For-Hire Insurance
Telephone: (207) 624-9000 Extension 52131
Fax: (207) 622-5332

Summary of For-Hire Insurance Requirements

The Secretary of State may not register any motor vehicle for rent, lease, hire or livery and a person may not operate a motor vehicle on any public way in Maine until the owner or owners of that vehicle procure insurance or bond covering the operation of that vehicle by:

1. Presenting a valid and sufficient insurance policy from:
1. an insurance company authorized by the Superintendent of Insurance to transact business in this State; or
2. with the approval of the Secretary of State, an insurance company authorized to transact business in any state that provides an indemnity bond bonding the insurance company in an amount the Secretary of State prescribes and having as surety company authorized by the Superintendent of Insurance to transact business in this State;
2. Presenting a good and sufficient indemnity bond, approved by the Secretary of State, bonding the applicant in an amount the Secretary of State prescribes and having as surety 2 responsible individuals or a surety company authorized to transact business in this State; or
3. Presenting a declaratory judgment issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration authorizing the owner to self-insure.

Maintenance of Insurance
The owner or owners of any vehicle subject to this section shall maintain at all times the required amount of insurance or bond during the term of the vehicle's registration. For vehicles registered in this State, the Secretary of State shall immediately suspend or revoke, pursuant to Title 29-A MRSA Chapter 23, the registration certificate and registration plates of any vehicle for which the insurance or bond in the amounts required is not maintained. Any person whose registration certificate and registration plates have been suspended or revoked pursuant to this section shall immediately return the registration certificate and registration plates to the Secretary of State.
(For passenger carriers operating for hire, the Secretary of State may not approve the policy or bond unless it provides primary coverage for the operator as well as the owner.) Effective 1/1/96.

Exemptions
All vehicles owned by the State, a municipality or school district are exempt from the insurance requirements established in this section.

Intrastate and Interstate Operators
Evidence of appropriate insurance must be filed with the Secretary of State and signed by an authorized representative of the company certifying that coverage exists. Cancellation of a policy on file with the Secretary of State shall not take effect until thirty days after a notice of cancellation on a Form K is received by the Operating Authority Unit.

In the event that the carrier has obtained a policy from another insurance company, and such insurance becomes effective prior to the effective date or said 30 days, cancellation shall be effective as of the effective date of such other insurance.

Insurance forms required to be used when applicable for intrastate and interstate for hire passenger or rental service:

Form JB - State of Maine insurance certificate for hire passenger vehicles.

Form K - Uniform notice of cancellation of Motor Carrier Insurance Policies.

Questions or comments can be sent to the Operating Authority Unit at: forhireins@maine.gov