![Lindsay VanSomeren](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/a1f270d6fe/lindsay-vansomeren.jpg/m/100x100/smart/filters:quality(90))
Lindsay VanSomeren is an insurance and personal finance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also appeared in publications such as FICO, Credit Karma, The Balance, and more. She enjoys helping people learn how to manage their money better so they can live the lives they envision for themselves.
![Lequita Westbrooks](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/1f152b4c61/img_3113.jpg/m/100x100/smart/filters:quality(90))
![Lequita Westbrooks](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/1f152b4c61/img_3113.jpg/m/56x56/smart/filters:quality(90))
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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Table of contents
The average Massachusetts driver pays $144 per month for auto insurance, according to Compare.com data. But that doesn’t mean you’ll pay the same rate. In fact, you can save money in many ways, including by shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple companies like Safeco.
This guide highlights the cheapest auto insurance companies for all types of Massachusetts drivers and offers tips on how to save on your monthly bill.
Safeco offers the cheapest average rates for Massachusetts drivers, at $94 per month.
Massachusetts drivers pay an average of $105 per month for liability insurance and $183 for full coverage.
The minimum car insurance requirement in Massachusetts is a 20/40/5 policy, plus PIP and uninsured motorist coverage.
How Much Is Car Insurance in Massachusetts?
Insurance costs vary depending on the type of policy you buy. A basic policy that simply meets the state’s minimum limits will be cheaper, but a full-coverage plan provides much more coverage — and it costs more because of it.
The table below shows how much Massachusetts drivers typically pay for a minimum-coverage policy vs. full coverage.
State ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Liability ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: All Policies ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts | $105 | $183 | $144 |
National average | $107 | $197 | $152 |
We found that full-coverage car insurance typically costs $183 per month in Massachusetts, while a policy with a minimum-coverage policy costs $105, on average. That said, the average annual cost of car insurance can also vary a lot depending on which specific company you buy a policy from. Let’s take a closer look at some of the state’s cheapest companies.
Massachusetts’ Cheapest Car Insurance Companies
Even though the average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is $144 per month, you don’t necessarily have to pay that much — if you know where to look.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies in Massachusetts, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|
Safeco | $94 |
Liberty Mutual | $123 |
Safeco offers the cheapest rates, at an average cost of $94 per month. Still, it’s worth keeping in mind that although it’s the best deal for most people, that doesn’t necessarily mean that’ll be the case for you, depending on your situation.
The Best Massachusetts Insurance Companies
Much like your car, there’s no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to car insurance. The best insurance company for you depends on your specific driver profile and your unique needs.
Still, the three companies below are a great place to start. We chose the following companies based on a combination of average rates in Massachusetts, available discounts, customer ratings and reviews, and coverage options.
Best for budget-conscious drivers: Travelers
Average premium: $145 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.57 out of 5
AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior)
Discounts for EVs and hybrids
Many other insurance products available
Occasionally glitchy mobile app
Poor claims satisfaction
Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Travelers offers some of the cheapest car insurance rates for Massachusetts drivers, according to our research. It offers plenty of ways to save more, too, such as discounts for green vehicles that nearly 69,000 Massachusetts drivers may qualify for, according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy.
But you may have to sacrifice a bit when it comes to service quality, given the company’s poor customer satisfaction ratings.
Best for tech-friendly drivers: Safeco
Average premium: $93 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.59 out of 5
Highly rated mobile app
Good claims processing
Well-reviewed telematics program
Harder to buy a policy
Fewer coverage types available
Mediocre customer satisfaction scores
Like many insurers, Safeco’s RightTrack mobile app gives you a discount in exchange for tracking your driving habits. But Safeco’s total discount is larger than most — up to 30% off at renewal.
That said, actually buying a policy can take a bit more work since you can only purchase a policy directly through an insurance agent.
Best for young drivers: Liberty Mutual
Average premium: $146 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.62 out of 5
Many available discounts
Rideshare coverage available
Competitive rates
Poorly rated mobile app
Middling customer service scores
Suboptimal financial stability ratings
Liberty Mutual may not have the cheapest rates of any company on this list, but families with teens have more opportunities to bring the cost down through four different types of teen discounts.
It’s not just young adults, either; Liberty Mutual offers more discounts for other drivers such as military members, homeowners, good drivers, and more.
Cheapest State-Minimum Car Insurance
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the amount of car insurance you buy also dictates how much you pay for it. Car insurance rates tend to be a lot lower if you’re only buying the minimum amount required by state law. But liability insurance doesn’t pay for your accident injuries or damages — it only pays for the other driver.
Let’s see how much a minimum-coverage policy costs in Massachusetts with different insurers, according to Compare.com data.
Liability Rates by Company
Most financial experts recommend buying more coverage to ensure you’re fully protected, and lenders may even require you to buy additional coverage levels for your vehicle.
Let’s take a look at those costs next.
Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance
“Full coverage” isn’t a specific insurance policy type, per se — it usually refers to adding extra comprehensive and collision insurance. You’ll pay higher rates, but you’ll gain protection for your car from damage in an accident or other catastrophe. After all, liability insurance only pays for damage you cause — not for damage you sustain.
The chart below showcases the five cheapest Massachusetts insurers for a full-coverage policy, according to Compare.com data.
Full-Coverage Rates by Company
Under Massachusetts law, car insurance companies aren’t allowed to look at many rating factors that insurers in other states use when setting your rates, notably your age, gender, and credit history. That wipes out some of the differences between how much insurers charge people for car insurance, but the industry still has trends in place, which we’ll look at next.
Compare Massachusetts Auto Insurance Rates by Age
In Massachusetts, insurers can’t take your age into account when setting your rates. But they can use the number of years of experience you have as a driver, which has the same effect. Younger drivers typically have less experience and pay higher rates, while older drivers with lots of road miles under their belts pay less.
Here are the average rates for people in different age classes in Massachusetts, along with the company offering the most competitive rates:
Age Group ▲▼ | Statewide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Teens | $307 | Safeco | $201 |
40s | $153 | Safeco | $102 |
60s | $108 | Safeco | $77 |
Cheapest for Massachusetts teens: Safeco
Insurance companies technically can’t use a teenager’s age against them when setting their rates, but they can consider their inexperience as a driver. The average Massachusetts teen driver pays $307 per month for car insurance, according to our analysis — much more than older age groups.
Safeco currently offers the lowest average rates on car insurance for teen drivers, costing an average of $201 per month, according to Compare.com data.
Cheapest for Massachusetts seniors: Safeco
Massachusetts state law requires car insurance companies to offer a discount to senior drivers older than 65. That — plus a lengthy driving record — helps to lower costs even more for seniors.
We found that the average Massachusetts driver in their 60s pays $108 per month for coverage. Safeco offers the lowest rates for seniors, at around $77 per month, according to our data.
Compare Massachusetts Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record
One of the most important bits of information that companies look at is your driving record. Insurers want to know how good of a driver you are or whether you’ve gotten into trouble before. Past behavior predicts future behavior, after all.
You can see how much of an effect having a clean driving record vs. some dents and dings has on your rates in Massachusetts below:
Driving Record ▲▼ | Statewide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Clean record | $144 | Safeco | $94 |
Speeding ticket | $149 | Safeco | $107 |
At-fault accident | $206 | Safeco | $129 |
DUI | $158 | Safeco | $121 |
Cheapest insurer after a ticket: Safeco
Just one speeding ticket on your record shows insurers that you’re a higher risk to insure, and you can expect your rates to bump up by an average of 27%, according to Compare.com data. Massachusett drivers with a ticket pay a monthly average of $149, according to our research. If you’ve had one or more tickets, Safeco is likely your cheapest option in Massachusetts. It charges $107 per month, on average, for drivers with a recent speeding ticket.
Cheapest insurer after an accident: Safeco
If you’ve caused an accident, you’re an even higher risk for insurers, and companies likely bump your rates up accordingly. In fact, you can expect a 34% increase, on average, after an at-fault accident, according to Compare.com data.
Though drivers in Massachusetts with an at-fault accident pay about $206 per month, Safeco charges an average rate of $129 per month — the cheapest rate of any insurer in the state.
Cheapest insurer after a DUI: Safeco
You can expect a 50% increase in your car insurance rates if law enforcement catches you driving under the influence, according to Compare.com data — and many companies will decline you outright for coverage.
High-risk drivers with a DUI in Massachusetts pay $158 per month, according to our data. But these drivers have the best luck with Safeco. The company charges an average of $121 per month for coverage.
Massachusetts Auto Insurance Requirements
You’ll need to have the following coverage options to legally drive in Massachusetts:
Bodily injury liability: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $5,000 per accident
Personal injury protection (PIP): $8,000 per person, per accident
Uninsured motorist protection (bodily injury): $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
Auto insurers will also file an electronic insurance verification (EIV) stamp that serves as proof of insurance with the state.
Finally, remember that these are minimum requirements. You may need additional coverage, higher coverage limits, or both to ensure you’re financially protected on the road.
No-fault auto insurance — which is used in Massachusetts — means that each person’s insurance covers their own medical expenses and related costs, regardless of who’s at fault in an accident. This is typically handled through a specialty coverage called personal injury protection (PIP). The no-fault system aims to streamline claims and reduce the need for legal proceedings.
If you get into a car accident and need medical care, your car insurance will pay for it even if the other party is at fault. Just be sure to inform your medical team that no-fault insurance will cover your care, because not all medical professionals accept no-fault cases.
In Massachusetts, PIP provides medical coverage for injuries from a car accident, regardless of fault. It covers medical bills, up to 75% of lost wages, and other related costs, up to the policy limit of $8,000.
Personal injury protection ensures quick compensation and reduces the likelihood of a lawsuit by allowing everyone to receive benefits from their own insurance.
That said, anyone injured in the accident can pursue legal action against the at-fault driver if it meets any of the following thresholds:
A single injury resulting in more than $2,000 in medical care
Injuries resulting in permanent disfigurement, significant hearing or vision impairment, or bone fracture
Driving without insurance in Massachusetts comes with fairly stiff penalties, including:
Fines: $500 to $5,000
Imprisonment: Up to one year
License suspension: Up to 60 days
If authorities catch you driving without insurance again within six years, you’ll face fines, imprisonment, and a mandatory one-year license suspension.
Additionally, you’ll see an increase in your car insurance rates because you’ll have a driving infraction on your record and non-continuous coverage, indicating higher risk to insurers.
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility required in Massachusetts for high-risk drivers. You need one if you have one or more serious traffic violations on your record, such as a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance. The SR-22 provides proof to the state that you have continuous insurance.
Your insurer will file your SR-22 with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. And since an SR-22 indicates higher risk, you’ll likely see higher car insurance rates if you need one.
But all isn’t lost. Some ways to save on SR-22 insurance include:
Maintaining continuous insurance
Comparing rates every six months
Eliminating unnecessary coverage
Downsizing your vehicle
How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Massachusetts
You can use several strategies to get more affordable car insurance. Here are the most effective ways to lower your costs in Massachusetts:
Improve your driving: Keep a clean record and review telematics options for an additional discount.
Bundle your insurance policies: Buying multiple insurance products from the same company typically comes with a large discount.
Increase deductibles: Raising your deductible can lower your premium, but be sure you can afford the out-of-pocket expenses if you make a claim.
Avoid filing small claims: Pay for minor damages out of pocket to avoid rate increases from filing claims.
Shop around: Compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the best rates.
Using these strategies (and combining them with other ways to save money on car insurance) can help you lower your premium now and keep it low in the future.
Massachusetts Auto Insurance FAQs
Insurance policy terms and laws can be confusing. Here are some quick answers to common questions in Massachusetts.
Safeco is the cheapest auto insurance company in Massachusetts, according to Compare.com data. It charges the average Bay State driver just $94 per month.
The average Massachusetts driver pays $144 per month for coverage, according to our analysis. That breaks down to an average of $105 per month for liability and $183 for full coverage.
Because Massachusetts is a no-fault state, it requires a policy offering at least 20/40/5 in liability coverage, in addition to personal injury protection and uninsured motorist insurance.
If you want to lower your bill, you can shop around with different insurers in Massachusetts, look for all applicable insurance policy discounts, purchase a vehicle with the latest safety features, choose a higher deductible option, and ask your work or other organizations if they offer any group insurance pools.
Sources:
Massachusetts Attorney General’s Insurance and Financial Services Division, “Understanding Auto Insurance,” accessed November 13, 2024.
Massachusetts Attorney General’s Division of Insurance Consumer Service Unit, “Basics of Auto Insurance,” accessed November 13, 2024.
J.D. Power, “P&C Insurers Up Their Digital Games to Attract Rising Tide of Shoppers, but Miss on Account Servicing, J.D. Power Finds,” accessed November 13, 2024.
J.D. Power, “Auto Insurers Manage Customer Expectations as Repair Cycle Times Double in Two Years, J.D. Power Finds,” accessed November 13, 2024.
J.D. Power, “Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds,” accessed November 13, 2024.
Department of Energy, “Maps and Data - Electric Vehicle Registrations by State,” accessed November 13, 2024.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “NAIC Consumer Shopping Tool for Auto Insurance,” accessed November 13, 2024.
Center for the Study of Services, “How Are Auto Insurance Premiums Calculated?” accessed November 13, 2024.
Massachusetts Division of Insurance, “It Pays To Shop Around -Consumer FAQ,” accessed November 13, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “What if I can't find auto coverage?” accessed November 13, 2024.
Methodology
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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![Lindsay VanSomeren](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/a1f270d6fe/lindsay-vansomeren.jpg/m/96x96/smart/filters:quality(90))
Lindsay VanSomeren is an insurance and personal finance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also appeared in publications such as FICO, Credit Karma, The Balance, and more. She enjoys helping people learn how to manage their money better so they can live the lives they envision for themselves.
![Lequita Westbrooks](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/1f152b4c61/img_3113.jpg/m/100x100/smart/filters:quality(90))
![Lequita Westbrooks](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/1f152b4c61/img_3113.jpg/m/56x56/smart/filters:quality(90))
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.