Business Insurance Inspection in Maine: What to Expect

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

Business insurance inspection is common in Maine. Commercial insurance companies routinely inspect businesses that they protect. Inspections allow them to make sure that they insure businesses that fit their guidelines and that their policyholders are adequately protected.

Is a Business Insurance Inspection Mandatory?

Inspections are expensive for insurance companies. They only perform them when they feel it’s necessary. Often, one of three conditions can cause an underwriter to order an inspection on your business:

  • You recently switched insurance to a new company. The new company wants to make sure that your business meets their underwriting requirements.
  • You recently had a claim. The insurance company may want to make sure that you have repaired any property damage or addressed the cause of a liability or workers comp claim.
  • Your business has expanded or moved. Businesses change, and so do their exposures to loss. Insurance companies inspect periodically to keep up.
  • The insurance company hasn’t inspected in several years. Things can change, even if your business stays about the same size and in the same place. 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 a Business Insurance Inspection?

Every insurance policy is a contract. Each policy has an “inspection clause”, which gives the insurance company the right to inspect your business with reasonable advance notice. If you refuse, it’s a violation of the contract. The insurance company can cancel your business insurance as a result.

Does the Insurance Inspector Need to Get Inside my Business?

Almost always. There are two types of insurance inspections: exterior only; and interior/exterior. The company underwriter decides which report to order based upon what they insure, your claim history, and other factors. Unless your property is a rented apartment building, the inspector will probably want to see all the areas.

What Does an Inspector Look For?

Insurance Inspector Should

Some inspectors are employees of the insurance company, but many are independent contractors. During a routine inspection, the inspector looks for features of your property or operation that can affect insurance claims. Items they typically inspect include:

  • Condition of roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and similar systems.
  • General property condition, paying particular notice to maintenance and general housekeeping.
  • Special hazards such as commercial cooking, chemicals, pollutants and machinery.
  • Controls and PPE to protect workers.
  • Dimensions of structures, so they can estimate the cost to rebuild them.

What Happens During a Business 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 will ask you to address them. It’s important to pay attention and respond to these. Failing to do so can cause insurance price increases, or even policy cancellation.

If you have a question about Greater Portland Maine business 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.

Non-Admitted Insurance in Maine

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

“Non-admitted” insurance companies are not approved by the Maine Bureau of Insurance. But they play an important role in Maine’s insurance market. Non-admitted carriers are often called “surplus lines” or “excess lines” insurers. They take higher risks than admitted insurers. That comes at a cost. Here are the pros and cons of the non-admitted insurance market.

non-admitted insurance companies provide a valuable service, with some risk.

The Risk of Non-Admitted Insurance

  • Non-admitted insurance companies’ coverage forms are not approved by Maine regulators. Their customers don’t enjoy many of the Maine Insurance Code’s protections. But they are subject to federal regulation through the Dodd-Frank Act (.pdf, 800+ pages).
  • In case of insurer insolvency, the Maine Guarantee Fund does not apply. Even if a policy is active, claims might not be paid if the company goes bankrupt.
  • The Maine Bureau of Insurance doesn’t review or approve non-admitted insurance rates. They do with admitted insurers. Non-admitted insurers may charge what the market will bear.
  • Many non-admitted insurance policies have a “minimum earned premium” of 25% of the annual premium. Even if you cancel your policy right away, the insurer will keep 3 months’ premium.
  • Non-admitted insurers may add separate policy fees to premium. Those are usually non-refundable. They must add Maine surplus lines tax to the premium, too.

Non-admitted insurance is often more expensive and provides less coverage. That’s why Maine only allows non-admitted carriers to insure risks that admitted carriers refuse.

Non-Admitted Insurance Can be Valuable

Purchasing insurance from a non-admitted carrier isn’t ideal. But it is a valuable service.

  • Some protection is better than none. While non-admitted insurance coverage is restrictive, it can protect customers against catastrophe.
  • Non-admitted coverage can be a temporary solution. It can give you time to make improvements and qualify for insurance from an admitted insurer.
  • Most lenders will accept non-admitted policies as proof of insurance. Lenders require insurance from their borrowers in order to make a loan.

Be a Smart Insurance Consumer

Purchasing insurance from a non-admitted carrier can be risky. Since non-admitted insurers are not covered by the Maine Guaranty Fund, it’s important to research your insurer’s financial strength. But many non-admitted insurers have excellent A.M. Best financial ratings (.pdf). Ask your agent about yours.

Non-admitted insurance proposals list all applicable exclusions, warrantees and coverage forms. You should at least understand them, even if you can’t change them. Your agent should be able to explain them to you. If you’re a client, your Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent can answer questions about your insurance. We’re independent and committed to you.

Increasing Construction Costs – Do I Have Enough Home Insurance?

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

Increasing construction costs may mean you don’t have enough insurance. Building costs are very high now. The 2020 pandemic caused material supply shortages. Meanwhile, many people wanted to improve the homes where they were spending so much time. The increased demand and supply shortages caused increased building material costs.

Increasing Construction Costs in Maine

Construction costs have two components: labor and materials. Both factors have increased during COVID. Contractors have been very busy. That drove up labor costs. Material shortages and supply chain interruptions pushed material costs higher, too. There’s no doubt that it would cost more to rebuild your home if a disaster struck this year.

My Home’s Worth More than It’s Insured For

Your insurance amount is almost never your home’s market value. Real estate values include acreage, desirability of location, landscaping, hardscape and excavation. These don’t affect the cost to rebuild your home. Your insurance amount should cover reconstruction costs, and no more.

How Do Insurance Companies Set the Value of My Home?

Insurers and agents use software to estimate the cost to rebuild your home. The largest vendor of this software is MSB, now owned by CoreLogic. Using MSB, agents input your home’s dimensions and features to calculate the rebuilding cost. This software isn’t perfect. Neither are agents. The program uses historical building data. In a fast-changing market, past data can differ from actual current costs. If an agent enters incorrect information, the result can be wrong, too.

Almost every homeowners policy has a built-in inflation guard factor. Many insurers change these every year in response to current cost changes. Others increase by a flat percentage each year – often 4%.

These adjustments help cushion against inflation but they aren’t perfect. It’s a good idea to ask your agent to do a fresh MSB estimate every few years.

How Can My Insurance Adjust to Increasing Construction Costs?

Building costs rise and fall with supply and demand. They can spike after a disaster and drop when contractors are looking for work. It would be a pain to calibrate your insurance coverage every time the market changes. Insurance companies know this. That’s why they build extra coverage into many policies.

  • increasing building costs can be affected by lumber commodities pricing
    Lumber Commodities Price History – NASDAQ

Look for something called “specified additional amount of insurance.” A common additional amount is 25%. That means that your policy has up to 25% more building coverage than the limit shown on the front page. This insulates you from cost spikes and estimating errors that could leave you without enough insurance to rebuild.

Concerned About Your Insurance?

If you live in Southern Maine, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent in South Portland. We offer a choice of several of Maine’s top insurance companies. We can help you find the proper coverage for your home and your budget.

Looking for new home insurance, but not ready to talk to a human yet? Get up to 5 Maine insurance quotes online here.

We’re independent and committed to you.

3 Tips for Buying Portland Maine Business Insurance

Posted on by Bob O'Brien
Portland Maine business insurance doesn't have to be complicated

Buying Portland Maine business insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. If you own a business, it’s important to protect your asset with commercial insurance. These policies can protect your building and vehicles against liability, theft, fire and more.

Whether you just started a business or need to upgrade your existing commercial insurance, the team at Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance has put together this short list to help you get started. 

1. Find a Reputable Business Insurance Agent

Working with a friendly and reputable local insurance agent takes the hassle out of buying a new commercial insurance. They will ask you some questions to get a better understanding of what coverage you need.

Many Maine people prefer to do business locally. A good local agent knows the area, and what Maine’s unique hazards and opportunities. They can help you compare quotes, understand your coverage and bundle your policies. Check their online reviews to help you choose. 

2. Compare Several Quotes

It’s smart to compare three or more quotes during the commercial insurance buying process to find the right one. Go over each in detail with your reputable agent, asking questions for clarification as needed. Policies will differ on price and coverage so be sure to understand what you’re getting and for what price.

Fortunately, Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance offers a choice of 10 of Maine’s top business insurance companies. That means we can do the shopping and comparison for you, with one stop. 

3. Bundle Your Business Insurance Policies

If you need more than one type of insurance, consider bundling with one insurance company. For example, insuring your business vehicles and your property with the same company can simplify billing and save on your premiums.  

Own a Portland Maine Area Business?

Have insurance questions? Contact a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We offer a choice of  many insurance companies and have served the local business community for almost 90 years. We’re independent and committed to you. 

Does Car Insurance Include Roadside Assistance?

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

Does car insurance include roadside assistance in Maine? It’s a common question.

Off the shelf auto insurance policies do not include roadside assistance. But many insurance companies offer it as an option. Others offer towing coverage. Both are less expensive that auto club options.

roadside assistance is not automatic coverage in most auto insurance policies

Are Roadside Assistance and Towing Insurance the Same?

Insurance companies have offered towing coverage for years. Roadside assistance is newer. They’re not exactly the same thing.

Roadside assistance and towing cover many of the same things. Examples are: flat tire repair; jump starting; fuel delivery; and towing, of course. The difference is that towing coverage reimburses you after the service call. You have to arrange your own service provide. Coverage is limited to a flat dollar amount, often $75.

Roadside assistance is a service. You don’t usually pay at the scene. If you need assistance, you call a special number and provide your policy info. Some insurers have their own app that you can use to summon help. They dispatch a truck to come and help you. Some roadside plans have a dollar limit per disablement. Most use a towing distance limit – often 25 miles.

How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost on an Auto Insurance Policy?

Each insurance company sets its own rates. In Maine, expect to pay between $10 and $20 per vehicle per year for roadside assistance. Towing coverage usually costs less than $10 per vehicle for a $75 limit.

Do You Need Roadside Assistance or Towing Coverage if You Have AAA or Onstar?

Most people choose not to have both. They either buy roadside assistance on their auto insurance, or another road service.

Some clients choose to buy towing insurance even though they have another service. For example, some subscription plans charge extra to tow more than 25 miles. If that happens, they pay the excess and submit the bill to their insurance under towing coverage.

Answers to Maine Auto Insurance Questions

Live in southern Maine? Have questions about roadside assistance or auto insurance? Call a Noyes Hall & Allen agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We offer a choice of many of Maine’s most popular insurance companies. Many of them offer optional roadside assistance coverage. We’ll help you find a solution that fits your needs and budget. We’re independent and committed to you.

My Insurance Payment is Late – and It’s Not My Fault!

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

How to Avoid Mail Delays and Policy Cancellation

“My insurance payment is late, and it’s not my fault!” It’s happening to a lot of people and businesses right now. You don’t get a bill, or it arrives late. You mail the payment to the insurance company, and it isn’t recorded for days. Between COVID era workarounds and USPS issues, insurance billing and payment processing is more unreliable than ever. But it’s still important.

My insurance payment is late! It may not be your fault, but it's still a problem.

On Time Insurance Payment is Critical

If you pay a credit card bill late, you get a late fee. But if your insurance company doesn’t get paid, you might have no insurance. That’s why it’s critical to make your insurance payments on time.

What if the delay is not your fault? You didn’t get a bill. Or you mailed the payment days ago, but the insurance company hasn’t recorded it. It may not matter. Your insurance can still be canceled if your payment is late, no matter the reason.

If your policy cancels, two bad things happen. First, you have no insurance. Second, you’ll pay more for insurance when you need to re-start coverage. So it’s very important to make sure your policy stays active.

Ways to Make Sure Your Insurance Payment is on Time

Businesses and people are finding ways to make sure their insurance payments are on time. Maybe one of these options will work for you:

  • Electronic billing – Sign up to have your bills emailed. That avoids delays in getting insurance bills.
  • Insurance company accounts – Register for an account with your insurance company. Connect via mobile app or computer. These give you access to proof of insurance, and payment and billing info. You can even file and track a claim online through your account.
  • Pay online – Most insurance companies have a way to pay your bill instantly online. You can pay by credit card, debit card or automatic bank account withdrawal. Noyes Hall & Allen clients can find their insurance company here to pay an insurance bill online.
  • Automatic Payments (EFT) – Allow the insurance company to withdraw payments directly from your bank account. This ensures that your policy payments are always up to date.
  • AVOID Bill Pay Services – Many banks offer online bill payment services. These don’t work well with insurance bills. They don’t include your payment slip, and must be manually processed. Also, you may have more than one policy. Without the ticket, the insurance company doesn’t know which one you’re paying.
  • Double check the insurance company’s address – Many insurance companies use payment processing services. These can be thousands of miles from the insurance company office. If you mail your payment to the insurance company, they will forward it to the payment service. This causes delays in recording payments.

Answers to Maine Insurance Billing Questions

If you have an app and an online account with your insurance company, you can answer simple billing questions yourself. But sometimes it’s hard to understand what you owe or why. That’s when an agent can help. They can explain and clarify your insurance billing. Many can even take a payment over the phone if you’re ready to pay.

Southern Maine families and businesses have trusted Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agents for more than 80 years. We can help you set up a company account or payment schedule. We can explain your bill, or even take your payment if you’re in a rush. We offer a choice of many insurance companies and billing plans. We’re independent and committed to you.

Replacing a Car? What Your Insurance Agent Needs

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

Replacing a car with a new one is an easy insurance transaction. Here’s the info your agent needs to do it:

3 Things Your Agent Needs:

  1. VIN – The Vehicle ID Number for the new vehicle. It’s 17 digits long. That’s easy to transpose. And lots of letters and numbers sound alike, so they’re easy to get wrong. A photo of the VIN simplifies the process and reduces mistakes. Text it to your agent, or email it to them.
  2. Finance Info – Did you buy the vehicle outright? Congratulations! Your agent doesn’t need anything. But if you lease it or take out a loan, they do. The name and address of the finance company will be on your title application. Email or text a photo to your agent. Or, you can call with the info.
  3. Aftermarket Safety or Security Options – The VIN contains details about what’s on your vehicle when it comes off the assembly line. If you purchased add-ons at the dealership, let your agent know. That might include subscription items like OnStar. Or an after-market alarm system.

Link: TEXT VEHICLE INFO

Link: EMAIL VEHICLE

INFO

replacing a car is an easy insurance transaction

Replacing a Car – What to Expect Next

Once your agent has this info, they can:

  • email or text an insurance card to you, so you can register your vehicle
  • email proof of insurance to your dealer.
  • update your policy
  • let you know the insurance premium difference.

Be sure to let your agent know if you’re holding on to your old vehicle, so they can keep the insurance active.

Buying a car outside your agent’s business hours?

A new vehicle is almost always automatically insured until you can notify the insurance company. Whatever you do, don’t let the dealer talk you into buying insurance in a hurry.

Do you live in Southern Maine and have questions about auto insurance? Contact a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We’re independent and committed to you.

Contractors Insurance Audits in Maine – Best Practices Help Avoid Surprises

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

Contractors insurance audits are important. They help keep insurance costs predictable for all contractors. They also create important information for insurance rate setters. Accurate payroll and sales figures help them know how much premium they must charge to cover losses.

If your audit results in extra premium, it will be due within 30 days. You want to avoid that if possible. Tell your agent if your payroll, sales or subcontractor costs are much higher than the estimate on your policy.

Contractors insurance audits don't have to be painful

Why Am I Getting an Insurance Audit?

Many contractors insurance policies in Maine are auditable. Contractors’ jobs, payroll and subcontractor costs vary each year. In slow work years, claims tend to be lower. In boom years, there are more claims. Insurance companies audit to “true up” premiums with the expected claims.

Types of Contractors Insurance Audits

Your insurance company might audit your results in several ways. The method can change year-to-year. It may depend on the size of your business and current conditions.

  • Online or Mailed Audit – You fill out your own audit on a form and send with quarterly 941 reports.
  • Phone Audit – An auditor will set an appointment to complete the audit by phone. They’ll tell you the information you’ll need. Commonly, quarterly 941 reports, payroll reports, and a list of officers and owners of your business.
  • Physical Audit – An auditor comes to your workplace by appointment. They examine your records in person. The auditor also checks that employees are properly classified based on the work they perform.

What Happens if I Don’t Complete My Contractors Insurance Audit?

Workers compensation insurers must report premiums and losses to NCCI. NCCI uses that information to set rates and experience mods. Insurers can incur penalties for slow or inadequate reporting. General liability insurance uses payroll info too. Your audit information is an important factor in insurance company rate-setting.

Insurers are not going to “go away” if you ignore the audit request. Your audit information is time sensitive, and collecting it is someone’s job.

If you fail to respond to audit requests, the insurance company will bill you for an estimated audit. You do not want an estimated audit. It increases your premium by 25% or more. And you’re contractually obligated to pay it.

Bite the bullet. Complete your audit. It’s not going to go away.

How Do I Prepare For an Insurance Audit?

  • Be ready. Your audit happens at the same time every year.
  • Keep good records throughout the year.
  • Get certificates of insurance for your subcontractors: general liability and workers compensation.
  • Tell your agent during the year about large payroll, sales or subcontractor cost changes, up or down.
  • Keep track of time and payroll for different kinds of work. This can lower your workers comp costs while still protecting you and your workers. Include overtime.
  • Remember that some owners or officers might have waived workers comp coverage.
  • If you have a physical audit, plan to be present and available. The auditor wants to finish their work quickly and thoroughly. The faster they have what they need, the sooner you can get back to work.

Completing Contractors Insurance Audits: Who Can Help?

Completing an online or mailed audit? The insurance company should send detailed instructions. If you’re stuck, you can call the insurance company’s audit department or your agent. Sometimes, your payroll company can assist, too.

What if I Disagree With the Audit Results?

You can dispute an audit if the payroll or classifications are wrong. You can’t dispute just because the premium is higher. Your agent may be able to help, but they don’t have the information unless you authorize the insurance company to share it with them.

Maine Contractors Insurance Answers

Are you a contractor in Southern Maine? Do you have questions about Maine business insurance? Contact a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We have decades of experience and offer a choice of Maine’s top contractors’ insurance companies. We’re independent and committed to you.

Maine Boat Insurance: What Coverage Do You Need?

Posted on by Bob O'Brien
Maine boat insurance doesn't have to be difficult.

In Maine, boat insurance is a common purchase. We have more than 110,000 registered vessels. Boats are an investment and a responsibility. Boat owners need to protect themselves from damage to the vessel. But they also need liability protection.

What kind of boat insurance do you need? Most boat owners must purchase separate Maine boat insurance to properly protect their assets. Homeowners policies provide little or no protection for boats. Almost anything bigger than a canoe needs a separate policy.

All Boat Insurance is NOT Alike

When buying Maine boat insurance, pay attention to the details. Coverage varies a lot! Here are just a few examples how:

Damage to Your Boat

  • Valuation. Some insurers value your boat like a car (actual cash value). Others will replace your 3 year old boat with a brand new model (replacement cost).
  • On-water towing. Usually optional. Some work like a roadside assistance plan. Others reimburse you after you’ve been towed. Some policies provide $500 coverage, Others provide none at all.
  • Hurricane haul out. If a tropical storm’s on the way, some insurance will pay up to 50% of the cost to haul your vessel ashore. Many policies provide no coverage at all.
  • Mechanical failure. This coverage is rare, but can be valuable. Most policies have no coverage for mechanical breakdown. Some specialty policies actually cover wear and tear. That’s very rare in the insurance world.
  • Personal watercraft. Some insurance companies only insure propeller-driven boats. Others will insure jetskis, Seadoos and other personal watercraft.
  • Dinghys and tenders. Most yacht policies offer the option to include an inflatable or other dinghy or tender.
  • Boat trailers. Most boat policies allow you to insure damage to a boat trailer. You may also be able to insure this on an auto insurance policy. What about on-the-road liability coverage for a boat or trailer while it’s being towed? That always comes from the auto insurance policy for the vehicle towing it.

Liability and Injury

  • Marina liability coverage. Some marinas require proof of boat liability insurance to rent a slip or mooring. These requirements can be as high as $1 million. Some insurers provide higher liability limits required by marinas. Others don’t.
  • Wreckage removal and fuel spill. What if your boat leaks fuel or sinks? In Maine, you’re responsible for cleanup and raising. Some insurance policies cover this fully. Others simply write a check for the boat and walk away. They don’t cover fuel spill liability or wreckage removal.
  • Uninsured boaters coverage. If you’re hit by someone with little or no insurance, your medical bills can be expensive! Uninsured boaters coverage can pay your medical bills following a crash. Choose your limit wisely!

Maine Boat Insurance Made Easy

Do you own a boat in Maine? Have questions about what kind of insurance you need? Contact Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance in South Portland for boat insurance at 207-799-5541. We offer a choice of boat insurance companies. Chances are, we can find the one that fits your coverage needs and budget. We’re independent and committed to you.

Wondering how to register a boat in Maine?

Reduced Driving and Insurance Rates

Posted on by Bob O'Brien
Reduced driving and insurance rates have been hot topics during COVID

During the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced driving and insurance costs have been a hot topic. Many Mainers are driving less. Why haven’t their car insurance rates dropped? It’s more complicated than you might think. But there are ways to keep your car insurance costs in check.

Why Maine Insurance Rates Haven’t Dropped

Insurance is Slow and Steady

We count on insurance companies to be dependable and stable. We need to know they’ll be able to pay claims in the future. So it’s no surprise that insurance companies aren’t built to react to fast trends. Especially those that may not last.

We want stable insurance prices. The whole purpose of insurance is to avoid a large loss by paying a small cost (premium). Some years, disasters cause insurance companies lose a lot of money. Other times, claims are low. Insurers bank our premiums in those times to pay for the bad ones.

Insurers Have No Experience with COVID

In insurance, data rules. Insurance companies charge premiums based on expected claims. They hire smart math nerds who use decades of data to find the proper rates. Consumers want the lowest possible price. Regulators and stakeholders want rates high enough to make a profit pay future claims.

Historical data didn’t help much during COVID. Americans drove less as people telecommuted and stayed close to home. Nothing was normal.

But overall mileage doesn’t tell the whole story. Essential workers continued to commute as usual (thank you, essential workers!). Law enforcement and highway construction crews noticed increased speeds due to less traffic. That led to more serious crashes and injuries.

COVID Auto Insurance Rebates in Maine

Remember how quiet the roads were in the early days of the pandemic? It was a very uncertain time for the economy. Many people were out of work, and small businesses feared that they’d have to close.

In response, most American auto insurance companies refunded some premium to policyholders in 2020. This was an unprecedented response by insurance companies. By law, rebating of premiums is illegal. But state insurance departments approved exceptions.

But it wasn’t easy. Insurance companies’ billing systems weren’t programmed to rebate money to customers. It was difficult for many of them to calculate and distribute the refunds.

Although the insurance industry returned $10 billion to US consumers, individual refunds were quite small. The public hardly noticed them. Between the underwhelming public response and the cost of the workarounds, insurers didn’t think the rebates were that valuable. We don’t expect rebates again anytime soon.

Reduce Your Auto Insurance Costs When Driving Less

OK, so car insurance companies aren’t slashing rates in response to COVID. And they’re probably not going to refund premium this year. You still have control over your own policy. Here are some adjustments you can make.

Be Sure You’re Properly Rated

Does your policy reflect your actual driving? If you’re working from home, retired or unemployed, maybe not. Check the drivers listed on your policy. Are any of them no longer at home? Do they now have their own insurance?

Check Your Collision Coverage

Do you have an older car that isn’t worth much? Is it rarely driven? Do you have a vehicle that’s completely off the road? Consider removing collision coverage, at least during COVID. Just remember to add it back if the situation changes.

Prove You’re Driving Less

Even “slow and steady” insurance is changing with the times. Several now offer “usage based insurance”. Commonly advertised brands include Progressive Snapshot, Travelers Intellidrive and Drivewise from Allstate.

With usage-based insurance, you allow the insurance company to customize your rate in exchange for an up-front discount. You’ll need a smartphone and the insurance company’s app. Your final price varies depending on how, how much and when you drive. It can be lower or higher than the initial discount.

Safeco Insurance offers a twist: a “low mileage discount” that doesn’t use a real-time monitor. You simply verify your previous year’s mileage to continue to earn their discount. Safeco also has a usage-based mobile app option.

Want to know more about these options? Ask a Noyes Hall & Allen agent.

Shop Your Auto Insurance

If those cost-saving measures don’t work for you, you can always compare rates with other insurance companies. Live in Greater Portland Maine? You can get up to 5 Maine auto insurance quotes in 10 minutes on our website. Or call a Noyes Hall & Allen agent in South Portland for quotes at 207-799-5541.

We offer the choice of more than a dozen insurers, so we can search the market for the best value. We’re independent and committed to you.