Hollay Ghadery Last Updated On: August 9, 2023

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Massachusetts Car Insurance

What do the first post office, first phone call, first subway, and first college—Harvard—have in common? Each of these firsts can be attributed to the Bay State, Massachusetts. As a state with plenty of firsts, you want to ensure you have the right car insurance to avoid getting caught driving without!

But what is the right car insurance? Well, that depends on your car insurance wish list. For some drivers, it’s about affordability; for others, it’s all about protecting themselves and their vehicles from any and all car-related hazards.

And finally, if you call the state that gave us Dunkin’ Donuts home, is there anything you should know about getting car insurance in Massachusetts? Read on to learn all about auto insurance in Massachusetts.

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Table of Contents

Massachusetts State Minimums or “Liability”

Before you get behind the wheel to drive through scenic Boston or Fenway Park to watch a Red Sox game, ensure you’ve got adequate car insurance! Every state has different liability requirements, so with that in mind, what are Massachusetts state minimums?

These are Massachusett’s car insurance minimums:

  • Liability minimum requirements (20/40/5)
    • $20,000 bodily injury per person, for a maximum payout of $40,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
    • $5,000 property damage coverage
  • Uninsured motorist coverage requirements
    • $20,000 bodily injury per person
    • $40,000 bodily injury per accident
  • Personal Injury Protection Requirements (PIP)
    • $8,000 per person

Only a few states require drivers to carry PIP, yet Massachusett, as a no-fault state, does. PIP is health insurance that will help cover accident-related costs. If you have health insurance already and get into an accident, you must submit your medical claims through PIP before your health insurance plan.

However, if you’re tempted to save money on your car insurance premiums by taking out liability-only insurance—don’t. Massachusett’s is a no-fault state, meaning you have liability, uninsured motorist protection, and PIP. Although, the coverage levels are far too low to protect you from paying out of pocket. So yes, you would save upfront on insurance costs, but even a minor fender bender will likely cost you as you only have $5,000 to cover the other driver’s vehicular repairs. If you want to protect your finances, you should consider upping your coverage limits or taking out a full coverage auto insurance plan in Massachusetts.

Massachusett’s Auto Insurance Options

Did you know that chocolate chip cookies were invented in Whitman, Massachusetts? If you want to drive through Whitman for a cookie, here are the car insurance options to consider so you can confidently go to your destination.

These are your car insurance choices in Massachusett’s:

  • Collision: If you cause an accident, liability insurance pays for the other driver’s medical or vehicular repairs. Keep in mind liability won’t cover your accident-related car repairs; for that you’ll need collision.
  • Comprehensive: Comprehensive coverage protects your car from weather-related damages, theft, vandalism, or damages associated with hitting an animal, etc.  
  • Roadside Assistance: If you’re locked out, the car battery is dead, or your vehicle needs towing, Roadside assistance will get you back onto the road.
  • Rental Car Reimbursement: If your car is in for repairs, rental car reimbursement pays for your rental car.
  • Gap Or Loan/Lease Payoff Insurance: If you’re financing or leasing a vehicle, you should consider Gap insurance because if you total your car while still paying it off, this coverage will pay off the remaining car loan balance.
  • Medical Payments (MedPay): If you want supplemental health insurance—up to $10,000—that can pay for your deductible or chip in for medical costs, MedPay is an affordable addition to your car insurance. 
  • Limited Collision: If you’re not responsible for the accident, this coverage will pay your damages.
  • Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury: Underinsured motorist bodily injury pays for your medical expenses if someone without enough insurance hits you.

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How Much is Car Insurance in Massachusetts?

Whether you live in Boston or Framingham, Massachusetts, one thing unites all drivers—the need for affordable car insurance. Fortunately, the average annual cost for full coverage car insurance is $1,300, while liability is $450 a year. Both of these amounts are well below the national average for car insurance!

What Happens if Your Caught Driving Without Car Insurance?

According to autoinsurance.org, 14% of American motorists drive illegally without car insurance. While that number doesn’t seem too ominous, it means millions of people drive without car insurance. All it takes is just one of those drivers hitting you, and if you don’t have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you’re responsible for paying for your damages. 

However, to help thwart Americans from driving without car insurance, penalties and fines exist. In Massachusetts, a civil motor vehicle infraction (CMVI) is operating a vehicle without car insurance.

If you’re caught without car insurance in Massachusetts, you’ll face fines and penalties.

PenaltyFirst OffenseSecond+ Offenses
Fines$500 fine or paying for 1 year of car insurance (whichever costs more)$500-$5,000 fine and $500 payment or paying for 1 year of car insurance (whichever costs more) 
FeesRespond to citation within 20 days or pay $45 late fee + $25 filing fee for requesting a hearing + $500 to reinstate driving privilegesRespond to citation within 20 days or pay $45 late fee + $25 filing fee for requesting a hearing + $500 to reinstate driving privileges
Driving PrivilegesLicense and registration suspended for 60 daysLicense and registration suspended for 1 year
ImprisonmentPossible up to 365 days in jailPossible up to 365 days in jail

Proof of Insurance and What to Do When Caught without Car Insurance

In Massachusetts, you must provide active car insurance at a traffic stop or an accident scene. The driver must show proof of insurance via an insurance card or electronically. Failure to produce valid car insurance will result in fines and penalties. 

If you choose to dispute your citation, you have 20 days to request a hearing. Just be warned there is a $25 fee for requesting a hearing. If you do not respond to the citation in the 20 day window, you will be found guilty and charged a late fee. If you do not pay your fees (late fee and citation fee), your license will be suspended, leading to a spike in your insurance premiums.

How Massachusetts Calculates Your Premiums

Every state and every insurer uses different factors to calculate how much your insurance premiums are if you’re curious about what factors Massachusetts uses to calculate your rates, read on to find out!
  • Age: Teenage drivers between 19-20 cost the most, while seniors pay the least for car insurance in Massachusetts.
  • Driving History (including violations): Good drivers, those without driving infractions, will earn a discount. Whereas drivers with infractions on their record, like speeding tickets, will pay more. 
  • Coverage Level: Your premiums depend on the coverage you take out. Hence you’ll pay less for liability than for full coverage.
  • Your Vehicle: If you drive a vehicle (year, make, model) that isn’t a sports car, luxury car, or commonly stolen car—as these more costly to repair or replace—you’re rates will be lower.
 

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How to Save Money on Car Insurance

Insurance is a “just in case,” so many of us don’t have to fork over exorbitant amounts to pay for accident-related damages. Fortunately, there are ways to shrink your rates so your premiums don’t break the bank!

These are some of the best ways to save money on your car insurance:

  • Bundling: Do you have a house, car, and other insurance products? If so, then bundle them together and save on premiums.
  • Payment Discounts: One of the best ways to find insurer-specific discounts is by asking what discounts you qualify for. Some payment discounts you can ask about are whether you’ll get a break on rates if you pay your annual premiums upfront if you haven’t missed a payment in a year, or if you set up automatic withdrawal. Another way to save is by choosing paperless billing.
  • Safety Equipment: Ask your prospective insurer if you do safety upgrades and whether they will lead to a premium discount. For instance, qualifying anti-lock brakes, anti-theft system, and side airbags could result in discounts. 
  • Defensive Driving: Many providers will give discounts for passing a recognized defensive driving class. 
  • Shop Around: Before you buy car insurance, collect multiple quotes as every insurer uses different factors to determine your rates; hence, your premiums will change depending on the insurance company. 

If you’re ready to shop for car insurance quotes in Massachusetts, grab your free no-obligation quote from ConsumerCoverage now!

The Best Insurance Companies in Massachusetts

As you look into your car insurance options in Massachusetts, who is the best insurance company? Well, good news, there are many top-rated insurers to choose from!
  • Allstate
  • Amica Mutual
  • Arbella
  • Geico
  • Progressive
  • State Farm
  • Travelers
  • USAA

Final Thoughts on Finding Car Insurance in Massachusetts

If you call Massachusetts, one of the original states, home, then it’s only natural you’ll want the best coverage at the right price. The trick to finding the best-priced car insurance is by first knowing what you want so you can compare car insurance quotes in Massachusetts. This means do you want liability only to save on rates, or would you prefer a more robust full coverage package?

Once you’ve settled on the best insurance coverage, you can start shopping around for the best car insurance rates by getting quotes from various insurers. As you collect car insurance quotes, a frontrunner should emerge—that’s when you know you’ve found the best provider for you!

So if you’re ready to get the ball rolling, stop on by ConsumerCoverage for a free, no-risk car insurance quote in Massachusetts now!

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Hollay Ghadery Hollay Ghadery is a writer and editor who is passionate about financial literacy as a means to personal fulfillment. Hollay has over 18 years of experience creating content about a range of topics related to personal finance, including insurance, investing, banking, and credit cards. When Hollay isn't writing, she's spending time with her four children, two dogs, and three goats.

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