Best car insurance in Massachusetts for 2024

Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories. 

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto and home insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.

Massachusetts car insurance laws mandate that vehicle owners have valid car insurance. Minimum coverage requirements include certain levels of bodily injury liability, property damage liability, uninsured motorist bodily injury and personal injury protection (PIP), as Massachusetts is a no-fault state. Although you do not need to memorize the state’s minimum limits, understanding the MA car insurance laws might help you decide if you need higher limits or additional coverage types.

Minimum coverage policies can leave you financially vulnerable and do not cover damage to your vehicle after an accident you cause or due to weather events, theft or vandalism. For that reason, many insurance experts recommend raising your coverage limits beyond your state’s minimum requirements.

Minimum coverage in Massachusetts does not protect your finances against the threat of damage to your car. For that, you need full coverage car insurance, which typically includes comprehensive and collision coverage. If you have a loan or lease, your lender probably requires that you carry full coverage and may stipulate how high your deductible can be. You may also want to consider purchasing gap insurance, which is designed to cover the difference between your vehicle’s cash value and the balance of your loan. These policies can help a driver to pay off their lease even if the vehicle is totaled or stolen.

Understanding how your insurance needs are unique — for example, perhaps you need certain optional coverage types such as luxury car insurance — can help you narrow down which companies to consider. You may also want to consider how your car is used. If you work for a transportation company like Uber or Lyft, you may want to review your insurance needs with your prospective car insurance company. You may need an endorsement on your policy to be properly covered as a rideshare driver.

Coverage options are important but are not the only need to consider when shopping for car insurance. Policy management is another important, often neglected aspect of your insurance policy. If you prefer to work with an agent in person, choosing an insurer with offices in your area will probably work best for you. Or, if you’d rather manage everything online, an insurer with robust digital tools is probably more up your alley. You can also look for an insurer that offers you a little of both. Once you figure out your needs, you can compare car insurance quotes from companies that fit your needs.

Finding the best car insurance starts with your personal criteria. Are you looking for the cheapest car insurance company or is gap insurance really important to you? Some customers prefer a basic insurance policy with only the required coverages, while you may prefer a custom-built insurance policy that is tailored to your vehicle. You may also find it useful to consider whether you want to work with a local agent or would rather manage your policy online instead. After you’ve narrowed down the companies that might be a good fit for you, you can request personalized quotes to find out which of the companies offer rates that fit your budget. It’s wise to get at least three quotes before you make a decision.

Auto insurance rates are highly personalized based on several personal variables. These factors include things like the driver's driving record, insurance history, vehicle type, location and more. As a result, the cheapest car insurance company in Massachusetts for one driver may be different than for another. To ensure an apples-to-apples comparison, it's essential to specify the same types of coverage and coverage limits on each quote. It may also be helpful to compare potential discounts between these providers. Car insurance companies often offer car insurance discounts that eligible drivers can use to lower their rates.

You’ll need to assemble some details about yourself and your vehicle before you can get approved for car insurance coverage, but providing all this info during the quote process will also help you get a more accurate price. Some details you’ll be asked to provide include: the names and birth dates of all covered drivers, the driver’s license numbers for all drivers and the address where the covered vehicle will be parked at night. You will also need to provide information about the car, so have the vehicle identification number (VIN) handy, as well as the current mileage. You may or may not be asked to self-report facts about your driving record; insurance companies can pull that information from the Massachusetts DMV, but informing them about previous tickets and accidents can help ensure a more accurate quote.

The average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts per month is $152 for full coverage and $40 for minimum coverage. However, these are average figures meant to be used for comparison purposes; your exact monthly car insurance rate will depend on multiple personal rating factors. Keep in mind that Massachusetts insurers are more limited in what they can use to calculate your premium. Your age, credit-based insurance score and gender cannot be considered in setting your rate.

Yes, Massachusetts is considered a no-fault insurance state. But contrary to popular belief, you are still at fault for damage you cause in a no-fault state. “No-fault” insurance laws apply to injuries. Personal injury protection coverage (PIP) will help pay for you and your passengers’ injuries regardless of who is at fault in an accident, and Massachusetts law requires all drivers to carry it.