High-Risk Car Insurance in Massachusetts

GEICO and Plymouth Rock tie as the most affordable full coverage providers for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts, offering competitive rates across multiple violation categories.

For nationwide coverage options, explore our affordable high-risk car insurance in the U.S. guide.

Massachusetts drivers with a DUI can find full coverage for $106 per month through Plymouth Rock, while other insurers charge as much as $276. This serious violation stays on your driving record for 10 years in the state, though most insurers consider it when calculating premiums for three to five years.

For tips to reduce your rates, check our car insurance after a DUI guide.

Massachusetts drivers with speeding tickets pay rates ranging from $88 per month through GEICO to as high as $197 for full coverage from other insurers. Your actual increase depends on how much you exceeded the speed limit and whether you're a repeat offender. Speeding violations stay on your driving record for six years in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts drivers with at-fault accidents pay rates from $102 per month through Plymouth Rock to as high as $235 for full coverage from other insurers. Companies increase premiums because at-fault accidents indicate you're more likely to file future claims, with steeper increases when the accident involved injuries or significant property damage. These accidents remain on your driving record for six years in the state.

Massachusetts drivers with distracted driving violations can find affordable full coverage through GEICO at $88 per month, while other insurers charge up to $195. The state prohibits handheld cellphone use while driving, and violations result in fines and potential license points. Though distracted driving citations aren't as serious as DUI or reckless driving offenses, they're still moving violations that increase your insurance premiums, making it important to compare rates across providers.

At-fault accidents raise full coverage rates in Massachusetts by 57% ($56 per month), while a DUI adds 83% ($82 monthly) compared to drivers with clean records. Massachusetts residents with violations pay higher premiums than those without infractions. Compare average monthly rates in the table below, which breaks down costs by violation type. The filter lets you switch between full coverage and minimum liability costs.

See our average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts guide for clean-record rates.

High-risk drivers pay more, but rates vary enough between insurers that comparing quotes makes a real difference. This page covers what triggers a high-risk classification, which providers are cheapest and what to do if you're denied.

Learn more ways to reduce costs with violations in our cheap car insurance after a bad driving record resource.

Insurers classify you as high risk for DUI or OUI convictions, moving violations or at-fault accidents, a suspended or revoked license, limited driving experience, sports cars or high-performance vehicles, coverage lapses or poor credit, and racing history or reckless driving charges. Drivers over 65 pay increased premiums.

Massachusetts insurers can reject applications from high-risk drivers. Drivers denied by two or more companies can get coverage through Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR), which manages the MAIP for private and commercial vehicles. Massachusetts has no state low-cost auto insurance program. Low-income drivers should compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the most affordable option that meets state requirements.

*CAR handles the residual market and ensures drivers meet state-mandated insurance requirements. Massachusetts drivers can access MAIP coverage through licensed insurance agents statewide, who contact CAR for policy assignments.

Massachusetts doesn't offer a separate low-cost auto insurance program for income-eligible drivers. Instead, the state operates the Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR), which serves as the assigned risk plan for drivers who've been rejected by standard insurers. CAR ensures that high-risk drivers can still obtain the coverage required by state law when they can't find insurance in the voluntary market.

Massachusetts doesn't offer a dedicated low-cost auto insurance program for income-eligible residents. Massachusetts drivers seeking affordable coverage must shop in the voluntary market and compare quotes from multiple insurers. Those denied by standard carriers can access coverage through the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan, the state's assigned risk pool.

Drivers with DUIs, suspended licenses or serious violations need SR-22 insurance, which serves as a certificate of financial responsibility filed with the state.

Drivers who've been rejected by standard insurers because of DUIs, multiple accidents or suspended licenses can get coverage through the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP). This assigned risk plan ensures you can access the minimum liability coverage required by Massachusetts law, even when voluntary market insurers won't cover you due to high-risk status.

MAIP assigns drivers to participating insurers based on each company's market share in Massachusetts. AIPSO administers the program and distributes high-risk applicants proportionally across all carriers required to participate.

MAIP is the Massachusetts residual market for high-risk drivers rejected by standard insurers. Every licensed auto insurer in the state must participate and accept drivers in proportion to their market share. Once assigned, a participating insurer covers you at the state's required minimum liability limits. Your driving history or prior rejections don't disqualify you.

CAR rates are 50% to 100% above comparable voluntary market policies. A driver with a clean record might pay $150 a month for standard coverage. CAR coverage for the same limits costs $225 to $300. The higher cost reflects the risk insurers take on for drivers with DUIs, multiple violations or serious accidents.

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance regulates CAR rates and operations. CAR keeps liability coverage accessible to any Massachusetts driver regardless of prior rejections.

For Massachusetts Auto Insurance Plan (MAIP):

1. Confirm your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
2. Verify your driving record has no major violations in the past five years.
3. Check that your vehicle meets the program's age and value requirements.
4. Visit mass.gov/orgs/division-of-insurance for application details.
5. Contact a participating insurer or call the Division of Insurance consumer hotline.
6. Submit required income documentation and proof of Massachusetts residency.

For Commonwealth Auto Reinsurers (CAR):

1. Apply with at least two standard Massachusetts insurers and get rejected by both.
2. Get written rejection letters from each.
3. Find a licensed Massachusetts agent who handles CAR placements.
4. Submit your CAR application through the agent with your rejection letters attached.
5. Provide your driver's license and vehicle details.
6. Once processed, a participating CAR insurer will be assigned to cover you.

GEICO and Plymouth Rock are tied as the most affordable high-risk insurers in Massachusetts. Full coverage is $89 a month after a speeding ticket and $106 after a DUI. Drivers rejected by multiple standard insurers can get coverage through CAR, the state's assigned risk plan.

When your record improves, our guide to the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts covers better options for your updated profile.

Full coverage rates use $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 liability with comprehensive and collision coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Minimum coverage rates use Massachusetts' required 20/40/5 liability limits.

Our standard profile is a 35-year-old man with good credit, 12,000 miles driven annually and one violation, like DUI, speeding ticket, at-fault accident or distracted driving. We reviewed rates from major carriers by violation type to identify the most affordable options for high-risk drivers.