Like most states, Maine requires all drivers to meet minimum car insurance requirements.
In addition to 50/100/25 limits for liability insurance, Maine drivers must purchase medical payments (MedPay) and uninsured motorist coverage. Here’s how much coverage you need in Maine and how to find the cheapest coverage.
Maine car insurance requirements
Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage for property damage and bodily injury. Maine also requires drivers to carry medical payments coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. You also have to provide proof of insurance before you can register your vehicle.
Maine requires the following coverages and amounts:1
Liability coverage
Liability coverage pays for the medical costs and property damages other drivers sustain in an accident you cause. It doesn’t pay for your medical expenses and auto repair costs.
Liability insurance includes two types of coverages — bodily injury and property damage. Bodily injury liability covers the other parties’ injuries or medical bills, and property damage liability pays for damage to vehicles, fences, buildings, and more.
Maine’s 50/100/25 liability coverage minimum limits are higher than many other state minimums. In Maine, you must carry at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury liability. You also need at least $25,000 per accident for property damage liability. You can also purchase a single combined limit of $125,000 to meet the insurance requirements.
Medical payments coverage
Medical payments coverage pays for medical costs for you and your passengers after an accident. In Maine, you must carry at least $2,000 in medical payments coverage, though higher coverage limits are relatively inexpensive.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Maine law requires you to carry at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If an uninsured driver or a driver who doesn’t have high enough coverage causes an accident, this insurance comes in. It also kicks in for hit-and-runs and if a car hits you as a pedestrian.
Do you need more than state-minimum coverage in Maine?
In Maine, minimum coverage pays for any damages and medical costs the other driver incurs in an accident you cause, as well as your medical costs. But you’re responsible for paying for repairs to your car.
In comparison, full-coverage insurance includes liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. Collision insurance pays for damages to your vehicle from a crash with another car or object. Comprehensive insurance pays for any damages from vandalism, theft, falling objects, or severe weather.
Full-coverage insurance provides you with the most protection if you’re involved in a car accident, but it also costs more. On average, Maine drivers pay $145 per month for full coverage compared to $81 per month for liability-only insurance.
Penalties for driving without proof of insurance in Maine
It’s illegal to drive without car insurance in Maine. If a law enforcement officer asks you to show proof of insurance at a traffic stop and you can’t, you may receive one or more of the following penalties:2 3
Fines: You may have to pay a fine of $100 to $500.
License and registration suspension: If you can’t show proof of insurance within 30 days, the state may suspend your license and registration.
SR-22 filing: An SR-22 filing shows you meet the minimum insurance requirements, and it’s sometimes mandatory after driving without insurance. Maine only accepts SR-22 filings from companies licensed to sell insurance in Maine.
Reinstatement fees: Once you meet the insurance requirements, you’ll need to pay a fee to reinstate your license and registration.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Maine
Liability insurance protects you if you’re financially responsible for another driver’s injuries or for repairing their car. Liability insurance won’t cover your property damage but will pay for legal fees, up to the policy limits, if another party sues you.
On average, Maine drivers pay $81 per month for liability-only coverage, but your costs will depend on your driving history, age, ZIP code, vehicle, and insurance company.
The following table outlines the cheapest liability-only insurance companies for Maine drivers.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Maine
Full-coverage car insurance includes liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. It provides the most coverage and pays for car damages and injuries you and the other driver sustain, regardless of fault.
In Maine, full-coverage insurance costs $145 per month, making it more expensive than liability-only coverage. But Maine’s average cost of full-coverage insurance is less than the national average of $179 per month.
You can save on your premiums by shopping around and comparing auto insurance quotes from different insurers. Here are the cheapest full-coverage quotes in Maine.
Optional car insurance coverages to consider
In addition to the minimum car insurance requirements in Maine, you may want to consider the following optional coverages for more protection:
Maine car insurance requirements FAQs
Driving without insurance in Maine has serious consequences, so it’s important to ensure you have the right coverage. Here’s some more information about Maine car insurance laws.
Does Maine require car insurance?
Yes. Maine requires all drivers to have at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 per accident in property damage liability. Alternatively, you can choose a single combined limit of $125,000.
You also must have at least $2,000 in medical payments coverage and $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in uninsured motorist coverage.
Do you need car insurance to register a car in Maine?
Yes. You must meet the minimum insurance requirements and show proof of insurance to register a vehicle in Maine. If you drive without insurance, you could lose your license or have to pay fines. Once you lose your license, you’ll need an SR-22 filing to reinstate your driving privileges.
Do you need to add your child with a permit to your car insurance in Maine?
Yes, once your teen driver receives their driver’s permit, you’ll need to add them to your car insurance. Insuring a teen driver can be expensive, but your teen can find lower auto insurance rates by taking advantage of good student discounts and enrolling in a driver’s education course.4
Does insurance follow the car or the driver in Maine?
Insurance typically follows the vehicle, not the driver. That means if you lend your car to a friend and they cause an accident, your insurance policy covers the damages. The only exception to this rule is if someone took your car without your permission.
Do you need to get your car inspected before registering in Maine?
No, you don’t need to get your car inspected before registering it. Maine requires a bill of sale, the vehicle title, proof of insurance, and an excise tax receipt to apply for registration. Maine does require cars to be inspected annually.5
What happens if you drive without insurance in Maine?
In Maine, driving without insurance can result in fines and license and registration suspension. You may also need to pay reinstatement fees to get your license and registration back and will need an SR-22 certificate.