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Best Cheap Car Insurance In Massachusetts

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09/14/2023 05:17 PM

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Are you one of thousands of drivers in the Bay State searching for cheap auto insurance rates? Our team of experts has done the work for you in our comprehensive review of car insurance in Massachusetts to help you find the best cost and coverage for your needs.

We’ve researched and reviewed the best car insurance companies in the country based on their cost, coverage, reliability, and service. In this article, we’ve focused our research to identify the top providers for car insurance in Massachusetts. Geico, USAA, and Plymouth Rock stood out as some of the best options for Massachusetts drivers.

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Cheap Car Insurance In Massachusetts

Auto insurance rates can vary widely from state to state. According to our rate estimates, Geico tends to offer the lowest rates on average for Massachusetts drivers, followed by USAA and Plymouth Rock. The table below highlights the five cheapest providers on average for car insurance in Massachusetts.

Auto Insurance Provider Estimated Annual Cost
Geico $1,589
USAA $1,674
Plymouth Rock $1,960
Arbella $1,989
Travelers $2,675

How Much Is Auto Insurance In Massachusetts?

The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Massachusetts is $2,632 per year. This is about 52 percent higher than the national average, which is $1,732 per year. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Massachusetts was the 13th-most expensive state to insure your vehicle in 2018.

It’s important to note that your car insurance rates will vary based on a number of factors, including:

  • Age: Because young drivers have less experience, they generally pay higher rates for car insurance.
  • Gender: Men tend to pay higher car insurance rates than women in most states.
  • Marital status: Married drivers generally pay less for coverage and have more access to family or bundling discounts.
  • Driving record: Those with clean driving records pay much lower rates. Drivers with speeding tickets, reported accidents, or DUIs on their records pay more for coverage.
  • Location: Car insurance rates vary by both state and city. Drivers who live in a densely populated area with a high number of traffic incidents will pay higher rates, while those in a more rural area may pay less.
  • Coverage level: Full coverage policies cost more than state minimum liability insurance policies.

While credit score is often used as a factor to determine car insurance rates, Massachusetts is one of a handful of states that does not allow this (along with California, Hawaii, Michigan, and Washington). According to the Massachusetts Consumer Bill of Rights for Automobile Insurance, car insurance companies within the state are not allowed to base prices for insurance coverage on a consumer’s credit score.

Cheapest Massachusetts Car Insurance: Young Drivers

Car insurance rates are typically higher for drivers under the age of 25. Young drivers in Massachusetts may find some of the lowest rates from Geico, USAA, and Plymouth Rock.

Auto Insurance Provider Estimated Annual Cost
Geico $1,589
USAA $1,722
Plymouth Rock $1,974
Arbella $1,989
Travelers $2,675

Cheapest Massachusetts Car Insurance: Speeding Tickets

A single speeding ticket can drastically increase your car insurance rates. Our review team found that Geico, USAA, and Arbella tend to offer the cheapest coverage for Massachusetts drivers with speeding tickets on their records.

Auto Insurance Provider Estimated Annual Cost
Geico $1,729
USAA $1,942
Arbella $2,179
Plymouth Rock $2,657
Travelers $3,433

Cheapest Massachusetts Car Insurance: Recent Accidents

A speeding ticket, driving under the influence (DUI) charge, car accident, or other blemish on your driving record can make the cost of insuring your vehicle skyrocket. Our review team found that a single accident can raise the price of an auto insurance policy by nearly 30 percent in Massachusetts.

Auto Insurance Provider Estimated Annual Cost
Geico $2,243
USAA $2,357
Arbella $2,632
Plymouth Rock $2,682
Amica Mutual $3,266

Top 5 Auto Insurance Companies In Massachusetts

After thorough research into each provider’s cost, coverage, reliability, and service, our review team has identified the top five options for car insurance in the state of Massachusetts. Geico rose to the top as our No. 1 pick, with USAA and Arbella following close behind.

Best Car Insurance in Massachusetts Overall Rating Cost Rating Coverage Rating
1. Geico Car Insurance 5.0 4.5 5.0
2. USAA Car Insurance 5.0 5.0 4.5
3. Arbella Car Insurance 4.0 4.0 3.5
4. Plymouth Rock Car Insurance 3.5 3.5 4.0
5. Travelers Car Insurance 4.0 4.0 4.5

*Our research team scores car insurance companies by taking nationwide factors into account. The order of insurers in this table is specific to auto insurance in Massachusetts.

#1 Geico

As the second-largest insurance provider in the U.S., Geico stands out for its quality coverage, affordable average rates, and positive customer service ratings. Our review team identified Geico as not only the best choice for Massachusetts drivers, but also the Best Overall Provider in our nationwide review.

The insurer has a positive reputation within the auto insurance industry. Geico has an A++ AM Best financial strength rating as well as an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), highlighting its ability to reliably pay out claims and respond to customer issues.

While Geico is known for offering affordable rates to many types of drivers, the company also offers a range of discounts to further reduce premiums, such as:

  • Military discount
  • Student discount
  • New driver discount
  • Accident-free discount
  • Federal employee discount
  • Multiple vehicle discount
  • Bundling discount

Geico Pros And Cons

Pros High customer satisfaction ratings Variety of discounts and coverage options Strong industry reputation
Cons Doesn’t offer gap insurance Local agents and services are limited

Check out our comprehensive Geico insurance review to learn more about the provider.

#2 USAA

Even though USAA is available only to military members, veterans, and their families, auto insurance from the provider is a smart choice for those who qualify. In our USAA review, our team gave the company a perfect rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 and recognized it as Best for Military Members.

According to our research, USAA frequently offers some of the lowest average rates to Massachusetts drivers. It also offers several discount opportunities to help policyholders save even more, including:

  • Military discount
  • Student discount
  • New driver discount
  • Defensive driving discount
  • Military base storage discount
  • Multiple vehicle discount
  • Bundling discount

While USAA is not eligible to rank in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠ because of its eligibility requirements, the insurer received the highest score in the New England region. USAA also holds an A++ AM Best financial strength rating and an A+ rating from the BBB.

USAA Pros And Cons

Pros High industry ratings from the BBB and AM Best Offers SafePilot™ usage-based insurance program Great discounts and benefits for military service members
Cons Only available for active military personnel, veterans, and their families

Read more about the provider in our USAA insurance review.

#3 Arbella

Founded in 1988, Arbella offers auto insurance products exclusively to drivers in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The provider is known for its local service in the region, with a number of local agents and offices available. Our review team gave Arbella a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 because of its great customer service and affordable rates for Massachusetts drivers.

In addition to standard auto insurance coverage options, Arbella offers accident forgiveness and gap insurance. Drivers can trust in Arbella’s reliability as well, as evidenced by the provider’s A financial strength rating from AM Best and its A+ BBB rating.

If you’re looking to find the cheapest car insurance rates, Arbella also offers some common discounts to help you save on your policy, such as:

  • Military discount
  • Student discount
  • New driver discount
  • Pay in full discount
  • Hybrid or electric vehicle discount
  • Multiple vehicle discount
  • Bundling discount

Arbella Pros And Cons

Pros Outstanding industry ratings from the BBB and AM Best 24/7 claims reporting and customer service More than 30 years in the industry
Cons Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts endorsement not available in Massachusetts

#4 Plymouth Rock

Founded in 1982, Plymouth Rock offers auto insurance only to drivers in six Northeastern states:

  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island

Our review team rated Plymouth Rock 4.0 out of 5.0 stars overall due to its several additional coverage options and its below-average rates for car insurance in Massachusetts.

Plymouth Rock stands out for its Assurance Packages, which include a variety of additional coverage options and benefits that can be added on to a standard policy. Depending on which package you choose, some of the features included are guaranteed repairs, door-to-door valet claim service, and roadside assistance.

Plymouth Rock also offers a few common discounts, such as:

  • Student discount
  • New driver discount
  • Driver training discount
  • Multiple vehicle discount
  • Claim-free discount
  • Bundling discount

Plymouth Rock Pros And Cons

Pros Will receive automatic upgrade to Assurance Plus after three years Offers an online quote tool Nearly 40 years in the industry
Cons Mixed customer reviews Below-average J.D. Power satisfaction score
Plymouth Rock Pros Plymouth Rock Cons

Will receive automatic upgrade to Assurance

Plus after three years

Mixed customer reviews
Offers an online quote tool Below-average J.D. Power satisfaction score
Nearly 40 years in the industry

For more information, check out our Plymouth Rock insurance review to see if the provider is the right choice for you.

#5 Travelers

Rated 4.0 out of 5.0 by our review team, Travelers is a great option to consider for Massachusetts auto insurance. The insurer has a strong industry standing, with an A++ AM Best financial strength rating and an A rating from the BBB.

In addition to standard car insurance coverages, Travelers is known to offer a range of add-on coverage options, including:

  • Loan/lease gap insurance
  • New car replacement
  • Accident forgiveness
  • Named non-owner coverage

Travelers also offers usage-based insurance through its 90-day IntelliDrive® program, which tracks drivers’ habits on the road and helps them save on their premiums.

Travelers provides several discount opportunities to help Massachusetts drivers save even more:

  • Student discount
  • New driver discount
  • Multiple vehicle discount
  • Homeowners discount
  • Pay in full discount
  • Hybrid or electric vehicle discount
  • Bundling discount

Travelers Pros And Cons

Pros 1 of the 10 largest insurance companies in the country Over 150 years’ experience 13,500 insurance agents worldwide
Cons Average rates Below-average J.D. Power satisfaction score

Check out our Travelers insurance review for more information on this provider.


Massachusetts Car Insurance Requirements

Whether you’re stuck in traffic in Boston or cruising on Rockport’s seaside roadways, you’re required to have a driver’s license and the state minimum coverage for auto insurance. Minimum car insurance coverage requirements in Massachusetts include:

  • Bodily injury liability: $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $5,000 per accident
  • Personal injury protection (PIP): $8,000 per accident
  • Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident

While comprehensive coverage and collision coverage are not required by Massachusetts state law, it is recommended that you add them to your policy to protect your vehicle.

Is Massachusetts A No-Fault State?

Safe driving is important, but sometimes even the best drivers get involved in car accidents. This is why it’s important to know whether the state you live in is an at-fault or no-fault state. Massachusetts is a no-fault state.

Being in a no-fault state means that regardless of which driver is at fault, all parties involved in a collision must file a claim with their own insurance providers. Rather than assign blame, the no-fault system aims to quickly amend the financial strain a car accident may cause.


How To Get Massachusetts Car Insurance Quotes

When you’re ready to start your search for quality car insurance in Massachusetts, we recommend getting quotes from several providers to compare your cost and coverage options. Many insurers offer instant quotes online, which can help you get multiple car insurance quotes quickly. You can also reach out to a company by phone for a quote or work with an insurance agent for a more personalized experience.

After thorough research, our review team found Geico to be the best car insurance provider not only in the nation, but also in Massachusetts. USAA, Arbella, Plymouth Rock, and Travelers can all be smart choices for affordable auto insurance in Massachusetts as well.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I lower my car insurance in Massachusetts?

You can lower your car insurance rates by dropping unnecessary coverage, combining insurance policies, or taking advantage of discounts offered by your Massachusetts car insurance provider.

How much does car insurance cost per month in Massachusetts?

According to the III, the average annual expenditure on auto insurance in the state of Massachusetts was $1,167 in 2018. This includes both minimum coverage and full coverage policies. This means that the average cost per month of car insurance in Massachusetts is about $97.

Is car insurance mandatory in Massachusetts?

As is standard for most states across the country, Massachusetts has minimum requirements for auto insurance coverage. This includes $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $5,000 per accident in property damage liability, $8,000 per accident in PIP coverage, and $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.

Is car insurance high in Massachusetts?

According to the III, Massachusetts has the 13th-most expensive car insurance in the country–over 9 percent more expensive than the national average.

Is Massachusetts a no-fault state?

Yes, Massachusetts is a no-fault state.

How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
  • Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
  • Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer easy-to-use claims apps.