Massachusetts auto insurance laws
Here are a few Massachusetts auto insurance laws all drivers should be aware of.
Massachusetts is a no-fault state
Massachusetts is one of the country's few no-fault states. This means that in the event of an accident, each person bills their own insurance for medical expenses regardless of who was at fault. It's different from at-fault states where the driver who causes the accident must pay the bills.
Insurers can't use socioeconomic factors against drivers
Massachusetts law prohibits insurance companies from using socioeconomic factors when determining auto insurance rates. This includes:
- Sex
- Marital status
- Race
- Creed
- National origin
- Religion
- Age (except for providing senior discounts)
- Occupation
- Income
- Education
- Homeownership
Consequences for driving without insurance in Massachusetts
Massachusetts drivers who skip auto insurance face steep penalties, including:
- Fines between $500 and $5,000
- Imprisonment of up to one year
What is the minimum car insurance required in Massachusetts?
To avoid the above penalties, drivers must purchase at least the following car insurance:
- $20,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $40,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $5,000 of property damage liability coverage
- $8,000 of personal injury protection (PIP)
- $20,000 of uninsured motorist coverage per person
- $40,000 of uninsured motorist coverage per accident
Other things to consider when looking for car insurance in Massachusetts
Here are a few other things Massachusetts drivers should be aware of when shopping for coverage:
State minimum coverage may not always be sufficient
Massachusetts' state minimum bodily injury and property damage liability coverage requirements are a little under what many other states require. They may not be enough to cover the damages in a severe accident, leaving the driver on the hook for any remaining charges. Those who would like to avoid this may want to consider higher policy limits if possible.
State minimum coverage doesn't protect the policyholder's vehicle
State-mandated auto insurance doesn't include any protection for the driver's own vehicle. If they cause a crash or are involved in a single-car accident, they'll have to pay for repairs on their own unless they invest in collision and comprehensive coverage.
How to find the best car insurance in Massachusetts
Here are a few tips to help Massachusetts drivers save on their auto insurance:
- Shop around: Every company has its own formula for determining rates. The only way to know which offers the best deal to a particular driver is to compare quotes from a few insurers before buying.
- Review the discounts: More car insurance discounts don't always translate to a lower premium. But it doesn't hurt to review the list of discounts an insurer offers, especially for drivers with special circumstances, like owning a hybrid vehicle or being in the military. These drivers may want to explore companies that reward them for these things.
- Raise the deductible: Going with a higher auto insurance deductible lowers monthly premiums. But drivers who do this may want to save for the deductible in an emergency fund so they're prepared in case of an accident.