Massachusetts Auto Insurance
Whether you’re commuting to work in Boston or taking a scenic drive along Cape Ann’s beautiful coastline, affordable auto insurance coverage is a must for every Massachusetts driver. So, take a few minutes to learn about cheap car insurance in Massachusetts, including which coverages are mandatory and which ones are optional.
Massachusetts Car Insurance Laws
Do you have to have car insurance in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires all vehicle owners to carry a car insurance policy with all mandatory coverages. Massachusetts auto insurance policies must at least meet the state’s minimum liability coverage limits, typically expressed as three numbers representing thousands of dollars. For example, the liability limits in Massachusetts are 20/40/5, as shown below under Massachusetts Minimum Car Insurance Requirements.
Massachusetts is also a no-fault state that requires policyholders to carry personal injury protection (PIP coverage) and uninsured motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage.
What is a no-fault state?
When people say, “Massachusetts is a no-fault state,” what do they mean? Well, in a no-fault state, each person injured in a car accident files a claim with their own insurance company and relies on their own coverage to pay for their medical expenses regardless of who was at fault. If an injured party does not have their own auto insurance, they would file a claim under the policy insuring the vehicle they were occupying at the time of the accident.
In an at-fault state, however, the at-fault driver would be liable for 100% of the injured person’s medical expenses. In this scenario, the at-fault driver's insurance would help cover the accident victim's expenses.
No-fault coverage only applies to personal injuries. In both no-fault states and at-fault states, drivers file property damage claims with the at-fault party’s insurer.
Massachusetts Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Wondering what your insurance policy needs to fulfill Massachusetts’ insurance requirements? Here’s a quick breakdown by coverage type.
|
Coverages |
Is It Required by Law? |
|
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It helps pay for their medical expenses and your legal services (if necessary). |
Yes. $20,000 bodily injury per person/$40,000 bodily injury per accident. Please note, mandatory bodily injury liability coverage only covers accidents within Massachusetts. You must purchase optional protection if you’re interested in broader bodily injury coverage. |
|
Property Damage Liability Coverage helps pay to repair or replace other people’s property that is damaged in an accident you cause. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox and more. |
Yes. $5,000 property damage per accident. |
|
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has no coverage or can’t be identified due to hit and run. |
Yes. $20,000 UM bodily injury per person/$40,000 UM bodily injury per accident. |
|
Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has coverage, but an insufficient amount. |
Not required. |
|
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) helps pay for your medical and related expenses stemming from an accident, regardless of fault. |
Yes. $8,000 of PIP coverage. Please note, you may elect to reduce or eliminate the PIP benefits for you and your household members by selecting an authorized deductible. |
|
Collision Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail or another object, regardless of fault. |
Not required.1 |
|
Comprehensive Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism or contact with an animal. |
Not required.1 |
IMPORTANT NOTE: While purchasing state-mandated coverage ensures you satisfy Massachusetts law, it doesn’t protect you or your vehicle in every circumstance. You might need to add additional coverage, like comprehensive and collision, to protect yourself and your vehicle more fully.
1Your lender may require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.
Are there additional coverage options?
For greater peace of mind, Massachusetts drivers may have access to add-on services and other coverage options depending on the insurer:
Massachusetts Proof of Financial Responsibility and Penalties
What if I don't meet Massachusetts’ minimum car insurance requirements?
Massachusetts takes a strict stance on vehicle owners who don’t meet insurance requirements. The fines and other penalties for driving without insurance vary depending on the nature of the violation, according to ValuePenguin. However, you could be forced to pay up to $5,000 and face jail time depending on your circumstances and which offense it is.
Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Massachusetts
Driving without a valid license can lead to harsh penalties in Massachusetts. If you’re caught operating a vehicle while suspended, revoked or otherwise unlicensed, the National Conference of State Legislatures reports you could be facing a steep fine and potential jail time.
SR-22 Insurance in Massachusetts
Some states require high-risk drivers to keep an SR-22 (also known as a certificate of financial responsibility) on file with the state verifying they have purchased auto insurance coverage that satisfies the state’s minimum coverage requirements. Depending on your current state, if you recently moved from out of state, or if you’re planning to move out of state soon, you could be required to keep an SR-22 on file if:
- You have committed serious driving violations.
- You have failed to maintain proper liability coverage or have broken state insurance laws.
- You were convicted of a DUI/DWI.
High-Risk Auto Insurance in Massachusetts
Many individuals do not have a perfect driving record, and after a certain number of violations or a serious enough violation, drivers can be considered a major risk to insure. Some insurance companies won’t insure high-risk drivers, but non-standard insurance (another name for high-risk auto insurance) is often available elsewhere to provide financial protection for these drivers.
Where can I find the cheapest car insurance rates in Massachusetts?
Car insurance costs vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The amount and type of coverage you choose
- The year, make and model of the vehicle you drive
- How much you drive, where you drive and where you live
- Your demographics
- Your driving record
- Your credit history
Other Massachusetts Auto Insurance Resources
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
- Massachusetts Division of Insurance
- Official Website of Massachusetts
*Roadside Assistance is not insurance and is administered through Nation Safe Drivers, Boca Raton, FL. Not all benefits available in all states.
**The “Direct Auto Insurance” brand is used by insurers in the National General Group, Winston-Salem, NC to describe their direct-to-consumer auto insurance programs. Direct Auto Insurance branded policies are produced by Direct General Insurance Agency, Inc. dba “Direct Auto Insurance” and by National General Insurance Marketing Inc.