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

Posted on by admin

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?

Posted on by admin

 

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?

Posted on by admin

 

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.

5 Portland Maine Restaurant Owners’ Nightmares – Solved by Insurance

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

 

Portland Maine is a foodie town. In a city of 65,000, our city hall issues about 600 food prep licenses. Between Beard Award finalists, dining savvy locals and travel magazine-inspired foodie tourists, Portland  is a popular – and challenging – town to run a successful restaurant. The stiff competition raises the bar for everyone. There’s little room for error or bad luck. menu of restaurant disasters

The Unfriendly Fire

You’re careful with your life’s work. But no matter how often you clean your filters, or get your Ansul and fire extinguishers checked, fire is a threat every day. Oils, high temp grills and gas ranges are a delicate combination. The danger doesn’t go away when you close up for the night. Appliances can be left on. Lighted candles can be forgotten. Appliances and extension cords can short out. After a fire, officials will force you to throw out any food for fear of contamination.

The Problem Neighbor

Food bloggers and tourists call Portland “quaint and cozy“. What that really means is we’re wedged into a tight peninsula. It’s not unusual to have 3 or 4 restaurants in one city block – even more in the Old Port. Plus, apartments and offices above. No matter how careful you are, you can be done in by one of your less careful neighbors. A frozen pipe upstairs that leaks into your dining room, or a fire  up the block can shut down YOUR restaurant.

CLOSED, for…?

Diners are fickle. If you’re off line for just a few weeks, even your regulars can find a new spot in a restaurant town like Portland. It can take months – or longer – to get business back to pre-shutdown levels. Meanwhile, you have bills to pay. An estimated 25% of businesses never re-0pen after a disaster. In the restaurant business, that’s probably a lot higher.

The Difficult Diner

No matter how good your restaurant is, not every customer experience is flawless. It isn’t always food-related. People can trip on a carpet or fall on stairs or on the sidewalk. They don’t even have to be your customers. Someone can be injured in your parking lot. Of course, the food business has its own unique hazards. A customer’s stomach flu can sometimes become “food poisoning”; a broken tooth attributed to a piece of shell in their meal.  It’s expensive to defend against these accusations – and expensive to make the situation right if you were in the wrong.

Drinking and…?

Most Portland restaurants have a full bar or good beer and wine list. Alcohol sales can be the difference between a profit and a loss. Of course there are plenty of regular bars in town. That means your diners may have drinks before they arrive at your place, and more after leaving. If they get into an accident on the way home and are found to be over .08, people they harm might sue any business that served the negligent driver. Even if you’re blameless, that lawsuit can be expensive to defend.

Restaurant Insurance to the Rescue

A thoughtful Maine restaurant insurance program can protect your business from all of these nightmares and more. Insurance may not make your worries disappear, but it can help you sleep better after a long night’s work. And, it can keep a terrible day at work from destroying your business. If you own or run a Portland Maine area restaurant, food truck, bakery or other food prep business, call a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent at 207-799-5541. We’ll work with you and your budget to keep your nightmares at bay, so you can focus on what you love most: creating great food.

5 Essentials for Portland Maine Apartment Owners & Landlords

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

 

Portland Maine has more rental units than any other city in the state – more than 19,000 units according to the 2000 US Census. Portland’s very low vacancy rate – as low as 1% by some estimates – makes it an attractive place to own residential income property.

But landlords know that owning an apartment building is more than just sitting back and collecting rent. From property damage to liability concerns, apartments can threaten your net worth as well as increase it. Here are 5 essentials for you to consider to protect your investment in habitational income property.

Doors, Windows and Locks

It’s basic, but surprising how many landlords ignore the first line of security defense: doors and windows. Make sure the entry doors to your building and each unit are solid wood or steel, with a deadbolt lock. Windows on lower levels should also have solid locks. To protect your tenants and your property, re-key the entry lock every time a tenant moves out. A door peephole is also an appreciated safety feature to allow your tenants to see who’s at their door without opening it.

Intercoms, Alarms and Security Cameras

Maine law requires every rental property to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. That’s just a start. If you own a building with a locked main entry, an intercom is another valuable security feature. Some intercom systems have built-in cameras. Whether you have an intercom or not, a security camera system is also a good idea.Security Camera

Security cameras with a recording device:

  • Provide added security for your tenants;
  • Deter vandalism;
  • Protect you in liability cases, by recording a fall or incident;
  • Document any criminal or nuisance activity.

Proper Tenant Screening

Rental property management companies do a good job of screening potential tenants. If you choose not to use a property manager, you’ll want to use a professional rental application. A proper application asks about job history; income level; pets and number of occupants; and personal references, including prior landlords. The application should also give you permission to do a background check on prospective tenants, including criminal history and a credit check.

If the initial background information report indicates that someone is a desirable tenant, you may want to conduct a quick interview. Of course, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based upon color, disability, race, national origin, gender or sexual preference, religion or family status. But, you can ask potential tenants about pets and their behavior; what hours they work and sleep; smoking; and roommates and frequent guests.

apartment building in Portland Maine

A Good Rental Contract – including a Pet Policy

A good lease agreement spells out the responsibilities of both landlord and tenant. It also outlines grounds for eviction, which will be critical if your tenant turns out to be a payment or behavior problem. Keep signed rental agreements in a secure place.

Your rental agreement should include a pet clause, which limits animals by type, number, size or breed – or prohibits them altogether. Even if your prospective tenant has no pets, their lease should include this clause. They may want to get a pet after they move in.

We recommend that all landlords require renters’ insurance policies. Many renters think that their landlord’s insurance protects their belongings. It doesn’t. Moreover, if someone is injured in your tenant’s apartment and the tenant has no insurance, you can easily be sued for damages. For a more detailed description, read “Should a Portland Maine Landlord Require Renters Insurance?”

Solid Insurance

Even the best managed Maine income properties can still create costly losses for their owners. Good landlord insurance can make the difference between a financial disaster and a manageable expense. At a minimum, your insurance should protect you against:

  • Damage to your property – with an insurance limit sufficient to replace or rebuild.
  • Liability Suits – including injury, damage to others’ property, wrongful eviction, invasion of privacy and slander.
  • Loss of Rental Income – caused by damage to your property

Many landlords set up LLCs or other ownership entities for their real estate. Make sure that the legal owner of the building is an insured on the policy. Depending on your property’s location and characteristics, you might also consider flood or earthquake insurance.

If you have questions about Portland Maine landlord insurance and Maine income property insurance, contact Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance at 207-799-5541. Noyes Hall & Allen is a partner organization of the Maine Apartment Association, which offers helpful information and member benefits for apartment owners. One of our insurance agents, Dave McKenna, is currently a Committee Member of the MAA. Noyes Hall & Allen is independent and committed to you.

What is Hazard Insurance? Maine Home Insurance Explained

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

 

Whether you’re buying a home in Falmouth, a condo in Portland or income property in Scarborough, if you’re borrowing money, your lender will ask for proof of “hazard insurance”.

What is Hazard Insurance?

Hazard insurance is just the bank’s term for property insurance. The bank wants to make sure that if a disaster strikes, they will be protected at least up to the amount of your loan. Typical types of hazard insurance in Maine include:

  • Homeowners insurance (sometimes called an HO-3 or HO-5);
  • Condominium Unit Owners Insurance (aka HO-6);
  • Renters insurance (HO-4);
  • Dwelling Fire policy (often used for rental property or camps).

How Much Hazard Insurance Do I Need on My Home?

The bank would prefer to have 100% of your loan protected by property insurance. Sometimes, that’s too much insurance. After all, your insurance will only pay to rebuild your home. Insurance doesn’t cover items such as land, site work, landscaping or other items that are included in the purchase price. Your Maine homeowners insurance agent should help you

  • estimate the cost to rebuild your home;
  • provide cost estimates based upon the coverage you need;
  • provide proof of insurance that will satisfy the bank.

A good insurance agent can help you avoid buying too much – or too little – insurance.

If you have questions about Maine investment property insurance, or protecting your home, camp or condo, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207.799.5541 today. We offer a choice of many of  Maine’s preferred property insurance companies, so we can do your shopping for you. As we like to say: “we’re independent and committed to you.”

 

Can My Insurance Company Force Me to Make Changes to My Property?

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

 

Insurance policies give insurance companies the option to inspect your property from time to time. The result of your insurance property inspection is a report to the company underwriter.

If the underwriter has concerns, they make “recommendations” to address them. This is a euphemism. These are not recommendations at all, but requirements. A “recommendation” may be as minor as fine-tuning the amount of insurance on your property (up or down); or as major as replacing the roof.

The underwriter sets a deadline for the “recommendation” to be completed. The deadline varies depending on the severity of the situation, how long they’ve insured your property, when your policy expires, and the season of year.

The Importance of Communication

The worst thing you can do is ignore an insurance company “recommendation”. Nobody likes to be Woman on Cellphoneignored; insurance underwriters dislike it more than most. It’s better to let the insurance company know your intentions, or to ask questions if you don’t understand.

Your Maine insurance agent is the link between you and the insurance company. Talk to them! They can explain the situation and advocate for you. If you are uncertain what the underwriter requires and why, ask your agent for a clarification. If you are unable to comply or need help, tell your agent. Depending on the circumstances, your agent may be able to negotiate with the underwriter for more time or for a different solution to the issue.

If the insurer’s recommendation involves physical changes to your property, they will require confirmation that you’ve made them. This usually means sending a photo of the completed change. The company may ask for a signed statement confirming that the change is permanent (such as removing a trampoline from the yard).

What Happens If You Can’t – or Won’t – Comply With Insurance Company Inspection Recommendations?

If the underwriter’s deadline passes without confirmation that the recommended changes were made, they may cancel your policy. Depending on the severity of the recommendation, they may cancel your policy within 30-45 days, or send a notice of non-renewal for when the policy expires.

When your policy is canceled or non-renewed by an underwriter, it’s very difficult to obtain replacement insurance with a preferred company. Your agent may be able to find replacement coverage, but it will probably at a higher cost and with less broad coverage.

Also, remember that you’re then a new customer with another insurance company. Now THEY may want to inspect. The cycle begins again, and it’s not always a good cycle.

If you have a question about Greater Portland Maine home or investment property insurance,  contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We offer you a choice of Maine’s preferred property insurance companies. We’re independent and committed to you.

Insurance Inspections in Maine : What to Expect

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

Insurance inspection is common in Maine. Home and investment property insurers routinely inspect properties that they protect. Because of more severe property insurance losses in recent years, insurers have stepped up the rate of inspections. Inspections allow them to make sure that they insure properties that fit their guidelines and that those properties are adequately protected.

Is an Insurance Inspection Mandatory?

Inspections are expensive for insurance companies, so they don’t perform them unless they feel it’s necessary. Often, one of these conditions can cause an underwriter to order an inspection on your property:

  • You bought a new property.
  • You switched insurance to a new company. The new company wants to make sure that your home or business meets their underwriting requirements.
  • You had a recent property claim. The insurance company may want to make sure that you have repaired the damage following your claim. This is especially common after a water damage loss, to avoid mold developing.
  • You own property that the insurance company hasn’t inspected in several years. Over time, DIY renovations; property improvements and additions; or lack of maintenance can create situations that can increase the probability or size of an insurance claim. The insurance company wants to make sure that your policy stays up to date in case they have to pay a claim.

inspectorCan I Opt Out of an Insurance Inspection?

In short, no. Each insurance policy has an “inspection clause”, which gives the insurance company the right to inspect your property with reasonable advance notice. If you refuse, it’s a violation of the contract. The insurance company may cancel your policy as a result.

Does the Insurance Inspector Need to Get Inside my Home?

There are two types of insurance home and business inspections: exterior only; and interior/exterior. The company underwriter decides which report to order based upon the age and value of your property, your claim history, and other factors. Some inspectors are employees of the insurance company, but many are independent contractors.

What Does an Inspector Look For?

Insurance Inspector Should

During a routine inspection, the inspector looks for features of your home or investment property that can affect the probability or the severity of an insurance claim. Items they typically inspect include:

  • Condition of
    • roof, including age of shingles, overhanging trees and accumulation of debris or vegetation
    • plumbing fixtures, drains and supply lines
    • electrical, including wiring, outlets and breaker boxes
    • heating and similar systems.
  • General property condition, paying particular notice to peeling paint; signs of rot; debris in the yard; and overhanging trees or vegetation close to the property. Because of an increase in deck collapse claims, insurers pay special attention to how your deck or porch is attached to the home, and its overall condition.
  • Special hazards such as dogs; trampolines;  swimming pools; or business operations.
  • Condition of any outbuildings or other structures.
  • Dimensions of structures, so they can estimate the cost to rebuild them.

What Happens During an Insurance Inspection?

The inspector sends their report to the insurance company underwriter. If no deficiencies are noted, you will probably not hear from anyone. If the underwriter has concerns, they make “recommendations” to address them. For more information about insurance recommendations and how to deal with them, read “Can My Insurance Company Force Me to Make Changes to My Property?”

If you have a question about Greater Portland Maine home or investment property insurance,  contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We offer you a choice of Maine’s property insurance companies. We’re independent and committed to you.

What to Do if You’re in an Auto Accident in Maine

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

 

Auto accidents are stressful, and the scene is often chaotic. Emotions and nerves run high, which can prevent clear thinking. Whether you’re driving a personal vehicle or a business vehicle, if you’ve been in an auto accident in Maine, you may have these questions.

Do I Need to Report an Auto Accident in Maine?

Rear-end auto accidentMaine state law requires you to report to the police any accident on a public road causing more than $1,000 in property damage or any bodily injury (a driveway, parking lot or other private property is not considered a public way). If you fail to report, you’ve committed a Class E crime, and may have your driver’s license suspended. So, it’s better to report it, just in case.

3 Good Reasons to Report Your Accident Anyway

  • $1,000 damage is less than you think. On modern vehicles, most parts are replaced, not repaired. A simple cracked bumper plus labor costs will do it. The responding police officer may estimate it lower, but it almost always costs more.
  • Injuries aren’t always immediately apparent. Sometimes everyone says they’re fine at the scene, but ends up at the ER or the doctor’s office later.
  • Stories can change. A police report captures them at the scene. ‘Nuff said.

While You’re Waiting for the Police to Respond to Your Accident

Assuming everyone’s OK, not belligerent, and you’ve been able to pull over to a safe spot:

  • Take photos of the vehicles with your phone. Include license plate numbers and any apparent damage.
  • Take photos of the other person’s info: driver’s license, insurance card an registration.
  • Get the other person’s phone number.
  • Record names, addresses & phone numbers of any passengers in either vehicle.

Won’t the Police Get Information About the Other Driver?

Yes, but police no longer are required to share this information at the scene, and they rarely do. We get it: the police are busy, and traffic accidents are mostly a paperwork chore for them. They didn’t become cops because they loved to file reports. And they file a lot of them. The police office will tell you that the insurance company can get the report and all the information online.

Important Things About the Accident Report that the Police DON’T Tell You

  • Accident reports aren’t available for a long time. If you’re lucky, it’s 2-3 days. In larger cities, it can be weeks. That’s a long time if you’re waiting to start your insurance claim.
  • Accident reports cost money to obtain. The insurance company will order one, so your local agent doesn’t want to pay for it, too – just to get the info to report your claim.

That’s where than info you gathered before the police arrived comes in handy.

  • You’ll be able to report your auto accident to your agent or insurance company with all the info you need.
  • If you were clearly not at fault, it allows you (or your agent, if you have one) to report the claim RIGHT AWAY to the other driver’s insurance company. This is especially important if you don’t carry collision coverage on your own vehicle. If the other insurance company accepts responsibility, they will pay to fix your vehicle and rent a replacement while yours is in the shop. If it turns out the other driver didn’t have valid insurance (it happens), you can make a claim under your own insurance, or, if you didn’t buy collision coverage, at least plan accordingly.
  • Your photos document the extent of damage at the scene. Believe it or not, things sometimes change between the time of an accident and the time an adjuster sees the vehicle (’nuff said).

Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance clients can report claims here, or call us at 207-799-5541. If you live in Greater Portland and find this information helpful, why not get 5 Maine car insurance quotes in 10 minutes from our website?

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

Posted on by admin

 

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.