policy with 20/40/5 liability limits. Bay State drivers must also carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection coverage.

Massachusetts car insurance requirements

To comply with Massachusetts auto insurance laws, drivers are required to have the following car insurance coverage:

Type of car insurance coverage	Minimum limit
Bodily injury liability (per person)	$20,000
Bodily injury liability (per accident)	$40,000
Property damage liability (per accident)	$5,000
Uninsured motorist coverage (per person)	$20,000
Uninsured motorist coverage (per accident)	$40,000
Personal injury protection (PIP)	$8,000

In minutes, Jerry can help you compare quotes from over 55 carriers, finding you the best coverage at the best rate. When you request quotes from Jerry, we'll autofill your policy with the basic coverage required by law in your state.

Massachusetts is a no-fault state

When it comes to bodily injuries, Massachusetts is a

no-fault state

, which means you need to initiate a first-party claim with your own insurance company to handle your medical expenses following a car accident.

After your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is used up, you can then proceed to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Is minimum auto insurance coverage the most cost-effective option?

Massachusetts’ minimum limits for liability coverage are below average. If you’re driving with just the minimum, you could leave yourself open to lawsuits after an expensive car accident.

Liability insurance covers medical expenses and damages for the other driver, but it won’t pay for your medical bills or vehicle damage. That’s why increasing your car insurance limits is recommended for greater protection.

Increase your bodily injury liability limits to at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident
Buy at least $100,000 of property damage liability coverage
Purchase enough comprehensive and collision coverage to replace your vehicle if needed

If you’re shopping for insurance with

Jerry

, you can adjust your coverage options to see how increasing your liability limits or adding full coverage options like collision and comprehensive will impact your auto insurance rate.

Raise your liability limits and turn on full coverage with high deductibles to find affordable coverage with maximum protection.

Quotes will range based on driving profile.

How much does car insurance in Massachusetts cost?

As of September 2023, the average cost of minimum liability car insurance policy in Massachusetts is $97 per month, or $1,166 per year. The average full-coverage car insurance policy costs $172 per month and $2,065 per year.

But remember: Car insurance companies in Massachusetts use several rating factors when

calculating car insurance premiums

, some of which include driving record, coverage requirements, vehicle type, vehicle age, ZIP code, and more. Because driving profiles differ between individuals, car insurance rates will also vary between drivers and insurance providers.

You can request quotes directly from insurance companies or work with a local agent—or Jerry’s quote comparison app can simplify that process for you with quick custom quotes.

Please note that images featured in this article are for staging purposes only.

Keep in mind: You’ll likely be required to get more coverage–such as comprehensive and collision insurance–if you finance or lease your vehicle.

Optional coverages in Massachusetts

Most drivers need more auto insurance than the minimum requirements set by Massachusetts law. Here are some of the most common types of coverage that Massachusetts drivers should consider:

Collision coverage

: This type of physical damage coverage, required by lenders for financed or leased vehicles, covers repairs for your vehicle after most collisions, regardless of fault.

Comprehensive coverage:

This type of physical damage coverage, required by lenders for financed or leased vehicles, covers vehicle repairs or replacement due to auto theft, vandalism, severe weather, and other non-collision perils.

Underinsured motorist coverage: While mandatory UM insurance only covers accidents with uninsured drivers, UIM coverage can help cover your medical costs when the at-fault driver’s liability insurance is insufficient

Medical payments coverage

: You can supplement your PIP coverage with MedPay, which covers medical bills and funeral services for anyone in your vehicle or household.

Gap insurance

: If you total a financed car shortly after purchase, this optional coverage pays the difference between your totaled vehicle payout and your remaining loan balance—and it’s way cheaper to add to your insurance policy than to buy at the dealership

Roadside assistance

: Towing and labor coverage offsets the cost of a vehicle breakdown away from home. Like gap insurance, roadside assistance can be an affordable insurance add-on instead of a costly separate expense.

In addition to these add-ons, you can raise your liability limits from the minimums required by state law to a higher level of coverage, such as $100,000/$300,000/$100,000. Raising your liability limits typically raises the cost of insurance by a small amount.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Massachusetts

Driving without proof of insurance

is illegal in Massachusetts, and the state imposes steep penalties if you’re caught driving without coverage. If it’s your second or subsequent offense, you’ll face a bigger fine, and you’ll lose your license and registration for a full year.

Unlike other states, uninsured drivers aren’t required to buy

SR-22 insurance

to reinstate driving privileges. Instead, you’ll be required to pay a reinstatement fee.

Here’s a breakdown of the penalties for driving without insurance in Massachusetts:

Penalty	First offense	Repeat offenses
Fine	$500 fine, plus a $45 late fee if you don’t respond to the citation within 20 days (with an extra $25 filing fee if you request a hearing)	$500 to $5,000 fine, plus a $45 late fee if you don’t respond to the citation within 20 days (with an extra $25 filing fee if you request a hearing)
Jail time	Up to one year in jail	Up to one year in jail
Driving privileges	Driver’s license and registration suspended for 60 days	Driver’s license and registration suspended for one year
Reinstatement requirements	$500 fee or one-year premium of compulsory insurance (whichever is larger)	$500 fee or one-year premium of compulsory insurance (whichever is larger)

FAQs

What are the requirements for auto insurance in Massachusetts?

Your insurance policy has to have the minimum 20/40/5 liability coverage along with uninsured motorist insurance with the same amounts of coverage. You’re also required to carry at least $8,000 of personal injury protection insurance.

Do you legally have to carry auto insurance on your car in Massachusetts?

Yes. Driving without insurance is a crime in Massachusetts—specifically, a civil motor vehicle infraction. Failure to provide proof of insurance when driving could land you with thousands of dollars in fines and up to a year in jail.

Do you need full coverage in Massachusetts?

No. Collision and comprehensive insurance—crucial components of a full coverage auto insurance policy—aren’t required by law in Massachusetts. However, your lender may require full coverage if you drive a financed or leased vehicle.

What is the penalty for not having car insurance in Massachusetts?

If it’s your first offense, you’ll get a $500 fine and will lose your license and registration suspended for 60 days. If it’s a repeat offense, you could be fined up to $5000 and lose your license and registration for one year.