Car insurance costs in Massachusetts can vary widely based on your driving profile, location, and coverage choices.
The price of your car insurance policy will mainly come down to which coverages you choose and their limits. The coverage limit is the maximum amount your insurance carrier could pay in the event of a claim.
Is car insurance mandatory in Massachusetts?
Yes, in Massachusetts, car insurance is mandatory. You must carry the following coverages at these limits:
| Required Coverage | Minimum Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Property Damage Liability | $30,000 per accident |
| Personal Injury Protection | $8,000 per accident |
| Uninsured Motorist | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
Bodily injury liability coverage — protects you if you’re responsible for injuring someone in a car accident. This coverage can help pay for the injured party’s medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. It may also help pay your expenses in a related lawsuit. The minimum mandatory coverage applies only to accidents that occur in Massachusetts. For coverage for out-of-state accidents, you need to buy additional optional bodily injury liability coverage.
Property damage liability coverage — protects you if you are responsible for damaging someone else’s property in a car accident. This coverage helps reimburse another person for their damaged property (such as a car or a building). It also helps you pay your legal expenses in the event of a related lawsuit.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) — Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means your PIP coverage pays medical expenses and lost wages resulting from an accident for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the crash.
This is different from liability coverage, which covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to another driver or their passengers when you’re at fault.
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) — helps pay medical costs and other related expenses when you or one of your passengers is injured in an accident by a driver who doesn’t have insurance coverage. UM also covers unidentified drivers, as in the case of hit-and-run accidents.
This coverage does not help pay for physical damage to your car, but your collision coverage will if you have it.
Auto insurance "full coverage" in MA
Massachusetts does not require coverage for damages to your own vehicle. However, these may be required as a condition if you lease your car or have a loan on the car.
Collision coverage
Covers the cost to repair or replace your car after a collision with another vehicle or stationary object. Collision only covers damage to your car or someone else’s car that you are operating with permission of the owner.
Comprehensive coverage
Protects your car from damage NOT related to a collision. This includes things like natural disasters and storms, fires, theft, vandalism, damages caused by hitting an animal and more.
Having “full coverage” means having these coverages in addition to your required liability coverage.
Additional optional auto coverage in MA
These coverages are not required in Massachusetts but are recommended to offer more protection for you and your vehicle.
Underinsured motorist coverage
Similar to uninsured motorist coverage, it instead helps pay for medical expenses caused by an at-fault driver that is underinsured. An underinsured driver has insurance, but not enough to pay for injuries they cause.
Medical payments coverage
Also known as MedPay, helps pay for medical expenses from an accident for you and your passengers. If you choose to buy MedPay, the minimum coverage limit is $5,000.
Massachusetts car insurance cost details
The choice of coverages and their limits are one of the biggest factors in determining your policy’s cost.
Carriers also price insurance based on a variety of considerations like garaging location, years of driving experience, driving record and type of car insured.
Here are just a few factors that affect the price of insurance in Massachusetts:
Coverage limits
The more coverage you have, the higher your premiums will be. Saving with lesser coverage may mean paying more in the long run if you have a claim that exceeds your limits. Make sure you understand what your insurance covers so you can protect yourself, your family and your assets.
Type of car
The kind of car you drive is a big factor when it comes to your insurance rates. Contrary to popular belief, the color of your car doesn’t matter for insurance purposes. What does matter, however, is the cost to repair the vehicle. Repair cost is one of the most important factors to consider when insuring a car.
Driving record
How you drive also makes a huge difference in how much your insurance will cost. Accidents and moving violations on your record indicate to an insurance company that you are riskier to insure. The best way to keep your insurance costs down is to drive safely and maintain a clean driving record.
Is MA a no-fault state?
Yes, Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means your PIP coverage pays medical expenses and lost wages resulting from an accident up to $8,000 for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the crash.
The right coverage for Massachusetts drivers
The best coverage for you depends on your personal needs. Think about your ability to pay for medical expenses for yourself or another party if you are involved in an accident that causes injuries. Also consider the value of your car and the amount that you’re comfortable spending in the event of an accident or even a total loss.
Buying the minimum coverage may not be enough to cover your liability or losses in the event of an accident.
Having only the minimum coverage means paying more out of pocket in the event of an accident where the costs exceed the minimum limits. It may give you the cheapest premiums, but those savings might be negated if you’re liable for injury or damages.
Car insurance discounts in Massachusetts
If you’re looking to save money on car insurance cost, we offer Massachusetts drivers a variety of great discounts and benefits.
Need help? We’re here for you.
Phone
Online
Home insurance for Connecticut, Massachusetts, new Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania
Agent
