Massachusetts drivers looking for the best car insurance in the state will have to consider personalized factors, including their age, driving record, credit history and location. To find the best rates and appropriate coverage, compare personalized quotes from multiple insurance providers. MoneyGeek's rankings illustrate a potential savings of $1,625 when comparing car insurance premiums from popular companies in Massachusetts.
bestauto insuranceMassachusetts2021The Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Massachusetts
Cheapest for minimum liability - State Farm
Cheapest for full coverage - Safety Group
Best company overall - GEICO
Cheapest for drivers with a DUI - Plymouth Rock Assurance
Cheapest for senior drivers - State Farm
Cheapest for student drivers - State Farm
In Massachusetts, the cheapest car insurance is a liability coverage plan that meets the state’s minimum car insurance requirements. Liability insurance only covers the cost of injuries and damage you cause to other drivers in an at-fault accident and does not pay for your vehicle repair and medical expenses.
The least expensive car insurance firms in Massachusetts for minimum coverage are:
- State Farm: $323 per year
- Plymouth Rock Assurance: $337 per year
Travelers is the costliest provider for minimum coverage, with average annual prices of $1,183.
Average Cost for Minimun Liability Coverage
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$323$27
- 2.$337$28
- 3.$390$33
- 4.$401$33
- 5.Safety Group$405$34
Please note that the prices listed above are averages and should only serve as a guide to compare insurers’ rates.
These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Massachusetts driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
A minimum coverage package is the cheapest insurance coverage available in Massachusetts. However, this plan only covers bodily injury and property damage liability, personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Consumers wishing to cover damages to their own car, or improve their protection against higher liability costs, should consider buying a full coverage policy.
A full coverage plan with higher liability limits, comprehensive insurance and collision insurance insures you for most off-road and road accidents in Massachusetts. The rate of a full coverage policy is generally higher than the cost of minimum coverage, but it protects against the expense of damages to your car — not just others. However, you can save money by comparing car insurance quotes from several companies to find the lowest rates.
The cheapest car insurance companies in Massachusetts for full coverage are:
- Safety Group: $730 per year
- Plymouth Rock Assurance: $778 per year
The most expensive car insurance for full coverage is Travelers, costing $2,356 annually, on average.
Average Comprehensive and Collision Rates in Massachusetts
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.Safety Group$730$61
- 2.$778$65
- 3.$782$65
- 4.$800$67
- 5.$851$71
Keep in mind that the price of your insurance will vary from these examples. Costs are for a policy with comprehensive and collision insurance and $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
The Best Car Insurance Companies in Massachusetts for 2021
Based on MoneyGeek’s data, the best car insurance companies in Massachusetts for most drivers are:
- Best Overall: GEICO
- Runner-up: Allstate
USAA received the highest score in Massachusetts by MoneyGeek's rating system. However, because USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families, it is not listed as best overall.
Finding the best car insurance companies in Massachusetts requires the consideration of various factors, such as affordability, customer satisfaction, claims experience and financial strength. Using this information, MoneyGeek formulated a unique rating system that combines the ratings from J.D. Power and AM Best, along with industry standards for pricing, ratings and review. MoneyGeek weighed these criteria equally to determine the final ratings out of 100.
1
USAA
Score:100
USAA serves only current military members, veterans and their families. It is the best car insurance company in MoneyGeek’s Massachusetts ranking as it receives maximum scores on claims ratings, affordability and customer satisfaction.
More About USAA
USAA is rated one of the best insurance companies in the United States, and this reputation holds true in Massachusetts. In addition to high ratings in all categories, many discounts are available to USAA policyholders. If you’re a USAA customer and your parents are too, you could qualify for a discount. Active military members can also receive money off their premiums if they garage their vehicle on base.
Read MoneyGeek's USAA auto Insurance Review2
GEICO
Score:93
GEICO takes the second spot in Massachusetts. It scores high on affordability while also getting good scores for user satisfaction and claims ratings.
More About GEICO
Besides being affordable, GEICO also offers excellent services and features to Massachusetts policyholders. These include multi-policy discounts for combining auto and home insurance, savings of up to 15% with cheaper rates, a useful mobile app for easy policy management, 24/7/365 customer support and high customer satisfaction ratings.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO auto Insurance Review3
Allstate
Score:88
4
Nationwide
Score:85
5
Progressive
Score:83
6
Travelers
Score:80
7
Hanover
Score:78
8
MetLife
Score:78
9
Liberty Mutual
Score:75
10
Safety Group
Score:75
11
Arbella Insurance Group
Score:73
12
Plymouth Rock Assurance
Score:73
13
Safeco
Score:73
While USAA scores highly in many areas, this provider is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
List of the Largest Insurance Companies in Massachusetts
Going by market share, the three biggest insurance carriers in Massachusetts are MAPFRE Insurance (23.3%), GEICO (12.7%) and Liberty Mutual (10.7%). Market share is calculated by dividing the number of premiums written by an insurance company by the total number of premiums written in the state. Many people choose to buy a policy from an established provider, as these providers have the financial means to reimburse claims without hassle. However, while a large company offers more financial security, some consumers may find their needs better met by a smaller provider.
- CompanyMarket Share
- 1.MAPFRE Insurance23.3%
- 2.12.7%
- 3.10.7%
- 4.Safety Group8.4%
- 5.7.7%
How to Compare Cheap Massachusetts Car Insurance Quotes Online
You can easily get an accurate quote through most insurance providers’ websites. Identify how much coverage you require so you can compare carriers using consistent limits. For instance, if you get a quote with one insurer for $50,000 in bodily liability insurance per accident, make sure to use the same limit when obtaining quotes from another company.
Enter your ZIP code below to compare rates or use MoneyGeek’s cost data as a guide to select the best insurance provider for you. In Massachusetts, State Farm, Plymouth Rock Assurance and USAA are the three cheapest car insurance providers. MoneyGeek recommends you start your search by comparing quotes with these companies to obtain low rates and quality coverage.
What Is the Average Cost of Car Insurance in Massachusetts?
MoneyGeek calculated typical rates for comprehensive and collision insurance policies for the average driver, a 40-year-old male who owns a Toyota Camry with a clean driving record. Your auto insurance costs may be lower or higher depending on your age, coverage level and driving history, among other factors.
- Average Driver: $1,112
- DUI: $1,986
- Speeding Ticket: $1,384
- Seniors: $986
- Students: $2,639
Massachusetts drivers with a high-risk driving violation, like driving under the influence (DUI), are generally charged higher-than-average rates because carriers consider them riskier to insure. The average car insurance rate for drivers with a DUI in Massachusetts is $1,986 per year compared to $1,112 for those with a clean record.
The most affordable car insurance providers in Massachusetts for a driver with full coverage and a DUI charge are:
- Plymouth Rock Assurance: $1,226 per year
- GEICO: $1,365 per year
Although Safety Group offers the cheapest full coverage for Massachusetts drivers with a clean record, Plymouth Rock has lower rates for those with a DUI.
Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$1,226$102
- 2.$1,365$114
- 3.$1,426$119
- 4.$1,606$134
- 5.$1,690$141
The costs of a DUI on your car insurance rates could carry over the long term, so it’s important to get quotes from a variety of Massachusetts car insurance companies each year when it’s time to renew your policy. Because each company weighs a DUI differently in their evaluation, rates will vary from insurer to insurer.
Massachusetts drivers with even minor driving violations in their history tend to be charged higher rates by insurers than those with a clean record. In this state, you’ll pay $1,384 per year (on average) for car insurance coverage if you have a speeding ticket on your record, compared to $1,112 for drivers without any violations.
The least expensive car insurance carriers in Massachusetts for a driver with a speeding ticket and full coverage are:
- GEICO: $892 per year
- State Farm: $893 per year
GEICO has lower rates for those with a speeding ticket on their record than Plymouth Rock Assurance, the second cheapest company for drivers with a clean record.
Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$892$74
- 2.$893$74
- 3.$1,042$87
- 4.$1,076$90
- 5.$1,103$92
Moving violations like speeding or distracted driving tickets can lead to higher car insurance premiums. Drivers with these tickets on their records are seen as higher-risk drivers in the eyes of the insurance companies. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in Massachusetts, there were 343 accidents in 2018 related to distracted driving, another factor the insurance companies take into account when determining risk and, thus, insurance rates.
There’s no set timeframe for how long a speeding or distracted driving ticket can affect car insurance rates, but it definitely will have short-term effects. To keep rates affordable, check with a number of Massachusetts car insurance companies for personalized quotes based on your individual factors before renewing your policy each year.
Unlike in most other states, insurance providers in Massachusetts cannot use a person’s credit score to determine their premiums. However, it’s still crucial to maintain a good credit score, as it can help you obtain loans, rentals and more. For Massachusetts, the average credit score is 723, which is higher than the national average of 703 for 2019. A good credit score is generally considered to be 700 and higher.
While many states use a driver’s credit score to impact rates, Massachusetts state law protects drivers from rate increases based on credit score. For Massachusetts, the average credit score is 723, higher than the national average of 703 for 2019. A good credit score is generally considered to be 700 and higher. While a lower score shouldn’t inform your car insurance rates in Massachusetts, it could impact other areas of your finances, like home loans and credit lines. Raising your credit score could help you improve your finances overall.
In most states, car insurance providers typically charge senior drivers slightly higher rates than middle-aged and young adult drivers. However, in Massachusetts, senior drivers pay less than an average 40-year-old driver. The average annual cost of car insurance is $986 for a senior driver compared to $1,112 for the average driver who is not a senior.
The cheapest car insurance companies in Massachusetts for senior drivers with full coverage are:
- State Farm: $453 per year
- GEICO: $607 per year
While Safety Group is the cheapest provider for full coverage for the average non-senior driver, State Farm offers lower rates for senior drivers.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$453$38
- 2.$607$51
- 3.Safety Group$679$57
- 4.$724$60
- 5.$761$63
Keeping older drivers safe is a goal for everyone to achieve. In Massachusetts, 12.6% of drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes in 2017 were age 65 or older, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Although Massachusetts does not revoke driving privileges due to age, it does require all drivers age 75 and older to take an in-person vision test or to provide a vision screening certificate.
Car insurance for seniors in Massachusetts can be higher due to their elevated risk for accidents, something every car insurance company considers when quoting rates.
Because of their relative inexperience, young student drivers are charged higher rates than the average adult driver. In Massachusetts, the average student driver is charged $2,639 per year for car insurance coverage, compared to $1,112 for the average non-student driver.
The most affordable car insurance providers in Massachusetts for student drivers with full coverage are:
- State Farm: $1,974 per year
- GEICO: $2,416 per year
While Safety Group offers the cheapest full coverage for the average driver in Massachusetts, State Farm’s prices are lower for student drivers.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Students
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$1,974$165
- 2.$2,416$201
- 3.$2,522$210
- 4.$3,583$299
Keep in mind that teen drivers with a learner's permit do not need to be listed on the policyholder's insurance in the state of Massachusetts. Once they obtain their junior operator's license (JOL), they must be listed under the parents' policy.
Insurance Rate Information for Military Drivers and Veterans
If you're one of the approximately 3,500 active-duty military personnel stationed in Massachusetts, or even if it's already your home state, chances are discounts on auto insurance are available to you and your family. Veterans qualify, too.
The state attorney general's office offers tips on buying auto insurance in Massachusetts as well as the solid suggestion to get all premium quotes in writing as you compare car insurance rates. Once your insurance is covered, you can register the vehicle at the DMV. If you are a disabled veteran, you won't have to pay registration fees or property taxes on your vehicle. If you bought and registered a car or truck in your home state, you don't have to re-register in Massachusetts. You'll still have to carry at least the mandated minimum insurance under Massachusetts law while deployed here. There is one twist in the law: if you bought and registered a vehicle outside your home state and are then stationed in Massachusetts, you've got 30 days to register it in the state.
Average Rates for Massachusetts service members
25 years$1,703
50 years$1,515
50 years$1,515
25 years$1,703
50 years$1,515
50 years$1,515
Car Insurance in Massachusetts: What You Need to Know
Every driver in Massachusetts is required to have auto insurance or an approved alternative. Your car insurance must include four types of coverage:
- Liability insurance for injuries
- Liability insurance for property damage
- Personal injury insurance
- Insurance against uninsured motorists
All licensed drivers in the household must be listed on a car's insurance plan unless they submit an exclusion form to their insurance company.
Proof of Insurance in Massachusetts
To register a car in Massachusetts, drivers must first insure it. From that point forward, they do not need to carry an insurance card — their insurance information will be on their registration, which should be kept inside the vehicle. Drivers need to show their registration when a police officer asks to see it, when they register their vehicle and after a car accident.
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in Massachusetts
Here's the breakdown of the minimum amounts needed on a Massachusetts car insurance policy:
- $20,000 per person for third-party bodily injury
- $40,000 per accident for third-party bodily injury
- $20,000 per person for injuries caused by an uninsured driver
- $40,000 per accident for injuries caused by an uninsured driver
- $8,000 of personal injury protection per person/accident
- $5,000 of property damage protection per accident
These are just the minimum requirements, and experts recommend carrying more liability insurance coverage.
Alternatives to Insurance in Massachusetts
The commonwealth of Massachusetts encourages motorists to get traditional auto insurance, but drivers can skip this requirement if they put down at least $10,000 as a cash deposit or liability bond. This money will be used to settle claims should the driver cause an accident, but it's unlikely to meet the total costs. Drivers who choose this route should be aware that other parties can pursue their assets if they don't have auto insurance.
How Much Coverage Do You Need in Massachusetts?
Cheap car insurance is great — provided you never crash your car. When accidents happen, the minimum level of insurance likely won't be enough to cover costs. According to the Insurance Information Institute, drivers should aim for $100,000/$300,000 of injury liability coverage, far above the levels mandated by Massachusetts.
And while collision and comprehensive coverage are optional, if you have a newer model car, you may want to consider getting those as well.
Massachusetts requires insurance companies to offer discounts to drivers with a history of careful driving. The state also requires discounts for drivers over the age of 65 and for cars with certain safety and security features, including anti-theft devices. Individual insurance companies may offer their own discounts in addition to those listed.
Average Insurance Rate by City in Massachusetts
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- CityAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$1,112$93
- 2.$1,274$106
- 3.$1,133$94
FAQs About Car Insurance in Massachusetts
To help you find the right car insurance service, MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions about coverage and costs.
About the Author
sources
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "Understanding Auto Insurance." Accessed January 18, 2021.
- Experian. "Experian 2019 Consumer Credit Review." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- Governing: The Future of States and Localities. "Military Active-Duty Personnel, Civilians by State." Accessed January 18, 2021.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "2018 Market Share Reports for Property/Casualty Groups and Companies By State and Countrywide." Accessed March 13, 2020.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "NHTSA FATALITY ANALYSIS REPORTING SYSTEM (FARS)." Accessed March 9, 2020.