Maine Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22
Maine car insurance law: minimum liability limits, fault or no-fault, uninsured motorist coverage, proof of insurance, penalties for driving uninsured, SR-22, title and registration.
Quick answers for Maine
- Minimum coverage required
- Maine requires 50/100/25 liability coverage: $50,000 for injury to or death of one person, $100,000 for one accident injuring or killing more than one person, and $25,000 for property damage. 29-A M.R.S. §1605(1)(C), (3)-(4); Maine Bureau of Insurance, Insurance Required by Law
- At-fault or no-fault
- Maine uses a fault-based system. Its required coverages include $2,000 of medical payments coverage rather than no-fault personal injury protection (PIP). Claims against another driver depend on who was responsible for the crash. Maine Bureau of Insurance, Auto Claims FAQs; 29-A M.R.S. §1605
- Driving without insurance
- Driving or owning a vehicle without the required insurance is a traffic infraction with a fine (forfeiture) of $100 to $500. 29-A M.R.S. §1601(4)-(7-A)
- SR-22 filing
- The Bureau of Motor Vehicles may require an SR-22 filing, a certification from an insurer that the driver is covered, usually after an accident without insurance or a conviction for a serious violation; 29-A M.R.S. §1603(2)-(5); Maine Bureau of Insurance, Auto Insurance FAQs
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Required coverage
| Minimum coverage required | Maine requires 50/100/25 liability coverage: $50,000 for injury to or death of one person, $100,000 for one accident injuring or killing more than one person, and $25,000 for property damage. A combined single limit of $125,000 also meets the liability requirement. Policies must also include at least $2,000 in medical payments coverage, $500 for towing and storage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $50,000/$100,000. Proof of financial responsibility can also be given by an insurer or surety company certificate, or by depositing money or securities with the State Treasurer equal to the required amounts. Combined single limit and UM minimum: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/consumers/auto-insurance/insurance-required-by-law |
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| At-fault or no-fault | Maine uses a fault-based system. Its required coverages include $2,000 of medical payments coverage rather than no-fault personal injury protection (PIP). Claims against another driver depend on who was responsible for the crash. The Bureau of Insurance explains that third-party losses are often paid based on comparative negligence, meaning damages may be reduced by the extent to which the injured person's own actions contributed to the accident. |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage is required on every auto liability policy for vehicles registered or principally garaged in Maine. For private passenger policies, UM limits must equal the policy's bodily injury liability limits unless the buyer expressly rejects equal coverage in writing, on a signed and dated insurer form containing statutory language; even then, UM limits may not be lower than the 50/100 state minimums. Source: 24-A M.R.S. §2902(1)-(2) |
| Proof of insurance | Proof of insurance must be shown to register a vehicle, and may be provided electronically, including as an image on a phone or other portable electronic device. When stopped for a moving violation or involved in a reportable accident, the driver must produce evidence of insurance on an officer's request; electronic evidence is accepted, and showing it on a device does not give the officer consent to access other contents of the device. Failing to produce evidence is prima facie evidence that the person is uninsured. |
Driving without insurance and SR-22
| Driving without insurance | Driving or owning a vehicle without the required insurance is a traffic infraction with a fine (forfeiture) of $100 to $500. Thirty days after the Secretary of State receives the adjudication, the person's driver's license, vehicle registration, or right to apply for them is suspended until proof of financial responsibility (an SR-22-type filing) is provided. A charge can be dismissed if the person shows the court that insurance was in effect at the time of the alleged violation. Source: 29-A M.R.S. §1601(4)-(7-A) |
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| SR-22 filing | The Bureau of Motor Vehicles may require an SR-22 filing, a certification from an insurer that the driver is covered, usually after an accident without insurance or a conviction for a serious violation; Maine accepts an SR-22 only from an insurer licensed in Maine. After a conviction or adjudication and reinstatement, the person must maintain proof of financial responsibility for at least 3 years, and the Secretary of State may waive the requirement after 3 years from the date of demand. A repeat OUI conviction within 10 years also requires proof before reinstatement. SR-22 explanation: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/frequently-asked-questions/auto-insurance |
Your rights with insurers
| Cancellation and nonrenewal | Once a policy has been in effect 60 days, an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium; fraud or material misrepresentation affecting the policy or a claim; violation of policy terms; or certain driver's license suspensions or revocations of the named insured or a household or regular driver. The cancellation notice must be received at least 20 days before the cancellation date (10 days for nonpayment), with the reason and notice of the right to request a hearing before the Superintendent of Insurance within 30 days. A notice of nonrenewal must be received at least 30 days before the policy expires and must state explicit reasons; terms such as "underwriting reasons" or "credit report" alone are not acceptable. Reasons: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/24-A/title24-Asec2914.html ; nonrenewal: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/24-A/title24-Asec2917.html Source: 24-A M.R.S. §§2914, 2915, 2917 |
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| What insurers can use to set rates | The Bureau of Insurance lists gender, age, marital status, garaging location, driving record, prior insurance, mileage and use, vehicle, household drivers, claim history and credit history as common factors insurers use. It notes that Maine law prohibits refusing insurance solely because of an applicant's age (65 or older), credit information, or status as a volunteer driver. If an insurer makes an unfavorable decision based on credit history, it must tell the consumer how to request a copy of the credit report. Credit and age limits: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/frequently-asked-questions/auto-insurance |
| Total loss rules | Maine law does not set a fixed percentage; the Bureau of Insurance says it is the insurer's option to declare a total loss when repair costs approach or exceed the vehicle's actual cash value, and that most companies do so when the initial estimate reaches about 75% of actual cash value. After a total loss, the insurer must apply for a salvage title (29-A M.R.S. §667); once repaired, the vehicle gets a branded title. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles describes a salvage title as one for a vehicle damaged so that its salvage value plus repair cost exceeds its pre-damage fair market value; a salvage title application (MVT-102) costs $33. Salvage title definition and fee: https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/vehicles/titles/types-of-title-certificates |
| Complaints about an insurer | Complaints about auto insurers or agents go to the Maine Bureau of Insurance. File online using the Property & Casualty electronic complaint form, or mail a printable form to Bureau of Insurance, 34 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Supporting documents can be faxed to (207) 624-8599 or emailed to insurance.pfr@maine.gov with "Consumer Complaint" in the subject line. Phone: 207-624-8475 or 800-300-5000 (toll free). Phone numbers: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/about/contact |
Title and registration
| Transferring a car title | Maine requires titles for vehicles within the last 25 model years (model year 2001 or newer as of January 1, 2026; 2002 or newer as of January 1, 2027). For a private sale, the buyer pays the municipal excise tax at the local town office, then registers there or at a BMV branch with a signed bill of sale, the title signed over by the previous owner, proof of insurance, and the registration application and excise tax receipt. The buyer pays 5.5% Maine sales tax on the purchase price and a $33 title application fee, plus registration fees. For a deceased owner, the BMV has a separate "Death of an Owner" process. Title requirement by model year: https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/vehicles/titles . |
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| Registering after you move | New residents must get a Maine driver's license within 30 days of becoming a resident, and have 30 days after establishing residency to convert vehicle registrations and titles. To register, pay excise tax at the town office and bring the out-of-state title (for vehicles 25 model years old or newer), lienholder information, out-of-state registration, proof of insurance, and a Maine use tax form to show exemption from sales tax; the title application fee is $33. Registration: https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/vehicles/register-a-passenger-vehicle . |
Car Insurance & Vehicle Laws FAQ
What is the minimum car insurance required in Maine?
Maine requires 50/100/25 liability coverage: $50,000 for injury to or death of one person, $100,000 for one accident injuring or killing more than one person, and $25,000 for property damage. A combined single limit of $125,000 also meets the liability requirement. Policies must also include at least $2,000 in medical payments coverage, $500 for towing and storage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $50,000/$100,000. Proof of financial responsibility can also be given by an insurer or surety company certificate, or by depositing money or securities with the State Treasurer equal to the required amounts.
Is Maine a no-fault car insurance state?
Maine uses a fault-based system. Its required coverages include $2,000 of medical payments coverage rather than no-fault personal injury protection (PIP). Claims against another driver depend on who was responsible for the crash. The Bureau of Insurance explains that third-party losses are often paid based on comparative negligence, meaning damages may be reduced by the extent to which the injured person's own actions contributed to the accident.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Maine?
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage is required on every auto liability policy for vehicles registered or principally garaged in Maine. For private passenger policies, UM limits must equal the policy's bodily injury liability limits unless the buyer expressly rejects equal coverage in writing, on a signed and dated insurer form containing statutory language; even then, UM limits may not be lower than the 50/100 state minimums.
Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Maine?
Proof of insurance must be shown to register a vehicle, and may be provided electronically, including as an image on a phone or other portable electronic device. When stopped for a moving violation or involved in a reportable accident, the driver must produce evidence of insurance on an officer's request; electronic evidence is accepted, and showing it on a device does not give the officer consent to access other contents of the device. Failing to produce evidence is prima facie evidence that the person is uninsured.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Maine?
Driving or owning a vehicle without the required insurance is a traffic infraction with a fine (forfeiture) of $100 to $500. Thirty days after the Secretary of State receives the adjudication, the person's driver's license, vehicle registration, or right to apply for them is suspended until proof of financial responsibility (an SR-22-type filing) is provided. A charge can be dismissed if the person shows the court that insurance was in effect at the time of the alleged violation.
When do you need an SR-22 in Maine, and for how long?
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles may require an SR-22 filing, a certification from an insurer that the driver is covered, usually after an accident without insurance or a conviction for a serious violation; Maine accepts an SR-22 only from an insurer licensed in Maine. After a conviction or adjudication and reinstatement, the person must maintain proof of financial responsibility for at least 3 years, and the Secretary of State may waive the requirement after 3 years from the date of demand. A repeat OUI conviction within 10 years also requires proof before reinstatement.
How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Maine?
Once a policy has been in effect 60 days, an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium; fraud or material misrepresentation affecting the policy or a claim; violation of policy terms; or certain driver's license suspensions or revocations of the named insured or a household or regular driver. The cancellation notice must be received at least 20 days before the cancellation date (10 days for nonpayment), with the reason and notice of the right to request a hearing before the Superintendent of Insurance within 30 days. A notice of nonrenewal must be received at least 30 days before the policy expires and must state explicit reasons; terms such as "underwriting reasons" or "credit report" alone are not acceptable.
Can car insurance companies use your credit score in Maine?
The Bureau of Insurance lists gender, age, marital status, garaging location, driving record, prior insurance, mileage and use, vehicle, household drivers, claim history and credit history as common factors insurers use. It notes that Maine law prohibits refusing insurance solely because of an applicant's age (65 or older), credit information, or status as a volunteer driver. If an insurer makes an unfavorable decision based on credit history, it must tell the consumer how to request a copy of the credit report.
When is a car a total loss in Maine?
Maine law does not set a fixed percentage; the Bureau of Insurance says it is the insurer's option to declare a total loss when repair costs approach or exceed the vehicle's actual cash value, and that most companies do so when the initial estimate reaches about 75% of actual cash value. After a total loss, the insurer must apply for a salvage title (29-A M.R.S. §667); once repaired, the vehicle gets a branded title. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles describes a salvage title as one for a vehicle damaged so that its salvage value plus repair cost exceeds its pre-damage fair market value; a salvage title application (MVT-102) costs $33.
How do you transfer a car title in Maine?
Maine requires titles for vehicles within the last 25 model years (model year 2001 or newer as of January 1, 2026; 2002 or newer as of January 1, 2027). For a private sale, the buyer pays the municipal excise tax at the local town office, then registers there or at a BMV branch with a signed bill of sale, the title signed over by the previous owner, proof of insurance, and the registration application and excise tax receipt. The buyer pays 5.5% Maine sales tax on the purchase price and a $33 title application fee, plus registration fees. For a deceased owner, the BMV has a separate "Death of an Owner" process.
How long do you have to register your car after moving to Maine?
New residents must get a Maine driver's license within 30 days of becoming a resident, and have 30 days after establishing residency to convert vehicle registrations and titles. To register, pay excise tax at the town office and bring the out-of-state title (for vehicles 25 model years old or newer), lienholder information, out-of-state registration, proof of insurance, and a Maine use tax form to show exemption from sales tax; the title application fee is $33.
How do you file a complaint against a car insurance company in Maine?
Complaints about auto insurers or agents go to the Maine Bureau of Insurance. File online using the Property & Casualty electronic complaint form, or mail a printable form to Bureau of Insurance, 34 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Supporting documents can be faxed to (207) 624-8599 or emailed to insurance.pfr@maine.gov with "Consumer Complaint" in the subject line. Phone: 207-624-8475 or 800-300-5000 (toll free).
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