Massachusetts Auto Insurance Car Insurance Comparison

Known as "The Bay State", Massachusetts is rich with early American history and fanatic sports fans of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. Massachusetts not only has world class sports teams, but is also considered to have the top universities in the world---a state of true brains and brawn.

Requirement : Yes

Car insurance is required in Massachusetts . Drivers must have a minimum of liability coverage, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and coverage for damages to others property.  

Minimum Coverage Car Insurance Requirements:

A minimum liability insurance personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and coverage for damages to others property is required:

• $20,000 for bodily injury to one person.
• $40,000 for bodily injury per accident.
• Damages to others property –
• $5,000 for damage to someone else’s property
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – No-fault insurance helps with certain costs resulting from a car accident, no matter who’s at fault.
• $8,000 for bodily injury to one person.
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage – Covers you in case you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured party, or they don’t have adequate coverage.
• $20,000 for bodily injury to one person.
• $40,000 for bodily injury to per accident.
• * PIP coverage will cover you and your passengers’ injuries from a car accident regardless of who is at fault.

Other Car Insurance Coverage Options:

Liability personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and coverage for damages to others property is the only requirement for Massachusetts motorist to have, there are several other types of coverage available to drivers:

• Collision – Covers damages to your vehicle due to an accident.
• Comprehensive – Covers damages due to your non-accident related damages to your car, such as inclement weather.
• Rental reimbursement – Reimburses you if you have to rent a car after an accident.
• Roadside assistance/towing coverage – Typically adds coverage for towing, tire changes, lockout services, and more.

• Note: Comprehensive coverage is optional, unless the vehicle is being financed or leased, the lending/leasing agency may require you to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage. Should you not purchase comprehensive or collision coverage, it may be purchased on your behalf, and charged back to you at a premium.

Other Forms of Financial Responsibility:

Other legal ways around buying car insurance include:

• $10,000 cash or securities deposit with the state comptroller.

Proof of Insurance: No

Your car registration will provide your car insurance information, as well as proof of insurance.

Insurance Violations:

Violations, Fines & Penalties:

• All Insurance statuses are monitored electronically through the MVA
• Your insurance carrier is required to report all cancelations, or lapses in coverage to the MVA.
• An FR-19 request will be sent when the MVA is notified of any changes in your car insurance status.
• Should you be found operating a vehicle without the mandatory minimum insurance coverage, you face:
• $500 fine for first offense.
• $500 to $5,000 for subsequent offenses.
• Up to 1 year in jail for subsequent offenses.

Credit Scores & Determining Your Insurance Premium :

All Massachusetts drivers are required to have car insurance, however, insurance providers are reserved the right to deny coverage to high-risk drivers. High-risk drivers that cannot find car insurance through a private provider may apply for coverage through the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Fund.

Other factors that may be used to determine your premiums include:

• Age
• Driving history
• Make, model of car
• Neighborhood or city of residence

* Your credit score, gender, marital status, race, job, or home owner status are not allowed to be used.

Discounts : Yes

Discounts available in Massachusetts:

• Anti-theft discount
• Good student discount
• Good driver discount
• Multi-vehicle discount
• Low mileage discount

Cellphone Use:

Drivers under the age of 18 are banned from using a mobile device. All drivers are banned from texting while driving. Cell phone and texting violations are considered primary offenses. Violators face a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 fine for the second offense, $500 fine for all subsequent offenses.