Massachusetts Car Insurance Laws | Bankrate

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Like most states, Massachusetts requires its drivers to carry car insurance. Any policy you purchase in the Bay State must offer the minimum amount of liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP). Most financial experts agree that carrying more coverage (beyond the state minimum) offers you better financial protection, but reviewing your coverage needs and budget can help you find the right policy for your vehicle.

What car insurance is required by law in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts requires its drivers to follow state car insurance laws in order to register vehicles and drive legally. That includes carrying a minimum amount of liability and uninsured motorist coverage plus personal injury protection insurance:

Additional Massachusetts car insurance requirements

• Drivers must have insurance before registering a vehicle: When you register a vehicle with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), you are required to show proof of insurance.
• Household members must be added to your policy: You are required to add any relatives who live in your home to your car insurance policy, even if they have their own separate insurance coverage.
• You cannot be denied coverage for discriminatory reasons: In Massachusetts, insurance companies are not allowed to consider a driver’s credit score, age, gender, marital status, education or income when calculating their policy premium.
• All drivers have the right to auto insurance: If a driver in Massachusetts is denied coverage from a preferred auto insurance provider, the driver can purchase insurance through the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP). Be aware that this is not an insurance company. It’s a program that helps you find an insurance provider that is willing to work with you.

Should I get more car insurance in Massachusetts?

Opting for minimum coverage in Massachusetts may help keep your car insurance premiums lower, but it may not offer enough financial protection if you’re involved in a serious accident. That’s one of the key reasons Massachusetts changed its minimum liability requirements as of July 1, 2025. Before this update, drivers were required to carry $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, along with just $5,000 in property damage.

To put this into perspective, if you were to cause $25,000 in damage to someone’s car or property, at the prior minimum requirements, you would need to cover $20,000 of the loss out-of-pocket. With the new limits, you are more likely to avoid excess costs. While these changes offer more financial protection, it’s still worth considering even higher limits to safeguard yourself in today’s high-cost repair market.

It’s also important to note that liability-only insurance doesn’t cover damage to your own vehicle. If your car is damaged, the costs for repairs would generally be out of pocket unless you add comprehensive and collision coverage to your policy — often called full coverage.

Is Massachusetts a no-fault state?

Massachusetts is one of 12 states that follows no-fault car insurance laws. In a no-fault state, a driver’s insurer helps pay for their medical costs and lost wages after an accident, regardless of which driver caused the crash. The other 38 states follow tort insurance systems, where the victim of an accident can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to help pay for resulting medical expenses.

Because Massachusetts is a no-fault state, drivers are required to carry PIP insurance to help cover medical bills after an accident. The minimum PIP coverage in Massachusetts is $8,000 per person and $8,000 per accident, but drivers have the option to purchase higher coverage limits.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts takes driving without car insurance in Massachusetts seriously. If you’re caught driving without coverage, you might face these consequences:

• Fines: A fine ranging from $500 to $5,000, with higher fines for multiple offenses.
• Jail time: Up to one year in jail for a conviction, potentially more for subsequent offenses.
• Driving privileges: Suspension of driver’s license and registration for 60 days for the first offense, with longer suspensions for repeat offenses.
• Reinstatement fees: To reinstate your license, be prepared to pay between $100 and $1,200.
• Additional fees: If you choose to appeal an RMV decision, you might have to pay a $50 fee. If you request a court hearing, note that you may have to pay a $25 filing fee (which may be returned to you if you win).

Frequently asked questions

• What is the best car insurance in Massachusetts?
  

  There are dozens of car insurance companies in Massachusetts, but the best company is different for every driver. For instance, the best company for customer service might not be the best company for cheap rates. To find the best car insurance company in Massachusetts for you, decide what you’re looking for from an insurance provider and request quotes from multiple companies. To make it easier to compare, use the same coverage types and amounts.

• What is the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts?
  

  Finding the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts depends on individual factors like your driving history and coverage needs. Plus, each insurer evaluates risk differently, so shopping around could lead to significant savings. When you compare quotes, don’t forget to check for available discounts, which might help lower your car insurance premium.

• How much does car insurance cost in Massachusetts?
  

  As of July 2025, the average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is $2,058 per year for full coverage insurance and $711 for minimum coverage insurance. Average Bay State drivers pay 23 percent less than the national average for full coverage and 11 percent less for minimum coverage.

• How can I lower my car insurance rates in Massachusetts?
  

  Since insurance providers in Massachusetts aren’t allowed to consider your credit score, age, gender, marital status, education or income, there are fewer things for you to do in order to reduce your insurance premium. Although the state does not allow insurers to consider age, it does allow them to consider years of driving experience, which means that parents of newly-minted drivers may still benefit from discounts designed for teen drivers.

  One of the best ways to save on car insurance in Massachusetts is to determine what types and amounts of insurance coverage you need and request quotes from several insurance companies. Find out if you’re eligible for discounts, and don’t forget to shop for insurance when your policy comes up for renewal to ensure you are getting the best deal.