The Short Answer
Maine follows a 50/100/25 rule when it comes to minimum insurance requirements. That’s $50,000 for personal injury liability to 1 person, $100,000 for personal injury liability in 1 accident, and $25,000 for property damage in 1 accident. Maine also requires UM/UIM coverage and MedPay. While these are the minimum requirements, there are additional coverages that are important to consider when preparing for the unknown. Learn more about these coverages, what it means for Maine to be a fault state, and how to get clarity on your insurance policy after a car accident.
Key Points:
- Maine drivers must carry at least $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, along with mandatory uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) and medical payments (MedPay) coverage.
- Failing to maintain the required insurance can result in fines up to $500, license suspension, and vehicle registration suspension.
- Maine follows a fault-based system, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for covering medical expenses and damages.
- Additional coverage options like collision, comprehensive, rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, and gap insurance can provide extra financial protection.
- After an accident, a Maine car accident lawyer can help clarify insurance policies and ensure victims seek the full compensation they may deserve.
What Are the Minimum Requirements for Car Insurance in Maine?
Having the right car insurance coverage in Maine is essential for both legal compliance and financial protection. The state enforces specific minimum insurance requirements to ensure that drivers can cover medical expenses and property damage if they cause an accident.
Minimum Liability Coverage
Maine law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage. These minimum liability limits are:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
This coverage helps pay for medical expenses and property damage in an accident where the policyholder is at fault. The minimum requirement can also be satisfied with a Combined Single Limit of $125,000.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured driver or someone who does not have enough insurance to cover the full extent of your damages. Given that not all drivers carry adequate insurance, UM/UIM coverage can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. It is required by law in the amounts of:
- $50,000 per person
- $100,000 per accident
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, contact Lowry & Associates to help ensure you get the full compensation you could be owed.
Medical Payments
Often called MedPay, this helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This can include hospital visits, surgery, and rehabilitation costs. MedPay is required by law in Maine with a minimum coverage amount of $2,000.
Other Optional Coverage
These coverages are not mandated by Maine law but can help reduce financial risk in the event of an accident.
- Collision coverage – Helps pay for repairs to your vehicle after an accident, even if you were at fault.
- Comprehensive coverage – Protects against non-collision-related damage, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
- Rental car reimbursement – Covers the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired.
- Roadside assistance – Helps cover emergency services like towing, battery jumps, and tire changes.
- Gap insurance – Pays the difference between your car’s current value and the remaining loan balance if your car is totaled.
The Penalties for Not Having Minimum Insurance Coverage
Failing to maintain at least the minimum required insurance coverage in Maine can result in serious penalties, including:
- Fines of up to $500
- License suspension
- Vehicle registration suspension
To avoid these consequences, drivers must ensure their insurance remains active and meets state requirements.
Maine Is a Fault State for Auto Insurance
Maine is one of the many states that does not offer no-fault insurance. About a dozen states use no-fault policies, also known as personal injury protection, which means that the insurance company of each person involved in a car accident will cover its own policyholder. In other words, no-fault states make it so insurance companies will pay for your damages, regardless of who’s at fault for the collision.
Maine, however, is a traditional liability coverage state. Under Maine’s laws, the at-fault driver must cover the costs of the other driver’s medical expenses and damages. This gives Maine residents who have been hit by another driver a few options in terms of receiving compensation for their expenses.
Confused About Insurance After an Accident? We Can Help.
If you were in a car accident in Maine that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. However, insurance policies can be confusing, and insurance companies may try to minimize what they pay.
Our Maine car accident lawyers can help you understand what your policy covers, what the at-fault driver’s insurance should pay, and how to pursue the maximum compensation you may deserve with a free case review. Don’t settle for less than you’re owed.
