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Best & CheapestAuto InsuranceHigh-RiskBest Cheap Car Insurance Companies for High-Risk Drivers in Massachusetts
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Insurance companies perceive you as risky to insure based on your driving record and may charge you higher rates. Shopping around and comparing quotes from different providers is the only way to find the best deal for you.
In Massachusetts, State Farm offers the best blend of affordability and customer service for high-risk drivers. On the other hand, Plymouth Rock Assurance is the cheapest auto insurer. On average, its policies for high-risk drivers cost $1,128 annually. Your actual rate may vary depending on your unique situation.
Best & CheapestAuto InsuranceHigh-RiskBest Companies for High-Risk Drivers in 2023
Cheapest for High-Risk Drivers - Allstate
Best for High-Risk Drivers - State Farm
Cheapest After a DUI - Plymouth Rock Assurance
Cheapest for Teen Drivers - Allstate
Insurers often view high-risk drivers as more likely to file an auto insurance claim. You may qualify as high risk if you have a history of at-fault accidents, tickets, violations or a DUI conviction. Being a teen driver also makes you risky to insure due to a lack of experience on the road.
Insurance companies usually charge more expensive premiums to offset the costs of covering you in an anticipated accident. In Massachusetts, expect to pay 35% more for car insurance if you're a high-risk driver.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A HIGH-RISK DRIVER?
A high-risk driver is someone who has severe violations on their driving record. These include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving recklessly or drag racing.
In some cases, insurance providers may still consider you risky with a clean driving record. Some examples of high-risk drivers include:
- Drivers with a history of traffic violations or at-fault accidents
- Drivers with a DUI conviction
- Drivers caught driving with a suspended or revoked license
- Young drivers with a lack of driving experience
- Drivers who drive sports cars or participate in drag racing
- Drivers with bad credit or lapses in insurance coverage
Cheapest Car Insurance in Massachusetts for High-Risk Drivers
Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, the most affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts is Plymouth Rock Assurance. This company offers policies to various high-risk driver profiles with an average annual premium of $1,128.
Visit MoneyGeek’s in-depth review of Plymouth Rock Assurance to learn more about its pros, cons and rates.
SR-22 INSURANCE
Drivers convicted of a serious traffic violation or caught driving without insurance or a license often need SR-22 insurance. SR-22 is a form your insurer files to prove you have car insurance that meets your state's minimum requirements.
Although SR-22 insurance is not mandatory in Massachusetts, a driver registered there may have to file if convicted of a DUI in a state where it is required.
Best Car Insurance in Massachusetts for High-Risk Drivers
According to MoneyGeek's study, the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts is State Farm, which received a 92 out of 100. Our State Farm review provides an in-depth look at its coverage, average rates and customer service to help you learn more about the company.
The next-best Massachusetts insurer for high-risk drivers is GEICO. GEICO also earned a MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100 but is slightly less affordable than State Farm.
1
State FarmBest for High-Risk Drivers
Score:96
In Massachusetts, State Farm's high-risk auto insurance costs around $1,184 annually. Its insurance rates tend to increase by 33% for high-risk drivers versus those with clean records.
More About State Farm
Available in 50 states and Washington, D.C., State Farm offers inexpensive rates for most drivers. It also provides rideshare insurance and several discounts for students and good drivers. However, the insurer lacks common coverages like accident forgiveness, gap insurance and better car replacement.
2
State Farm
Score:96
In Massachusetts, State Farm's high-risk auto insurance costs around $1,184 annually. Its insurance rates tend to increase by 33% for high-risk drivers versus those with clean records.
More About State Farm
Available in 50 states and Washington, D.C., State Farm offers inexpensive rates for most drivers. It also provides rideshare insurance and several discounts for students and good drivers. However, the insurer lacks common coverages like accident forgiveness, gap insurance and better car replacement.
3
GEICO
Score:51
GEICO offers car insurance for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts at approximately $1,283 per year, which is 30% higher than the rate for those with clean records.
More About GEICO
GEICO has affordable policies for all types of drivers. It offers mechanical breakdown insurance, roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and accident forgiveness. Furthermore, GEICO gives rare discounts when you wear your seatbelt, install anti-lock brakes or have daytime running lights.
4
GEICO
Score:51
GEICO offers car insurance for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts at approximately $1,283 per year, which is 30% higher than the rate for those with clean records.
More About GEICO
GEICO has affordable policies for all types of drivers. It offers mechanical breakdown insurance, roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and accident forgiveness. Furthermore, GEICO gives rare discounts when you wear your seatbelt, install anti-lock brakes or have daytime running lights.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
You shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality on a budget. Looking for low-income car insurance in Massachusetts can help. Although there’s no government-supported car insurance program in the state to assist low-income drivers, shopping for minimum coverage or pay-per-mile insurance may be ideal for those who don't travel much.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Massachusetts for Drivers With a DUI
MoneyGeek found that Plymouth Rock Assurance offers the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts for drivers following a DUI conviction, costing $1,175 per year on average. Browse our Plymouth Rock Assurance review to learn more about the insurance company’s coverages, discounts and customer service.
For current and former military members with a DUI, another affordable option for high-risk car insurance in the state is USAA.
LOOK-BACK PERIODS
A look-back period is the window of time wherein a DUI remains on your driving record. Look-back periods vary depending on the state, but they are usually long to accommodate criminal sentencing for repeat offenders. Massachusetts has a lifetime look-back period, meaning all prior DUI convictions are counted.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Massachusetts for Teenage Drivers
MoneyGeek's study identified GEICO as the cheapest car insurance company in Massachusetts for teenage drivers. GEICO offers auto insurance policies for teens at an average of $2,555 per year.
Your actual rate will depend on your age and other factors. Learn more about this insurer by checking out our GEICO review.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
Auto insurance premiums can get expensive, especially for teenagers and students. Nevertheless, choosing full coverage car insurance over state minimum coverage is advisable — the extra coverage in case of an accident will give you priceless peace of mind. Shop around and compare quotes to find the best cheap car insurance for teenage and student drivers.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost for High-Risk Drivers in Massachusetts?
Insurance companies usually consider a driver’s history and profile when determining car insurance rates. As a result, high-risk drivers tend to get more expensive premiums.
Case in point, high-risk drivers in Massachusetts pay an average of $1,742 per year for coverage compared to those with a clean record, who pay $1,141. That’s a difference of over $600.
Annual Car Insurance Cost in MA for Low-Risk vs. High-Risk Drivers
Annual Premium
Low-Risk Driver
$1,143Annual Premium
High-Risk Driver
$1,742In Massachusetts, high-risk drivers pay:$599 more
This is 52% more expensive.
MoneyGeek's Massachusetts car insurance calculator can help you estimate how much you'll pay for a policy based on personal details, such as age, driving record, vehicle type and coverage level. Our tool can also help you identify which factor has the most significant impact on your rates.
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Can You Still Get Car Insurance in Massachusetts if Insurers Refuse to Insure You?
Because car insurance is a voluntary market, companies may refuse to cover you if they consider you too risky to insure. If this happens, your best option is to look for a residual market plan through the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO). For the past 48 years, this national, not-for-profit corporation has provided services to the auto insurance residual market and helped high-risk drivers find coverage.
Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan
AIPSO has a state-by-state database to help you find a residual market plan based on your location. In Massachusetts, the residual market plan is called the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP), offered by Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR).
To be eligible for MAIP coverage, you need certification showing you could not obtain insurance in the voluntary market within 15 days prior to your MAIP application. After assessing that your application is in good faith, you will be assigned an insurance company.
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Email
maipsupport@commauto.com
Phone
617-338-4000
Fax
617-338-5422
Mailing Address
101 Arch St., Suite 400, Boston, MA 02110
Auto Insurance
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Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting insurance coverage when you’re considered a high-risk driver can be challenging. To help ease this process, MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about high-risk car insurance in Massachusetts.
Methodology
MoneyGeek calculated average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance and comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Minimum coverage car insurance policy rates were calculated based on each state’s minimum car insurance requirement.
To calculate rates for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek averaged the premiums insurance companies charge for three of the most common driving violations: speeding, at-fault accident and DUI.
To determine the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek scored companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction and complaints — obtained from J.D. Power surveys and NAIC complaint scores — and financial strength ratings as calculated by AM Best. Affordability received the greatest weighting in our calculations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
sources
- AIPSO. "AIPSO’s Value to the Insurance Industry." Accessed August 15, 2022.
- Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers. "Contact Us." Accessed August 15, 2022.
- Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers. "Rules of Operation." Accessed August 15, 2022.
- Responsibility.org. "State Law: DUI Look-Back Periods." Accessed August 15, 2022.