The laws in Massachusetts (and throughout most of the United States) require drivers to maintain auto insurance on their vehicles. This type of insurance protects the driver, their passengers, and others on the road if an accident occurs, helping to cover the costs associated with any damages caused. When choosing a car insurance policy, it’s helpful to understand what requirements apply to drivers in Massachusetts and which companies to consider. Learn more about the options to figure out the best car insurance in MA.
Car Insurance Requirements in Massachusetts
In the Bay State, drivers must have a policy that includes coverage for bodily injury to others, personal injury protection, damage to someone else’s property, and bodily injury caused by an uninsured automobile. The coverage minimums in the state are:
- Bodily injury to others: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident
- Personal injury protection: $8,000 per person, per accident
- Damage to someone else’s property: $5,000 per accident
- Bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident
When you register a vehicle with the state, you must show proof of insurance that meets these minimums. If you are the only driver of your vehicle, you would be the only person listed on the policy. However, if you have other drivers in your household, they must be included in the policy.
Comparing Auto Insurance Providers
If you’re looking for the best car insurance in Massachusetts, be sure to check out these top-rated providers:
Allstate
Bankrate reported that the average annual premium for a full-coverage policy with Allstate is $1,473 in Massachusetts. This number is slightly higher than the statewide average, but drivers who choose this insurance company may qualify for discounts. If you drive a new model with certain safety features, a discount could apply. Signing a policy more than a week in advance of its effective date can also help you save.
Allstate offers a telematics program called Drivewise, which gathers information about an individual’s driving habits. If you choose to participate, you’ll install a device in your car that monitors braking, acceleration, and other situations. This information can help you learn safer driving habits and affect what you pay in premiums, as safe drivers qualify for discounts.
GEICO
GEICO is one of the more affordable auto insurance options for most drivers in the state of Massachusetts, mainly because of the many discount options offered to customers. Policyholders can take advantage of one or multiple discounts, depending on their individual situations. Some of the discounts offered include:
- Owning a vehicle with certain safety features.
- Maintaining good grades (applicable to high school and college students).
- Bundling (insuring multiple vehicles).
- Being a federal employee.
According to Bankrate, the average premium for a full coverage policy is $1,110. Another benefit of GEICO is the company’s focus on providing digital service. If you like the idea of handling your insurance needs through an app, this company could be a good fit. After an accident, you can submit your claim through the app as well and submit photos instantly. For today’s tech-savvy driver, these features are certainly appealing.
One of the drawbacks of GEICO is that they only offer a few policy options and they’re not very customizable. If you want to add certain coverage options or adjust the policy to fit your needs, you may be better off choosing a different insurance provider.
Progressive
Bankrate data shows that Progressive has the highest premiums of the four top-rated companies offering insurance in Massachusetts. The average annual premium for full coverage came in at $1,905, but it may be worth considering if you want to customize your policy. Progressive is one of the only companies to offer options like coverage for custom parts or ride-sharing and gap insurance. Additional discounts may apply, such as the homeowners discount and going paperless. This company also offers a discount for simply getting a quote.
Amica
Amica is another company to consider when shopping for the best car insurance in the state. Although the average annual premium for full coverage comes in at $1,478, which is a bit higher than some of the other companies on this list, drivers may qualify for an auto insurance dividend policy. Amica is one of the only companies to offer this, which can offer a return of up to 20% of the premium paid annually. Drivers may also qualify for discounts, including one for paying in full and one for having no accidents.
As one of the more stringent companies when it comes to driving records, Amica may not be a good choice for residents who have been involved in multiple accidents or have violations on their records. However, if your record is clean, consider getting a quote from this company to compare.
Factors That Impact Insurance Costs
When comparing insurance companies and quotes, you may wonder what factors affect at which rate you can qualify. One of the key factors is the requirements in your state. All drivers in Massachusetts have to maintain the state-mandated minimum coverage, which impacts the total cost of the policy. WalletHub reports that the premiums for state-mandated coverage amounts vary by more than 300% across the 50 states.
Another factor that comes into play is your age. When you’re under 25, you pay higher insurance premiums because insurance companies deem that you’re a higher-risk driver. After the age of 25, premiums typically start to go down, especially for those with clean driving records. However, when you reach the age of 65, your risk goes back up and you’ll notice an increase in premiums.
Some cars cost less to insure than others, particularly those with high-end safety features that can prevent collisions or reduce the impact. Certain vehicles are statistically more likely to be stolen, so these models are often a bit more expensive to insure. Your driving record plays a big part in your insurance costs. High-risk drivers can cost insurance companies more over time, so they pay higher premiums.
Now that you know which companies offer the best car insurance options in Massachusetts, you can start getting quotes and comparing options based on your individual situation. As long as you maintain the coverage minimums and avoid violations, you should be able to keep your costs under control.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
