Cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts for 2024

Massachusetts drivers pay an annual average of $483 for state-mandated minimum coverage, while full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive insurance, averages $1,832. Although there may be other factors to consider when looking for the best car insurance company — such as excellent customer service or a broad range of discounts — no driver wants to pay more for their policy than they need to. Bankrate's insurance editorial team reviewed the average rates from top insurers to create this list of companies that are writing the most affordable policies in the Bay State.

Key takeaways

• Cheapest company for minimum coverage: Vermont Mutual
• Cheapest company for full coverage: Plymouth Rock
• Cheapest company for drivers with prior incidents: Vermont Mutual and Travelers
• Cheapest company for young drivers: Travelers and Vermont Mutual

Drivers on a strict budget may consider only purchasing the minimum coverage required by Massachusetts law. Though low-cost liability insurance may be the cheapest option for those on a tight budget, it does not offer the robust financial protection of a full coverage policy. However, drivers with old or low value vehicles may choose minimum coverage if the cost of a full coverage policy is more than the value of their car.

Minimum coverage requirements for Massachusetts drivers

Massachusetts requires residents to maintain a minimum amount of insurance coverage. This minimum coverage requirement includes:

• $20,000 in bodily injury liability per person
• $40,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
• $5,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
• $20,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $40,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $8,000 in personal injury protection (PIP)

While it may be tempting to purchase the minimum auto coverage legally required in Massachusetts, doing so could put you at greater financial risk. For instance, if you’re the driver in an at-fault accident and carry a state minimum policy, you’ll likely face a high out-of-pocket expense if you cause more than $20,000 in injuries to the other party. There are numerous options for cheap car insurance in Massachusetts, and opting to purchase a more robust policy will give you better protection.

Additionally, if you lease or finance your vehicle, you will likely be required to carry full coverage to protect the lender from financial loss.

Full-coverage insurance typically adds collision and comprehensive coverage on top of the state-mandated liability coverage. Full coverage provides drivers with financial protection from the costs associated with damage to their own property and medical expenses after an at-fault collision. The comprehensive coverage portion also offers financial protection in the event of weather-related damage, theft, vandalism and more.

Here’s how much drivers can expect to pay on average for full coverage from some of the cheapest car insurance companies in Massachusetts:

Drivers with past incidents on their records may find that their premiums go up for auto insurance in general. Massachusetts drivers with negative marks on their driving records may find savings across the board with State Farm, however, when comparing rates against competitors.

• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a ticket: Vermont Mutual
• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Travelers
• Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers: The Hanover

Cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Massachusetts with a speeding ticket: Vermont Mutual

Getting a speeding ticket is not ideal, but it can happen. That said, your rates will typically increase after a speeding ticket conviction. You can expect to see an impact on your rates for between three to five years on average, but taking a defensive driver’s course or another type of driver safety course may help keep the impact to a minimum. On the whole, Massachusetts drivers with a speeding ticket see the cheapest average annual premiums with Vermont Mutual.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers in Massachusetts with an at-fault accident: Travelers

Unless you carry accident forgiveness coverage, your rates will likely increase if you’re the driver in an at-fault accident. If your premium is impacted by new activity on your driving record (like an accident), the premium adjustment will occur at your following renewal. The first step in learning how to save on car insurance in Massachusetts after an accident could be to shop with some of the companies below — premium data from Quadrant Information Services show that these carriers offer some of the cheapest rates after one at-fault accident.

Cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts for high-risk drivers: The Hanover

If you’re convicted of a DUI in Massachusetts, insurance companies may deem you a high-risk driver. High-risk drivers still might be able to find affordable coverage, but comparison shopping may be an important strategy to find a good rate. Additionally, some companies have stricter underwriting guidelines and may not offer a policy to those convicted of a DUI. This could make shopping around even more critical, and you may need to get in touch with the company directly to confirm you qualify for coverage.

Although Massachusetts prohibits car insurance companies from using your age as a rating factor when determining premiums, companies can use driving experience. Comparison shopping can help young adult drivers to save on coverage, based on their individual driving records and other factors.

• Cheapest car insurance for insuring a teen driver: Travelers
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with a ticket: Plymouth Rock
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Plymouth Rock
• Cheapest car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: The Hanover and Plymouth Rock

Cheapest Massachusetts car insurance for insuring a teen driver: Travelers

Though age cannot contribute to insurance premiums in Massachusetts, teen drivers still have fewer years behind the wheel than their older counterparts. For this reason, they still tend to pay higher premiums. Older teens may pay lower premiums when kept on their parents’ policies rather than purchasing their own, but whether or not this is an option for you depends on your insurance company and your circumstances. Some carriers may offer specific discounts for teen drivers, including student discounts that reward good grades.

If you’re looking for low-cost car insurance in Massachusetts after adding a teen to your policy, you may want to consider the companies below.

Cheapest Massachusetts car insurance for teens with a ticket: Plymouth Rock

Teen drivers are prone to the same hazards that all drivers are, including speeding tickets. Though having one on record may drive up insurance premiums, teen drivers may still benefit from comparing quotes from several companies.

Cheapest Massachusetts car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Plymouth Rock

Massachusetts is a no-fault state, meaning the driver’s insurer will help pay for medical costs and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who was responsible. In addition, age is prohibited from being a determining factor in car insurance premiums. Despite these facts, teen drivers who have been involved in an accident may see higher premiums.

Cheapest Massachusetts car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: The Hanover

Young drivers with a DUI on their record may face multiple hurdles when shopping for the cheapest auto insurance in Massachusetts. Young drivers and those with DUIs are both considered some of the highest-risk policyholders, so a young driver with a DUI will likely see very high quoted rates. Bankrate discovered The Hanover offers the most affordable average minimum annual coverage and Plymouth Rock has the most affordable average full coverage rates for these drivers. However, some companies may not write policies for drivers with DUIs, so it’s best to check with the insurer directly to learn more.

Each insurance company offers its own set of unique discounts, but you may want to check into some of the more common ones below while on your search for cheap auto insurance in Massachusetts:

• Young driver discounts: Insuring a teen comes with its own challenges, but it’s still possible to find Massachusetts car insurance savings through young driver discounts. If your young driver is a full-time student with a B average or better, they could qualify for a good student discount. Or, you might ask about a distant student discount if your older student is at college without a vehicle.
• Safe driver discounts: One of the best ways to find low-cost car insurance in Massachusetts might be to practice safe driving habits. Keeping your record clean could help you avoid costly insurance surcharges and higher base rates, and you might earn a safe driving discount, too.
• Bundling discount: Another popular savings opportunity across carriers is bundling, which could net you a discount for carrying your home or renters insurance and your auto policy with the same company. Similarly, if you insure more than one vehicle with the same company, you can typically earn a discount on your policy.
• Vehicle safety discounts: Driving a car with safety features like automatic seatbelts, lane assist or adaptive headlights might also be an easy way to earn additional vehicle-related discounts.
• Defensive driving discount: Some companies may also give you a discount for completing a defensive driving class, although you may have to be a certain age to qualify.
• Loyalty discount: Many companies offer a discount if you’ve been a customer for a certain number of years. Some providers will even offer you a discount as long as you’ve been continuously insured (even if you previously had a different insurer).