Maine is NOT a no-fault state. The state of Maine follows a Tort system meaning someone must be found to be at fault for causing the accident, and that person and their insurance company is responsible for all the damages. Normally one must insure their motor vehicle with the minimum insurance limits of 50/100/25.

These numbers for the limits of liability are $50,000 for the injury to or death of any one person; $100,000 for one accident resulting in injury to or death of more than one person; and $25,000 for damage to property. The equivalent amount of coverage under combined single limits is $125,000.

Minimum limits of 50/100, with combined single limits of $100,000 are also required for uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage. When a motor vehicle liability policy is issued for a motor vehicle registered or principally garaged in Maine, the law also requires medical payments coverage of at least $1,000

According to the ME Department of Insurance and MSA (Maine Snowmobile Association) insurance is not required on a snowmobile. Insurance is not a requirement at the time of registration on your recreational snowmobile however it is a good idea to have this type of coverage on your vehicle so that you can be protected against damages you may cause to others (liability insurance) and your own vehicle (physical damage coverages).

Maine’s trail system is partially funded through snowmobile registrations. Residents and non-residents register their sleds in Maine to ride on the Maine snowmobile trails. Prior to registering a snowmobile, Maine residents must have paid state sales tax on the sled.

There are exceptions to law requiring you to register your snowmobile such as registration is not required for a snowmobile operated over the snow on land on which the owner lives or on lands on which the owner is domiciled, provided the snowmobile is not operated elsewhere within the jurisdiction of ME.

You can view and print Maine’s snowmobile laws from the web site of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W). Here it gives information such as the fact that an operator's license is not required for the operation of a snowmobile and the age requirements for driving a snowmobile.

Children must be 10 years of age or older to operate a snowmobile, unaccompanied by an adult, on land other than that owned by their parent or guardian and must be 14 years of age before crossing public ways. Anyone who allows a person under 18 years of age to operate a snowmobile is liable (jointly with the minor's parent or guardian) for any damages caused in the operation of that snowmobile).

If you have the misfortune of ending up in a snowmobile accident which results in a fatality or an injury requiring the services of a physician, you or someone acting on your behalf must give notice of the accident by the quickest means possible to the nearest law enforcement officer.

If you are in an accident which results in property damage only of $1000 or more, you must report the accident within 72 hours using a form provided by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife - these forms are available online at the IF & W web site. Previously you were required to summon a warden out on the trails for a property damage only accident, now you just need to fill out the form and return it within 72 hours of the accident.

If you plan on traveling into Canada with your snowmobile insurance is required though. For example at the Canadian border crossing into New Brunswick a trail pass is required and you must have personal liability insurance, by NB law, on your snowmobile. The insurance can be from your state of origin and must be available for viewing if asked for by a peace officer. Collision, theft and fire insurance are recommended but not mandatory.

So Maine is not a no-fault state so PIP is not required on your automobile or snowmobile as part of your coverage which is basically what a no-fault law requires. If you were at-fault in a snowmobile accident you can be held at fault and be made to pay personally if you do not have insurance in place to cover the property damage or bodily injuries you caused.

You can obtain an insurance quote for your snowmobile here with us so that if you are in an accident you will be covered.