# ME Insurance Bulletin 158: Tie-in sales

> Maine · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_158

## Section

- **Citation:** ME Insurance Bulletin 158
- **Heading:** Tie-in sales
- **Jurisdiction:** Maine
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Maine Bureau of Insurance Bulletins / Tie-in sales

## Text

Bulletin 158
Tie-in sales
January 18, 1989
Although tie-in sales in some instances are acceptable, the practice of tying the sales of one product
to another may be an unfair trade practice in certain situations. These situations occur when:
1. The consumer is required to place additional coverage with an insurer not of the consumer's choice
in order to obtain a desired coverage, and
2. The consumer's alternative opportunities to purchase the desired coverage are severely limited or
non-existent (for example, where the insurer holds all or a substantial portion of the market share of
the desired coverage).
Generally, tie-in sales are permitted where the consumer is free to reject the offer of tied coverages
because alternate sources of the desired coverage are freely available. Some tie-in sales may even be
beneficial and desired by the consumer because of convenience, better price, or avoidance of gaps in
coverage. For example, insureds may benefit by placing coverage with one company because disputes
between carriers over applicable coverage can be avoided. The consumer also may want coverage
from only one company to avoid confusion when a claim must be made. The packaging of several
products together may result in a lower total cost and more complete coverage for the insured.
Agents who wish to tie coverages should be cautious and should make sure that the consumer always
has another choice available in the market. Without this choice the practice of tying coverages is
coercive and may violate unfair trade practices laws.
Joseph A. Edwards
Superintendent of Insurance
NOTE: This bulletin is intended solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to set forth legal
rights, duties or privileges nor is it intended to provide legal advice. Readers are encouraged to
consult applicable statutes and regulations and to contact the Bureau of Insurance if additional
information is needed.

## Nearby sections

- [ME Insurance Bulletin 108 Filing statistical information by property and casualty companies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_108.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 143 Roll-on coverages](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_143.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 146 Health and Life filing requirement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_146.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 156 Reports of pre-utilization review](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_156.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 158 Tie-in sales](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_158.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 159 Application of utilization review programs to mandated benefits for the treatment of mental illness, alcoholism, and drug dependency](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_159.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 161 Unfair discrimination against the handicapped](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_161.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 164 Youthful operators](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_164.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 166 Disclosure of workers' compensation reserving policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_166.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 168 Pre-effective date confidentiality of certain form and rate filings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_168.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 174 Continuity of health insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_174.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 176 Property and casualty insurance prospective loss cost filing procedures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_176.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 179 Applicability of continuity of health insurance statute](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_179.md)
- [ME Insurance Bulletin 182 Insurance identification cards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_182.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ME_INS_B_158. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.