With a rich history and vibrant arts scene, Massachusetts is an appealing place to live. And it was also ranked as one of the top five healthiest states in the country.
Unfortunately, living in Massachusetts will cost a premium. It has an extremely high cost of living; only Washington D.C. and Hawaii are more expensive. However, that cost of living is not reflected in the state's car insurance premiums. The average price of car insurance in Massachusetts is $177, compared to the national average of $193.
Learn about what pricing to expect and what you can do to lower your premiums.
Key takeaways
- The average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is $177 for full coverage or $104 for state-minimum coverage.
- Teen drivers will pay an average of $385 per month.
- We found State Farm to offer the lowest average premiums.
How much does car insurance cost in Massachusetts?
Full coverage insurance, which includes comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage, costs an average of $177 per month in Massachusetts — compared to the national average of $193. However, for state-minimum coverage, the cost is significantly lower. On average, drivers pay just $104 per month.
Avg. cost for full coverage | Avg. cost for liability coverage | Cheapest insurance provider |
$177/month | $104/month | State Farm |
Avg. full coverage cost for teen drivers | Avg. full coverage cost for seniors (60s) | Avg. full coverage cost for drivers with an accident on their record |
$385/month | $131/month | $253/month |
Average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts by provider
Many companies issue car insurance policies in Massachusetts. Some insurers are national companies, such as Allstate or Geico. But others are regional companies that only issue policies in select areas. For example, Safety Group only issues policies in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Smaller, regional companies are worth considering. For example, we found that Safety Insurance Group offered the second lowest average premiums for full and state-minimum coverage; its rates were significantly lower than those offered by most larger companies.
Provider | Full coverage | Minimum liability coverage |
Allstate |
$1,649/year |
$518/year |
Farmers | $1,692/year |
$420/year |
GEICO | $1,125/year |
$507/year |
State Farm |
$714/year | $323/year |
Progressive | $1,525/year | $848/year |
Plymouth Rock | $4,296/year | $1,092/year |
Safety Group | $730/year | $405/year |
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How does credit score affect car insurance rates in Massachusetts?
Car insurance companies can use drivers' credit scores in most states to determine their premiums. Generally, the better your credit, the less you'll pay. But Massachusetts is different; the state doesn't allow insurance companies to use credit scores in calculating driver rates, so your credit doesn't impact your insurance premiums.
In fact, we found that those with poor credit tended to pay less than those with excellent credit. That result is because of other factors, such as those with higher credit are more likely to finance cars with higher values than those with bad credit.
Credit health | Avg. monthly premium |
Poor (550-649) | $229/month |
Average (650-699) | $178/month |
Good (700-749) | $175/month |
Excellent (750+) | $169/month |
Average car insurance rates for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts
Insurance companies define high-risk drivers as individuals more likely to submit a claim or be involved in accidents.
You can expect your premiums to increase if you are involved in an accident, get a speeding ticket, or are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI).
Violation | Avg. monthly premium before violation* | Avg. monthly premium after violation |
At-fault accident | $177/month | $253/month |
DUI | $177/month | $194/month |
Speeding ticket | $177/month | $237/month |
*Assumes clean driving record with good credit
Average rate:
How does age affect car insurance rates in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, older adults pay significantly less than younger adults. For example, the average premium for drivers that are 60 is just $131 per month. By contrast, drivers who are 17 will pay nearly four times as much for coverage.
Age | Avg. monthly premium |
17 | $385/month |
25 | $235/month |
30 | $202/month |
40 | $189/month |
60 | $131/month |
Massachusetts car insurance rates by city
If you live in a busy city, you'll pay much more for insurance than you would if you lived in the country. And cities with high rates of crime are even more expensive.
In Massachusetts, Brockton had the highest average premiums at $266 per month. That rate isn't surprising, considering that NeighborhoodScout gave Brockton a crime index of 19, meaning 81% of the cities in the U.S. are safer than Brockton.
City | Avg. monthly full-coverage premium |
Boston | $207/month |
Brockton | $266/month |
Cambridge | $138/month |
Fall River | $190/month |
Lowell | $177/month |
New Bedford | $184/month |
Springfield | $207/month |
MA's minimum car insurance requirements
As in most of the country, Massachusetts requires drivers to meet state minimum coverage requirements. The state's minimum limits are higher than in other states. You must have at least the following coverage:
- Bodily injury: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident
- Personal injury protection: $8,000 per person per accident
- Bodily injury caused by an uninsured vehicle: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident
- Damage to other property: $5,000 per accident
How to save money on car insurance in Massachusetts
There are ways to save money on your premiums in Massachusetts:
- Lower your deductible: Deductibles — the amount you pay before your insurance coverage kicks in after an accident — can range from $0 to $2,500. However, a lower deductible results in a higher premium, so raising your deductible can help you save money on your premiums.
- Consider usage-based insurance: Usage-based insurance, or pay-per-mile insurance, can be significantly cheaper than traditional policies. Depending on your insurer, location, and driving habits, you could save between 5% and 30%.
- Sign up for the Safe Driver Insurance Plan: If your insurer uses the Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP), you can get rewarded for safe driving. Drivers with excellent ratings can lower their premiums by as much as 17%.
- Comparison shop: Rates vary by company, so get into the habit of shopping for car insurance at least once yearly. To get started, request quotes from the best car insurance companies or, more specifically, the best car insurance in Massachusetts.
Methodology
Our analysis was conducted using six different auto insurance marketplaces to determine the average cost of auto insurance in each state. The data we analyzed included coverage premiums from up to 10 different insurance providers. We looked at rates by city, driver profile, and credit score, as well as factored in the impact of driving violations. This data is for comparative purposes only. Your actual quote may be different.
FAQs about car insurance costs in MA
Is car insurance expensive in MA?
Car insurance in Massachusetts averages $177 per month, compared to the national average of $193.
How much is car insurance per year in MA?
The average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is $177 per month for full coverage and $104 for state-minimum coverage.
Data throughout provided by Insurify.
Average rate: