Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Cambridge, MA (June 2024)

In Cambridge, State Farm offers the lowest rates for full and minimum coverage policies. Progressive is the cheapest for families with teen drivers. Safety Group is rated the best for customer service and overall value. The ideal option for you depends on your specific preferences and coverage needs.

MoneyGeek found that the following companies offer the cheapest car insurance in Cambridge:

• State Farm: $269 per year
• Plymouth Rock Assurance: $309 per year

Travelers has the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Cambridge, costing $888 annually. The difference of $619 between the cheapest and most costly options underscores the importance of comparing car insurance rates to secure financial savings.

In Massachusetts, the state law sets the benchmarks for car insurance coverage required in all cities, including Cambridge. Here's what you need to know:

• $20,000 bodily injury per person
  
• $40,000 bodily injury per accident
  
• $5,000 property damage liability per accident
  
• $20,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  
• $40,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  
• $8,000 personal injury protection (PIP) per accident
  

If you're covered with a minimum policy and incur $25,000 in bodily injury expenses per person, your insurance pays up to $20,000, then you're on the hook for the remaining $5,000.

MoneyGeek found the most affordable options in Cambridge for those seeking the cheapest full coverage car insurance. Here are the top two providers:

• State Farm: $561 per year
• Plymouth Rock Assurance: $768 per year

Travelers, on the other hand, offers the priciest full coverage policy at $2,118 annually — more than triple the cost of State Farm's offering. This stark contrast underscores the importance of shopping around. Full coverage policies generally cost more due to the extensive protection they provide, covering not just liability but also vehicle damage, theft and other perils.

The MoneyGeek sample policy for Cambridge with full coverage enhances the limits of liability significantly compared to basic coverage, setting them at $100,000 for bodily injury per individual, $300,000 for total bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage per incident. This level of protection is commonly referred to as a 100/300/100 policy.

Full coverage policies go beyond raised liability limits and also include comprehensive and collision coverage:

• Collision Insurance: This provides coverage for your vehicle in the event of a collision, whether with another vehicle or or a stationary object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage insures your vehicle against various types of damage not caused by collisions, including theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.

For new vehicles, securing full coverage insurance is a sound decision to protect your automotive investment. However, the additional cost may not justify the benefits for older vehicles where the value is already depreciated.

When assessing the amount of car insurance necessary, it's important to weigh the cost of higher premiums for more coverage against the risk of being inadequately insured in case of an incident.

MoneyGeek found that State Farm is the cheapest option in Cambridge for drivers with a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident or a DUI.

• Speeding Ticket: State Farm ($639 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: State Farm ($849 per year)
• DUI: State Farm ($1,013 per year)

Travelers had the most expensive rates for all three offenses. The difference in annual rates between State Farm for a speeding ticket and a DUI is $374, highlighting how the severity of the offense can significantly impact car insurance rates.

In Cambridge and other cities, insurance rates often escalate with the severity of a driver's offense, as riskier drivers present a greater likelihood of future claims. For example, annually, a Cambridge driver with a speeding ticket may face premiums around $1,436, whereas a DUI violation can propel that figure to approximately $2,056. It's essential for those with driving infractions to meticulously compare insurance rates, as diligent shopping can lead to significant savings in light of these higher premiums.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive is the most affordable option for full coverage car insurance for teens in Cambridge. The top two companies with the lowest annual premiums are:

• Progressive: $1,124 per year for female and male teens
• State Farm: $1,153 per year for female and male teens

Within Cambridge, these rates reflect a combination policy covering two parents and a teenager. Travelers has the highest annual teen family policy of $3,501. There is a significant discrepancy between the highest and most affordable rates for teens.

In Cambridge, as in many cities across the United States, the cost of teen car insurance can be a significant financial hurdle. On average, an individual policy for a teenager comes at a steep price of $3,824 annually. By contrast, when a teen is added to a family plan, the burden lightens considerably, with the premium averaging around $2,157 — a notable difference of $1,667. This stark contrast in rates is primarily because insurers deem teens as high-risk drivers due to their inexperience.

MoneyGeek found the most affordable full coverage car insurance for drivers with a military background in Cambridge.

• State Farm: $561 per year
• Plymouth Rock Assurance: $768 per year

While not the cheapest option, USAA ranks sixth in the city with an annual premium of $1,054, emphasizing its tailored services to active-duty military members despite having higher rates than some competitors.

Finding the most affordable car insurance rates in Cambridge may offer significant savings, yet the process often involves spending more than 15 minutes evaluating each provider. With multiple companies in consideration, the research could extend beyond an hour. Fortunately, MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator streamlines this task. Simply input your details like age, driving history, credit score and preferred coverage, and you can instantly receive rate estimates.

Selecting the ideal car insurance hinges on your preference for service, cost, coverage and more. MoneyGeek's unique scoring system evaluated various aspects to identify top insurers in Cambridge tailored to different needs:

• Best overall: Safety Group (MoneyGeek score 84 out of 100)
• Best for service: Safety Group (MoneyGeek score 85 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Safety Group (MoneyGeek score 87 out of 100)

Safety Group clinches the top spot in all three categories. It is the top choice in the city for overall value, customer service and cost-effectiveness.

MoneyGeek found the best options for car insurance in Cambridge. Here are the top providers:

• Safety Group: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($1,040 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,129 per year)

Safety Group distinguishes itself with a standout combination of high customer satisfaction and affordability, reflecting the priorities valued by consumers.

MoneyGeek found the following best options in Cambridge for exceptional car insurance focused on customer service.

• Safety Group: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100 ($1,040 per year)
• Amica Mutual: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($1,163 per year)

Safety Group stands out in Cambridge due to its higher satisfaction score and strong claims handling performance.

MoneyGeek found the best options in Cambridge for affordable car insurance. Here are the top two providers:

• Safety Group: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 ($347 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($388 per year)

Safety Group is the top insurer for minimum coverage policyholders, primarily due to its impressive affordability score and consistent satisfaction and claims handling performance. It strikes the ideal balance for those in Cambridge seeking cost-effective insurance without sacrificing service quality.

In Cambridge, the average cost of car insurance is $1,084 per year. This stands below Massachusetts' average car insurance cost, which is $1,315 annually. Comparatively, Massachusetts' average annual car insurance rate is $404 less than the national average of $1,720.

While numerous factors ultimately determine car insurance premiums, location plays a significant role due to risk exposure influenced by traffic density and accident rates. For instance, the city with the most expensive insurance premium is Boston at $1,908, whereas Cambridge has the least expensive rate at $1,084. These variations illustrate the impact of location, as areas with lower traffic density, often found outside major cities, tend to have more affordable rates.