Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Maine in 2025

Maine law mandates motor vehicle liability insurance for all vehicles operated on public roadways. Under Title 29-A, Section 1601, the Required Maintenance of Financial Responsibility statute, and Title 29-A, Section 402, every owner or operator must maintain motor vehicle liability insurance coverage or acceptable proof of financial responsibility. The requirement applies to vehicle registration, operation, and ensures adequate protection for all drivers on Maine roadways.

Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage

Maine law establishes that an operator or owner of a vehicle registered in this State or required to be registered in this State shall maintain required financial responsibility amounts at all times. According to statute, operators must carry proof of insurance whenever operating a motor vehicle on public roads. Failure to maintain required insurance coverage results in license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, and monetary penalties.

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, operating under the Department of the Secretary of State, administers vehicle registration throughout the state. Established in 1905, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles qualifies and licenses drivers, maintains driver histories, issues vehicle registrations and titles, and retains vehicle registration and title records. The Bureau monitors insurance compliance to ensure vehicle owners maintain continuous coverage once vehicles have been registered.

Vehicle owners who fail to maintain insurance will face enforcement action. Operating a vehicle without required insurance constitutes a traffic infraction. Violation of the insurance requirement may result in a forfeiture of not less than $100 and not more than $500. Thirty days after receipt of an abstract of an adjudication of a violation, the Secretary of State shall suspend the driver's license, vehicle registration, or the right to apply for a driver's license or vehicle registration. The suspension continues until proof of financial responsibility is provided to the Secretary of State.

Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
101 Hospital Street, Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: (207) 624-9000
Official Website: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements

Maine law establishes minimum coverage amounts for motor vehicle liability insurance. The Maine Bureau of Insurance regulates insurance companies and provides guidance on coverage requirements. Maine requires drivers to maintain liability insurance coverage that meets or exceeds statutory minimum amounts.

Maine requires minimum liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. A Combined Single Limit of $125,000 will also satisfy the minimum limit requirement. These minimums represent a starting point, and the amounts may not adequately protect assets from claims that exceed these minimum amounts. Motorists should consider whether coverage at the minimum limits will adequately protect assets if they cause a vehicle crash.

The law also requires a minimum of $2,000 per person in medical payments coverage. This coverage pays medical expenses incurred by the driver and passengers. Limits of $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, and even higher are available at a relatively inexpensive additional cost.

Maine law requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at a minimum of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. This coverage protects drivers and passengers if the other driver responsible for the accident has no insurance, or if the other driver's limits are less than the UM limit. Maine law requires the UM limit to equal the liability limit if it is higher than the minimum, unless the higher limit for UM is rejected in writing.

Maine operates under a tort-based insurance system rather than a no-fault system. This means that the at-fault driver's insurance company pays for damages resulting from an accident. Collision coverage and comprehensive coverage are not mandated by Maine law. Lenders typically require comprehensive and collision coverage for financed or leased vehicles as a condition of the loan or lease agreement.

Maine Bureau of Insurance
34 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: (207) 624-8475
Official Website: Maine Bureau of Insurance

Proof of Insurance Documents

In Maine, drivers must carry proof of insurance at all times while operating a motor vehicle. Maine law permits evidence of insurance in electronic form, including the display of an image on a portable electronic device. The following formats are accepted:

• Insurance Identification Card (Paper): The traditional printed insurance card provided by insurance companies shows policy information, insured name, vehicle information, and coverage dates.
• Electronic Proof of Insurance: Maine accepts electronic proof of insurance displayed on portable electronic devices, including mobile phones. Evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility may be in electronic form, including the display of an image on a portable electronic device.
• Letter from Insurance Company or Agent: Written documentation from an insurance company or agent showing that the vehicle is covered by a liability insurance policy.
• Insurance Binder: A temporary insurance document showing that coverage has been arranged pending issuance of the actual policy.
• Insurance Policy Summary Document: A summary document that describes the vehicle insured, the name of the insured, the amount of insurance, the type of insurance coverage, and the period for which the vehicle is covered.

Operators must provide proof of insurance when requested by law enforcement officers during traffic stops or when involved in accidents that must be reported. The use of a portable electronic device to provide evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility in electronic form does not constitute consent for a law enforcement officer to access other contents of the electronic device. Officers may only view the insurance information displayed on the device.

Exceptions to Insurance Requirements

Limited exceptions to the financial responsibility requirement exist under Maine law:

• Government Vehicles: Governmental vehicles are exempt from the insurance requirements. Government vehicles operated by federal, state, or municipal authorities are not subject to the mandatory insurance provisions.
• Dealer-Owned or Controlled Vehicles: Vehicles owned or controlled by dealers as defined by statute are exempt from standard insurance requirements. Dealers must maintain appropriate dealer insurance coverage instead.

Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration

Municipal offices throughout Maine process vehicle registration applications and renewals. Maine law requires new residents to register vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency in Maine. Vehicle registration services are handled at municipal offices in most towns, with Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch offices providing services in municipalities that do not issue registrations.

Insurance coverage must be verified when vehicle registration is issued or renewed. New registrants must provide proof of Maine insurance coverage that meets state minimum requirements. When establishing residency in Maine, new residents have 30 days to convert registrations and titles. New residents must present proof of insurance along with the out-of-state title for vehicle models 25 years old and newer, out-of-state registration certificate, and other required documentation.

New Maine residents registering vehicles from other states must establish Maine insurance coverage before completing registration. Out-of-state insurance policies do not satisfy Maine registration requirements for vehicles being registered in Maine. Persons moving into Maine must obtain Maine insurance from companies authorized to write motor vehicle liability insurance in the state.