Like most states in the U.S., Massachusetts requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance coverage to register and drive a vehicle. In Massachusetts, the average annual cost of car insurance is $510 for minimum coverage and $1,223 for a full coverage policy.
Which Massachusetts city you live in, the insurance company you choose, your age, gender, driving history and the type of vehicle you drive are just some of the criteria used to determine how much you will pay for car insurance. Knowing how these factors affect rates can help you find the cheapest and best car insurance coverage in the Bay State.
How much does car insurance cost in Massachusetts?
Bankrate’s report of the cost of car insurance by state ranks Massachusetts as lower in price than the national annual average of $565 for minimum car insurance and $1,674 for full coverage. Massachusetts comes in at roughly 10% less for basic insurance and nearly 27% less for full coverage. However, the state you live in is just one of several major factors affecting your vehicle insurance premiums. Take a closer look at these four additional points to consider.
Massachusetts car insurance rates by company
The same level of coverage can range in price from one carrier to another. For example, basic insurance from To find the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts, you may need to get several quotes to see how your rate will compare. Compare Bankrate’s findings of insurance rates from the best carriers in the state:
| Car insurance company | Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $484 | $1,312 |
| Amica | $418 | $1,398 |
| Arbella | $520 | $1,427 |
| Geico | $526 | $1,026 |
| Main Street America Group | $576 | $1,278 |
| MetLife | $490 | $1,127 |
| Plymouth Rock | $339 | $959 |
| Progressive | $799 | $1,749 |
| Safety | $377 | $827 |
| The Hanover | $430 | $1,391 |
| The Norfolk & Dedham Group | $467 | $1,259 |
| Travelers | $910 | $1,936 |
| Vermont Mutual | $458 | $1,166 |
Massachusetts car insurance rates by city
The city or town you live in can cause your premiums to be higher or lower than the state average. Full coverage average rates for the top 20 most populated cities in The Bay State are:
| City | Average annual premium for full coverage | % difference from state average annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | $1,554 | 27% |
| Worcester | $1,575 | 29% |
| Springfield | $1,695 | 39% |
| Lowell | $1,362 | 11% |
| Cambridge | $1,300 | 6% |
| New Bedford | $1,567 | 28% |
| Brockton | $1,993 | 63% |
| Quincy | $1,437 | 17% |
| Lynn | $1,845 | 51% |
| Fall River | $1,569 | 28% |
| Dorchester | $2,253 | 84% |
| Lawrence | $1,698 | 39% |
| Somerville | $1,479 | 21% |
| Framingham | $1,316 | 8% |
| Haverhill | $1,324 | 8% |
| Waltham | $1,285 | 5% |
| Malden | $1,775 | 45% |
| Medford | $1,435 | 17% |
| Chicopee | $1,321 | 8% |
| Plymouth | $1,332 | 9% |
Cost of living in Massachusetts and car insurance
When shopping for the best car insurance rates in Massachusetts, it’s important to factor in your other expenses so that you’re looking at your total living costs. The graph below shows the average annual cost of living in Massachusetts, including the average cost of car insurance. Use this graph as a guide to help determine your overall expenses so that you can decide what insurance rates fit in your budget.
Massachusetts car insurance rates by age
Your age affects the cost of car insurance based on driver experience and risk level.
| Age | Average annual premium in Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Age 16 | $2,002 |
| Age 17 | $1,850 |
| Age 20 | $3,127 |
| Age 22 | $1,716 |
| Age 25 | $1,451 |
| Age 30 | $1,345 |
| Age 35 | $1,260 |
| Age 40 | $1,223 |
| Age 60 | $1,176 |
*16-year-old and 17-year-old calculated on parent’s policy disclosure
Massachusetts car insurance rates by driving record
One of the most critical factors behind the cost of coverage is your driving history. Insurance companies may charge higher-risk drivers a higher premium due to the increased risk of a claim. In fact, some carriers may even deny car insurance to drivers with multiple accidents, citations or DUIs.
| Driving incident | Average annual premium in Massachusetts | % increase in average annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding ticket | $1,694 | 38.5% |
| Accident | $2,148 | 75.6% |
| DUI | $2,464 | 101.5% |
How to save on car insurance in Massachusetts
As illustrated in the Bankrate findings, an effective way to save on car insurance is by avoiding incidents like accidents or DUIs which could double your car insurance premiums in some cases. To save further, you may want to consider the following ideas:
- Bundle your coverage: If you have homeowners or renters insurance, bundling them with one carrier could bring you savings across the board.
- Regularly compare quotes: Make it a habit to get quotes on car insurance annually. You may find that switching carriers could save you money on your car insurance.
- Raise your deductible: The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premiums may be. Before you raise your policy’s deductible, though, make sure you can afford to pay it if you need to make a claim.
- Take advantage of carrier discounts: Car insurance companies usually provide a variety of discounts for loyalty, paying your premiums in full, being a good student and safety equipment.
Massachusetts car insurance requirements
The State of Massachusetts has the following requirements for all drivers:
- $20,000 in bodily injury liability and uninsured bodily injury liability insurance per person
- $40,000 in bodily injury liability and uninsured bodily injury liability insurance per accident
- $5,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident
- $8,000 per person for PIP (personal medical payments) insurance
- $8,000 per accident for PIP (personal medical payments) insurance
Basic coverage for the state’s minimums may be the cheapest form of car insurance but may also not be enough. Minimum insurance does not cover damages or losses to your vehicle from collisions, theft, fires, storms and more. Full coverage car insurance with higher limits may be more expensive but gives you more comprehensive protection.
Frequently asked questions
How much car insurance do I need in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, you need to have at least the state minimum car insurance liability coverage and PIP insurance. Massachusetts requires 20/40/5 liability and $8,000 each for PIP per person and per accident. Buying as much liability and PIP insurance as you can afford will help protect you financially if you are involved in an accident and is recommended by most insurance experts.
What happens if I cause property damage that’s higher than the $5,000 limit of my car insurance?
If you only have property damage coverage set at a $5,000 limit on your car insurance, you may be held liable for the remainder if you cause more than $5,000 in damage in an accident. This is why most insurance experts recommend purchasing more coverage if you can afford it, to reduce the risk of out-of-pocket costs if you cause an accident.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in Massachusetts?
Bankrate data collected from Quadrant Information Services shows that Plymouth Rock, Safety Insurance and State Farm are some of the cheapest car insurance companies in Massachusetts. However, you may find a cheaper car insurance company if you shop for quotes because pricing is based on a number of factors, including your personal driving history and age.
How much does car insurance cost per month in Massachusetts?
According to recent data, the cost of car insurance per month in Massachusetts is $42.50 for state minimum liability coverage and $101.92 for full coverage insurance. These rates are based on a sample driver profile and could be more or less for insurance based on your driving profile, coverage needs and vehicle choice.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a male and female driver with good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
Driving record rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
Age rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied.
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