At Plymouth Rock, we do more than just help drivers get car insurance. Our goal is to help you choose the right policy and coverage so you can feel confident that you and your loved ones are protected on the road ahead.
Recognized by The Wall Street Journal’s “Buy Side” as the Best Car Insurance Company in Massachusetts for 2026, we believe part of that responsibility involves helping people understand car insurance in Massachusetts – how it works, what it does, and, just as importantly, what it doesn’t cover.
What are auto insurance coverage limits?
The terms “auto insurance limits” and “coverage limits” refer to the maximum amount an insurer will pay in the event of a loss that is covered under your policy. The higher your limits are, the more the insurer will pay and the less you’ll pay in the event of an accident – but the more your policy will cost. Carrying lower limits can reduce your premium payments but it comes with the risk that you will be responsible for higher out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident.
How coverage limits affect your costs and financial risk
Balancing financial risk and the cost of your policy is a personal decision and should be based on your own unique needs. Think about the value of your car and the amount you’re comfortable spending in the event of an accident or total loss. Also consider your ability to pay for medical expenses for yourself or another party if you are unfortunate as to be involved in an accident that causes injuries. If you have any questions, the experts at Plymouth Rock would love the opportunity to discuss your particular needs.
What is the minimum car insurance coverage in Massachusetts?
When people talk about coverage limits, they’re normally referring to the “per person” and “per accident” limits for bodily injury liability coverage, as well as the property damage liability limit. Massachusetts law requires that you carry Bodily Injury Liability limits of at least $25,000 per-person and $50,000 per-accident and Property Damage Liability coverage of at least $30,000. You must also carry coverage of at least $25,000 per-person and $50,000 per-accident for Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto. You must carry $8,000 of PIP coverage.
Massachusetts state-required minimum Bodily Injury Liability coverage pays only for accidents that occur in Massachusetts. To ensure that you have coverage outside of Massachusetts for bodily injury liability you will need to buy additional optional coverage.
Here is some basic information regarding coverage limits:
- Bodily injury to others
This protects you against legal liability for the accidental injury or death of others (not including your passengers) caused by the operation of your car, but only if the accident occurs in Massachusetts. You will be covered up to a basic limit of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Higher limits are available with optional bodily injury liability coverage, which also covers accidents that occur outside of Massachusetts. - Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal Injury Protection, also known as no-fault insurance, pays up to $8,000 for medical expenses, replacement services and 75% of any lost wages. PIP will pay these expenses to you or anyone you let drive your car, anyone living in your household, passengers, and pedestrians regardless of who causes the accident. - Bodily injury caused by uninsured auto
This protects you, anyone you let drive your car, household members and passengers (unless covered by another Massachusetts policy with similar coverage) against losses caused by an uninsured or unidentified (“hit and run”) driver. A minimum limit of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident is required. You should consider buying higher limits for greater protection. You should also consider buying optional coverage for bodily injury caused by an underinsured auto (where the at-fault driver has liability insurance, but not enough to cover your injuries). - Property damage
This pays for damage to another person’s property when you, a household member or another authorized driver causes an accident. A minimum limit of $30,000 is required.
What do auto insurance limits like 100/300/50 mean?
Insurance professionals often refer to liability limits using a shorthand format written as three numbers, such as X/Y/Z. A policy with liability limits of 100/300/50 would have $100,000 limits for bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 limits for bodily injury liability per accident, and $50,000 limits for property damage liability per accident.
Optional auto insurance coverage
Optional auto insurance coverages can provide additional financial protection beyond the minimum coverage required by Massachusetts law.
- Comprehensive coverage
This optional car insurance coverage is designed to protect your car from damage not related to a collision with another vehicle such as natural disasters, storms, fires, vandalism, damage caused by hitting an animal and more. - Collision insurance
Collision insurance covers the cost to repair or replace your car after a collision with a stationary object or another car or truck. Collision only covers damage to your car or someone else’s car that you are operating with permission of the owner. It does not cover the damage you cause to other vehicles. You need property damage liability coverage for those damages. Wear and tear and mechanical breakdowns are also not covered by collision insurance. - Underinsured motorist coverage
If you weren’t at fault for an accident but the offending party doesn’t have enough insurance, or you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident, you’re in a tricky situation. This type of coverage will provide compensation for the cost of repairing your damaged vehicle or to pay for your medical costs. Under Massachusetts law, you are required to carry at least $25,000 per-person and $50,000 per-accident for Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto Coverage (i.e., Uninsured Motorist Coverage). - Coverage for substitute transportation
While your vehicle is in the shop being repaired, we offer rental limits ranging from $15 per day/$450 maximum up to $100 per day/$3,000 maximum. - Coverage for medical payments beyond the mandatory PIP coverage
This covers reasonable expenses for necessary medical and funeral services (1) incurred by anyone occupying your vehicle as a result of an accident, or (2) incurred by you and any household member if struck by a vehicle or while occupying someone else’s vehicle at the time of an accident. Plymouth Rock offer limits ranging from $1,000 up to $25,000. - Loan/lease gap insurance
If you’ve totaled your car to the point where the cost of repairing it exceeds its actual cash value (ACV), but you are still making payments, this type of insurance will act as the salvation you need. Collision and comprehensive coverages pay no more than the actual cash value of your vehicle just before the accident occurred (less your deductible), but you might owe more than that on your loan or lease. For a covered collision or comprehensive loss loan/lease gap coverage will pay the difference between the actual cash value of your car and the remaining balance on your loan or lease so that you can free yourself from this financial burden and get back on the road as quickly as possible.
Understanding Massachusetts auto insurance requirements can help you make more informed decisions about your coverage. While the state requires certain minimum protections, many drivers choose higher limits or additional coverages to better protect themselves financially in the event of an accident. Reviewing your policy and considering your individual needs can help ensure you have the level of protection that’s right for you.
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Common questions about car insurance
Yes, every driver in Massachusetts must carry certain basic coverage. These coverages include bodily injury liability (BI), property damage liability (PD), personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
Yes, your driving record is a factor. Accidents, traffic violations, or claims can increase your premium, while a clean record may help you qualify for lower rates.
In Massachusetts, collision and comprehensive coverages are optional. Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your car after a collision with another vehicle or stationary object. Comprehensive coverage helps pay for damage to your car in situations not related to a collision, such as natural disasters, theft, fire, vandalism, damage caused by hitting an animal, and more.
Your car insurance premium is influenced by factors like your driving record, the type of car you drive, and the coverage limits you choose. Other considerations include your location, and experience, as well as your past insurance history in some states.
A “total loss” happens when your car is damaged so badly that the cost to repair it is higher than the vehicle’s actual cash value. In that case, your insurance company will consider the car a total loss and will pay you the value of the vehicle.