Massachusetts Car Insurance Laws (2026)

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Updated September 23, 2026

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Massachusetts raised its minimum car insurance requirements in July 2025. Since Massachusetts is a no-fault state, unlike most of the country, your own insurance covers your medical bills instead of the at-fault driver’s insurance. And you can’t sue the other driver unless your medical costs exceed $2,000 or you have a serious injury.^[1]

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Auto insurance requirements in Massachusetts

Massachusetts car insurance requirements include the following compulsory coverages and limits as of July 1, 2025:^[2]

Bodily injury to others: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Personal injury protection: $8,000
Bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Damage to someone else’s property: $30,000

Massachusetts’s minimums are similar to those of some other New England states, including Rhode Island and Connecticut. But it falls on the low end for injury coverage compared to Maine, which requires $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. New Hampshire, by contrast, requires no car insurance at all, though drivers are still liable for damages they cause.

Massachusetts also follows a no-fault system. That means you need to carry personal injury protection (PIP) to cover your own injuries after an accident, regardless of fault.

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance prohibits insurers from using your credit history, gender, or marital status to set your rate. Your car must also pass an annual vehicle inspection from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to test safety and emissions. Driving without an inspection sticker is a traffic violation.^[3]

Is state-minimum car insurance in Massachusetts enough coverage?

State-minimum coverage is usually not enough to fully protect you financially. Damages from an at-fault accident can easily exceed Massachusetts’s minimums, leaving you to pay the difference. A crash of any severity averaged $160,200 in 2024, per Massachusetts Department of Transportation data.^[4]

Along with higher liability limits for bodily injury and property damage coverage, consider adding these protections to your policy:

Collision coverage to pay for repairs or replacing your vehicle after a crash
Comprehensive coverage to cover damage from non-collisions, such as weather events, animal strikes, fire, and theft
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage beyond the state minimum for added protection against drivers with no insurance or not enough coverage
Gap insurance to help pay off vehicle financing if your loan balance exceeds your car’s actual cash value when deemed totaled after an accident
Other coverages such as rental car reimbursement, towing and labor, accident forgiveness, roadside assistance, and medical payments coverage

At the very least, Massachusetts drivers should consider full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage. Each year, one out of 115 Massachusetts drivers hits a deer, according to state data, and full-coverage insurance could help with the damages.

Both collision and comprehensive coverage pay up to your policy limit after your deductible. An insurance agent can help you determine the best car insurance options for your situation.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Massachusetts

It’s illegal to drive without insurance in Massachusetts. If you’re caught driving uninsured, you could face harsh legal penalties.

The first offense generally results in a fine of up to $500 and a 60-day license suspension. A second offense within six years can carry up to one year in jail, a one-year license suspension, and even steeper fines.^[5]

Offense	Fine
First offense	Up to $500
Second offense (within six years)	$500–$5,000

And with each offense, you’ll have to pay either $500 or one year’s insurance premium (whichever is greater) to Commonwealth Auto Reinsurers — the state’s insurance pool for high-risk drivers.

On top of these fines, the cost of car insurance may also increase. Insurers can see the violation on your driving record and could raise your rates due to your higher risk.^[6]

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Massachusetts is a no-fault state

Massachusetts follows a no-fault insurance system. This means your own insurance pays for your injuries after a crash, no matter who caused it.

In no-fault states, like Massachusetts, personal injury protection (PIP) is required to help cover injuries. This differs from at-fault states, where the driver who’s responsible for the accident must cover the damages, typically through bodily injury liability insurance.

If you’re injured in an accident in Massachusetts, PIP can pay up to $8,000 in medical expenses, 75% of your lost wages, and replacement services. It covers you, household members, passengers, and even pedestrians. But if you have health insurance, PIP pays only the first $2,000 before health coverage kicks in.^[7]

You can only sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering if your medical costs exceed $2,000. The same applies if the crash caused death, a fracture, loss of a body part, permanent disfigurement, or loss of sight or hearing. That’s when bodily injury liability, which Massachusetts still requires, steps in.

Massachusetts insurance laws FAQs

Because Massachusetts follows a no-fault system, its car insurance laws are a little different from those of many other states. The answers below can help you understand coverage requirements and how to file a claim.

What is the minimum car insurance coverage required in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $30,000 in property damage liability, $8,000 in PIP, and $25,000/$50,000 for injuries from an uninsured driver or hit-and-run accident.

Is Massachusetts a no-fault state?

Yes, Massachusetts is a no-fault state. Your PIP pays for your medical bills after an accident, no matter who caused the crash.

How do you file a car insurance claim in Massachusetts after an accident?

Document the damage and call your insurer to start your claim. Massachusetts law also requires you to report any crash that results in injuries, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage to the Registrar within five days.^[8]

Sources

The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "Section 6D: Damages for pain and suffering in tort actions arising out of operation, etc., of motor vehicles; restrictions."
Mass.gov. "Basics of Auto Insurance."
Mass.gov. "Vehicle inspections."
Massachusetts Department of Transportation. "Crash Costs for Highway Safety Analysis."
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "Section 34J: Operating motor vehicle without liability policy, bond or security deposit."
Mass.gov. "Overview of the Merit Rating Board."
Mass.gov. "Coordination of Benefits."
Mass.gov. "Report a motor vehicle crash."