Maine homes take a beating: long winters, heavy snow loads, ice dams, nor’easters along the coast and spring runoff inland. Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is a family-owned independent agency, founded in 2005 and licensed in Maine. From our office in Portsmouth, NH, minutes from Kittery, we compare homeowners policies from multiple carriers for year-round homes, older farmhouses, coastal properties and new construction across the state. We don’t charge additional fees.
We work for you, not one insurance company. That matters in Maine, where the right carrier for a 1970s ranch in Lewiston may not be the right one for a shingle-style cottage in Kennebunkport or an 1800s cape in the midcoast. Our 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials have made us New Hampshire’s highest-rated agency on Google, and we bring the same service to Maine.
Maine home insurance carriers we compare
For Maine homeowners we can compare Andover, Chubb, Cincinnati, Concord Group, Foremost, Hanover, Liberty Mutual, National General, Openly, Patriot, Providence Mutual, Safety, Stillwater and Vermont Mutual, along with specialty and flood markets when a home needs them. Each carrier has its own rules on roof age, heating, distance to the coast and home value, so the best fit depends on your house.
What a Maine homeowners policy covers
| Coverage | What it protects | Maine note |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling | The house itself | Set it to what it would cost to rebuild, not market value. Older plaster-and-trim homes can cost more to rebuild than buyers expect. |
| Other structures | Detached garages, barns, sheds, fences | Rural Maine properties often have barns and outbuildings; make sure they’re counted. |
| Personal property | Furniture, clothes, tools, electronics | Ask about replacement cost instead of actual cash value. |
| Loss of use | Extra living costs if you can’t live at home after a covered loss | Useful after a winter fire or a major freeze-up. |
| Personal liability | Injuries to others and damage you cause | Add an umbrella policy if you have a dock, pool, dog or teen drivers. |
Not sure what your rebuild number should be? Try our replacement cost estimator before you call.
Maine risks to talk through before you buy a policy
Winter: snow load, ice dams and frozen pipes
Most Maine claims conversations start with winter. Ice dams can push meltwater under shingles, heavy snow can stress older roofs and outbuildings, and a pipe that freezes while you’re away can flood a house. Ask how a policy treats roof age, water damage and homes left empty for stretches in winter, and consider water backup coverage if you have a finished basement or a sump pump.
Coastal wind and storm surge
From York and Ogunquit up through Casco Bay, the midcoast and Down East, coastal homes face wind and surge from nor’easters and the occasional tropical storm. Some carriers apply a separate wind or named-storm deductible near the water, and flood is never part of a standard homeowners policy. Our Maine coastal home insurance page covers shoreline homes in more detail.
Heating: oil, propane and wood stoves
Many Maine homes heat with oil or propane, and plenty add a wood or pellet stove. Carriers will ask about the tank’s age and location and whether a stove was professionally installed. Have that information ready and your quote goes faster.
Older homes and rural properties
Maine has a lot of capes, farmhouses and connected-barn homes built long before modern codes. Older wiring, original plumbing and distance from a fire hydrant or fire station can all affect which carriers will write a home and at what price. Private wells and septic systems are common, so ask how a policy handles sudden equipment failures versus wear and tear.
Find the right page for your Maine home
- Higher-value homes: Maine high-value home insurance.
- Camps and second homes: Maine second home insurance.
- Rentals you own: Maine landlord insurance.
- Condex and side-by-side units: Maine condex insurance.
- Mobile and manufactured homes: our New England manufactured home insurance guide.
- Bundle with your car: Maine home and auto bundle and Maine auto insurance.
- Kittery and York: Kittery and York homeowners insurance, plus our southern Maine agency page.
Our Maine insurance agency page covers everything else we write in Maine. Live across the bridge? See New Hampshire homeowners insurance.
Disclosure: Coverage, eligibility and price depend on each carrier’s underwriting, program rules and the property. Nothing on this page is a quote or a promise of coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance required in Maine?
Maine law doesn’t require homeowners insurance, but your mortgage lender will. If you own the home outright it’s your choice, though a single fire, frozen-pipe claim or liability lawsuit can cost far more than years of premiums.
Does Maine homeowners insurance cover ice dams and frozen pipes?
A standard policy generally covers sudden water damage inside the home, such as a pipe that freezes and bursts. Carriers expect reasonable care, like keeping the heat on or draining the plumbing when a home sits empty in winter. Damage from long-term leaks or wear and tear usually isn’t covered. We’ll show you how each policy words it.
Is flood covered by homeowners insurance in Maine?
No. Flood from storm surge, rising rivers or snowmelt needs a separate flood policy. Water backup from a drain or sump is also separate and is usually added as an endorsement. See our Maine flood insurance page and check your property with our flood zone check.
Can you insure a seasonal camp or a second home in Maine?
Often, yes. Camps and seasonal homes are underwritten differently from a year-round house. Carriers ask how often it’s checked, how it’s heated and whether it’s winterized. See our Maine second home insurance page for the details we’ll ask for.
Do you have an office in Maine?
No. We serve Maine homeowners by phone, email and online from our office at 601 Islington St in Portsmouth, NH, just over the bridge from Kittery. We’re licensed in Maine and compare multiple carriers for Maine homes.
What do I need for a Maine homeowners quote?
The address, year built, square footage, roof age, heating type (including any wood stove or oil tank), your current declarations page if you have one, and any claims in the last five years. If you’re buying, add your target closing date and your lender’s name.
Get a Maine homeowners quote
Have your address, roof age, heating details and current declarations page handy. Start your quote online, call (603) 431-4020 or email insure@portsmouthatlanticins.com. We’ll compare your options and walk you through the differences in plain English.