The Bay State automobile insurance rates are cheap for minimum state required coverage and full coverage. Although motorists have to pay nearly three times more in comparison to liability only, full coverage policies are one of the cheapest in the country on average. This is despite Massachusetts handing out one of the highest numbers of driving citations in the country. Also, it has one of the lowest Uninsured Drivers rate in the country at 3.5%. It is a positive outcome against the number of traffic violation citations. MA has one of the most expensive living costs in the US.
Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Requirements
Minimum required liability coverage limits are;
- $20,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $40,000 in total bodily injury per accident
- $5,000 in property damage per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury coverage (UM BI) are also required with the following minimum limits:
- PIP: $8,000
- UM BI: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
PIP pays out for medical costs, lost wages and death benefits, even if you’re at fault in an accident. UM/UIM BI can cover medical expenses for you and your passengers if you are hit by an uninsured driver.
Massachusetts doesn’t allow companies to check credit history for the purpose of auto insurance premium calculations and it is one of the few states that take a stand against credit scoring.
State authorities allow you to exclude driving-age family members from your policy if they don’t drive your car, but you need to submit an “exclusion form” to your insurer.
It seems that most things are going for the 4.7 million drivers in the Bay State. Nearly everyone has at least liability only coverage and roads are better controlled. This is a clear indication of a safer driving environment. This would mean that companies have more reasons to price policies reasonably. It is up to you to find cheap automobile insurance in Massachusetts and you can achieve this goal by shopping around for the best prices.
Average Cost of Auto Insurance in Massachusetts
The average cost of premiums for state required minimum coverage is $429 and it is $193 lower than the US average. Full coverage car insurance cost average is $1,262 and it is one of the lowest rates in the country. In other words, you can include Collision and Comprehensive to your policy at a relatively affordable cost in MA.
There are a few demographic characteristics that show the residents don’t need to be persuaded to buy better coverage. They are well educated and in a much better position financially compared to the rest of the US. A clear indication of this is the fact that the state has the highest policy take-up ratios in the country but it is not limited to that.
Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in Massachusetts
Competitiveness changes, depending on zip code, size of population and other particulars. A cheap carrier for a good driver may not necessarily be affordable for a student. However, there is a high chance one of the fairly priced companies below will offer you a cheap quote because they usually offer around 20% better rates, in comparison to rivals.
- State Farm
- Hanover
- Plymouth Rock
- Safety Insurance
- GEICO
Car Insurance Boston, MA
Even though it is no surprise, the city has one of the highest rates in the Bay State. The premiums in Boston are 22% more expensive than the state average. It is the largest city and it is 3 times more populated than the second largest. Generally, densely populated big cities have considerably more vehicular accidents and crimes. For example, crime numbers in Boston are 3 times more than the surrounding area. So, it is not surprising to see expensive rates but you can still get affordable vehicle insurance quotes even here if you shop around to find the best value for your circumstances.
Notable Massachusetts Car Insurance and Driving Facts
- Automobile insurance companies in Massachusetts aren’t allowed to use gender, marital status, occupation, education and home ownership when they rate applicants, as well as credit score mentioned earlier.
- Vehicle insurers cannot also factor in accidents or traffic violations that occurred more than 6 years prior to the policy’s effective date in their rating structure. Additionally, they are not allowed to raise premiums based on accidents or traffic violations that occurred over 5 years ago. And some companies may only look at the last three years of accidents and tickets when they calculate car insurance premiums anyway.
- Massachusetts is one of the states that follows no-fault automobile insurance laws.
- In MA, your auto insurance policy must include all licensed drivers in your household related by blood, marriage, or adoption. This includes individuals with their own insurance. You can exclude household members not using your car by submitting an exclusion form to your insurance company. Learner’s Permit holders need not be listed until they become fully licensed.
- Being caught driving without insurance in Massachusetts may result in fines and a possible license suspension of up to 60 days. Repeat offenses could lead to increased fines, extended license suspensions, and even potential imprisonment.
- Receiving a speeding ticket can lead to a roughly 32% rise in your vehicle insurance premium, while an at-fault accident can cause an increase of approximately 52 to 72%, depending on the chosen coverage in Massachusetts.
- The Bay State provides a secure environment for teenage drivers, boasting one of the lowest fatality rates nationally for individuals aged 13 to 19, minimal DUI arrests, and lower incidents of distracted driving.
Typically, the most effective approach to securing affordable car insurance involves comparing quotes from various insurers after shopping around. So, spare a little time to make sure you aren’t overcharged by your current insurer.