Why are car insurance rates increasing?

Drivers are experiencing higher auto insurance costs than ever before. Why are rates increasing, and what can be done to save on your car insurance bill?

Learn why car insurance costs are rising ->

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Options for teen drivers

Adding a new driver to your policy can be shocking to your bank account. Fortunately, we have several strategies for helping your teen develop safe driving habits while helping to reduce the impact to your insurance bill.

Learn how a newly licensed driver impacts insurance ->

How to register your car when moving to Massachusetts

We've put together a step-by-step guide on how to transfer your car registration to MA. Our team can help you register your vehicle so you can start exploring the Bay State.

Read our guide on transferring your registration to MA ->

Required Coverages For Massachusetts Auto Insurance

All registered vehicles in Massachusetts are required to maintain an active auto insurance policy. While this requirement exists to protect drivers in the event of an accident, the minimum coverage requirements fall short of providing adequate protection to the majority of drivers. Let's do a short review the compulsory insurance coverages and the corresponding limits required by the Commonwealth:

Bodily Injury to Others provides coverage for damages to other people that are injured or killed by your auto in Massachusetts accidents. The minimum coverage limit is only $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident.
Personal Injury Protection provides coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and replacement services. This coverage is subject to many caveats and provides a maximum coverage payout of $8,000 per incident.
Bodily Injury Caused By An Uninsured Auto provides coverage for damages to people injured or killed in certain accidents caused by uninsured or hit-and-run autos. The minimum coverage limit is only $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident.
Damage To Someone Else's Property provides coverage for damages to someone else whose auto or other property is damaged in an accident. The minimum coverage limit is only $5,000.

A policy with the minimum limits set by Massachusetts does not provide any physical damage coverage for your vehicle in the event of an accident, and can leave you on the hook for hundreds-of-thousands of dollars in the event a car accident. Consult with your trusted insurance agent on available limits for compulsory coverages, as well as optional coverages, to ensure proper protection.

Optional Car Insurance Coverages In Massachusetts

The Massachusetts required coverages don't provide enough protection on their own; optional car insurance coverages are available to better protect you from lawsuits, to reduce out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim, and provide you with peace of mind. Let's review some commonly selected optional coverages.

Collision and Comprehensive coverages provide different flavors of physical damage coverage for your vehicle. In the event of a motor vehicle accident, we look to the Collision portion of the policy for coverage. Comprehensive coverage protects against other causes of loss, such as theft, vandalism, and weather-related events. Both coverages are subject to individual deductibles and are typically required for financed and leased vehicles.
Optional Bodily Injury coverage augments the Bodily Injury to Others portion of your policy, protecting your from lawsuits and providing you with coverage outside of Massachusetts.
Bodily Injury Caused By An Uninsured and Underinsured Auto coverages help to cover your medical expenses and other damages when the driver of another vehicle is at-fault for an accident with you and is uninsured or underinsured.
Rental Reimbursement coverage can provide you with a rental vehicle to temporarily replace your insured vehicle in the event of a loss, as long as cause of loss is covered by your policy.
Roadside Assistance provides coverage for a short vehicle tow in the event of disablement. It also can provide assistance in the event of a flat tire or dead battery.
Accident Forgiveness reduces the impact that an at-fault accident has on the cost of your insurance policy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Massachusetts Car Insurance

What does car insurance cover in Massachusetts?

Car insurance in Massachusetts typically covers bodily injury, property damage, and medical payments under the state’s mandatory coverages. Depending on your policy, it may also cover collision damage to your car, theft, vandalism, and comprehensive losses like fire or falling objects. Optional coverages can expand protection further.

What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law requires drivers to carry minimum coverage, including:

$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for Bodily Injury to Others

$8,000 per person for Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto

$30,000 per accident for Property Damage Liability

These are the legal minimums, but most drivers choose higher limits for better protection.

What types of optional coverages are available for Massachusetts drivers?

Optional coverages include collision, comprehensive, towing and labor, rental reimbursement, accident forgiveness, and higher liability limits. Many Massachusetts drivers also add underinsured motorist coverage for extra protection if an at-fault driver doesn’t carry enough insurance.

Does my Massachusetts car insurance cover rental cars?

In many cases, yes. If you carry collision and comprehensive on your own car, those protections usually extend to a rental vehicle. However, coverage may vary depending on the rental agreement, so it’s wise to confirm with your insurer before renting. Rental reimbursement coverage is separate and pays for a temporary car if yours is being repaired after a covered loss.

Am I covered if someone else drives my car?

Yes, in most cases your Massachusetts auto insurance follows the car, not the driver. If you give someone permission to drive your car, your insurance is typically primary. However, coverage can be limited if the person is a household member not listed on the policy, so it’s best to disclose all regular drivers.

How much does car insurance cost in Massachusetts on average?

The average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is about $1,300–$1,700 per year, depending on the driver’s age, location, driving history, and vehicle type. Urban areas like Boston tend to have higher premiums, while suburban and rural towns are often lower.

What factors affect the cost of car insurance in Massachusetts?

Car insurance rates are based on your driving record, age, type of vehicle, annual mileage, and location. Insurers also consider claims history, coverage limits, and deductibles. Massachusetts is one of the few states that prohibits using credit scores to determine auto insurance rates.

Is there a discount for bundling auto and home insurance in Massachusetts?

Yes. Many insurers offer multi-policy discounts when you bundle auto and home coverage, often saving 10–20% or more on premiums. Bundling also provides the convenience of one insurer handling multiple policies.

Is car insurance mandatory in Massachusetts?

Yes, Massachusetts law requires all drivers to carry car insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. Driving without insurance can result in fines, license suspension, and other penalties.

Will filing a claim increase my car insurance rates in Massachusetts?

Filing a claim may raise your insurance rates, especially if you’re found at fault. Minor claims or not-at-fault accidents may have little to no impact, but multiple claims in a short period can significantly increase premiums. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs to help prevent a first accident from affecting your rates.

Car Insurance in Massachusetts

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