What Cargo Insurance Requirements Apply in Maine?

Maine’s §1611(2)(A) sets a $350,000 combined single limit for for-hire freight or merchandise vehicles in intrastate-exempt or federally exempt service, subject to paragraph E. Paragraph E lists a rental-truck alternative for vehicles with registered gross weight of 26,000 pounds or less rented or leased for fewer than 30 days: $125,000 combined single limit or $50,000/$100,000 bodily-injury and $25,000 property-damage split limits. Paragraph G separately sets $750,000 for intrastate commercial motor vehicles for policies executed, delivered, issued, continued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Because G does not cross-reference E, confirm with the insurer which tier applies to an eligible short-term rental. These are vehicle-operation liability limits, not cargo cover.

What Is Cargo and Transit Insurance?

Cargo coverage fits a shipper protecting goods it owns or a carrier responsible for another party’s goods. The quote needs to match who bears the loss, the shipment route and storage stops. Read the national Cargo and transit guide.

Maine Cargo and Transit Insurance Requirements

RequirementDetails
Intrastate commercial motor-vehicle liability$350,000 combined single limit under paragraph A for for-hire freight/merchandise vehicles in intrastate-exempt or federally exempt service, subject to paragraph E. E provides a rental-truck alternative for a truck with registered gross weight of 26,000 pounds or less rented or leased for fewer than 30 days: $125,000 combined single limit or split limits of $50,000/$100,000 bodily-injury liability and $25,000 property-damage liability. Paragraph G separately sets a $750,000 combined single limit for intrastate commercial motor vehicles; PL 2025, c. 107 applies it to policies executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. G does not expressly cross-reference E, so confirm which amount applies to an eligible rental truck. Neither tier is a goods-policy limit. 1

What Should You Watch for With Cargo and Transit Insurance in Maine?

  • Classify the Route Before Comparing Limits

    Separate the statutory categories before comparing limits: paragraph A sets $350,000 for qualifying for-hire freight/merchandise service and expressly excepts paragraph E; E permits a rental truck with registered gross weight of 26,000 pounds or less, rented or leased for fewer than 30 days, to use $125,000 combined single limit or $50,000/$100,000 bodily-injury plus $25,000 property-damage limits. Paragraph G separately sets $750,000 for intrastate commercial motor vehicles for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, but does not refer to E. Ask the insurer which rule governs the rental and keep the vehicle-liability terms separate from goods value. 1

  • Check the Carrier’s Declared-Value Option

    A Maine bill-of-lading or transport-agreement value cap is allowed only if rates depend on value and the consignor is advised of and offered the chance to declare more. It is ineffective for conversion to the carrier’s own use; keep the written selection. 2

  • Read the Contract’s Claim Procedure

    Maine allows reasonable claim-presentation and action-timing provisions in a bill of lading or transport agreement. Request those terms before loading and keep a copy with the inventory and delivery record. 2

  • Quote Your Goods Interest Separately

    Maine §1611 describes required insurance or bond as liability for damages arising from vehicle operation. It does not state whether your own stock, equipment or customer property is insured; identify the owner and request a separate cargo proposal. 1,2

Which Cargo and Transit Providers Have Maine License Records?

These providers publish a national listing for Cargo and transit; the license records below name the licensed entities and roles. Some records rely on company-reported information rather than independent regulator verification. A national listing does not confirm the product is available in Maine. Check the regulator’s license lookup and confirm state availability for your business when requesting a quote.

  • Corgi

    Insurance producer · checked 2026-09-28

    Corgi Insurance Services, Inc.

    Corgi’s company producer-license table lists 50 jurisdictions: 49 states and the District of Columbia, including DC license 3003091619. New Mexico does not appear in the table and is not included here; the omission does not establish that Corgi is unlicensed there. The company-reported table has no stated as-of date and does not establish product availability. 11

    Corgi lists a cargo contractual liability product in its transportation offering.

Who Regulates Insurance in Maine?

Maine Bureau of Insurance

The Maine Bureau of Insurance licenses producers and companies, enforces Maine insurance laws, and investigates property and casualty complaints including commercial coverage complaints. You can use its state lookup or complaint service to check a license or raise an insurance issue. 3,4,5

Surplus-Lines Tax and Stamping Office in Maine

Reported tax rate. 3% of gross direct premium when Maine is the insured's home state 6,7,8

Maine charges 3% of gross direct premium when it is the insured's home state; your broker handles the tax and may include it with the premium. Surplus-lines policies are outside Maine guaranty-association protection. Maine generally requires a diligent search, with an exempt-commercial-purchaser exception requiring broker disclosure and the purchaser's written request.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy Cargo and Transit in Maine

  1. Which paragraph covers this service: for-hire freight in intrastate-exempt/federally exempt service under A, or an intrastate commercial motor vehicle under G? If this is a rental truck at or below 26,000 pounds registered gross weight hired for fewer than 30 days, which statutory limit does the insurer apply and why?
  2. Does the rate depend on declared value, and what written value and claim terms are in the bill of lading?
  3. Whose inventory, equipment or customer property is moving, and what separate policy would protect that goods interest?

Cargo and Transit Insurance in Maine: Frequently Asked Questions

Does Maine’s $750,000 commercial-vehicle limit insure cargo for $750,000?

No. Maine §1611(5) describes the required policy or bond as liability insurance for damages arising from operation of a motor vehicle. Review the bill of lading and ask for a separate goods-policy quote for the value you want protected. 1,2

When can a Maine carrier cap liability at a stated value?

When rates depend on value and the consignor is advised of and given an opportunity to declare a higher value. The cap does not apply to conversion to the carrier’s own use. 2

Cargo and Transit Insurance Guides for Other States

Other coverage in MaineEvery coverage guide for Maine, plus the regulator and surplus-lines details.

Updated .

This guide is informational and does not determine whether a policy is available or meets your needs. Editorial policy. To suggest a correction, contact Spot with a supporting source.

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