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Moving or Relocating to Portland Maine – a 2022 Insider’s Guide

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Small enough to navigate and make friends easily. Large enough to have plenty of live music, arts and sports. Hundreds of restaurants and almost 20 breweries, Portland Maine is one of America’s hottest little cities. It’s a regular on “best of” lists from publications as diverse as Men’s Journal, Elle Home Decor , Conde Nast Traveler and Time Money. But what’s it REALLY like to live in Maine’s largest city?

What’s it Like to Live in Portland Maine?

It’s easy to fall in love with Portland by walking its charming brick streets, eating fresh seafood, and drinking even fresher beer. You can find plenty of flattering and glowing reviews of Portland from locals and travelers alike. But what’s it like to really LIVE here?

Do I Need a Car in Portland Maine?

Unless you live and work on the downtown peninsula, and are able to Uber, bus or walk 1-2 miles with your groceries, you may not. Otherwise, you’ll probably need a car. Like most vibrant cities, parking spots can be scarce. Fortunately, the peninsula is compact and walkable.

The Metro bus  is Portland Maine’s public transportation.  If you’re from a bigger city, you’ll find that buses arrive less frequently than you’re used to. You can find Turo carshares in town. Uber and Lyft operate in Portland, and there are several taxi companies. Our airport (PWM) and Portland Transportation Center are less than 5 miles from the Old Port. The Amtrak Downeaster and Concord Trailways bus both loop to Boston several times daily. Concord also has a bus to New York City.

Cycling is a popular way to get around (the Portland Bike Party has more than 1000 followers). Maine has some of the most bike-friendly laws thanks to the efforts of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. You can bike year-round here, although cyclists’ numbers dwindle during our long winters.

Related Post: Portland Maine: Green Living in a Small City

How Much Do Apartments Cost in Portland Maine?

Portland is cheaper than Boston or New York, but it’s definitely a landlord’s market. Like many popular cities, Portland has had  a very low vacancy rate and a shortage of good apartments. Even though 1000 new rental and condo units have been built or planned, it’s tough to find a good deal.

The Portland Press Herald produced a very cool series of interactive maps of Portland Maine in 2015, showing rents, demographics and lifestyle features of Portland neighborhoods. The rents are outdated, but the neighborhood descriptions and heat maps are still relevant.

Whether you rent an apartment, condo or a cottage, we recommend that you buy Maine renters insurance to protect your property from damage and theft, and you from liability.

Related: How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost in Portland, Maine?

Can I Afford a Home in Portland Maine?

Portland’s home and condo market is strong. This reflects the desirability of the area and availability of jobs in Portland. The area has a wide range of housing stock, from old to new, townhouses to ranches, contemporaries to lofts. The median sale price in the Portland market is more than $300 per square foot according to realtor.com.

Where Do I Park My Car in Portland?

As in most vibrant cities, parking is a premium commodity in Portland Maine. If your apartment doesn’t offer off-street parking,  get a free residential parking sticker for the area in which you live. This exempts you from 1-or-2-hour time zones on streets near your home. The stickers DON’T exempt you from parking meters, no parking zones, overnight parking, loading zones, etc.

The most hassle-free way to get to local businesses & restaurants is on foot or bike. If you must drive, the city of Portland Maine operates parking meters and pay and display parking stations . Hot tip: Portland Maine metered street parking is free after 6pm and on Sundays.

Portland has several public and private parking garages ($2.00 – $4.00 per hour). There are also private pay-and-display lots, which are NOT operated by the city. These have been controversial, as they will boot your vehicle if you leave your vehicle too long.

Parking Bans in Portland Maine

Portland Maine Parking Ticket
source: maine.gov

During winter storms, the city of Portland Maine parking bans to allow public works crews to clear the streets and remove snow. During a Red Parking Ban, no one can park on city streets. This means you! Don’t ignore the ban; your vehicle WILL be towed, and it’s an expensive hassle to retrieve it.  Here’s a list of where to park during a snow ban.

How Soon Do I Need to Register My Car After Moving to Maine?

You should re-register your car in Maine and get a Maine driver’s license within 30 days after moving here.  Here’s are the 3 steps to register your vehicle in Maine after you move here:

Related: How & When to Register a Car in Maine

Settling In

It’s easy to find arts, sports and cultural events in Portland Maine. Another great way to meet new people is to get out and enjoy the outdoors, learn more about our area, or to volunteer. Here are links to some of our favorites:

We hope you find this information useful as you think about moving to Portland Maine. Greater Portland has been our home for more than 80 years. We love it here. If we can help with insurance in your new city, please contact a friendly local Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207-799-5541.

Cheap Maine Auto Insurance – and Why You Shouldn’t Buy It

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A lot of car insurance ads talk about how much money you can save in 15 minutes – or less. It’s true: you can almost always find auto insurance that costs less than what you pay now.

How to Find Cheap Maine Auto Insurance

 

Uninformed Advisors Guide to Cheap Car Insurance (2)

Insurance Isn’t Peanut Butter or a Pair of Jeans

We’ve all had buyer’s regret. You buy something you didn’t like, or that didn’t fit the way you hoped. Maybe you returned it to the store; maybe you used it until it was gone, or threw it away and never bought that kind again.

Insurance is different.

You can regret your insurance choice, too. The web site doesn’t have the answer you need; you’ve misplaced your policy number, and can’t get through the insurance company’s phone menu; the coverage you bought on the phone or their web site wasn’t what you thought it was; there’s no one local to help you.

You don’t use insurance until long after you buy it – sometimes years later. If you make a bad choice, the mistake can cost a lot more than a jar of peanut butter. And you can’t return it for a refund.

Don’t Do it Yourself – Consult an Agent

Use the internet to research and educate yourself about insurance and the expected costs. But do yourself a favor: consult an agent before you buy. Buying through an agent costs no more. And, their advice and advocacy can save you hundreds.

If you live in Southern Maine and are looking for insurance advice, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207-799-5541. We represent many of best car insurance companies in Maine, so we can help you find the best value and fit for your situation. We’re independent and committed to you.

Does Driving for Uber Affect Maine Auto Insurance?

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Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) have quickly become part of the landscape in American urban and vacation areas. Portland, Maine got its first Uber service in 2014. Almost immediately, people questioned whether Maine insurance companies exclude coverage for Uber.

The Maine State Legislature regulated TNC insurance by passing LD 1379, “An Act To Establish Transportation Network Company Insurance”, effective June 03, 2015. Key features of the law specify:

  • How much liability insurance TNC drivers must have while logged into the network and not carrying passengers (matching Maine state minimum auto liability insurance limits of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident for bodily injury/$25,000 property damage).
  • How much liability insurance they must have while carrying passengers ($1,000,000 bodily injury and property damage).
  • That personal auto insurance companies are NOT required to cover TNC drivers while they are logged into the network.

BEFORE You Sign up to Drive for Uber, ASK:

  • Does the TNC provide insurance for you while you’re logged in to the network? If so, at what limits? Do those limits change when you pick up passengers?
  • Does your personal auto insurance cover you when you’re logged in to the network? Ask your agent.
  • Does your auto loan or lease allow you to transport passengers or goods for hire? Many vehicle finance agreements prohibit it. If you do, the bank could consider you in default even if your payments are up-to-date. Read your loan or lease agreement, or ask your lender.

Uber insurance in Maine - quote from Eric Cioppa

Our Advice

Most insurers EXCLUDE coverage any time you’re logged into a TNC network, whether or not you have a passenger. For answers to your insurance questions, call your insurance agent.

 

Is Rain Storm Damage Covered by Insurance?

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Maine weathered a huge storm today. About 6″ of rain overwhelmed storm drains, flooding streets, basements and parked cars. Fortunately, it was only a rain event. Winds were not damaging. Here are the most common questions we expect from our clients after they survey the damage.

Does Auto Insurance Cover My Flooded Car or Commercial Vehicle?

Flooded Parking LotIf you have “other than collision” coverage on your vehicle, water damage from flooding is covered. Other Than Collision coverage was formerly known as “comprehensive” coverage. If your car was inundated and needed to be towed to a mechanic for evaluation and repair, the towing would be covered, even if you didn’t purchase separate “towing” coverage. Of course, your deductible (usually $250 to $1,000) would apply.

 

Does Homeowners or Condo Insurance Cover My Flooded Basement?

This one’s trickier. If the water came over the sills of your foundation, only flood insurance would cover that. Homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is only offered by the National Flood Insurance Program. Every Maine independent insurance agency sells flood insurance.

If water backed up into your home through a drain or sewer, your homeowners policy MAY pay for cleanup and repairs. You would have to purchase  optional coverage. An “off the shelf” homeowners or condo policy does not cover water backup.

Even if you do have water backup coverage, be careful. Most insurers limit coverage to $5,000, including the cost of water extraction and damage removal. Cleanup alone in a finished basement can cost $5,000 following serious water damage.

Is My Business Insured for Water Damage?

Business policies vary considerably. Many DO cover water backup, but very few cover flood damage from surface water. It’s best to ask your Maine business insurance agent if your own policy would respond.

Do you have questions about Maine business insurance, homeowners insurance, condo insurance or auto insurance? Do you want to get a Maine insurance quote? Call a Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207-799-5541.

Does Homeowners Insurance in Maine Pay to Remove a Fallen Tree?

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If a tree falls in your yard, and no one hears it, is it covered by your insurance? What about the cost to remove a fallen tree? The answer, as it is with all insurance questions, is “it depends”. Policy forms vary.

This post assumes that you have an “HO-3” Maine homeowners insurance policy using forms from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). This is the most common type of homeowners policy in Maine.

 

Did a Tree Hit Your Home or Other Structure?   tree damage

If so, you probably have coverage for:

  • The cost to remove the tree
  • The damage to your home, fence or other structure

But, not coverage of the cost to replace the tree itself.

Is a Fallen Tree Blocking Your Driveway?

Depending on the edition of your home insurance policy in Maine, you may have coverage for at least some of the cost to remove a tree that’s blocking your driveway. Even if it didn’t damage any of your property, the 2000 edition of the HO-3 policy provides $1000 of coverage ($500 max per tree). Older forms have no coverage unless the tree hits a covered structure.

 

Did a Tree Fall on Your Car?

If so, your auto policy, not your homeowners policy, might pay to fix your car. Hopefully, you have Maine auto insurance, and chose to buy “other than collision” (widely known as “comprehensive”) coverage. The cost to remove the tree is not covered by either home or auto insurance, unless the tree blocks your driveway (see above).

If There’s No Damage, There May Be No Coverage

If a tree falls without damaging any insured structures or blocking the driveway, you will likely need to pay the costs to remove it. Some insurance policies provide a limited amount of coverage for these cases. Check with your agent or insurance company to see if yours does.

Did Your Tree Hit Your Neighbor’s Property?

If so, the damage would be covered under THEIR homeowners policy, not yours. If the tree fell due to obvious neglect, your liability insurance might apply. For a more detailed explanation, see our prior post “Is Your Fallen Tree Covered by Maine Homeowners Insurance?”

Tips to File an Insurance Claim for a Fallen Tree

  • Take photos, preferably from different angles to show the damage.
  • If utility wires are involved, stay away! Call your electric utility to have the wires cleared.
  • Call your insurance agent or company to report the claim.

If you live in Greater Portland Maine, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent for answers to your Maine renters insurance, homeowners insurance and condo insurance questions. 207-799-5541. We’re independent and committed to you.

What Happens AFTER You Buy Insurance Online?

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There are many ways to buy insurance. Online. Over the phone. Using an app. By email. In person. In 15 minutes. In 7 minutes. Whatever.

Buying Insurance May Be Easy…

But, it’s not how you buy insurance that creates value. It’s whether it’s there when you need it. If you buy insurance from someone hundreds of miles away, whom you’ve never met, or even talked to, do you really think they’ll be there to help later? We will.

A Week’s Worth of Questions We Dare You to Ask Your Internet Insurance Company

We helped Greater Portland Maine insurance clients with these issues, just in the last week:

  • My claim was denied, and I don’t think it’s right.
  • How can I insure property I co-own with three other people?
  • I want more umbrella coverage, but my insurer won’t do it, because I have a couple of speeding tickets.
  • I haven’t gotten my claim check from the other guy’s insurance company after he hit my parked car.
  • I need help completing this form that the insurance company sent me.
  • I’m helping my son buy a car; who should insure it?
  • My insurance company wants me to make some improvements to my home, but I need more time.
  • Who can clean my basement in Saco, Maine after a sewer backup?
  • Who is good Portland Maine jeweler to have appraise my pieces?
  • I own a classic car. What’s the best way to insure it?
  • I’m about to buy a new car. When is the best time to shop for the insurance?
  • My fiancee and I are buying a house together. Can we combine our car insurance, too?
  • Why does the insurance company want to know about other drivers in my house? They don’t drive my car!
  • Should I suspend my insurance for the winter on one of my cars?
  • Help! The Maine DMV suspended my license in error!
  • My former insurance company keeps sending me bills!
  • I’m moving to Maine. How do I register my car? When do I need to get a Maine license?
  • I’m moving to New Hampshire. Can I keep my cars registered in Maine?

Does your insurance company know Pleasant Hill from Munjoy Hill? Westbrook from the West End? Sebago from Sugarloaf? Would you trust the answer they gave you to even one of the questions above? If not, that’s why you need a local agent.

Insurance Choice Filter

It doesn’t matter how easy it is to buy insurance. It matters who’s there to help when you  have a problem that’s not so easy. That’s why you need a local agent.

For answers to your Maine insurance questions, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent. Right here in South Portland. 207-799-5541.

Does Maine Homeowners Insurance Cover Stuff Away from Home?

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Clients often ask if their homeowners insurance covers their belongings when they’re away from home. Here are 3 recent email inquiries with common scenarios:

  • I have removed some furniture and other items that were at my condo and am storing them at a warehouse.  Is my stuff is covered under my condo insurance, or do I need to insure the stuff through the company that is storing the items?
  • I’ve rented a self-storage unit for some of items that I don’t have room for in the garage. Are these items covered while they’re in storage?
  • I’ll be renting a condo in Florida for the month of March. Are my belongings covered when I’m away from home?

This infographic spells out the coverage found in most Maine homeowners insurance policies. Your coverage may differ, so check with your Maine insurance agency.

Off Premises Homeowners Coverage

In general, your belongings are covered to 100% of your Personal Property (Coverage C) limit on your Maine condominium, renters or homeowners policy. It doesn’t matter where they’re located, anywhere in the world.

The only exception is if they’re at a residence of yours other than the one listed on your policy. Then, it’s only covered to 10% of your Personal Property limit, or $10,000, whichever is LESS. Presumably, the personal property at that residence would be covered by another homeowners, renters or condo policy.

Keep in mind that certain types of property, such as jewelry and silver, have limited coverage on most policies. Talk to your agent about insuring jewelry on a homeowners policy.

If you need insurance in Greater Portland Maine, contact Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance in South Portland at 207-799-5541.We’re independent and committed to you.

How to Buy Home Insurance in Maine: 4 Easy Steps

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If you’ve recently begun looking for a home in Maine, or have recently put one under contract, you’ll soon be looking for Maine homeowners insurance. If you will have a mortgage, your lender will pester you for the name of your insurance agent and the cost of your insurance.

Insuring your new home is a simple 4-step process:

How to Buy a Home in Maine

1. Put your home under contract

2. Get a home inspection

Your realtor can introduce your to a reputable home inspector. They almost always point out some deficiencies, possible trouble spots, or upcoming maintenance items. It’s up to you whether you negotiate who pays for these with the buyer, or include them into your early home improvement budget. Don’t ignore them, though. For example, if the inspector tells you that your roof shingles have less than 5 years remaining life, set aside the cost to replace it within that time.

3. Contact an Insurance Agent 

You’ll want to get a Maine homeowners or condo insurance quote for 100% of the rebuilding cost to satisfy your lender. The agent will use real estate and property tax info and ask a few questions about your home to help determine the rebuilding cost.

The agent will also ask how recently the home systems were updated (plumbing, heating, electrical and roof). Your home inspection will be handy in providing this information.

If you live in southern Maine, a Noyes Hall & Allen agent would be happy to help you with insurance quotes. We represent many different insurance companies, so we can shop the marketplace for you. Different insurers have different appetites, strengths and rates. We can also help you choose appropriate deductibles and insurance programs to fit your needs and budget.

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Bundle Up
It often makes sense to bundle your insurance with one insurance company. Most Maine insurers offer discounts when you insure your home and auto together. The savings can be substantial – up to 25% in some cases.

4.  Show proof of insurance to your lender

Once you introduce your insurance agent to your closing attorney (usually a title company), you shouldn’t have to do any work. Your agent and the title company will make sure the lender is satisfied. You can focus on getting ready to move into your home!

A Note About Escrow Accounts

If you escrow your insurance, lenders require you to pay the first year’s premium up-front – either to your insurance agent, or at closing. The lender collects a couple of months’ insurance and tax at closing to “seed” your escrow account. You’ll then pay 1/12 of those amounts along with your monthly mortgage payment. The insurance and tax bills will go to your lender, not to you.

If you have questions about Maine home, auto or condo insurance, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We’re independent and committed to you.

Uber Comes to Portland Maine: Are Uber Drivers Insured?

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Rideshare service Uber began operating in Portland Maine at noon on October 2. Uber and its top competitor Lyft are innovative, efficient, popular – and controversial. uber screenshotEverywhere Uber and Lyft pop up, local lawmakers scramble to address it. Taxi operators and other livery drivers rail against it. And insurance companies caution drivers who might think about joining the Uber fleet.

Are Uber Drivers Insured?

If they have a personal auto policy, their own insurance will not cover them while they’re driving someone for a fee. Period. Every PAP excludes coverage while a vehicle is being used as a “public livery or conveyance“, which basically means driving others for hire. An Uber driver in an accident shouldn’t count on their personal insurance helping out.

You can’t blame insurance companies for that. If you’re driving for Uber, you’re probably driving more miles and hours than you otherwise would. You might be in areas unfamiliar to you, under time constraints, and at hours with higher congestion or impaired operators on the road. All of those increase the likelihood you could have an accident.

The Good News
Uber’s web site says that the service provides a commercial insurance policy with a $1 million limit per incident, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. That’s more than 90% of drivers in Maine have. It also provides $50,000 of “contingent comprehensive and collision insurance”, which should pay for repairs to an Uber driver’s vehicle as a result of an accident during an Uber trip.

Not So Good News
Uber’s insurance drops to to $50,000 per person for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage “between trips” – the absolute minimum limits allowed in Maine. That’s inadequate for most people who want to protect their assets or future earnings from an expensive lawsuit.

Uber says that most auto insurance policies will provide coverage during the time that the driver is logged on available for hire  but between trips. Talk is cheap. Don’t count on an insurance company seeing it the same way. When presented with a claim, expect an insurance company to say you were engaged in livery, just not actively driving someone – and deny your claim.

What Kind of Insurance Should an Uber Driver Have?
The only type guaranteed to cover you is a business auto policy, rated as livery use. If you insure your car with Maine commercial vehicle insurance  and are upfront about your Uber driving, you should be covered.

 Is Uber Rideshare Service Safe to Use?
If you’re thinking of taking a ride from Uber, you can expect that the driver has insurance while you’re in the vehicle. That includes if you’re hit by someone with no insurance. If you have a personal auto policy, you also have Medical Payments coverage (usually $5,000 or less) for minor medical expenses.

If you have questions about Portland Maine auto insurance or Maine business insurance, contact Noyes Hall & Allen at 207-799-5541. We’re independent and committed to you.

Insuring a Maine Condo Rented to Others

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Do you need to insure a condominium in Maine that you rent out as income property? Insuring condos can be complicated. Your condo association has a master insurance policy. You have a unit owners insurance policy. Your tenant should have renters insurance. Which policy pays if your unit suffers water damage, fire, or other covered loss?

What’s Insured by the Condo Association Master Policy?

The master policy will cover building portions as prescribed by the bylaws that govern the association. Some associations insure the entire building complex (known as “all in” in insurance jargon). Others require a unit owner to insure the interior of their unit, everything inside the studs. Still others only require the unit owner to insure improvements and betterments made to the condo after it was built. Check your association bylaws and insurance policy to see which applies to you.

What’s Insured by Your Unit Owners Policy?

Your policy will cover items not covered by the association’s master policy. This might include improvements to the unit or the association deductible. Condo bylaws can vary greatly. It’s important to consult a Maine insurance agent who knows how to insure condominiums. They should understand your bylaws and your association’s insurance policy to help you buy proper coverage.

Many insurers issue condominium unit owners policies for rented condos. Others may use a Dwelling Fire insurance form, with customizing endorsements. As long as they are tailored to your situation, either should provide acceptable coverage.

Make sure that the owner of your condo unit is listed on your policy. If you set up a trust, LLC or other entity, if they’re not listed, they’re not covered. This is especially important in case of a liability claim involving your condo unit.

What’s Insured by Your Tenant’s Renters Insurance?

Your tenant’s renters insurance policy covers their “stuff”, such as furniture, clothing, and computers. Your policy will NOT pay for this damage. Neither will the association policy. Save yourself from conflict; require your tenants to buy renter’s insurance.

Questions About Condominium Insurance?

Insuring a Maine condominium can be complicated. Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance serves dozens of Southern Maine condominium associations from two-unit conversions to 100+ unit complexes. If you have questions about condo insurance, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent at 207-799-5541

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