Frequently Asked Questions
[indicates date last updated]
Who notifies the Secretary of State of a cancellation, termination or lapse of coverage? [January 2, 2003]
The insurance company that wrote the policy that has been canceled, terminated or has lapsed. How will the insurance company notify the Secretary of State? [January 2, 2003]
Notification will be by electronic means. The file format will be file transfer protocol (FTP) with a choice of encryption methods. Questions regarding encryption methods can be directed to the technical contact for this program.
If there is a change in the type of coverage is it necessary to notify the Secretary of State? [January 2, 2003]
This law applies to auto liability coverage only.
When liability is suspended from a vehicle (i.e. liability is temporarily deleted, but comprehensive coverage is kept), should we report that to the BMV? This is often the case with garaged vehicles.
Under the law, when there is no liability coverage for a vehicle it must be reported. For seasonal vehicles, 29-A MRSA §1601-A, subsection 5 is enacted to read:
5. Seasonal Vehicles. The Secretary of State, upon receipt of the notice required in subsection 1, may cancel the owner's registration certificate and plates for a seasonal vehicle. The cancellation continues until that person provides evidence of insurance to the Secretary of State.
You may advise your client to complete the Statement of Stored Vehicle and submit it to the BMV. The form may be downloaded at http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/forms.
Can data be sent from more than one site for an insurance company? [January 2, 2003]
Yes. The file layout allows an alpha/numeric field with a field size of 8 characters. The company transmission site identifier is established by each company internally. All data received and processed by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will be read with the company's NAIC and date of file in conjunction with the transmission site identifier.
Is an initial download of information needed from the insurance company? [January 2, 2003]
No. This is not an insurance verification program. 29-A MRSA §1601-A provides for cancellation, termination or lapse of coverage.
Can data be sent from more than one site for an insurance company? [January 2, 2003]
Yes. The file layout allows an alpha/numeric field with a field size of 8 characters. The company transmission site identifier is established by each company internally. All data received and processed by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will be read with the company's NAIC and date of file in conjunction with the transmission site identifier.
What are the consequences of a cancellation, termination or lapse of liability coverage for a Maine registered vehicle? [January 2, 2003]
The owner's registration certificate and plates for that vehicle will be suspended.
How can the insured/owner avoid a suspension of the registration certificate and plates? [January 2, 2003]
The owner/insured will need to provide proof of current insurance to the Secretary of State prior to the effective date of the suspension.
How will the insured/vehicle owner reinstate the registration certificate and plate for a vehicle when notification has been received by the Secretary of State? [January 2, 2003]
The owner/insured will need to provide proof of current insurance to the Secretary of State. If proof is shown prior to the effective date of the suspension there will be no fee due. If proof is not provided until the suspension becomes effective there will be a reinstatement fee of $35.00 due to the Secretary of State.
Within 15 days after electronic notification is sent to the Secretary of State the insurance companies determines there was a clerical error and the transmission was in error. What can the insurance company do to rectify the error? [January 2, 2003]
There is a rescind code within the file layout. The original information transmitted will need to be resent with the rescind code.
Electronic notification was sent in error but not discovered by the insurance company until after 15 days of the original transmission date. What can the insurance company do to rectify the error? [January 2, 2003]
A letter explaining the error must be sent to the Secretary of State.
How will owners receive notification that their registration certificate and plates have been restored from suspension status? [January 2, 2003]
A letter of reinstatement will sent to the mailing address applicable for the suspended registration. Do not consider that the registration has been reinstated prior to receiving a letter of reinstatement from the Secretary of State.
The file layout has additional fields for special filings (SR-22, etc). Are we obligated to send special filing information through this FTP format? [January 2, 2003]
No. There is no obligation to utilize the availability of sending special filings by electronic means. 29-A MRSA §1605 (8) requires the Secretary of State to allow electronic filing. This is the method to allow electronic filings.
What are the benefits of utilizing this medium to make special insurance filings? [January 2, 2003]
The filings will be applied to the individual or company in a much timelier manner. Information received will be processed overnight on the same day or night as it is received. This will alleviate clerical time on your end by eliminating the need to type and mail the filings. The need for time consuming mail processing and data entry at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be eliminated.
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