Massachusetts Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Massachusetts

All vehicle owners are obliged under the law to have a valid insurance policy, which helps them stay safe and protected in case of accidents or other mishaps. Whether the vehicle is used for personal or professional reasons, adequate insurance is a must. Without such a policy, drivers can expect to pay fines of up to $1,000 or bear the suspension of their driving documents for up to six months. This can refer to either the driver's license or vehicle registration. If you are looking to discover more details on the topic of auto insurance in Massachusetts, be sure to keep on reading.

What type of auto insurance do you legally need in Massachusetts?

According to the current laws, meaning the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act, all Massachusetts residents who operate a moving vehicle are obliged to have a liability insurance policy. If there is a lapse in the mandatory insurance, the respective driving documents will be suspended for several months or more. Most states have an online insurance verification system, which can be used to determine whether a vehicle owner has insurance or not.

Residents who intend to operate vehicles in the state of Massachusetts must have a car insurance policy that meets several guidelines. These include: bodily injury liability ($40,000 per accident and $20,000 per person), property damage liability ($5,000 per accident), uninsured motorist bodily injury liability ($40,000 per accident and $20,000 per person), and personal injury protection ($8,000). Of course, the full coverage insurance is more advantageous than the minimum liability coverage; it can be improved with optional coverages, including comprehensive and collision insurance. Specialists advise drivers on choosing a higher liability coverage limit than the one imposed by the law in Massachusetts. In this way, they will be protected, should the worst-case scenario take place.

The sums mentioned in the paragraph above refer to the amounts insurance providers are able to pay, should the policy holder be involved in an accident for which he/she is at fault. The law requires that all drivers carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. It is also worth mentioning that driving without insurance is illegal in the state of Massachusetts, with consequences such as the ones stated above (legal fines, suspension of driving documents). If the driver continues to operate the vehicle without a valid insurance policy, jail time might be enforced (repeated infraction).

Average cost of auto insurance in Massachusetts

How much does car insurance cost in MA? The state minimum auto insurance policy in Massachusetts has a value of $484. Nonetheless, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,346 per year. Collision and comprehensive coverage are rarely included in the general coverage, which means you will have to pay additionally for them. Several factors influence the overall insurance rates, including: type of vehicle, presence of prior insurance, number of miles driven, location, driving record, age, gender, and marital status. It is advisable to select an insurance policy that offers a wide coverage, not necessarily the one that is more affordable.

Vehicle owners should expect variations in terms of costs from one state to the other. Such differences exist for both the minimum and full coverage, including if the policy holder is interested in options such as comprehensive and collision insurance. The factors influencing these values include: uninsured drivers in the city, number of drivers in accordance with the general population, road conditions, weather-related conditions, at-fault accidents.

Massachusetts has a significantly lower rate for the average car insurance than the national median, which is around $1,770. The states with the most expensive auto insurance policies, there are: California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. As for the most affordable states, these are: Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. New York has some of the highest rates for auto insurance, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum one. Maine is the most affordable, with $876 for the full coverage and $227 for the minimum version.

Within the state of Massachusetts, drivers might also notice differences between the various cities. Cambridge has among the lowest rates to offer, while Springfield stands at the top of the list. The average annual premiums are as follows: Cambridge - $1,565; Lowell - $1,679; Boston - $1,827; Worcester - $1,889; Springfield - $2,024.

One of the factors that influence the auto insurance value is the driver's age. Usually, this type of insurance is more expensive for young drivers, as insurance companies perceive them as immature and not as responsible as adults. A teenage driver is accustomed to an annual premium of over $7,700, while a middle-aged driver will typically pay around $2,000 for the same premium. Gender differences are present as well, with men benefitting from more attractive rates. The same goes for married couples, who benefit from the most affordable policies, in contrast to those who are divorced, widowed, or single.

The value of a potential coverage policy is also influenced by the driver's credit history. It is a known fact that drivers with exceptional credit can save important sums on their insurance premiums, while those with a poor credit history might struggle to pay the high rates. The presence of prior driving offenses, such as speeding, at-fault accidents, reckless driving, and DUI/DWI, will lead to high rates as well. The rates vary in accordance with the type of coverage. Policy holders have the freedom to add comprehensive and collision insurance to the state minimum policy, to increase the level of protection offered.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in Massachusetts. Find car insurance in Massachusetts by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance in Massachusetts

If you are looking for a good insurance policy, perhaps you might consider relying on us. Thanks to the experience accumulated in the field of auto insurance, we are able to match vehicle owners with the best policies for their needs. Of course, in suggesting a particular policy, we will also consider your available budget. Just give us a call and we will be more than pleased to offer our expert assistance. Keep in mind that this service is free of charge and it can make a genuine difference for your insurance needs.