2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC › Chapter 13: FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INSURANCE › Subchapter 2: GENERAL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY › 29-A §1606. Filing

§1606. Filing
A policy may not be certified as proof of financial responsibility until a copy of the form of the policy has been on file with the Superintendent of Insurance for at least 30 days or the Superintendent of Insurance has approved in writing the form of the policy.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
1.  Form.
The Superintendent of Insurance shall approve a form of policy that contains:
A. The name and address of the insured;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. A description of the vehicle covered;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. The premium charges;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
D. The policy period;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
E. The limits of liability; and   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
F. An agreement that insurance is provided under this subchapter.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
2.  Required provisions.
Even if not expressed, a policy is subject to the following provisions.
A. The liability of a company under a policy must become absolute when the loss or damage covered by the policy occurs.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. Satisfaction by the insured of a final judgment for that loss or damage may not be a condition precedent to the obligation of the company to make payment on account of the loss or damage.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. A policy may not be canceled or annulled by an agreement between the company and the insured after the insured has become liable for loss or damage.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
D. On recovery of a final judgment for a loss or damage specified in this section, if the judgment debtor at the accrual of the cause of action was insured against liability under a policy, the judgment creditor may have the insurance proceeds applied to satisfy the judgment.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
E. The policy, the written application and a rider or endorsement constitute the entire contract between the parties.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
F. If the death, insolvency or bankruptcy of the insured occurs within the policy period, the policy must cover the legal representatives of the insured during the unexpired portion.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
3.  Default judgment.
When the defendant has defaulted, damages may not be assessed, except by special order of the court, until expiration of 30 days after the plaintiff gives notice of default to the company that issued the policy.
Notice may be given by mail, postage prepaid, to the company that issued the policy or to its agent.
If satisfied that the insured has failed to comply with the terms of the policy by failing to notify the company that issued the policy of an accident, the Secretary of State may revoke the insured's license and registration for an appropriate period.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
4.  Recovery may not be barred.
A statement of the insured or principal or a violation of the policy may not operate to defeat or avoid the policy so as to bar recovery within the limit provided in the policy.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
5.  Cancellation of policy.
A policy certified as proof of financial responsibility may not be canceled until at least 10 days after notice of cancellation has been filed in the office of the Secretary of State.
A policy subsequently certified terminates on the effective date of certification the insurance previously certified with respect to a motor vehicle designated in both certificates.
The company may specify on a certificate the expiration date of the policy. When an expiration date is provided, the policy is deemed terminated for purposes of this chapter on and after that date, unless that policy has been previously canceled or superseded.
When an expiration date is not specified on the certificate, the policy continues until canceled or superseded in accordance with section 1605, subsection 5.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
6.  Company doing business in another state.
A policy is not effective unless issued by a company authorized to do business in this State or a company authorized to do business in the state where the vehicle is registered or, in the case of an operator’s policy, the state where the operator resides.
[PL 2009, c. 598, §35 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 2009, c. 598, §35 (AMD).