Maine Car Insurance Laws: How Much Coverage Do I Need? (2024)

Maine drivers must carry liability insurance that meets the state-mandated limits of 50/100/25, along with medical payments coverage and UM/UIM coverage.
Written by Kornelia Drianovski
Edited by Jessica Barrett
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The state of
Maine
requires drivers to carry 50/100/25 liability insurance along with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage. 

Maine car insurance requirements

To comply with Maine car insurance laws, drivers are required to have the following car insurance coverage:
Keep in mind: If you don’t want to purchase this insurance, you’ll have the option to choose a combined single limit of $125,000 instead of the traditional breakdown of bodily injury and property damage coverage.
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When you request quotes from Jerry, we'll autofill your policy with the basic coverage required by law in your state. In minutes, Jerry can help you compare quotes from over 55 carriers, finding you the best coverage at the best rate.

Is minimum auto insurance coverage the most cost-effective option?

While the liability, MedPay, and uninsured motorist coverage minimum requirements in Maine are higher than in most other states and will help protect you in the event of an accident, they may not cover the costs of an accident completely—especially if it’s severe.
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If you’re at fault for a car crash and the other parties’ injuries or property damages exceed the limits of your car insurance policy, you’ll be responsible for paying the remaining costs out-of-pocket. And because Maine is an
at-fault or tort state
, at-fault drivers in Maine can be sued for additional expenses that their insurance policy won’t cover.
That’s why increasing your car insurance limits is recommended for greater protection.
  • Increase your bodily injury liability limits to at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident
  • Increase property damage liability limits to at least $50,000—$100,000 is even better
  • Increase your MedPay limits to $10,000 or $25,000
  • Purchase comprehensive and collision coverage
If you’re shopping for insurance with
Jerry
, you can adjust your coverage options to see how increasing your liability limit or adding full coverage options like collision and comprehensive will impact your auto insurance rate.
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If you’re shopping for insurance with
Jerry
, you can adjust your coverage options to see how increasing your liability limit or adding full coverage options like collision and comprehensive will impact your auto insurance rate.
Raise your liability limits and turn on full coverage with high deductibles to find affordable coverage with maximum protection.

How much does car insurance in Maine cost?

The average cost for minimum liability insurance in Maine is around $90 per month or $1,084 per year. For
full coverage auto insurance
in Maine, you can expect to pay about $157 per month or $1,887 per year.
But remember: Car insurance companies in Maine use several rating factors when
calculating car insurance premiums
, some of which include age, driving record, driving experience, coverage requirements, vehicle type, vehicle age, ZIP code, and more. Because driving profiles differ between individuals, car insurance rates will also vary between drivers and insurance providers. If you want to reduce your monthly car insurance payments, consider taking a
defensive driving course
,
qualifying for discounts
, or increasing your
insurance deductible
.
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You can request quotes directly from insurance companies or work with a local agent—or Jerry’s quote comparison app can simplify that process for you with quick custom quotes.
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Keep in mind: You’ll likely be required to get more coverage–such as comprehensive and collision insurance–if you finance or lease your vehicle. 

Optional coverages in Maine

The minimum amount of auto insurance Maine requires is higher than most states, but it’s still a good idea to consider increasing your coverage limits.
Here are some optional coverages to consider:
  • Collision insurance
    : Covers the cost of physical damage to your vehicle due to a collision with another vehicle or stationary object.
  • Comprehensive insurance
    : This helps cover the cost of non-collision-related damage to your vehicle resulting from theft, vandalism, floods, fire, and more.
  • Personal injury protection (PIP)
    : Covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and funeral expenses after a car accident, regardless of who’s at fault. 
  • Gap insurance:
    If you lease or finance a new vehicle and it’s totaled in a crash, gap insurance covers the difference between how much your car is worth at the time of the incident (the
    actual cash value
    ) and how much you still owe on your
    car loan
    —but it’s better to
    purchase it from your insurance company
    , not through your dealership. 
  • Roadside assistance coverage: Also called
    towing and labor coverage
    , roadside assistance helps cover the costs of basic roadside assistance services, like towing, battery changes, or gas delivery.
  • New car replacement insurance
    : If you drive a new car, new car replacement insurance will allow you to replace it with a similar new model if your vehicle is totaled.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Maine

If you’re caught driving without car insurance or valid
proof of insurance
in Maine, you could face fines,
driver’s license suspension
, or registration revocation. 
Here’s a breakdown of the penalties for driving without insurance in Maine: 
Penalty
Each offense
Failure to surrender registration and license after suspension
Fine
$100 to $500
$2,000
Driving privileges
Driver’s license suspended until valid proof of insurance is presented
Driver’s license suspended until valid proof of insurance is presented
Reinstatement requirements
$50 reinstatement fee; $20–30 license fee; $35 registration fee
$50 reinstatement fee; $20–30 license fee; $35 registration fee
SR-22 requirement
3 years
3 years
Jail time
N/A
Up to 6 months

FAQs

Is it illegal to drive in Maine without insurance?

Yes—driving without insurance is illegal in all states except New Hampshire. If caught without valid insurance in Maine, you could face fines up to $500 and suspension of your driving privileges. Reinstating these privileges also costs money.

How does car insurance work in Maine?

Maine law requires all drivers to maintain liability coverage that meets the 50/100/25 limits. This means you must have at least $50,000 of bodily injury liability per person/$100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. You must also purchase at least $2,000 in medical payments coverage and uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage with the same limits as liability insurance.

Is Maine a no-fault state for car insurance?

No. The state of Maine is an at-fault or “tort” state, meaning that the driver who caused the accident must pay for damages for any losses incurred in an accident—including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other costs.

Can you get insurance without a license in Maine?

Yes, you can get car insurance without a driver’s license in Maine, but you will have to list someone with a valid driver’s license as the primary driver of your vehicle.

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