You may or may not know that it's illegal in Maine to park in front of Dunkin' Donuts, sell mercury thermometers in Freeport, feed a deer, and advertise your business or products in cemeteries. It is also illegal in Maine to drive without purchasing Maine commercial auto insurance. Doing so may cause you to be fined $100 to $500. Your Maine driving license may also be suspended, and your vehicle's registration is considered void if officers find out you don’t have adequate commercial auto coverage in place.
This is an indispensable commercial policy that protects you from any financial responsibility in the event your commercial vehicle causes or gets into an accident. Fire, theft, vandalism, and floods are the main perils covered under this policy. Rented or leased vehicles are not covered under this policy. Also, this policy doesn’t cover tools and equipment that are not permanently attached to your commercial vehicle.
Here are some of the commercial autos covered by this insurance.
Taxis
Tractors
Tempos
Trailers
Vans
Box trucks
Auto rickshaws
Cubs
Excavators
Various types of businesses and individuals in Maine should consider purchasing commercial auto insurance to protect their vehicles and operations. Here are different points explaining who should purchase commercial auto insurance in Maine:
If you drive your employees to and from designated worksites using company vehicles, commercial auto insurance is essential. It provides coverage for potential accidents or injuries that may occur during employee transportation.
Owners of courier businesses who use vehicles to transport packages and goods should have commercial auto insurance. This coverage protects against accidents, damages to the delivered items, and liability claims arising from the delivery operations.
Owners of food delivery companies should consider commercial auto insurance. It provides coverage for accidents during food delivery, protects against damages to the delivered food, and helps cover liability claims in case of injuries or property damage.
Commercial auto insurance is a must for owners or drivers working for ride-sharing or ride-hailing companies. Personal auto insurance typically does not provide coverage during ride-sharing activities, so commercial auto insurance ensures proper protection for the driver, passengers, and other involved parties.
Individuals or businesses that use their vehicles for construction, plowing, or mining operations should have commercial auto insurance. These activities involve specific risks, and commercial auto insurance covers damages, accidents, and liability related to these industry-specific tasks.
If you transport goods or cargo on behalf of third parties, commercial auto insurance is crucial. It provides coverage for damages to the cargo, accidents during transportation, and liability claims arising from the delivery of goods.
Owners of towing companies should have commercial auto insurance to protect their tow trucks and cover any damages or liabilities that may occur during towing operations.
Data retrieved from Maine Crash statistics show that every 17 minutes there occurs a crash in Maine. In every hour there occurs a fatal car crash. Auto accidents that cause property damage occur every 24 minutes a day. Motorcycles, pedestrian vehicles, trucks, and bicycles account for the largest number of vehicles involved in an accident in Maine. Most car crashes in Maine occur in winter from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Below are the statutory Maine commercial auto insurance requirements:
You must have a per-person bodily auto liability coverage limit of $50,000 per person
You must have a per-accident bodily injury auto liability coverage limit of $100,000
You must have a property damage auto liability coverage limit of $25,000
You must purchase a per-person uninsured motorist coverage limit of $50,000 per accident
You must purchase a per-accident uninsured motorist coverage limit of $100,000
You must have a medical payment coverage limit of $2,000 per person
Maine commercial auto insurance typically includes the following components:
If you cause third-party bodily injuries or property damages, your insurer will cater for these costs under this component. You are also exempted from incurring legal expenses in the event an affected party sues you.
If you or the passengers traveling in your commercial vehicle sustain auto-related injuries your insurer will cater for your medical expenses up to a certain limit. Please note, that your medical expenses will be paid for regardless of who is at fault.
Provides coverage for damages caused by collision impacts. Examples of collision events covered under this commercial auto insurance Maine include hitting an electric pole, a coyote or deer, or another car. Your insurer will cater for the necessary expenses regardless of who is at fault under this component.
Covers damages caused to your vehicle by fire, theft, vandalism, and some weather-related events such as floods and lightning. Damages resulting from natural calamities such as landslides are also covered under this policy.
There are several add-ons or optional coverages that businesses can consider to enhance their insurance protection. These add-ons include:
With this policy you are exempted from incurring the costs associated with the provision of emergency services on your business vehicle if it breaks down while you are on the road. Such services include towing, battery jumpstart, fuel delivery, and flat tire change.
Acts as an extra financial layer if your commercial auto insurance coverage limits get exhausted and you are still required to pay for a claim. For example, if you are found liable for paying $300,000 for third-party property damage and your commercial auto insurance auto liability for third-party property damage is 50,000, then you can use your excess liability limit to clear the outstanding $250,000.
It provides coverage to personal, rented, or leased vehicles that are used for business purposes. This add-on does not cover the costs of repairing or repairing rented, leased, or personal vehicles. Instead, it protects you from incurring any legal expenses if you or your employee get sued by the affected party following an accident.
Provides coverage for goods, equipment, or tools that your commercial vehicle transports by land. Damages resulting from theft, vandalism, fire, and some weather-related incidents such as lightning are covered under this add-on.
This add-on compensates you for the cost you incur while replacing or repairing your vehicle's key and lock if they get stolen, lost, or damaged on an attempted car break-in.
Also referred to as personal possessions insurance. This add-on provides coverage for items that you carry around in your vehicle. An insurer will cater for the costs of replacing or repairing your lost, stolen, or damaged personal items that were present in your car after you got into an accident.
This add-on exempts you from incurring land reclamation and clean-up costs if the products/materials you transport in your commercial vehicle cause gradual or sudden unintentional environmental pollution. This add-on also covers pollution-related third-party bodily injuries and property damages.
This add-on exempts you from incurring the cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle’s damaged tire(s) following the occurrence of an insured risk/peril.
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Maine commercial auto insurance can be used in various instances to provide coverage and protection for your business vehicles. Here are some situations where you can utilize Maine Commercial Auto Insurance:
If your vehicle damages someone else's property, you're liable for repairs. Property damage liability coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement.
You must pay for third-party injuries or deaths if you caused them. Your insurance policy's bodily injury liability covers medical expenditures, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
If a third party sues you after an accident you caused, your insurance company will defend you and pay the costs. Your policy covers attorney fees, court costs, and settlements.
If an uninsured or underinsured driver damages your vehicle, your insurance policy may include coverage for such situations. This coverage helps offset the repair costs and protects you from financial burdens caused by drivers without adequate insurance coverage.
Comprehensive coverage safeguards your vehicle against damage caused by incidents not involving collisions, such as fire, vandalism, theft, natural disasters (like floods or landslides), and other specified events. It covers the expenses for repairs or the actual cash value of your vehicle if it is considered a total loss.
Below are some of the top 4 reasons why you should purchase Maine commercial auto insurance:
Your commercial auto insurance policy protects you from any third-party bodily injury or property damages liabilities you may be subjected to. Thus, you won't have to incur any costs of compensating the affected third party if you are the at-fault driver.
Your commercial auto insurance policy ensures the continuity of your business operations by:
Vehicle repair or replacement: Pays to repair or replace business vehicles damaged in accidents or by covered risks like theft or vandalism
Liability protection: Covers personal harm and property damage from business vehicles. This protects your business from financial losses and lawsuits that could impede operations
Rental vehicle coverage: Commercial auto insurance may cover rental vehicles if your business vehicles are out of service due to repairs or other covered accidents
Loss of income coverage: Some commercial auto insurance policies cover loss of income or company interruption from automobile incidents
Paying for you and your passengers’ medical expenses ensures that you get all the necessary medical attention, which in turn promotes fast recovery after an accident that sees you and your employees get back to your working capabilities.
Customers love to associate themselves with or solicit services from businesses that are financially prepared and stable. By purchasing your commercial auto insurance in Maine, your existing, new and potential customers will associate your business with financial stability and capability. This will in turn, lead to an increase in the number of customers you serve, which will consequently promote the growth of your business.
Maine commercial auto insurance is $128 per month or $1,530 per year for a $1 million auto liability coverage. Factors that affect the cost of premiums are claims history, business history, policy limits, and more. Here is a table showing the approximate monthly and annual cost for Maine commercial auto insurance as provided by some of the most reputable insurance carriers:
Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best for | |
---|---|---|---|
Thimble | $63 | $756 | Maine business owners who operate on call or seasonally |
The Hartford | $118 | $1,416 | Established Maine business owners who own a fleet of commercial vehicles and need comprehensive commercial auto insurance coverage |
Hiscox | $125 | $1,500 | Maine business owners who use their commercial vehicles in high-risk areas |
CoverWallet | $147 | $1,764 | Commercial auto insurance online quotes comparison |
Tivly | $156 | $1,872 | Comparing commercial auto insurance quotes over the phone |
NEXT | $156 | $1,872 | Best overall; Fastest commercial auto insurance |
It's important to note that the provided monthly and annual costs of commercial auto insurance in Maine are subject to change depending on Maine's economic conditions. Thus, these premium rates may increase or decrease.
Below are some of the factors that insurance companies use to determine/calculate your monthly and annual commercial auto insurance cost:
Deductibles in your policy–The lower your deductibles are, the more costly your premium rates will be. The vice versa is true.
Your demographic details–Age, marital status, and gender greatly influence your commercial auto insurance premium rate; for instance, if you are old, married, and a woman you will likely pay less for your commercial auto insurance policy than a young, unmarried, and male driver.
Your driving history–Your premium rates will be low if you haven’t received a traffic ticket, caused an accident, or violated any traffic rules for the last 3 to 5 years.
Your business geographical location–Your commercial auto insurance policy will be more costly if your business is located or if it operates in cosmopolitan areas. Individuals whose businesses are located or who work in the suburbs of Maine are likely to pay less.
Your vehicle’s mileage–Mileage is the miles your truck covers in a day, week, month, or year. The more your vehicle's mileage, the more expensive your commercial auto insurance policy will be.
Your business operations–If you use your commercial vehicle to perform high-risk business activities such as transporting hazardous materials or construction, you are likely to pay more premium rates than a business owner who uses their commercial car to deliver flowers.
The type of car you want to insure–A person who wants to insure an SUV will pay less commercial auto insurance premiums than a person who wants to insure their commercial trailer.
Here are some of the best commercial auto insurance companies in Maine. Read some of the reviews below to know their pros, cons, and average rate for $1 million auto liability coverage:
Sells customizable policies
Coverage available in all 50 states
10% discount on bundled policies
Best overall
Issues an online proof of insurance instantly
Fastest commercial auto insurance
Great customer service and reputation
Excellent rates
Outstanding value for money
Couldn’t find any
Guy Goldstein, Nissim Tapiro, and Alon Huri founded NEXT. This A- AM Best independently rated insurer specializes in providing small business owners with customizable, competitively priced, and discounted commercial policies. Through its AI-powered website, NEXT provides its customers with under five minutes quotes and instant proof of insurance.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest commercial auto insurance
Average cost: $156 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Generates quotes under 10 minutes
Has over 200 years of insurance experience
It covers a wide range of businesses
Financial services available to its policyholders
Coverage options only available to AARP members
The Hartford is an online USA-based insurance company that was founded in 1810. The AM Best and the Better Business Bureau rate this insurance industry-leading insurer an A+ grade. As of today, The Hartford is ranked as the 13th largest property and casualty insurer in the USA. The Hartford sells personal and commercial policies. Both monthly and annual premium payment plans are available in all 50 states. This insurance company also provides its customers with add-ons to commercial auto insurance.
Best for: Established Maine business owners who own a fleet of commercial vehicles and need comprehensive commercial auto insurance coverage
Average cost: $118 per month
Our rating: 10/10
You can retrieve your past insurance records from its website
Offers free and no-obligation quotes
Has partnered with multiple top-rated insurers
You can manage all your coverages in one location
Not an insurance company but an insurance broker
CoverWallet is an AON PLC-owned insurance company that specializes in facilitating its customers with the acquisition of free quotes and business policies from its partnered insurance carriers. Its easy-to-use website enables customers to use its time-saving online tools to purchase and manage their insurance policies 24/7. Apart from providing its policyholders with Maine commercial auto insurance, Coverwallet also deals in general liability insurance, commercial property insurance, professional liability, business owner's policy, workers comp insurance, professional liability insurance, and product liability insurance.
Best for: Commercial auto insurance online quotes comparison
Average cost: $147 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Provision of real-time analytics to better its customers' experience
Small-business specialist
Fast online quotation process
Yet to introduce live chat
Not suitable for large enterprises
Tivly is an online insurance agency that specializes in matching its clients with commercial policies that best suit their business needs. This privately traded insurance agency is funded by the Aquiline Capital partners. Its headquarters are located in Norman, Oklahoma, USA. Through its website, policyholders across the USA can purchase and manage its customizable and competitively priced insurance policies. Call now and talk with a representative to compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing commercial auto insurance quotes over the phone
Average cost: $156 per month
Our rating: 9/10
By the hour and day coverage options are available
You can purchase its coverage online by using its smartphone app
Its policies are customizable
Provides coverage to a broad range of enterprises
Refers its commercial auto insurance clients to Tivly
Thimble was previously known as Verifly. This USA-based insurance company was founded 7 years ago by Jay Bregman and Eugene Hertz. Initially, this online insurance company specialized in selling drone coverage. Through its partnership with top-rated insurers, Thimble has over the years facilitated its customers with the accusation of fast quotes and affordable, flexible, and scalable commercial policies in all 50 states.
Best for: Maine business owners who operate on call or seasonally
Average cost: $63 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Provides fast and excellent customer care services
Credible insurance provider
Provides worldwide coverage
Specialist in commercial insurance
Its range mostly benefits small-scale enterprises
Hiscox is an Anglo-Bermuda-based insurance company that was founded in 1901. The AM Best rates this global insurer an A, whereas the BBB rates Hiscox an A+ grade insurance company. General liability insurance, professional liability insurance, business owner's policy, and cyber insurance are some of the commercial policies Hiscox provides to its clientele. Through its partnership with CyberPolicy, Hiscox offers its customers affordable and discounted commercial auto insurance policies. Please note that Hiscox will only give you a 5% discount if you purchase its bundled policies.
Best for: Maine business owners who use their commercial vehicles in high-risk areas
Average cost: $125 per month
Our rating: 9/10
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This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!
It really can't get any better than this... wow