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Cheap Car Insurance in Massachusetts (2023)
Drivers in Massachusetts pay rates starting at $36/mo. for car insurance.
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Written by
Katie Powers
Insurance Writer
Katie Powers is an insurance writer at Insurify with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts and expertise in personal finance and auto insurance topics. She strives to help consumers make better financial decisions. Prior to joining Insurify, she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Emerson College. Her work has been published in St. Louis Magazine, the Boston Globe, and elsewhere. Connect with Katie on LinkedIn.
Edited by
John Leach
Insurance Content Editor at Insurify
John Leach is an insurance content editor who has worked in print and online. He has years of experience in car and home insurance and strives to make these topics easy to understand for everyone. He has a linguistics degree from UC Santa Barbara.
Data reviewed by
Konstantin Halachev
VP of Engineering
Konstantin has led data science and engineering projects across multiple domains: biology, travel and insurance. He loves finding data nuggets that help people.
Updated November 29, 2022
Why you can trust Insurify: As an independent agent and insurance comparison website, Insurify makes money through commissions from insurance companies. However, our expert insurance writers and editors operate independently of our insurance partners. Learn more.
Massachusetts drivers spend an average of $164 per month on car insurance. As the 12th-cheapest state for purchasing car insurance, Massachusetts’s average rates are much lower than the national average of $233 per month. States with similar rates to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts include Arkansas and Indiana.
If you’re trying to find cheap car insurance, it’s important to compare quotes online. If you find yourself in Massachusetts, take a note from the commonwealth’s polka song, “Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts."[1]
Quick Facts
The average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is $164/mo.
USAA is the cheapest provider in Massachusetts, with an average rate of $36/mo.
The easiest way to cut car insurance costs is to compare quotes online.
Table of contents
- Cheapest Car Insurance in Massachusetts
- Minimum car insurance requirements in Massachusetts
- Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Massachusetts
- Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Massachusetts
- How your driving history affects Massachusetts car insurance rates
- How credit scores affect Massachusetts car insurance quotes
- How your city affects Massachusetts insurance quotes
- How your age affects your Massachusetts car insurance rates
- Massachusetts car insurance FAQs
- Insurify Insights
Best cheap car insurance in Massachusetts: USAA
1
USAA
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Massachusetts
With low monthly average quotes of $36, USAA is the best cheap car insurance company available to drivers in Massachusetts. Because they live in a commonwealth with an average monthly rate of just $164 per month, residents have plenty of cheap car insurance options. Additional affordable options include Erie, Farmers, Amica, and GEICO.
| Car Insurance Company | Insurify Composite Score | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | 96 | $36 |
| Farmers | 85 | $62 |
| GEICO | 88 | $70 |
| Progressive | N/A | $78 |
| Allstate | 85 | $79 |
| Erie | 85 | $44 |
| Amica | N/A | $64 |
| Esurance | N/A | $78 |
| Travelers | 80 | $82 |
| Bristol West | N/A | $115 |
| Midvale Home & Auto | N/A | $151 |
| Liberty Mutual | 82 | $263 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Learn More: Best Car Insurance Companies
Insurify Composite Score
To calculate the Insurify Composite Score, a proprietary rating, Insurify data scientists weigh multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.
Inputs to the score include J.D. Power ratings, Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints, mobile app reviews, user-generated company reviews, and financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.
Minimum car insurance requirements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts requires insurance for all motor vehicles operating or parked on its roadways. You must carry proof of insurance in your car at all times and provide it when:
Law enforcement requests it
Renewing vehicle registration
The vehicle is involved in a car accident
The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Massachusetts[2] are:
$20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. Massachusetts is a no-fault commonwealth, meaning both parties’ insurance providers will pay for expenses, regardless of which party caused the accident.
$5,000 per accident for property damage: If an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.
$8,000 per accident for PIP: Personal injury protection coverage, also referred to as PIP coverage, will cover the policyholder for medical payments they incur in the event of an accident. Depending on your plan, you may also receive non-medical benefits, compensating you for lost wages, household expenses, and even funeral costs.
$20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for costs caused by a driver with little or no insurance. In Massachusetts, drivers are required to purchase this coverage for bodily injuries.
Massachusetts DMV information
Massachusetts’s Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) offers helpful services.[3] Drivers can renew or cancel their registration, renew their license, pay a citation or parking ticket, change their address, and check their registration status. The DMV is also where new or potential drivers can schedule a road test to get their license. You can complete many services online.
Public transportation in Massachusetts
Massachusetts residents have access to regional public transport. In the Boston area, for example, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) offers an extensive subway and bus system spread throughout Boston, Cambridge, and surrounding areas.[4] The commuter rail connects various cities throughout Massachusetts to one another. Specifics vary by location.
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Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Massachusetts
Comparing quotes from multiple auto insurance providers online is a reliable way to find cheap car insurance that meets your coverage needs and driver profile. An online comparison tool will pull together great rates from all the top insurers in Massachusetts, making it quick and easy for you to compare policies.
Here are some other tactics for decreasing insurance costs:
Increase your deductible.
Choose minimum coverage.
Bundle two or more insurance policies.
Utilize all available discounts.
Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Massachusetts
If you live in Massachusetts, you can opt to carry liability-only auto insurance, which pays for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party’s car if you cause an accident. Each state sets its own minimums for how much liability insurance it requires drivers to carry. Liability-only insurance can make sense if:
You have a low-value vehicle.
You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.
Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.
For a higher level of protection, you can choose full-coverage insurance, which includes basic liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. Auto lenders and leasing companies typically require drivers to carry full coverage on a car they’ve financed.
You may also opt for full coverage if:
You have a high-value vehicle.
You wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.
Your car’s actual cash value (the payout you’d likely get if your car is totaled) exceeds your annual premium to carry full coverage.
Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in Massachusetts by policy type.
| Car Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $22 | $35 |
| Progressive | $48 | $75 |
| State Farm | $13 | $21 |
| Travelers | $50 | $79 |
| USAA | $22 | $35 |
| Allstate | $48 | $76 |
| Amica | $39 | $61 |
| Erie | $27 | $42 |
| Farmers | $48 | $75 |
| Liberty Mutual | $177 | $263 |
| Midvale Home & Auto | $89 | $151 |
| National General | $43 | $68 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How your driving history affects Massachusetts car insurance rates
Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. Good drivers — whose records are free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving — tend to get the best car insurance rates in Massachusetts. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.
Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts based on driving and accident history.
See More: High-Risk Car Insurance Massachusetts
| Car Insurance Company | Clean Record | At-Fault Accident | With a DUI | Speeding Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers | $74 | $72 | $92 | $88 |
| GEICO | $34 | $33 | $42 | $41 |
| Progressive | $74 | $71 | $91 | $87 |
| State Farm | $20 | $20 | $25 | $24 |
| USAA | $35 | $33 | $43 | $41 |
| Allstate | $75 | $72 | $93 | $89 |
| Amica | $61 | $58 | $75 | $72 |
| Bristol West | $110 | $105 | $135 | $129 |
| Liberty Mutual | $263 | $280 | N/A | $260 |
| Midvale Home & Auto | $132 | $227 | $132 | $200 |
| National General | $67 | $64 | $82 | $79 |
| Travelers | $78 | $75 | $96 | $92 |
See More: SR-22 Car Insurance Massachusetts
SR-22 insurance in Massachusetts
You or your car insurance company may need to file an SR-22 form with the commonwealth to prove that your auto insurance policy meets the minimum liability coverage required by law. This is often due to a state or court order, usually if your license has been suspended or revoked. The insurance companies listed below offer SR-22 forms in Massachusetts.
How credit scores affect Massachusetts car insurance quotes
Generally, people with excellent or good credit scores can qualify for lower car insurance premiums than people with average or poor credit scores. But Massachusetts is one of several states that ban insurers from using credit scores to determine auto rates.
| Credit Tier | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Excellent | $82 |
| Good | $76 |
| Average | $63 |
| Poor | $44 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
See More: Bad Credit Car Insurance Massachusetts
How your city affects Massachusetts insurance quotes
Car insurance in Massachusetts varies on a city-to-city basis. Factors linked to your ZIP code affect how much you pay for your policy, including crime rates, population density, and more. Many auto insurance providers see certain areas as riskier than others based on these factors. Find average quotes in your city below, including Boston, Cambridge, and more.
| City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Boston | $177 |
| Brockton | $264 |
| Brookline | $267 |
| Cambridge | $129 |
| Fall River | $182 |
| Framingham | $183 |
| Haverhill | $139 |
| Lawrence | $198 |
| Lowell | $153 |
| Lynn | $204 |
| Malden | $211 |
| Medford | $147 |
| New Bedford | $181 |
| Plymouth | $124 |
| Quincy | $172 |
| Somerville | $138 |
| Springfield | $165 |
| Taunton | $162 |
| Waltham | $196 |
| Worcester | $190 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How your age affects your Massachusetts car insurance rates
Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.
The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Quotes for younger drivers
Multiple other factors influence how much drivers in each age group will pay for car insurance. Some increase rates for one age group more than another, while others impact all age groups evenly.
The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers younger than 30. Travelers provides the cheapest options for young drivers choosing liability or full-coverage insurance, as well as those with an accident or DUI on their record. Though younger drivers pay the highest rates in the state by age group, the average rates remain relatively low.
| Car Insurance Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage | With an Accident | With a DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Mutual | $243 | $345 | $348 | $698 |
| Midvale Home & Auto | $117 | $190 | $243 | $328 |
| Travelers | $65 | $92 | $93 | $181 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Quotes for middle-aged drivers
The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers between 30 and 59. Middle-aged drivers with an accident on their record find the cheapest average rate of $67 per month with Travelers, and the company again offers the lowest across the board for this age group in Massachusetts. On average, these drivers pay between $60 and $71 per month.
| Car Insurance Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage | With an Accident | With a DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Mutual | $110 | $177 | $203 | $328 |
| Midvale Home & Auto | $75 | $123 | $150 | $221 |
| Travelers | $39 | $71 | $67 | $139 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Quotes for senior drivers
The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers 59 and older. In Massachusetts, Travelers offers the cheapest options for senior drivers choosing full-coverage insurance, as well as drivers with an accident or a DUI on their record. Midvale Home & Auto provides the lowest rate for liability-only coverage.
| Car Insurance Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage | With an Accident | With a DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Mutual | $90 | $131 | $162 | $245 |
| Midvale Home & Auto | $71 | $103 | $125 | $187 |
| Travelers | N/A | $61 | $54 | $123 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Massachusetts car insurance FAQs
At just $36 per month, USAA offers Massachusetts drivers the cheapest car insurance options in the commonwealth. Many other affordable options are available, and other notably low quotes include $62 per month with Farmers and $70 per month with GEICO.
When factors like driver history and coverage level come into play, State Farm emerges as the insurer with the cheapest average quotes. Similarly, Travelers consistently provides drivers in Massachusetts with the best rates when considering driver age alongside other factors like driver history and chosen coverage level. The cheapest available rate varies for each person.
Massachusetts car insurance rates vary based on driver profiles, but statewide factors also influence averages throughout the commonwealth. Around 17% of drivers in Massachusetts have an incident in their driving history, and the commonwealth ranks as the 28th-safest state for driving in the country. Notably, drivers in the commonwealth rank second in the number of accidents in the country.
Auto insurers also consider common weather-related events in a state when determining premiums. During winter months, Massachusetts is prone to snow and ice, which negatively impacts driving conditions and increases the chance of vehicle damage. Additionally, the commonwealth’s minimum insurance requirements are more robust than in other states.
On average, Massachusetts drivers spend $164 per month on car insurance, which is much lower than the national average rate of $233 per month. Massachusetts is the 12th-cheapest state for purchasing car insurance. Car insurance in Massachusetts is cheaper than in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York but more expensive than in Vermont and New Hampshire.
Costs fluctuate over time in Massachusetts and elsewhere, which is why regularly comparing quotes helps you find an affordable rate. Between July 2021 and July 2022, for instance, our data shows that average rates in Massachusetts decreased by 23%. As insurance companies continue to react to industry conditions and supply chain issues, some providers may implement rate changes.
Based on Insurify Composite Scores (ICS), the commonwealth’s best auto insurers are USAA, GEICO, and Farmers. With an ICS of 96 and an A++ rating from A.M. Best, USAA offers Massachusetts drivers a low monthly quote of $36 per month. USAA ranks above average in J.D. Power overall customer satisfaction, but the company doesn’t meet the study award criteria.[5]
On average, Farmers costs $62 per month, but the company earned a lower ICS of 85 and scores below average in J.D. Power regional customer satisfaction. GEICO earned an ICS of 88 and scored above average in the same J.D. Power study. The company that works best for you ultimately depends on your insurance needs and driver profile.
Yes, you do need personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in Massachusetts. Specifically, Massachusetts requires drivers to purchase at least $8,000 per accident for PIP coverage. Other required insurance includes bodily injury and property damage liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
PIP coverage provides payments to drivers for medical costs resulting from an auto accident. Specifics can vary by each insurance provider, and some auto insurers provide coverage for non-medical benefits like lost wages, household expenses, and funeral costs.
Yes, drivers must purchase the minimum required amount of car insurance in Massachusetts, including:
$20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury liability
$5,000 per accident for property damage
$8,000 per accident for PIP coverage
$20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury liability[6]
The requirements in Massachusetts are fairly robust compared to guidelines throughout the country. Liability insurance covers costs associated with bodily injury and property damage you cause in an accident, and underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage applies when you have an incident with an uninsured motorist. PIP coverage applies to your medical payments.
In Massachusetts and most other states, car insurance follows the vehicle rather than the driver. This means your applicable insurance coverage still applies to your vehicle if someone not on your insurance policy borrows and crashes your vehicle. If that driver is insured for a different vehicle, their insurance may provide additional coverage if needed.
As long as the person is a licensed driver, there shouldn’t be any issues with filing claims with your auto insurer. You should not allow unlicensed drivers to operate your vehicle.
Full-coverage car insurance extends well beyond the minimum insurance requirements in Massachusetts. Generally, a full-coverage policy includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. Liability coverage includes protection for bodily injury, property damage, personal injury protection, and underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.
Collision coverage provides protection for your vehicle in the event of an accident. Comprehensive coverage provides similar protection for damage that is tied to natural disasters, animals, theft, and vandalism. Not everyone needs a robust full-coverage policy, but this option can be worth it for some, including drivers with expensive vehicles.
Insurify Insights
How Massachusetts Drivers Measure Up
While most drivers know that car insurance quotes are determined in part by your personal driving history, many may be unaware that rates are also impacted by the average risk of the drivers around you as well. Check out Insurify's latest analysis of driving records in Massachusetts below:
Methodology
Drawing from an internal database of over 4 million car insurance applications, the research team at Insurify analyzes patterns in car ownership and driver behavior - including how Massachusetts drivers measure up to their fellow motorists across the United States in areas including speeding, DUIs, and more.
Insurify Insights publishes data-driven articles, trend analyses, and national rankings each week on all factors related to cars and those who drive them.
Honda Accord
Most Popular Car in Massachusetts
#36
State with the Most Speeding Tickets Rank
#24
State with the Moving Violations Rank
#42
State with the Most DUIs Rank
#47
State with the most Suspended Licenses
While car accidents are a sadly unavoidable feature of time spent on the road, rates of accidents do vary from city to city and from state to state. Massachusetts is the #4 state in the country for drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record.
- Rank among states: #4
- Percent of drivers in Massachusetts with an accident: 11.3%
While driving while intoxicated is never acceptable, it’s a more common offense than many assume. Massachusetts is the #42 state in the country for drivers with a prior drunk driving conviction.
- Rank among states: #42
- Percent of drivers in Massachusetts with a DUI: 1%
Reckless driving refers to a specific traffic violation: when drivers willfully act dangerously in spite of the risks they’re imposing on both themselves and others. Massachusetts is the #30 state in the country for drivers with a reckless driving offense on record.
- Rank among states: #30
- Percent of drivers in Massachusetts with a reckless driving offense: 1.2%
The Insurify team classifies rude drivers as those who commit one or more of the following driving offenses: failure to yield or failure to stop, improper backing, passing where prohibited, tailgating, street racing, or hit-and-run. Massachusetts is the #29 state in the country for drivers with a rude driving violation on record.
- Rank among states: #29
- Percent of drivers in Massachusetts with a rude driving violation: 1.4%
Exceeding the speed limit can endanger others and have a serious impact on your insurance costs. Massachusetts is the #36 state in the country for drivers with a speeding ticket on record.
- Rank among states: #36
- Percent of drivers in Massachusetts with a speeding ticket: 7.2%
Failing to yield the right of way isn’t just frustrating for other drivers; it’s dangerous, too. Massachusetts is the #37 state in the country for drivers with a failure to yield violation on record.
- Rank among states: #37
- Percent of drivers in Massachusetts with a failure to yield violation: 0.1%
Insurify Insights
Insurify's team of data scientists and content specialists presents Insurify Insights, a series of automotive, home, and health studies focusing on the topics that impact us all. through expert analysis of over 4 million car insurance applications and an array of top data sources, the Insurify Insights team produces new data-driven articles, trend analyses, regional superlatives, and national rankings every week. See Insurify Insights as featured in Forbes, Fox News, USA Today, NPR, and more.
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Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page. The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers' vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Service's database of auto insurance rates. With these insights, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums.
Sources
- Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "Massachusetts Facts." Accessed November 11, 2022
- Massachusetts Division of Insurance. "State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements." Accessed May 28, 2022
- Massachusetts Department of Transportation. "Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles." Accessed September 15, 2022
- Massachusetts Department of Transportation. "Public transportation in Massachusetts." Accessed September 15, 2022
- J.D. Power. "Usage-Based Auto Insurance Takes Center Stage as Satisfaction Flatlines, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed September 15, 2022
- Insurance Information Institute. "Automobile Financial Responsibility Laws By State." Accessed September 15, 2022
