BDN: Maine has nation’s least expensive car insurance (Eastport: 2013, home)

[Submariner]

Maine has nations least expensive car insurance

"Maine has nation’s least expensive car insurance" ? ? ?

I was just charged $450/year to insure my new truck [an old truck, though new to me]. So I guess I should be happy to have not paid more

[Newdaawn]

The article stated that Louisiana had the highest. I would have guessed it was New Jersey

[WhatUpFLA]

That doesn't surprise me.

There has to be some incentive like this that will attract others from different states and countries to move to Maine and help the state retain some of its residents. I mean, let's face it, Maine isn't exactly paradise. There are very few jobs in Maine, it's climate is terribly cold, and it's population is declining. Additionally, the state is the least diverse and one of the oldest in the U.S.

I've never met one person in my entire life who relocated to Maine from another state, and I was born and raised in New England. New Hampshire, yes; Maine, no.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by WhatUpFLA

... let's face it, Maine isn't exactly paradise.

Opinions may vary.

I rather like Maine.

... it's climate is terribly cold

Which is a big draw for some. It is said to keep out the riff-raff.

... and it's population is declining

Only in fantasy.

Here on earth, the BDN recently ran articles about the recent US Census, showing how the population of Maine is holding steady.

Some demographics are dropping, while others are growing.

... Additionally, the state is the least diverse and one of the oldest in the U.S.

Is that a bad thing? Or a good thing?

It could be argued both ways.

... I've never met one person in my entire life who relocated to Maine from another state, and I was born and raised in New England. New Hampshire, yes; Maine, no.

You should try to get out more often.

This forum has a number of regular posters who immigrated to Maine [including myself].

Among circles that I travel in, I meet a lot of folks who moved to Maine.

Maine is an outdoor person's paradise, the cost-of-living can be very low, taxes are not always bad here, we bask in a four-season climate, and over all local government is far less invasive than other states where many of us came from.

[RMoore007]

Originally Posted by WhatUpFLA

That doesn't surprise me.

There has to be some incentive like this that will attract others from different states and countries to move to Maine and help the state retain some of its residents. I mean, let's face it, Maine isn't exactly paradise. There are very few jobs in Maine, it's climate is terribly cold, and it's population is declining. Additionally, the state is the least diverse and one of the oldest in the U.S.

I've never met one person in my entire life who relocated to Maine from another state, and I was born and raised in New England. New Hampshire, yes; Maine, no.

What Submariner said plus Maine's population grew by 4.2 percent between 2000 and 2010, according to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The state's total population is 1,328,361, up from 1,274,923 a decade ago. Maine is the 41st most populous state, down from 40th in the previous census. Here are some previous decades:

2000 1,274,923
1990 1,227,928
1980 1,125,043
1970 993,722
1960 969,265
1950 913,774

Lot's of people retire to Maine. Maybe that's why it's The oldest state. It's very cold in January and February. Diversity is what it is. There are lot's of learning institutions in Maine where there is much diversity and they live amongst the locals quite comfortably I'm sure.

Anyway, car insurance is cheap in Maine'

[mainelander]

I agree it isnt paradise.

[mensaguy]

Originally Posted by WhatUpFLA

That doesn't surprise me.

There has to be some incentive like this that will attract others from different states and countries to move to Maine and help the state retain some of its residents. I mean, let's face it, Maine isn't exactly paradise. There are very few jobs in Maine, it's climate is terribly cold, and it's population is declining. Additionally, the state is the least diverse and one of the oldest in the U.S.

I've never met one person in my entire life who relocated to Maine from another state, and I was born and raised in New England. New Hampshire, yes; Maine, no.

It's certainly possible that this post and those that refer to it may be deleted as being off topic since it says absolutely nothing about car insurance.

However, there certainly are many attractions that cause people to move to Maine. It must be working since the population is increasing. I know that a lot of people place great value on the wonderfully mild summer weather. That makes outdoor activities possible that can't take place in 110F weather. Due to income tax incentives, some people find it attractive to live in Maine once they are retired. The statement that it is very cold is not one I think is very accurate. Right now, it is 26-27F in Eastport, ME, and 23F in Charleston, WV. Cold is really a relative term. As to that diversity thing, it may be a blessing history bestowed on Maine. People in Maine don't care if you're skin is a different color or if you speak in a way that clearly identifies you as being "from away." They note the difference and go on with their lives.

BTW, I know dozens of people personally who have moved to Maine. Some of them even moved from New Hampshire.

[mainelander]

Unfortunately what this fails to acknowledge is that Maine has HIGHER minimal coverage compared to some states. So while you get MORE value for your buck, you are required to spend more bucks.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

In Maine if you go off the road you'll likely go through a soft snowbank and just need to be pulled back into the road. In louisiana when you go off the road you go into a canal or a bayou. That's what raises the insurance cost. ;-) I expect that both states have similar rates of drunk driving.

I once went to the trial of a sailor in Rhode Island. The sailor told the judge, "I am a Cajun from South Louisiana and I have a right to drive drunk when I want to."

"Bang!" went the gavel. The judge didn't want that idea to gain any traction in Rhode Island so he turned the sailor over to ME! I sure didn't want to take him home so the sailor was restricted to the base for 30 days where he could still go to the club.

Hey, you can't make this stuff up.

[corgis]

Originally Posted by mainelander

Unfortunately what this fails to acknowledge is that Maine has HIGHER minimal coverage compared to some states. So while you get MORE value for your buck, you are required to spend more bucks.

As a retired insurance agent, I have to say this is not true. Many, many states have higher minimum coverage amounts than Maine. Rates in Maine are not considered high partly due to the lower minimum rates that start at 50/50. In WV, the rates start at 100/100 and most people in other states start at 300/300. Sorry, but you are wrong on this one.