Here's what you need to know when driving in Massachusetts
Across the Bay State, there are 76,200 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Cheap car insurance in Massachusetts
What's the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Farm | $677 |
| 2 | GEICO | $1,041 |
| 3 | Norfolk and Dedham | $1,195 |
| 4 | Safety Group | $1,230 |
| 5 | Plymouth Rock | $1,235 |
| 6 | Travelers | $1,323 |
| 7 | MetLife | $1,425 |
| 8 | Arbella | $1,467 |
| 9 | Quincy Mutual | $1,525 |
| 10 | Progressive | $1,651 |
| 11 | Amica | $1,684 |
| 12 | Metropolitan | $1,702 |
| 13 | National Grange Mutual | $1,709 |
| 14 | Vermont Mutual | $1,776 |
| 15 | Allstate | $1,784 |
| 16 | Hanover | $1,945 |
| 17 | Encompass | $2,139 |
| 18 | Liberty Mutual | $2,321 |
Compare rates and save!
Cheap insurance for good drivers in Massachusetts
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Massachusetts drivers without a recent at-fault accident typically save 41% on their car insurance premiums, which beats the US average by 9%. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $290 | 20.12% |
| No Accidents | $810 | 41.31% |
| Good Credit | $0 | 0.00% |
Cheap insurance for young drivers in Massachusetts
Young drivers — those between the ages of 16 and 25 — pay relatively high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16 to 19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. Massachusetts is a relatively affordable state for teen drivers: the typical teen driver pays $4,210 per year — about $700 less than the national average for teens, but still four times more than the average driver in Massachusetts.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $4,612 | $5,046 |
| 17 | $4,321 | $4,507 |
| 18 | $4,104 | $4,334 |
| 19 | $4,104 | $2,656 |
Cheap car insurance for bad drivers in Massachusetts
If you avoid at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and DUIs, you can save money on car insurance. Insurance companies use your driving record as a way to predict the level of risk you present, so maintaining a spotless driving record will lead to lower premiums. It's especially important to avoid at-fault accidents, speeding tickets and DUI citations in Massachusetts, one of the states in which insurance companies penalize poor driving most severely. In fact, a single speeding ticket could raise your car insurance rates by 20% in Massachusetts — and a DUI could raise your premiums by as much as 49%.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $1,961 | 41.31% |
| DUI | $2,293 | 49.80% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,441 | 20.12% |
| Bad Credit | $1,151 | 0.00% |
What are the best car insurance companies in Massachusetts?
Every car insurer advertises its low premiums. But just like with any product or service, the cheapest choice is not always the best selection. Considering the stakes, it's worth doing the due diligence to find an insurance policy that protects your vehicle completely in the event of a collision. Exercise some patience and look for a great value, rather than settling for the most affordable car insurance in your state.
Compare major auto insurers' financial strength and claims satisfaction ratings to better understand the quality of service you'll receive. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and ranging from "Superior" to "Poor" — determines an insurer's financial strength and ability to satisfy its contractual and policy obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Arbella | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Commerce Insurance | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Encompass | Not Rated | Superior |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Hanover | 3 | Excellent |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Norfolk and Dedham | Not Rated | Excellent |
| OneBeacon | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Quincy Mutual | Not Rated | Superior |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
Find the perfect policy for you!
What is the best auto insurance coverage in Massachusetts?
The minimum required level of insurance in Massachusetts is $20,000 Bodily Injury per person, $40,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $5,000 Property Damage per accident.
If you carry the legal minimum coverage level in Massachusetts, you'll pay an average of $609 yearly. These premiums are cheaper than the nationwide average by 7%. If you choose more comprehensive coverage, you can select a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, insuring against damages caused by car-vs.-car collisions, theft, or weather incidents. It's worth noting that better car insurance comes with a price: in Massachusetts, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $983, 61% more than basic liability-only coverage. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, you can expect to pay 93% more than you would for a liability-only policy.
Compare mean rates for basic, better, and best coverage levels below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Massachusetts | $608.85 | $982.70 | $1,174.98 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Car insurance laws
State minimum insurance requirements in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, drivers are required to carry liability, uninsured motorist, and personal injury protection coverages at the below minimum levels:
Liability
- Bodily Injury $20,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $40,000 per accident
- Property Damage $5,000 per accident
Uninsured Motorist
- Bodily Injury $20,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $40,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection
- $8,000 per person
Optional coverage in Massachusetts (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Limited Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Medical Payments
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Optional Bodily Injury (OBI)
Learn more about car insurance regulations in the state of Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Car Insurance FAQs
Is Massachusetts a no-fault state for car insurance?
Yes — Massachusetts is a no-fault state. If you're in an accident and are injured, your car insurance would cover your damages.
Can you register a car without insurance in Massachusetts?
No. Because car insurance is legally required in Massachusetts, you must have insurance in order to register a vehicle.
Does Massachusetts tax car insurance payments?
No. Your insurance company might add surcharges for payments via credit card or installments, but the state does not tax these payments.
How much does car insurance cost in Massachusetts cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Waltham, Massachusetts, and the most expensive in Brockton, Massachusetts.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brockton | $2,437 |
| 2 | Revere | $2,365 |
| 3 | Lynn | $2,160 |
| 4 | Malden | $2,149 |
| 5 | Springfield | $2,019 |
| 6 | Lawrence | $1,983 |
| 7 | Worcester | $1,864 |
| 8 | Fall River | $1,850 |
| 9 | New Bedford | $1,833 |
| 10 | Medford | $1,779 |
| 11 | Boston | $1,766 |
| 12 | Quincy | $1,764 |
| 13 | Somerville | $1,723 |
| 14 | Lowell | $1,654 |
| 15 | Peabody | $1,650 |
| 16 | Weymouth | $1,649 |
| 17 | Taunton | $1,625 |
| 18 | Chicopee | $1,593 |
| 19 | Cambridge | $1,579 |
| 20 | Brookline | $1,570 |
| 21 | Framingham | $1,552 |
| 22 | Haverhill | $1,531 |
| 23 | Newton | $1,502 |
| 24 | Waltham | $1,492 |
Recent Massachusetts Car Insurance Questions and Answers
Why is my ex's accident following me around in my insurance quotes?
Claims tend to be attached to the driver that was at fault. If you were the policyholder at the time, some companies will see this and still charge you for that at their discretion.
Is my son covered if he got into an accident before being added to our policy?
Sorry to hear about your situation. It's hard to say if your insurance company is wrong to deny the claim without knowing your specific policy details.
How much would my car insurance be to transfer to a new individual policy from my family's insurance?
It's hard to give you an accurate quote without having more information. There are a number of factors that come into play when determining your premium and each insurance company may weigh these factors differently when determining what you pay.
Will non-moving violations impact my insurance premium?
Most companies do not consider non-moving violations as a factor when calculating your rate. But every company is different so you may run across one that will rate on non-moving violations, but it is really uncommon.
Driving Laws
Massachusetts Texting and Driving Laws
- Ban on all cell phones for school bus drivers
- Ban on all cell phones for drivers <18 years
- Ban on text messaging for all drivers
Massachusetts DUI Laws
There is no maximum lookback period in Massachusetts. This means all past OUI convictions are taken into account when a court decides an offender’s sentence and penalties. Additionally, most penalties are applicable to OUI violators of all ages.
Penalties may also vary slightly based on the specifics of an impaired driver’s OUI offense. In Massachusetts, third and subsequent OUI charges are felonies.
First-time DUI offenses in Massachusetts lead to:
- Up to two-and-a-half years in jail
- $500 to $5,000 in fines
- License suspension for one year
- Possible attendance in an alcohol education program
How Do Tickets Impact Massachusetts Auto Insurance Rates?
If you get a ticket, your auto insurance costs will probably rise. How much your rates rise depends on the violation, your insurance company's pricing strategy, and differing local insurance risks and regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
Below is a snapshot of average car insurance rates in Massachusetts after a few common violations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $2,520 | 97% | $1,243 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $2,424 | 90% | $1,147 |
| DUI | $2,454 | 92% | $1,177 |
| Racing | $2,464 | 93% | $1,187 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,520 | 97% | $1,243 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,552 | 100% | $1,275 |
| At-Fault Accident | $1,984 | 55% | $707 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $2,403 | 88% | $1,126 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,627 | 27% | $350 |
| Passing a School Bus | $1,640 | 28% | $363 |
| Improper Passing | $1,640 | 28% | $363 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,640 | 28% | $363 |
| Speeding | $1,622 | 27% | $345 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,640 | 28% | $363 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,640 | 28% | $363 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,640 | 28% | $363 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,640 | 28% | $363 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,624 | 27% | $348 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,624 | 27% | $348 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,600 | 25% | $323 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $2,159 | 69% | $882 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $2,159 | 69% | $882 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,300 | 2% | $23 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,307 | 2% | $30 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,376 | 8% | $99 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,307 | 2% | $30 |
Massachusetts Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the Massachusetts area, while also getting an insider view of the Bay State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2020
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2021
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.