Home › States › Maine

Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What homeowners insurance costs in Maine: average premium, 2023 $1,150 a year in Maine vs. $1,737 countrywide · 44th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)

Maine's market right now

In its September 2025 availability report, the Bureau of Insurance said property coverage is "widely available in Maine in the admitted market" (from insurers licensed in Maine), with 99 insurers actively writing homeowners insurance in 2024. It also said "Consumers who have specific exposure issues (e.g., island communities) or certain claims history tend to experience the greatest difficulty finding affordable homeowners" insurance.

Coast and islands. The Bureau says affordability "for coastal and island properties can be problematic for some homeowners," that windstorm damage is a major concern there, and that "new coastal property applicants may have some difficulty finding coverage in the admitted market."

Other homes that are hard to place, according to the same report: homes with prior claims, older mobile or manufactured homes, homes that are not well maintained, homes with a business on the premises, certain dog breeds or dogs with a bite history, vacant or unoccupied homes, homes that have been uninsured for a while, and homes heated mainly by a woodstove or heat pump.

Rates. The Bureau's average approved homeowners rate increases were:

The 2021-2024 figures are from the Bureau's January 2025 presentation to the Legislature; the 2025 figure is from its March 2026 release, which describes it as the average increase from approved rate changes. The Bureau gave inflation in rebuilding costs, more frequent and severe claims, and more storms as the top reasons. It says the 2025 changes affected about 340,000 policyholders.

Storms. The Bureau's report cites the Maine Emergency Management Agency: five disaster declarations and one emergency declaration in 2023, and three disaster declarations in 2024. In July 2024 the Superintendent described a coastal homeowner whose claim for a deck and shed destroyed by storm surge was denied under the policy's exclusion for "flood, surface water, waves, and tidal water," and another whose claim was denied when a neighbor's dock broke loose in a storm and smashed into her wharf, because the policy did not cover damage from waterborne material.

Hearing requests are up. Across all property and casualty lines (auto included), the Bureau received 154 requests for cancellation or nonrenewal hearings in 2024, up from 134 in 2023 and 88 in 2022. Of the 31 decisions issued in 2024, 20 went for the policyholder and 11 for the company. [13][14][15][16]

No FAIR plan: where to turn if you can't find coverage

Many states have a FAIR plan, a state-created pool that sells basic insurance when regular insurers won't. Maine does not: it has no member on the national list kept by PIPSO (the Property Insurance Plans Service Office), and a 2003 bill (LD 1601) that would have let the Superintendent set one up was placed in legislative files ("DEAD") in March 2004. See our FAIR plan guide for how other states do it.

What the Bureau says instead:

- Your agent or broker. The Superintendent's July 2024 advice to homeowners facing big increases: "talk to your insurance broker or agent to see if there are more affordable options," and "Shopping around can save you money." - Surplus lines. These are insurers not licensed in Maine that may cover risks licensed insurers won't. The Bureau says "The surplus lines market has provided coverage for many" of the hard-to-place homes listed above, though it was less than 1% of Maine homeowners premiums in 2024. Under 24-A M.R.S. 2004, a surplus lines policy must be bought through a licensed producer with surplus lines authority, and only after "diligent effort" to place the coverage with licensed insurers. The Bureau warns that surplus lines coverage "is often more expensive, does not provide the same level of consumer protections," and is not backed by the Maine Insurance Guaranty Fund if the insurer fails. See our surplus lines guide. [1][10][13][16][17]

If your insurer cancels or won't renew

The Maine Property Insurance Cancellation Control Act (24-A M.R.S. 3048-3061) covers policies on owner-occupied homes used only as residences with no more than four apartments, plus the personal property and personal liability coverage that goes with them.

Cancellation (ending the policy mid-term). During the first 90 days of a new policy (120 days for a non-primary home expected to be unoccupied 3 months a year), the insurer may cancel for any reason. After that, or on any renewal policy, it may cancel only for a reason listed in 24-A M.R.S. 3049, including:

- nonpayment of premium; - conviction of a crime that increases a hazard insured against; - fraud or material misrepresentation in getting the policy or in a claim; - negligent acts that substantially increase a hazard, or failure to disclose a material fact; - violating the policy's terms or conditions; - physical changes that make the property uninsurable; - the home is vacant and custodial care is not maintained; - a trampoline that stays 30 or more days after the insurer's notice, or a pool not fenced to state standards 30 days after notice; - a dog-bite loss, unless you remove the dog; - not following reasonable loss control recommendations within 90 days after notice.

The notice must reach you at least 20 days before the cancellation date, or 10 days if you didn't pay. Except during the first 90 days, it must state the reason and tell you about your right to a hearing.

Nonrenewal (not renewing at the end of the term). The notice must reach you at least 30 days before the policy expires and must give the reason. The reason must be "explicit." The law says "underwriting reasons," "underwriting experience," "loss record," "location of risk," "credit report" and similar terms are not acceptable explanations by themselves. The reason must be "a good faith reason and related to the insurability of the property" or one of the cancellation grounds above.

Other protections:

- An insurer may not cancel or refuse to issue or renew a policy "solely on the basis of the age of the dwelling and without consideration of the current condition of the property." - An insurer may not refuse to issue a policy only because a previous owner filed claims on the home. - In March 2025 (Bulletin 483), the Bureau told insurers that aerial images should usually not be the only basis for a nonrenewal; that blurry, older images showing staining "will usually not be enough, standing alone, to prove that a roof must be replaced"; and that it is best practice to tell you before acting, give you copies of the images and let you dispute them. It also encouraged insurers to give you reasonable time to make needed repairs before taking action such as nonrenewal. - In November 2025 (Bulletin 489), the Bureau said nonrenewing a homeowner only because the insurer's relationship with your agent ended "is not a lawful basis for nonrenewal."

Rentals and other property. Property policies outside the Act, such as one on a home you rent out, fall under a different section (24-A M.R.S. 3007), with its own list of cancellation reasons; a nonrenewal under it takes effect no sooner than 30 days after you receive written notice. See our nonrenewal guide. [2][3][4][11][18][19][20][21][22][23]

How to fight a nonrenewal or cancellation: the hearing

Maine lets you contest a cancellation or nonrenewal before the Superintendent of Insurance:

1. Your request must reach the Bureau within 30 days after you receive the notice. Send a copy of the notice. You can request by mail (Bureau of Insurance, Hearing Officer, 34 State House Station, Augusta ME 04333-0034), by fax to (207) 624-8599, or by phone at (800) 300-5000 or (207) 624-8475. The Bureau's guide also lists the email PFR.PCHearings@maine.gov. 2. When you call, the Bureau asks that you not ask to speak to a hearing officer about your case, because that could disqualify the officer. 3. The Bureau says: "When a hearing is scheduled, the company is required to continue your coverage from the date of your hearing request until the end of the hearing process." (The statute, 24-A M.R.S. 3054, says the Superintendent "may order the policy to continue in effect" pending a hearing.) 4. "The burden of proof of the reason for cancellation or intent not to renew is on the insurer." For a nonrenewal, a statement that you don't meet the insurer's underwriting guidelines "alone is not considered sufficient proof." 5. Hearings are being held by telephone. You don't need a lawyer. You can bring repair contracts, receipts and photos. 6. If you win, the policy is reinstated or renewed on the same terms. If the insurer wins, the Bureau says coverage stays in force 14 more days so you can find a replacement. You can appeal to Superior Court within 30 days.

There's no right to a hearing if the request arrives late. For homeowners policies, the Bureau says there is generally no right to a hearing if the policy had been in force less than 90 days when you got the cancellation notice. [3][5][8][24]

Hurricane deductibles on the coast

Some Maine policies have a separate, larger deductible for hurricanes. The Bureau says these "typically range between 1% and 10% of the value of your home": with a 2% deductible on a home insured for $200,000, you pay the first $4,000 of hurricane damage. Under the Bureau's Rule Chapter 950, a hurricane deductible can apply only while your area is under a National Weather Service hurricane warning, ending 24 hours after the last warning for your forecast area expires, and the insurer must tell you when the policy is issued that one applies. Look for it on your declarations page. See our hurricane deductible guide. [13][25]

Fortify Maine Homes roof grants

A 2025 law, LD 1 (Public Law 2025, chapter 33), created the Home Resiliency Program at the Bureau of Insurance, funded by a one-time $15,000,000 transfer from Bureau fee accounts. The first phase, Fortify Maine Homes, pays toward a new roof built to the FORTIFIED standard of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). The Bureau says roof condition is cited in 75% of Maine nonrenewal notices that list "condition of property" as the reason.

Status (checked Oct. 13, 2026): not accepting applications. On July 16, 2026, the Bureau said it is "addressing some administrative delays" and expects to stay closed "until next year's construction season," with updates as it prepares to open in 2027.

What the Bureau has published about the program:

- Standard grants up to $10,000; enhanced grants up to $15,000 if you are enrolled in SNAP or MaineCare. - The money goes to the roofer after the work is done and passes final inspection, not to you. - You must be a Maine resident, and the home must be your primary residence. Camps, seasonal homes, condominiums and rentals are not eligible. One grant per homeowner. - You must keep homeowners insurance, plus flood insurance if you live in a flood plain. The home, except possibly the roof, must be structurally sound. - The April 2026 plan named York, Cumberland, Kennebec and Penobscot counties for the first round and a second phase in 2027 for flood-related projects.

The Bureau warns about fake websites: only its own Fortify Maine Homes page on maine.gov has program information. See our FORTIFIED roof guide. [9][12][26][27][28][29][30]

Discounts

In February 2026 the Bureau urged homeowners to review their policies for discounts. It said insurers often offer discounts for maintenance and upgrades such as a new roof or updated plumbing, heating or electrical systems, and some offer discounts for smoke detectors, sprinklers, storm shutters, backup generators and security devices. The Bureau says to report major repairs or renovations to your insurer or agent and to ask them about discounts you may qualify for. [31]

Flood is separate

The Bureau says flood damage or damage from rising ground water "typically will only be covered if you purchased flood insurance" and "is not covered under a typical homeowners or renters insurance policy." Our sister site FloodHawk covers flood zones and flood insurance. [25]

Where to get help

The Bureau of Insurance takes questions and complaints, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern:

- Toll free: (800) 300-5000; Augusta: (207) 624-8475; TTY: Maine Relay 711 - Email: Insurance.PFR@maine.gov - Complaints: the Bureau's complaint page has the online form and printable forms

The Bureau asks you to explain what happened, what you've done to resolve it and what you want the company to do, with copies (not originals) of notices, letters and your policy. It says companies must answer it within 10 business days and that an investigation usually takes at least 30 days. It cannot force a company to satisfy you if no law was broken, or act as your lawyer. [6][7]

Questions people ask