Car Insurance in Massachusetts

What Coverages Are Included in Auto Policies?

Auto policies’ coverages fall into one of two categories. There are compulsory coverages all drivers in the state are required to purchase, and there are optional coverages that drivers may purchase for additional coverage.

In Massachusetts, the compulsory coverages and minimum limits drivers are required to maintain are:

• Bodily Injury to Others Coverage, which typically provides liability protection in the event that a driver causes injury to someone outside their car if the accident occurs in the state ($20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident minimum)
• Personal Injury Protection Coverage, which typically covers medical costs, replacement services and a portion of lost wages if a driver, passenger or pedestrian is injured ($8,000 minimum)
• Bodily Injury Caused by Uninsured, which typically covers losses caused by unidentified (“hit and run”) or uninsured drivers ($20,000 per person /$40,000 per accident minimum)
• Property Damage Coverage, which typically covers property damage sustained by other people’s property in an accident ($5,000 minimum)

Because these compulsory coverages offer only a basic level of protection, many drivers choose to supplement their policy with higher limits for compulsory coverages, and optional coverages. Most insurers make higher limits available for all four compulsory coverages, as well as an option to extend bodily injury to others coverage to accidents that occur in other states. Some optional coverages drivers frequently get include:

• Collision Coverage, which may pay for damage the insured vehicle sustains in an accident
• Comprehensive Coverage, which may pay for damage the insured vehicle sustains in a non-accident incident (e.g. a fire, burglary, etc.)
• Coverage for Substitute Transportation, which may pay for a rental vehicle while the insured vehicle is being repaired after a covered incident
• Coverage for Towing and Labor, which may pay to have the insured vehicle towed when it breaks down
• Auto Loan/Lease Coverage, which may extend protections to rented or leased vehicles
• Pet Coverage, which may cover pets in the insured vehicle

Because these are optional coverages, their terms, conditions, exclusions and limits can vary significantly. When purchasing these (or any) coverages, all terms and conditions should be reviewed carefully so that the coverages’ protections are fully understood.

Do All Auto Insurers Offer Each of These Coverages?

Similar to the compulsory coverages drivers must carry, there are mandatory offers that insurers must make. These are offers that provide a certain amount of coverage, and they must be made to all drivers in the state (with one exception). The mandatory offers insurers have to make are offering:

• Up to $35,000 per person/$80,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage
• Up to $35,000 per person/$80,000 per accident of uninsured motorist coverage
• Up to $8,000 per person/per accident of personal injury protection
• Up to $5,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage
• A deductible of $500 for comprehensive and collision coverages (except for drivers with excessive claims history)
• A minimum of $5,000 of medical payments insurance

All insurers that offer auto policies in the state make these coverages available, for they face legal consequences if they don’t. The vast majority of insurers also offer higher limits and many of the optional coverages listed above. Insurers aren’t obligated to provide coverage beyond these mandatory offerings, though.

How Can Drivers Get Quotes for Car Insurance Policies?

Drivers in Massachusetts who would like help finding a car insurance policy should get in touch with an independent insurance agent. An independent agent can quickly requires auto quotes from multiple insurers, and they have the expertise needed to help drivers compare coverages and premiums. With an agent’s help, finding the best available auto policy is easy.