Car Insurance in Massachusetts: How To Get the Best

Although the law requires you to purchase an insurance policy, selecting the right insurance company and policy from a suite of choices is easier said than done. Insurance companies aren’t always easy to work with, so you want to make sure you select a good option before paying the premium payment. Additionally, Massachusetts is a no-fault state, meaning your insurance company is responsible for medical costs for your car’s driver and passengers, regardless of who caused the wreck.

The right insurance company will offer the coverage you need at a price point you can afford. Beyond that, a good insurance company has high customer satisfaction ratings to show it takes care of its customers. The Drive team researched automobile insurance companies in Massachusetts to help you save time and quickly find the best insurer for your needs. Below you’ll find a list of the top car insurance providers in Massachusetts. 

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Car insurance is a non-negotiable line item in the budget of Bay State drivers. If you are on the hunt for car insurance, here’s what you need to know about our recommended insurance companies. 

USAA offers an affordable car insurance option complemented with high-quality customer service for Bay State drivers. 

If you are a member of the U.S. military, a veteran, or a family member of one, you can get access to the attractive car insurance policies offered through USAA. According to the company, Massachusetts drivers pay an average of $149 per month for coverage. 

Not only does USAA offer affordable options, but they keep their customers happy. The J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study found that USAA boasted the highest overall customer satisfaction ratings in New England. 

You can save even more on affordable rates with discounts for good students, good drivers, or military members parking their vehicles in storage long-term. Because USAA only works for military families, you’ll need to find coverage with one of the other top providers if you’re a civilian. 

Amica Mutual has high customer satisfaction ratings and a low number of customer complaints. 

Amica Mutual scored the second place spot in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, which means the company boasts excellent customer satisfaction ratings. As an Amica customer, you’ll have the option to add a suite of coverage types, including accident forgiveness, disappearing deductible, identity fraud monitoring, rental coverage, and more. 

One unique option is the dividend auto insurance policy offered to Amica Mutual policyholders. With this policy, you could get up to 20 percent of your annual premium returned to you.

The downside of Amica Mutual is that its premiums are reportedly on the higher end. Even with higher costs, however, this company offers a ton of value. 

Plymouth Rock Assurance landed in the top three insurers in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. 

Plymouth Rock Assurance offers Massachusetts drivers a wide range of coverage options. You’ll find everything from the most basic liability coverage to comprehensive and accident forgiveness options. 

There’s a big collection of discounts to help you lock in a better rate. You’ll find discounts for paying up front, being a student, and bundling insurance. Beyond the policy discounts, you can tap into perks as a policyholder. One perk is the option to save on Red Sox tickets and priority access to Patriots games. 

The company has earned an A- financial strength rating from AM Best, which means this insurer can pay your claim and meet its financial obligations. 

Geico offers insurance shoppers a wide range of coverage options, but you won’t find gap insurance options through this company. 

When you choose to work with Geico and its gecko mascot, you’ll be able to finish the application process entirely online. If you really want to speak with an agent, that’s an option, but the limited local agent network could be a dealbreaker for some. 

Arbella offers affordable rates with plenty of discount opportunities. Plus, you can add extra features to a full-coverage insurance policy. 

Arbella Insurance Group operates in Connecticut and Massachusetts. You’ll find affordable rates with the ability to drive rates even lower through plentiful discount opportunities. Discounts abound for new customers, energy-saving vehicles, students, infrequent drivers, and more. 

Although the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study ranked this company slightly below average in customer satisfaction ratings, many report a pleasant experience with Arbella. 

Affordable rates and discounts make Progressive attractive, but the customer satisfaction ratings leave something to be desired. 

Progressive offers affordable rates to drivers in Massachusetts. Although the premiums aren’t always as cheap as they could be, discount options can push your premium price lower. 

The J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study gave Progressive a below-average rating, but there are mixed customer reviews. Some enjoy the experience; others make it clear that they didn’t enjoy working with the company. With an A+ AM Best rating, Progressive is in a strong financial position to keep up with its insurance obligations.

Travelers is a major insurance company with ample auto insurance coverage options, but it ranks below average in customer satisfaction for New Englanders. 

Travelers is a top auto insurance provider across the country. With this footprint and an A++ AM Best rating for Travelers, the company is in a position to meet its insurance obligations, which includes paying out claims when needed. 

You can go through an easy online quote process or work with a local agent for assistance. Drivers with Travelers reported lower than average customer satisfaction, but the extensive coverage options and discounts to keep prices affordable make this company worth looking into. 

According to Bankrate, the average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is $446 per year for the minimum coverage requirements. Drivers who opt for full coverage pay an average of $1,296 per year for insurance. 

If you want to reduce your car insurance premiums, check out this list of our recommended discounts to look out for. 

Shop around. Taking the time to compare rates across multiple insurance companies will prevent you from overpaying for this unavoidable expense. 

As with everything, there are a host of variables that will affect the cost of your insurance as no two people are alike. With that in mind, here are the variables that will change the cost of your insurance. 

Age matters when it comes to car insurance. With age comes experience, meaning older drivers tend to have fewer accidents. Typically, insurance companies charge high rates to teenage drivers. Don’t be surprised by a shocking quote if it’s your first time purchasing insurance as a new driver. The costs tend to drop off after your 25th birthday. 

Another factor that insurance companies consider is your gender. As a general rule, males cause more accidents than females, so women are sometimes rewarded with better rates. 

An insurance policy is a financial contract. With that in mind, your credit score comes into play because insurance companies want to make sure you’ll keep up with your premium payments. Drivers with a higher credit score will unlock lower premiums. 

Where you drive has a big impact on your premiums due to the specific risk factors associated with the place. Typically, urban city centers have higher rates of theft and accidents. Both of these issues push insurance costs higher. 

The car you drive impacts your rate in multiple ways. First, the cost of your vehicle affects the cost of insuring it. If your vehicle is more expensive, that usually means it’s more costly to repair after an accident, leading to higher insurance costs. 

Some vehicles are more of a theft target than others. If your vehicle is a commonly stolen vehicle, you’ll face higher insurance premiums. A few top targets include Chevrolet trucks, Ford trucks, Honda Civics, and Honda Accords. 

Vehicle safety ratings can drive the cost of insurance up or down. A higher safety rating often leads to lower insurance costs. 

As a Massachusetts driver, you must legally show proof of insurance. Here’s a look at the minimum coverage requirements:

These requirements are the bare minimum for a policy in Massachusetts. If you opt for this bare-bones coverage, you’ll likely find the most affordable rates. But depending on your financial situation, you might choose more robust coverage options, such as comprehensive or collision insurance. Although you’ll pay more for coverage, the insurance company will pay for more potential problems. 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers. 

A. Yes, Massachusetts requires drivers to buy insurance. Without the appropriate insurance, you won’t be legally allowed to drive here. 

A. In general, older cars are cheaper to insure because cars lose value as they age. As the value of the car declines, the potential costs for the insurance company also decline. 

A. If you have a car loan, the lender will likely require you to purchase full coverage, also referred to as comprehensive or collision coverage. The lender wants to make sure their investment is protected. After you pay off the vehicle, you get to decide if you want to keep full coverage or drop down to a liability-only policy. 

Ultimately, the right choice varies based on the situation. If you can afford to replace or repair the vehicle without an insurance payout, skipping full coverage might be the right move. If you can’t cover the cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle after an accident, keeping full coverage offers better protection for your finances. 

A. A few strategies for locking in a lower rate include shopping around for a cheaper policy, increasing your deductible, and asking for discounts. 

To choose the best companies and products for this list, I looked at a large number of financial products from various providers. I focused on cost, product features and options, ease of use, customer service, and past customer ratings as the most important factors in the ratings.