Massachusetts auto insurance

Investing in auto insurance is crucial for drivers of all ages to protect themselves and their vehicle.
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Why you need Massachusetts auto insurance

Massachusetts (MA),The Bay State, ranks as the 12th most affordable state for purchasing car insurance. Given the high density of drivers on the roads of the seventh-smallest state by area and the climate of New England, auto insurance is a smart way to limit exposure to liability and financial responsibility for car accidents. VIU by HUB provides free quotes for Massachusetts auto insurance from A-rated car insurance carriers and enables policyholders to manage coverage across providers in one place to save more.

Exposure to risk on Massachusetts roads

Massachusetts has the fewest irresponsible drivers of any state and the second-lowest percentage of uninsured motorists. Despite the state’s high rankings for road safety, a wide variety of risks still apply to motorists in the Bay State. Here are a few considerations for Massachusetts drivers assessing their current level of car insurance coverage:

       Speeding is a factor in 26.2% of car accidents on Massachusetts roads.

       Drunk driving contributes to 30.1% of collisions in Massachusetts.

       June is the most dangerous month for driving, with 10.1% of all fatal crashes.

The rate of vehicle fatalities in Massachusetts ranks the lowest among eight states that have fewer than one fatality per 100 million miles driven. The fact that there are almost 5 million licensed drivers in the Bay State makes this statistic even more impressive. A significant number of traffic collisions on Massachusetts roads still result in bodily injuries and property damage.

Minimum requirements for Massachusetts auto insurance

Massachusetts state law requires all drivers to meet minimum requirements for car insurance coverage. Bay Staters also have options to raise policy limits, select policies that cover collisions or obtain more comprehensive coverage.

Liability and injury protection

In order to register and drive your vehicle in Massachusetts, you are required to at least purchase the auto coverages and limits that the Massachusetts Division of Insurance requires for Bodily Injury and Property Damage liability coverage, Personal Injury Protection and collision coverage for collisions involving Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists. Every Massachusetts auto insurance policy must meet or exceed the following minimum limits:

       Bodily injury liability coverage of $20,000 per person.

       Bodily injury liability coverage of $40,000 per accident. 

       Property damage liability coverage of $5,000.

       Personal injury protection coverage of $8,000 per accident.

In addition to meeting these requirements, the state of Massachusetts requires that drivers carry equivalent amounts of bodily injury liability coverage for Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists. This includes Bodily Injury liability coverage of $20,000 per person or $40,000 per accident to cover collisions that involve drivers who do not have Massachusetts car insurance or have insufficient coverage to pay for your damages.

Average Massachusetts auto insurance quotes

The average monthly car insurance premium in Massachusetts is $165 per month, which is $70 less than the national average cost of $235.

Many leading insurers offer very affordable full coverage auto insurance policies to good Massachusetts drivers. Several factors can result in higher-than-average monthly quotes and annual costs.

How insurers price Massachusetts car insurance

Insurers consider information about a driver and the make, model and age of a vehicle when calculating quotes. Some data points indicate less risk, which can lower premiums. Information that indicates higher levels of risk often adds up to higher policy costs. Here are a few factors that can either raise or lower Massachusetts auto insurance quotes:

       Age of driver.

       Driving record.

       Vehicle garage location.

       Vehicle specifications.

While age has an impact on auto insurance rates in Massachusetts, traffic citations and prior car insurance claims can raise premiums for drivers of any age.

The primary location where a policyholder drives and stores a vehicle is a major factor. The type of vehicle and any applicable safety features will also affect policy pricing.

It is important to know that Massachusetts is one of the few states that bans insurers from using credit scores to determine policy rates.

Optional coverage for Massachusetts drivers

There are several ways to get higher levels of coverage in Massachusetts car insurance policies. Whether it's raising liability limits over the mandatory minimum levels of coverage, obtaining more Personal Injury Protection coverage options or selecting Comprehensive Coverage for a vehicle, VIU by HUB makes it easy for drivers to customize Massachusetts car insurance policies and get the right level of protection for their needs.

Higher liability limits

The state minimum limits for liability coverage can be too low to provide complete protection from liability. Raising limits for Bodily Injury liability, Property Damage liability and Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage can provide a greater level of financial protection in the event of a major accident. By paying slightly higher premiums each month, policyholders can get policies that have much higher limits.

More Personal Injury protection

Massachusetts requires that all drivers have at least $8,000 in accident Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Raising this limit can make it possible to cover more medical payment expenses with this policy. Depending on the plan, PIP coverage may also cover some non-medical costs that could accrue after an accident, such as lost wages and related household expenses.

Comprehensive Coverage and Towing and Labor

The most complete auto insurance coverage can reduce out-of-pocket expenses in the event of theft or damage to a vehicle from something other than a collision. Comprehensive Coverage can cover damage from falling trees, hail, flood and vandalism, among other causes of loss. Some policies can provide towing, breakdown, battery charging and flat tire road repair and property damage coverage.

This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.

Sources:

World Atlas

The Hill

Insurance Information Institute

United States Department of Transportation