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15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Updated November 20, 2024
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Life near the water in Massachusetts can be expensive if you don’t work to find a better price, and the same is true for car insurance in New Bedford. The average rate for car insurance in the city is $97 per month, according to proprietary data from Insurify. However, the cheapest companies in town — GEICO, Allstate, and Travelers — all offer lower rates.
A monthly cost of $97 isn’t bad, and it’s lower than the national average. But some insurers offer rates that are far higher, and it’s up to you to find the right policy for you. Here’s how.
Massachusetts has several compulsory coverages all drivers must carry.[1]
Compared to other Massachusetts cities, liability-only insurance is cheaper in New Bedford, but full coverage costs more.
Massachusetts is a no-fault state, so you can file an accident claim with your insurer even if the other driver is at fault.[1]
Best car insurance companies in New Bedford
Selecting the ideal car insurance company means looking at your specific coverage needs, budget, and personal circumstances to find the best plan at the lowest price.
Here’s an at-a-glance look at three area auto insurance companies that combine low rates with plenty of coverage options and other benefits. While you may ultimately choose a different insurer, it doesn’t hurt to start your search here.
Best insurer for young and senior drivers: GEICO
User Reviews | 4.0 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $54/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $119/mo |
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
James
November 19, 2024
Unsatisfactory Experience with Geico
Edward
November 18, 2024
Experience with Geico
Chris
November 18, 2024
Poor
A highly recognizable name in car insurance, GEICO is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO sells homeowners, flood, life, business, and identity protection insurance, among other products.
GEICO can be an appealing option for drivers at the beginning and end of their driving life as it offers lower rates for both teens and seniors than are seen from many competitors.
Earned an A++ (Superior) rating for financial stability from AM Best
Accident forgiveness available
High rates for drivers with certain violations, like DUIs
No rideshare or new car replacement coverage available
Best insurer for discounts: American Family
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.1 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $73/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $161/mo |
Drivers appreciate the responsive customer service and reliability but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the responsive customer service and reliability but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Stephanie
November 5, 2024
It started out okay. My six-month policy was over and immediately, I received a rate hike of 124 dollars. I question why this is the case as I am an excellent driver. I'm tired of feeling punished for the actions of other irresponsible drivers. Additionally, I was informed that my insurance will continue to increase and they don't foresee any changes soon. It's not something I'm looking forward to. Thanks!
Devona
November 5, 2024
Line by Line to Save Money
Joseph
November 4, 2024
Looking for Better
Founded in 1927 in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance offers more than a dozen types of insurance in 18 states throughout the midwestern and western U.S.
American Family also stands out for its high rate of customer satisfaction, with largely positive online reviews and a well-below-average number of complaints on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Consumer Complaint Index. American Family offers car insurance policyholders 16 different discounts to help lower their rates.
Well-established with superior ratings from AM Best
Pay-per-mile option available
Mobile app ratings below those of competitors
Rates are merely average compared to other insurers
Best insurer for stability: Travelers
User Reviews | 4.7 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $89/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $191/mo |
Drivers appreciate the lowest prices, excellent service, and responsive call centers but dislike the rising premiums and poor claims handling.
Drivers appreciate the lowest prices, excellent service, and responsive call centers but dislike the rising premiums and poor claims handling.
Nancy
November 18, 2024
Checking for Better Rate
Jim
November 12, 2024
Typical
Kenneth
November 5, 2024
Excellent
Travelers has been in business for more than 160 years.
In addition to liability and full-coverage car insurance, Travelers offers gap insurance, rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, rideshare insurance, and new car replacement coverage. AM Best gave the company an A++ rating for financial strength.[2]
Accident forgiveness available
Robust coverage selections and discount offerings
Rideshare coverage only available in Colorado and Illinois
High number of negative customer reviews with the Better Business Bureau
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in New Bedford
Liability coverage is basic coverage that pays for bodily injury and property damage suffered by others in an accident you cause. However, it doesn’t cover your own losses.
Massachusetts car insurance rates compare favorably to rates in other states, according to Insurify data, so it’s not surprising that you’ll find cheap liability coverage in New Bedford. Here, you can see a list of average monthly quotes for liability coverage from area insurers.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Travelers | #N/A |
Midvale Home & Auto | $54 |
Safeco | $56 |
Liberty Mutual | $96 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in New Bedford
Full-coverage car insurance provides liability insurance coverage as well as coverage for physical damage to your own vehicle. It includes collision coverage for accidents with other vehicles and comprehensive coverage for damage from non-collision events, such as fallen trees, fire, and theft.
Although you’ll pay higher rates for the additional coverage, it might be worth having if you have a vehicle you can’t replace on your own. And your lender may require you to carry full coverage if you lease or finance your car.
The following companies offer some of the cheapest average quotes available for full coverage.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Travelers | $78 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $94 |
Safeco | $131 |
Liberty Mutual | $159 |
Cheapest recent rates near New Bedford, Massachusetts
Drivers in and around New Bedford, Massachusetts have found policies from Embark, Liberty Mutual, MAPFRE, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around New Bedford, Massachusetts within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around New Bedford, Massachusetts within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has compulsory, or mandatory, coverages that drivers must carry for each vehicle they register. Compulsory coverage includes:
Bodily injury to others
This covers you and people you let drive your car for the accidental injury or death of another person but doesn’t cover your injuries or those of someone driving your car.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
This covers medical expenses and up to 75% of lost wages, up to $8,000, for you or a driver who had permission to drive your car. PIP also covers members of your household and passengers in your vehicle. And it covers you as a pedestrian.
Bodily injury caused by uninsured auto
This protects you, people who have permission to drive your car, household members, and passengers against losses caused by an uninsured or unidentified driver.
Property damage liability
This covers damage to someone else’s property that you or a driver who had permission to drive your car caused.
Here are the minimum coverage requirements in Massachusetts:
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Coverage Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability |
|
Personal injury protection |
|
Bodily injury caused by uninsured auto |
|
Property damage liability |
|
Also, keep in mind that Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means PIP covers you no matter who caused the accident. The average monthly cost for full coverage in Massachusetts is $231, while a liability-only policy averages $117 per month, according to Insurify data.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
An incident is any event that’s reported to the insurance agency, whether from filing a claim or getting a ticket for a moving violation. Common reportable incidents include speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUI convictions.
Any of these events has the potential to drive up your rates because they make you a high-risk driver in the eyes of your insurance company. In the sections that follow, you’ll see how individual incident types affect your car insurance.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket
Car insurance companies check customers’ driving records from time to time, and if speeding tickets show up on yours, your insurer might raise your rates or end your good-driver discount. That’s not surprising, considering speeding makes you more likely to get into an accident, and it can also increase the severity of injuries and property damage in such an event.
Here, you can see how a speeding ticket can affect your quotes in New Bedford.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Travelers | $104 | #N/A |
Midvale Home & Auto | $126 | $72 |
Safeco | $176 | $75 |
Liberty Mutual | $213 | $129 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident
Any accident claim can increase your insurance rates. But unless your car insurance policy includes accident forgiveness, an accident you cause will have the most impact, especially if there are injuries or the damage is severe. In this case, you could wind up paying more for your insurance for the next few years.
Here’s a look at the quotes you can expect.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Travelers | $111 | #N/A |
Midvale Home & Auto | $135 | $77 |
Safeco | $188 | $80 |
Liberty Mutual | $228 | $137 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI
A DUI is a serious offense that could have a worse effect on your insurance rates and your coverage than just about any other reportable incident. If you have a DUI on your record, your insurance premiums will climb considerably, and some insurers may drop you altogether. If you can’t find insurance through another company, you can get coverage through the state’s Safe Driver Insurance Plan.
Here’s a collection of average quotes from insurers in New Bedford that offer coverage to drivers with a DUI on their record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Travelers | $121 | #N/A |
Midvale Home & Auto | $146 | $83 |
Safeco | $204 | $87 |
Liberty Mutual | $247 | $149 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors
Despite their years of driving experience, seniors often see their rates increase once they reach age 75. This might come as a bit of a shock, but aging is associated with a higher risk of serious crash-related injuries, and that becomes more significant by age 70.[3] By age 75, insurance rates reflect that worsening risk.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Travelers | $54 | #N/A |
Midvale Home & Auto | $66 | $38 |
Safeco | $92 | $39 |
Liberty Mutual | $111 | $67 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens
It takes years to develop optimum driving skills, and while they’re still learning and maturing, teens and young adults are prone to unsafe driving behavior. They also have a heightened risk of being in an accident.[4] As a result, teens pay higher insurance premiums compared to other age groups.
However, teens can save on their insurance policy premiums in several ways, including:
Staying on their parents’ policy
Sticking with an inexpensive, safe car
Maintaining good grades to qualify for a good-student discount
Driving safely to qualify for good-driver discounts
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Travelers | $144 | #N/A |
Midvale Home & Auto | $174 | $100 |
Safeco | $243 | $104 |
Liberty Mutual | $294 | $178 |
How to get the cheapest car insurance in New Bedford
The cheapest car insurance company in New Bedford isn’t the same for everyone because insurers take personal factors, such as credit, age, marital status, and gender, into consideration when they set rates. So what can you do to ensure you’re getting the lowest rate possible on your car insurance policy?
First, talk to your insurance agent to discuss your coverage needs. Then, use these tips to score the best price on the right auto insurance policy for you:
Compare rate quotes from several insurance companies.
Raise your deductible to the highest amount you could pay out of pocket if you needed to file a claim.
Purchase your home insurance, life insurance, or other policies from the same insurer to qualify for bundling discounts.
Drive safely and defensively to avoid moving violations and accidents.
Protect your good credit score or take steps to improve a poor one.
Is car insurance more expensive in New Bedford?
Massachusetts has the fifth-lowest rates for full coverage and 11th-lowest for liability only — $108 and $78, respectively, according to Insurify data. While New Bedford’s average cost for liability only is slightly lower, at $73, drivers pay slightly higher than average for full coverage. That average is $120 per month in New Bedford.
More cities in Massachusetts
Compared to other Massachusetts cities, New Bedford’s best auto insurance companies are on the high side for full-coverage rates. The differences could stem from factors like population density, commuting habits, and crime rates. This chart shows you how New Bedford compares to other similar-sized cities in Massachusetts.
City ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ | Compared to New Bedford ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Somerville | $82 | -32% |
Quincy | $98 | -18% |
Springfield | $111 | -8% |
Lowell | $113 | -6% |
Worcester | $134 | 12% |
New Bedford car insurance FAQs
If you’re looking for more information to help you find the best car insurance rates in New Bedford, the answers below can help.
How much is car insurance in New Bedford?
New Bedford’s average cost for liability only is $73, and the average cost of full coverage insurance is $120. This makes New Bedford’s rates for liability coverage slightly lower than the state average ($78) and the full-coverage rates slightly higher ($108).
What are the best car insurance companies in New Bedford?
GEICO, Allstate, and Travelers are among the top insurers in New Bedford. Each has a commendable Insurify Quality Score of 4.2, 4.1, and 4.2, respectively. In addition, each insurer has been recognized for its financial stability, number of discounts offered, or customer service efforts.
Is Massachusetts a no-fault state?
Yes. This means if an accident occurs, each participant’s insurance company is responsible for covering their party’s medical costs.
Does insurance follow the car or driver in Massachusetts?
Generally, insurance follows the vehicle in Massachusetts. This is true of property damage liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. All of this means the insurance will step in if the vehicle is involved in a claim.
What is the minimum liability insurance required in Massachusetts?
To drive legally in Massachusetts, you must carry insurance that at least meets the state minimum requirements of bodily injury liability and bodily injury caused by uninsured auto ($20,000 for one person, $40,000 for two or more), personal injury protection ($8,000 per accident), and property damage liability ($5,000).
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Sources
Daria Uhlig is a freelance writer and editor with over a decade of experience creating personal finance content. Her work appears on USA Today, Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, GOBankingRates and AOL. As a licensed Realtor and resort property manager, she specializes in real estate topics, including landlord, homeowners and renters insurance. In her spare time, Daria can be found photographing people and places on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in