewer uninsured drivers thanks to those mandatory coverage laws, and less traffic congestion than urban states. Maine's weather can be brutal, but crashes tend to happen at lower speeds on rural roads rather than high-speed highway pileups. Insurance companies price their policies based on risk, and Maine's driving environment keeps those risks relatively low.
Your personal rates will vary based on your age, driving record, credit score, and where in Maine you live. Teen drivers can expect to pay around $4,701 per year, while drivers between 50 and 59 typically pay about $845 annually. A DUI conviction can raise your rates by 86%, and poor credit can more than double your premiums. But even with these factors, Maine rates tend to stay below national averages.
Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage Is Your Secret Weapon
Let's talk about why Maine's mandatory uninsured motorist coverage is actually brilliant. Imagine you're stopped at a red light and someone rear-ends you hard enough to injure your back. You go to the hospital, miss work for two weeks, and rack up $35,000 in medical bills. Then you find out the other driver has no insurance. In most states, you'd be stuck suing someone who probably has no money anyway.
In Maine, your uninsured motorist coverage handles this. Your insurance company pays your medical bills and compensates you for lost wages, just as if the other driver had proper coverage. You're not left holding the bag because someone else broke the law. This coverage also kicks in for hit-and-run accidents and when the other driver's insurance company goes bankrupt.
Maine is one of only 22 states that require this coverage, and it's a big reason why Maine drivers are better protected than most. The underinsured motorist portion is equally important—it covers the gap when the at-fault driver has some insurance, but not enough to cover your damages. If someone with minimum coverage causes $80,000 in injuries to you, their $50,000 policy maxes out, but your underinsured coverage picks up the remaining $30,000.
Should You Stick with Minimum Coverage?
Maine's minimum requirements are higher than most states, which means they're actually somewhat reasonable for basic protection. But reasonable doesn't mean sufficient. A serious accident involving multiple injuries can easily exceed $100,000. Modern vehicles often cost more than the $25,000 property damage minimum. If you cause an accident that totals a new pickup truck and injures the driver, you could be personally liable for damages beyond your policy limits.
Here's a practical way to think about it: if you have significant assets—a house, savings, retirement accounts—you need more than minimum coverage. Those assets become targets in a lawsuit if you cause a serious accident. Many financial advisors recommend liability limits of at least 100/300/100, and an umbrella policy on top of that for extra protection. The good news is that increasing your liability limits in Maine is relatively inexpensive because base rates are so low.
Minimum coverage also doesn't include collision or comprehensive coverage for your own vehicle. If you hit a moose—a real possibility in Maine—or slide into a ditch during a snowstorm, minimum coverage pays nothing toward fixing your car. Only collision and comprehensive coverage protect your vehicle. If you have a car loan or lease, your lender will require these coverages anyway. Even if you own your car outright, consider whether you could afford to replace it out of pocket.
Finding the Cheapest Coverage in Maine
Insurance rates vary wildly between companies, even in affordable Maine. USAA typically offers the lowest rates if you're eligible (military members and families), with average monthly costs around $51 for full coverage. For civilian drivers, companies like Concord Group, State Farm, GEICO, and MMG tend to offer competitive rates, ranging from $57 to $69 per month for full coverage.
The only way to know what you'll pay is to get quotes from multiple insurers. Companies weigh factors differently—one might penalize you heavily for a speeding ticket while another barely increases your rate. Shop around at least once a year, because rates change and you might find better deals. Look for discounts too: bundling home and auto insurance, going paperless, having a good student in your household, or installing safety features can all reduce your premium.
Getting Started with Maine Auto Insurance
If you're new to Maine or buying your first policy, start by gathering your information: driver's license, vehicle identification number, and details about any current coverage. Decide on your coverage limits—at minimum, you need 50/100/25 liability, matching uninsured motorist coverage, and $2,000 in medical payments. Consider whether you want collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle.
Get quotes from at least three insurers. You can do this online in about 15 minutes per company, or work with an independent agent who can compare multiple companies for you. Pay attention to more than just price—check customer service ratings and claims satisfaction scores. The cheapest policy doesn't help if the company makes filing claims a nightmare. Once you choose a policy, you can usually get coverage immediately, often with same-day proof of insurance sent to your email.
Maine's approach to auto insurance—higher minimums but lower overall costs—creates a sweet spot for drivers. You're required to carry more protection than most states demand, but you pay less to get it. That mandatory uninsured motorist coverage could save you tens of thousands of dollars if you're ever hit by an uninsured driver. Take advantage of Maine's affordable rates to buy adequate coverage, not just the bare minimum. Your future self will thank you if the worst happens on an icy February morning.
